Yes as ACAB boy says the ores are awesome in Crete and there's tons of them.
But as you say, the main part of rp is pvp.
but here's the dimension you don't see.
The skill.
It is understandable that best pilots in the entire universe are outcasts and corsairs.
Yet again, joining the corsairs and outcasts doesn't make you ultra awesome. You have to work on that skill.
How to make it more in rp that you are better pilot, build them a slightly better ship.
Liberty can have great ships, but their pilots, compared to corsairs and outcasts haven't got the slightest idea of what combat is in the border worlds.
I mean, just imagine that guy patrolling in Omega 41, to Battleship fes in 47, back in 41 to Omega 11 hole and then home to Leon.
Bounty hunters, Hessians, nomads from Gamma... Phew..