Edit: CYCLE FIVE
Rosslessness 29 Stars, 392 Ships in 9 Carriers
Bermuda 26 Stars, 392 Ships in 7 Carriers
Coffee Reavers 24 Stars, 372 Ships in 7 Carriers
Tech Bro 23 Stars, 373 Ships in 9 Carriers
Padre Nick 23 Stars, 378 Ships in 4 Carriers
Duckbill Doctor 23 Stars, 369 Ships in 4 Carriers
Gomer 23 Stars, 310 Ships in 6 Carriers
Red Trade Federation (no change) 15 Stars, 245 Ships in 3 Carriers. Now militarizing in the face of Purple Cross fleet movements on border.
Slug Trade Federation (+1) 13 Stars, 190 Ships in 5 Carriers. Lacking a enemy invasion, the STF remains unmilitarized, with 190 ships being the beginning production of only the home world. Fleets once squaring off against potential invasion have now returned to the home world, since that player QUIT, and no significant threat from neighbors detected.
Yellow Trade Federation (-1) 12 Stars, 204 Ships in 5 Carriers. Now attacked in a three prong invasion by two players, with one prong broken, another halted, and a third about to be snipped off at its root. A lot of interesting diplomacy has resulted, and maybe will see an exchange of a system or two more before lines are back to where they started more or less. Other players all eyeing the prize of a take over of the whole YTF, but none wanting to pay the iron price. The position now militarized.
Green Trade Federation (-3) 7 Stars, 142 Ships in 2 Carriers. A punishing defense vs one enemy has inflicted disproportionate losses on an enemy. An appeal to neighbors for aid, brought about a secondary invasion, which has taken 3 very valuable systems. The position now militarized, with W3 holding off further attacks.
Orange Trade Federation (-4) 6 Stars, 180 Ships in 5 Carriers. Invasion on 3 fronts, halted on 2, one by garrisoning of forces, another by a quit player who stood the most to gain by a wide open border. On the third, a large invasion fleet that won’t be repelled. Likely to militarize soon.
Pink Trade Federation (no change) 5 Stars, 190 Ships in 4 Carriers. Neighbors quiet.
Cyan Trade Federation (-1) 4 Stars, 188 Ships in 4 Carriers. One system poached by a neighbor, now militarizing.
Overall the game taking some interesting turns. The Central Powers turning their strength outward soon, perhaps in a cycle or two.