Poor word choice during quest Vic┨οry ̈ ̈ ̈╳, │̆││ε Lost

[Kirika-]

Discourse meaning is specific to written or verbal communication or debate.
Intercourse meaning covers both written/verbal and physical interaction, the latter which the denizens of the mechanical race excel in.
As in they fight instead of engaging in debate, so it is more fitting than "discourse" in that case.

As for it's connotation in relation to sex, when that meaning is to be implied, then it's prefaced with the "type" of sexual inference, thus adjusting it's meaning.