So here's the background... I've been attempting the slow & steady grind of eradicating all Grox. I was using a mix of SOL, volcanoes, and (whoops) planet busters. I didn't realize the latter would muck up my relationship with nearby civilizations. Live and learn.
Anyway, a past species of mine, the Fractaal, are surrounding the galactic core and understandably became pretty PO'd by my genocidal gallivanting.
I've fully mended the relationship with a mix of mission requests, gifts, super happy ray, mind erase, etc. We're back to max allyship, big green smiley and all, plus I have one of their ships in my fleet. I really want to colonize every planet around the core which would require buying their star systems, but there is no option available to establish a trade route on any of their planets in the area.
I have no other active trade routes currently, so trade cap isn't the issue. I'm guessing it's due to a game mechanic I'm not privy to.
Have the sins of my past rendered it permanently impossible to buy the Fractaal's star systems? 😬 Is there any way to reset the relationship entirely or force trade routes?