Playing as the Paridens with a fresh start 1.6 game, I was exploring around Kraxis territory when I saw some of their units appear around my borders (we still need some sort of popup alert when enemy units are spotted near our borders, by the way).

Upon examination, the units weren't soldiers - they were pioneers. Completely undefended, hanging out near my territory. Mind you, this was after the Kraxis had declared war on me. I didn't attack them to see what would happen. Nothing happened. They just sat there. After a few turns, there were three Kraxis pioneers, just hanging out. I called an end to the experiment and killed them all. And then the Kraxis sent more undefended pioneers.

Maybe the Kraxis pioneers were following around my sovereign like hippies used to follow the Grateful Dead. But I kind of doubt it.

Elemental is getting better, but there's still a good long way to go.