So, there I am, master of my Immense galaxy. I mean, I've got colonies and ships _everywhere_. With the Eyes of the Universe built, I pretty much see the whole map.
I'm at war with the Yor, and have been for about half the game. I haven't developed Planetary Invasion, so I have to content myself with simply besieging his planets and killing his ships as soon as they launch. The bulk of his military is tied up doing garrison duty (which I've been continually decimating with my fleets in the neigborhood. The basic situation is that the Yor are about 99% contained -- and the other 1% is being chased down by my patrols.
Meanwhile, the Iconian Refuge is also at war with the Yor. But for the last 50 turns, they've been totally unmolested by the Yor because the Yor doesn't have a thing to throw at the Iconians. And I doubt that the Yor have any Spies in play, because he's _never_ thrown any at me.
So, comes the turn that the Iconians announce that they are surrendering to the Yor, "they've worn us down to the point that we must beg for their mercy", yada, yada, yada.
Why? If the Yor have NOT been able to send forces against the Iconians, why did the Iconians surrender?