ATORIAN DIPLOMACY
The political prowess of a galactic entity the size of the Atorian Empire cannot be understated. Since it is a military super-power bent on dominating the rest of the galaxy (and doing a good job of it so far), the Atorians rarely have to engage in diplomacy with other interstellar powers. However, from time to time a strong neighboring star nation must be handled in a more delicate manner, mainly because they could cause a serious disruption to the Atorians Expansion Phase plans. Examples are:
Altess: the incredible wealth and super-science of the Altess Empire has given the Atorians a hesitation on their march to galactic dominance. Technologically, both Empires are nearly equal in weaponry, robotics, genetics, and other sciences. However, Altess space is located between the FAR and the Atorian Empire, so any future expansion would involve invading their realm, something that the Atorians are currently averse to do. While the Altess live a lazy life of leisure and decadence, they could easily become a serious threat to the Atorians if war broke out, especially if they joined with the FAR or sold some of their best weaponry to the Federation military. With that in mind, the Atorians have kept relations cordial with the Altess, while secretly trying to undermine them in galactic circles. In response, the Altess (who only inhabit a dozen worlds) nearly completely ignore the Atorians (who have over 800,000 worlds under their sway).
Dionii: the vast numbers of Dionii (100+ trillion bugs) and enormous size of their space (which is adjacent to the Atorian Empire) has made the Atorians pause in their expansion plans, primarily because the near-endless hordes of Dionii could badly damage the Imperial Fleet if they went to war. A bloody conflict like this would seriously slow down the Atorian strategy of enlargement of their empire and/or weaken their control over their portion of the Milky Way Galaxy. Since the Dionii have the largest battle fleet in the galaxy (with the Atorians a distant second place), this is a very real possibility. Rumors of Atorian bio-weapon research to kill off large segments of the Dionii Empire have not been substantiated but if such an event would occur, the Dionii would almost certainly respond in kind. Such a conflagration would surely decimate both sides of the conflict.
Federation of Allied Races (FAR): the FAR is the second largest interstellar empire in the Milky Way, and is in the way of the Atorian Empires' military march across the galaxy. The FAR is made up of hundreds of allies races that are deathly afraid of invasion by the Atorians. To oppose the Empire, the FAR makes a big show of flexing its diplomatic muscles by sending envoys, criticisms, and threats to the Atorians over a number of issues. The Atorians, in turn, calmly listen to the FAR and promise change or just ignore their threats and sanctions, depending on the situation. Since the Federation is a huge interstellar nation with enormous economic and military clout, the Atorians will deal subtly with them until the time is right for the next Expansion Phase, which will be aimed directly at FAR space. Until then, the game is afoot.
Kisents: located on the border of Atorian space, the planet Phorila is the homeworld of the Kisents, a planet where they make their famously sharp kisentite weaponry. The Kisents are wary of the growing Atorian Empire but are also one of their largest trading partners, although they trade with the FAR as well. In the next Expansion Phase the Kisents are expected to be "invited" to join the Empire, an overture that the Kisents are doubtful to turn down (on pain of invasion). The FAR has urged the Kisents to stand up against the Atorians and oppose them, but it is dubious that they will say no to the Empire's solicitation.
Mithridates Monarchy: MORE HERE SOON
Mycos: this independent world is the most heavily populated planet in the Milky Way Galaxy, with a total population of 20 trillion inhabitants. This extremely large consumer base gives Mycos enormous economic clout in the dealings within our galaxy. Unfortunately, it is located in a neutral area in the middle of the imminent conflict between our galaxies two dominant powers, the Atorian Empire and the Federation of Allied Races (FAR). MORE HERE SOON
Tagoniglomerate (TGE): this super-conglomerate is the galaxy's largest interstellar business, with a presence on over a million worlds in the galaxy. It has boycotted the Atorian Empire for generations because of several key disagreements over issues in the Milky Way. The TGE has cautioned everyone that the Atorians are bad, dangerous, and evil. This in turn has made the Atorian Empire hate the Tagoniglomerate. A war between these two powers is certainly possible, however, if the Atorians would try and strike at TGE by destroying its homeworld (Agika), it wouldn't make much difference as the Tagonicans have cleverly spread TGEs' operations across the entire galaxy. In turn, the Tagoniglomerate cannot win a fight against the Empire as it is not a military power, so the situation has stalemated. For now, the economically independent Atorians simply ignore the Tagoniglomerates' actions. Luckily for everyone, the FAR and the TGE are now allied against the Atorians, which has stabilized the current situation.
Viltrumites: Extremely powerful by human standards, the humanoid Viltrumites are a brutal, vicious race. They utterly dominate every habitable planet within 500 light years of their homeworld, and they are extremely technically advanced. They too have given hesitation to the Atorian advance across the galaxy as Viltrum advanced technology could badly damage the Empires' expansion. For now the Atorians ignore the plans of the Viltrumites but they keep a sharp eye on their ongoing operations. Individual Viltrumites can transverse the galaxy under their own power (without the need of spaceships) and almost all Viltrumites are militant megalomaniacal powermongers.