The trouble comes when those traders are flying heavily armored and weaponized craft. A bit cheesy for those folks to be tradin in military style craft. And not much balance when the whole flock of military vessels come to their aide. Can't earn a decent day's wage in New London, Cambridge, New Berlin, New Tokyo, Kyushu or Honshu. You wonder why there aren't many pirates around, its because its not easy. Too many choose the easy route of tradin long enough to buy the big guns. Wimps I call em.
