Trading

[Mark Dey]

Yes, there was population on it, but it was only 4M, and they breathed the same atmosphere as me. Oh well.

As for demanding tribute, I've found that AI empires will consistently give away tons of stuff if you are more powerful than them. There's been many times where the AI gave me everything that they had (planets, ships, etc.) but wouldn't surrender to me. In one game I just finished, near the end I met a race that had been hidden from me most of the game. Since I was in 2nd and had nothing to lose, I demanded 20 (any) planets and 60 (any) ships. They gave me all of what I asked for, putting me into first place!