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And they have some alarming news!

When asked whether I wish to fight, I of course say yes, since I'm an idiot. Immediately that brings me a second declaration of war. I suppose these chaps are allied with the Shakturi, who are already at war with me.

Also, I didn't notice, but the Gizurean shrimp seem to have declared war on me at this time, too. Ack!

I've been put in charge of a fleet depending the moon Utopia from the invading Shakturi. All righty! Bring it on!

And now the Shakturi have their say. Things happening very fast now.

It's the RETURN OF THE SHAKTURI! Mwuhahaha! [X(]

Well, I still don't regret going to war against them. They don't look all that tough. I mean, last I checked, their military was at parity with mine, right. Right?

OK, one last spoiler. Here's the history of the galaxy!

(Spoiler space.)

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I confidently go to the diplomatic screen to check out their military, which I'm sure is still slightly inferior to mine.

Wait. That must be a typo. Are there SIX digits in their military power?

That is just the beginning of the "Hints to the Past" story-chain. Just fly around to the pulsating blue circles to discover more!

Because, you know, there are like only ... FIVE digits in my military power. So the Shakturi have 10x as much firepower as I do.

That is just the beginning of the "Hints to the Past" story-chain. Just fly around to the pulsating blue circles to discover more!

I have sent a few exploration ships to those circles, but I've been distracted and haven't visited them all. I take it any ship will do? Or do I need to send something tougher than an exploration ship?

Obi-Wan Kenobi: That's no moon.... It's a space station!
Han Solo: It's too big to be a space station!...
Luke Skywalker: I have a very bad feeling about this.
Obi-Wan: Turn the ship around.

— Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope

ORIGINAL: Grotius

That is just the beginning of the "Hints to the Past" story-chain. Just fly around to the pulsating blue circles to discover more!

I have sent a few exploration ships to those circles, but I've been distracted and haven't visited them all. I take it any ship will do? Or do I need to send something tougher than an exploration ship?

I think it has to be exploration ships. You just fly real close to whatever is radiating the blue circle (usually an abandoned ship or starbase) and it will automatically give you the pop-up. You can find a lot of really neat things this way, from tech, to galactic history, to new government types.

Thanks, Gelatinous Cube. I will be more diligent about those circles in the future!

Well. It was not a typo. The Shakturi outgun me by 10:1! And they won't listen to my suggestions for a cease-fire.

You need NPC Companions to force into the meat grinder for you! I recommend frog boy..

Plus, I'm also at war with two other Empires, including my old nemesis, the Gizurean Consciousness. The Shakturi have been raiding my gas mines and whatnot, but no attack on my colonies yet. I have three fleets available, all stationed at Almas-3, my homeworld. I ponder sending one south to reclaim my rightful territory from the shrimp (the light purple).

What the heck. Lay in a course for the Southern Shrimp Outpost, helmsman.

Note that there is now a Shakturi world not far to the east of me. They must have just conquered it. It's called Helu, which curiously is also the name of the new Washington Redskins starting running back. Coincidence? I think not.

But as soon as I start heading south, I spot incoming Shakturi vessels, heading for Almas-3. Turn the ship around, helmsman.

We fight a quick skirmish around Almas-3, and the Shakturi withdraw, but I fear they will be back soon, and in greater numbers.

At this point, the Gizureans asked for a cease-fire, and while I'd dearly like to spank them, I think I have my hands full with the Shakturi plus their other ally, whose name I keep forgetting. (Er, another insectoid race.) So I reluctantly accept the peace.

But my ships are still restless for a fight. I keep two fleets at home and dispatch one to Helu, along with 12 troops. Time to take the fight to the enemy.

Prob should add a spoiler warning to your title. 

Good idea. Also, it didn't turn out to be "quick and nasty." But I may leave that bit anyway.