 Gameplay takes place in the Fragmented Sectors , an area of outer space filled with asteroids that are rich in mineral resources . The aim of the game is to colonise and mine the asteroids for the various ores found on them and then sell the ore to the Federation . The player can use the proceeds for empire expansion , purchasing new technologies , construction of buildings , ships and missiles , spying , trading and also to pay fines should the Federation impose any . Construction of the various missiles and ships requires quantities of different ores , so the decision to sell to the Federation is not straightforward . The game has a stock market where commodities can be bought and sold . There is also a black market offering unauthorised information regarding individual spies and colony supervisors , and illicit trade in rare ores and missiles . The manual states that any TetraCorp employee caught selling ore on the black market will be terminated . 
