Fleeing from battle -- how?

[Phoenix-D]

"I am trying to set up a surrender with one of the AIs. I have been able to blockade one of his planets, but it also has WPs on the surface. these will have have to be destroyed before I can make the demand."

Err..not exactly. AI's don't care if their planets are armed to the teeth or utterly defenseless when considering a surrender. All that matters is your score vs their score, and weapon platforms, like all units, don't count for score.

And you can't force a single planet to surrender. Only entire empires. Though you could ask the AI to tribute you the planet..

Phoenix-D