Species name: Phlegeth

Faction description: Phlegeth are squid-like creatures, that over the course of time developed ability to shapeshift and mimic other creatures. They are highly intelligent, and social. Their intelligence, let them go to stars. Phlegeth have big cnowledge about psychology, that let's them negotiate more effectively. Phlegeth are fasl-learners,so they are able to learn alien language rather fast. In order to keep their empire strong, Phlegeth infiltrate other races, and discretely controll them. 

Ability description: They can send spies to other factions planet, in order to manipulate them, and give certain effects, for short period of time... something like EL: shadows expansion. The infiltrators can be detected/killed. If the spy gets detected you lose their trust. When imprisoned there is chance (depending on spies level) that spy will... give away one of technologies,  map info etc. That makes spying risky, and somewhat challenging. On the other hand, if the spy makes some successfull "actions" player might be able to take the planet... peacefully.