Thank you for turning me on to the De-Cleansing Mod.  That is EXACTLY what I was looking for.   I played Star Control 2 on DOS in about 1992 and loved it.  I remember having to do the whole thing more than once because of the auto-lose at 2159.  I did win it, but was not satisified because I couldn't keep exploring after destroying the Sumatra.  So after I found Urquan Masters  I thought I'd finally get to explore the whole quadrant.  Forgot about the auto-lose...

To answer your question, I guess I'm exploring.  When I come across sequences in the game I go ahead and do them, but mostly I'm exploring.

I got to thinking about when I played it originally and went looking through my old stuff.  And I found it!  I have the original DOS game; all the 3-1/2" discs, the map, the manual (dated 8/92), everything!

De-Cleansing Mod here I come!

-FuzzyDriver

I love exploring in Star Control 2.  But no matter what I do, I lose at a (it seems to me) pre-determined date.  The black ships come to the earth system.  Even if I kill EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM IN THE SOL SYSTEM (I've done it, too), I still, inexplicably, lose.  They appear in my communication screen and inform me that they have destroyed my homeworld.  With what, may I ask?  I wiped them out!! How do I stop the auto-lose-at-a-certain-date?  I just want to explore!  Thanks!