I played the beta for a few hours as the TEC Rebels and I love how there is a diplomacy technology that makes me at peace with all neutral factions. I capture planets and the neutral factions defend my new planets until.... my allies waltz through my territories and decide to destroy all of my new buddies leaving my new territory defenseless. I suggest that maybe when you are at peace with neutral factions and capture their planet that they come under your control joining your cause or that there is a passive game mechanic in place that tells your AI allies to not fire upon neutral factions in gravity wells under your control.