Thanks for the welcomes, folks! I have avoided all penguins so far....
I have read the rules several times and will continue to do so (I am a slow learner)
The chars are slowly building up and doing quite well. Mr.Happy is finally the proud owner of a rather tatty transport which he keeps getting stuck in trade lanes because he likes to fly it with his feet on the controls while he sips his synth-soup. Trading is a little haphazard too because he gets diverted:
"..arriving at Manhatten to trade..hmm now what could I buy?...I know - pizza!..*drool*"
If you meet him, say hello. If you need help with a transfer, just ask. If you pirate him - give him a little time and don't bully him. He may just sweep all the papers, fast food cartons and synth-soup cups from his turret controls and give you a fight. He has been in escape pods before and finds them very comfortable to sleep in.
All reasonable requests will be eventually understood and complied with. He's quite sweet really:)
Although he really needs money because his trading skills are so poor, his primary focus is not profit. He is at his happiest out there among the stars, soup cup resting on his ample belly and synth-marijuana enhancing the beautiful view of the heavens.
You may also see Mordred, possibly being badly behaved, but equally likely to be lawful. He does respect strong authority, but takes offense easily, being convinced of his superiority. He is keen to build his fighting skills so he can present himself to a strong faction as a decent recruit.
Having been ganged up on by 2 Outcast ships, he has had an idea about forming a 'Wing' of Freelance Fighter pilots in places where pirate heavy ships are active. Then, when traders are being attacked, the 'Wing' could go and give the pirates a hard fight. Groups of freelance fighters like this could make much more impact on things than solo fighters. Gangs of pirates get to face gangs of fighters. Great experience and great training. He has never done this before, but believes it could work. A bit like a 'posse' from ancient times....
OC-GB1 "2 Mil. Pay up or else, Joe"
OC-GB2 "Can I shoot him up, yet? Can I?"
Trader-Joe "Heeelp! 2 OC GBs are beating up this poor trader at planet California Minor.."
LPI-Fat.Donut "Huh?"
OC-GB1 "See. Nobody cares, Joe. Now pay up"
Freelance-Freddy "FL Wing to Cali Minor - now!"
FL-Bob "Here"
FL-Jim "OK - ready to go"
Mordred "Ready"
FL-Betty "Posseeeeeeee!"
FL-Cowboy "Yeeeeeeehaaar!"
Freelance-Freddy "Jumping to Cali Minor"
OC-GB1 "Frack! Where did all those fighters come from?"
OC-GB2 "That jump-hole looks a loooong way away!"
On success, the Wing would then expect some reward from the trader, who had asked for help.
On failure, the pirates have a greater amount of loot after a much more interesting confrontation!
//This is a question, by the way. Would this sort of activity be acceptable? I can see RP potential fun here, with official authorities worried about vigilante activity. Chaos and confusion, arguments, traders not paying up, Mercs wanting a piece of the action, opposing Wing/Posse groups arguing over posse rights while pirates rob and sneak off etc.
Established players who normally RP opposing Faction chars but know and respect each others' fighting skills, could create a Freelance char each and enjoy working as a team in a FL Wing/Posse.
The Freelance ID thus gains a 'group activity' possibility normally available only to main factions.
The pirates get more fights and lots of practice against multiple fighter opponents. NB: I see this as a FIGHTER-ONLY thing as heavier ships en-masse would make it impossible for pirates.
Hmm, maybe local police authorities could set up official possees using Mercs and/or Bounty Hunters to chase pirates into neighbouring systems that are out of bounds to their Police. Maybe even set up a new 'Marshal' rank, whose job it is to organise them.
Gaaah. I have typed too much again. Sorry if these ideas have been suggested before and discarded. I have looked, but there is just so much to wade through on the board. That's why I thought to suggest them here; you experienced types can just pat me on the head and say "Well done, little n00blet, now go and learn the game for a bit longer before you come up with any more smart-ass ideas":P