Pirate

Pirates are NPCs and players who are the space-age highwaymen (and women) of 3300AD. The philosophy of an Elite Dangerous pirate is quite simple, "Give up your cargo or I'll open fire!" which is no different from ye olde English, "Your money or your life!"

Pirates attack other ships for profit or gain, and very few other reasons. You will find pirates operating anywhere in the Elite universe but mainly in systems where the security forces and defences are weak, or absent. For example, LP 98-132 seems to be a pirates haven. It's rare in current times to be interdicted by a pirate in a well secured system such as Asellus Primus or Aulin. Pirates often operate in groups, but it is not uncommon for them to be seen working solo.

Although pirates generally operate within a code of conduct you will find that code differs greatly between individuals. Some pirates will contact a ship before they scan it and only open fire if a quantity of decent goods are detected. While others will open fire after scanning if any goods are detected. Yet other pirates will open fire without scanning a ship in a furious display of wanton violence. It has to be noted that most pirates do not care if they destroy a ship in an attempt to rob it of any cargo, or if any of the occupants live or die. Pirates are only interested in one thing - more credits!