What's the Worst that could happen?

[Kamog]

Well, I've been defeated many times but not in a single, huge dramatic battle or event. Usually I'm expanding my empire and doing well and then I get into a war with the Tessellates or some other powerful empire. Then slowly, my empire gets whittled away in numerous battles as I gradually get overpowered and I lose a planet here, a planet there, and getting into a downward spiral until finally I'm down to a couple of planets and a few ships. If I choose to continue playing, well, in several more turns I'm wiped out.