Very interesting - especially that 20PQ class planet full of industrial centers.
When I saw that first map, I thought "Holy cow - the four races actually started in the four corners! If that had been my game, I would have started against one side, squished in by all three of the others." Then I read far enough to realize it was a custom map. Oh, well.
I'd go after the Arceans next - those smug bastards. Does the first strike super ability apply both when attacking and defending? If so, and both sides have it, does the first strike cancel out or does it go to one side or the other?