What comes around, goes around. Or, to quote the webcomic Schlock Mercenary, "There is no 'overkill'. There is only 'open fire' and 'time to reload'".
I remember doing a mission in Omega-15 in my BH gunship (sans armor upgrades), when I was accosted by 1 Corsair fighter and 1 Corsair bomber. I guess they felt outclassed because a Corsair gunboat joined in the festivities. I went 'splodey. The Corsairs won that round.
A couple of similiar encounters later, I decided to upgrade to a destroyer. Since the upgrade, I've been able to effectively aid merchants (2 have given me rewards) and my fellow BHs. Since I play a BHG Guard pilot, I don't see any problems with helping out other BHs.
As far as BHs being "thugs", I for one don't play a BH thug / mercenary. If a trader offers me a reward, good. If he doesn't, no crime, no foul. Asking or demanding a reward for services rendered seems to me to be more of the merc's game. Collecting on bounties is another kettle of fish.
