Sol is lost

[Asahibiiru (OP)]

Hi,

I just discovered this game recently and after a few training starts, i decided to try my own TN-Start from scratch.
So spending some hours designing modules and ships and building the first scouts, a new solar system was discovered. . .  and all hell broke loose. . .
Over 30 alien contacts milling around the JP.  The first scout is obliterated by meson cannons, the second barely makes it back to earth. . .  The aliens follow.
My first two finished PDC launched over 400 Missiles in the following Minutes, the few dozen that made it through the enemy PD just made a nice little poof on the strenght 600 shields.
The 5 enemy carrier vessels of over 60. 000 tons and their 30  800t FAC quickly mesonblastered my remainig forces to death.
Game Over after 13 months into the game.

So my question is, is there any way to defend against these things with a 120. 000 points start?
I guess if i have waited with my exploration a few more years, i had more defense.  But still i barely dented the shield of just one carrier. . .

[Icecoon]

The scenario you described is very uncommon, you had just very, very, very bad luck. Actually I have played many games now and nothing like this happened to me.
But if you want to be sure this not happens again, disable the star swarm in the game options, you can activate them later if you are prepared enough.

[Asahibiiru (OP)]

Yeah, i thought so. . .  Just my luck again.
Maybe i can use my last Survey vessel to lure them back to their system.  Do you think they would come back by themselves?

On the other hand a new start would be less troublesome. . . 

[Nibelung44]

what wait... you can activate or de-activate(?) some aliens dynamically during play? I can be interested in knowing how to do that...

[Hawkeye]

Game Details screen, the very first screen you should see, whenever you fire Aurora up. Those checkboxes on the right are there for a reason, you know 

Be aware, however, that turning something off, will not make those aliens already in the game go away, just prevent the generation of new ones.

[xeryon]

I think the reactivation of them isn't sticky though.  I do recall on previous game versions that if you don't have one enabled when you create the game and you later enable it that each time you load the game you need to make sure the check box is selected.  The system retains your default settings on reopening of your game.

[Mel Vixen]

Nope. just check the box and then click safe in the lower left corner (iirc.). It should stay that way the next time you start that game.

[randal7]

You might also consider backing up the database before going through new jump points in the early game. I usually do that to make sure there are no critters in the first ring of systems around Sol. But I am a dirty cheater.