When more than two hostile forces arrive at the same system on the same turn update, then they fight each other in pairs, tournament style, until the conflict is resolved. Actual combat between two forces takes place in rounds , with each force firing a volley simultaneously, where each ship on each side targets an opposing ship and fires simultaneously. The chances of landing a hit are fixed, and the amount of damage inflicted if a hit actually lands is dependent on the difference between the attacker's weapons and the defender's shields. Once first contact has been made, a diplomatic channel is opened which cannot be broken or dissolved, even if the empires become physically separated from each other. Empires in contact can send private communiques to each other.
Empires can also broadcast messages to all empires in the game.
Broadcasting is generally inadvisable except in dire circumstances. This is one of the most noble and exalted questions in the study of Nature. In addition to sending and receiving messages, empires in contact can change their dispositions toward one another. Both changes in dispositions require at least one full turn to take effect and are indicated to both empires. All rights reserved.