This kinda fits in on the "hiring an NPC" but i think it would be interesting if you could gather several NPC's to be cannon fodder while you trek across the "trouble zones".

I dont know if it's possible for the game to permit several different entities to hold the same name, but if a pirate were to target this group of ships, one being you and others NPC's, they would all give out your info, so that the pirate had to spend time destroying the entire group. Hopefully, allowing you to get away from the ensuing massacre.

I would imagine that the NPC's could simply be purchased at a station, and maybe dock/undock when you do... or as a "one-time" purchase, as soon as you dock, they don't come out again. they follow your flightplan, stay in formation, and fly the same ship as you...

Flying a moth into pirate hangouts, wouldnt have to be a "run for your life situation anymore, it could be a "shell game" and cause them that little bit more grief.

drdoak007

In the spirit of the Ballistic Missile treaty between the then-USSR and USA, I believe that this is all right, as long as we pirates get access to avalons.

This could be interesting for racing, as well. Imagine the pirates chasing the wrong ship...

However, it would increase the number of ships in a sector (esp. well-trafficked ones), thus creating much more lag, so a solution for that would have to be found.