also, I thought I said this in my previous post, but again I'm at 6 'o clock (middle down) in the galaxy.
the problem is that:
2nd colony star is 3 range (so I can get this, but it's at the edge of the galaxy so it doesn't allow me to now be in range of more stars).
3rd colony star is the next nearest inhabitable star is at 4 range. (so I have to first research warp 4 tech at ~140 RPs, then build a colony ship, then wait for it to get there)
4th+5th colony stars are now in range once I colonize that 3rd colony star. one of these is the terran ~115 pop and the other is an ocean 35 pop star. the good terran ~115 pop star is right between me and the klackons... and this also means they can get to my home star and wipe me out with their massive fleet
Let me see, if I understand you. Are you saying that you feel the issue you are having is that you are in the middle of the map? Do you have the save from turn 1 and if you do could you post it.
Are you playing Humans or some other race? It was a max race game, is that correct?