I had to squeeze every last beacon out of the game, including just *barely* engaging the rebel flagship 1 turn before I would have lost the game. This run was amazing for many other reasons, including attempting to get all 3 Mantis ship achievements on this run, my first run ever playing a Mantis ship. I even attempted to get the "Battle Royale" Mantis ship achievement -- "kill the last enemy with your last crew on the enemy ship" -- against the rebel flagship! 
It didn't end well. 
Full text:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/664216-f ... t/65762641
Bunch of screenshots:
http://postimage.org/gallery/13qiqp0i/9dc3222d/