 There are a total of seven races in the game , but only TetraCorp ( representing the human race ) is playable . Upon discovering an alien race , diplomacy can be initiated in order to arrange actions such as non @-@ aggression pacts and joint @-@ combat treaties , as well as accuse them of spying or trading with the Mauna ( Trading with the Mauna is illegal under Federation law ) . If a faction is found to be trading with the Mauna , Jane Fong ( Federal minister for trade relations in addition to her role as Terran ambassador for the Fragmented Sectors ) can be informed , who will in turn tell the Federation , which could result in increased hostility towards the offending faction from all others or , they can be threatened with blackmail and forced to pay a tribute in return for the players silence . Each race has a unique look and diplomatic strategies and everything happens in real time with highly detailed characters that are well animated and lip @-@ synced . One of the factions — The Mauna , are not members of the Federation and are unable to be negotiated or traded with . As the players empire expands , agents and supervisors will make themselves available for employment . Agents are used for gathering intelligence on alien asteroids and can also be deployed on the players own asteroids for counter @-@ intelligence . Other uses for agents include deploying APV 's and destroying various buildings such as defense installations , life support , production , and other various installations . The chances of an agent successfully completing their mission and escaping detection are increased if there is a spy satellite orbiting the asteroid they are assigned to . Colony Supervisors are able to be employed to help manage the building and maintenance of asteroid colonies . There is no research in the game , as this popular mechanic is replaced with the Sci @-@ Tek blueprint system which allows players to buy new technologies as needed . Multiplayer is available over an IPX network with TetraCorp being the only playable race . 
