Star Empires is, at its core, a game of interstellar diplomacy.  At first you will be alone in space, but as you explore you soon will encounter your nearest neighbors and potential opponents.  Whether you attack immediately or forge a strong alliance is, of course, your choice.  A neighboring emperor with a vast armada of cruisers and destroyers is certainly cause for concern -- unless he thinks your armada is bigger than his, or -- even better -- if he's on your side.  Deception, compromise, disinformation, intel sharing, backstabbing, and coordinated planning require constant communication with the other empires of the galaxy.