OK, so if only one race is present in a system then orders are processed immediately, if 2+ races are present then things slow down, allowing response and reinforcement.

What is the definition of present? A ship counts, I don't think a planet does. What about a trade platform?

I was waiting to reply unti I had tested some of this stuff (again).
But I haven't found the time.

Trade gates and planets do not register for system processing if no ships are in system. If enemy ships are in system then I do not believe trade gates will count. That is the intended function I seem to remember.

I have other things in mid implementation, so raise this issue again in a couple of weeks and I'll check it out.