
I swear, this is actually becoming little more than a paint-by-numbers process now...
In case you're wondering how to trounce 17 opponents in 1400 star, 15x15 sector map in under 200 years, the answer is simple: Pirates have no real maximum RP limits.

So basically, I was flying around with Meridian Shields and Area Transit Singularities before my rivals could even get past Gerax Hyperdrives.
The oldest rule of 4x games: Whoever has the most tech wins.