"yeasty codpiece"?
Serious, Yuck!
I don't remember that particular detail from the classic Sci-Fi stories.
accurate on most points...but a little narrow in its scope..as are most one page declarations
It's covered under reasons for regular cleaning, and maintenance of an EVA suit or battle dress...
I agree with the fact a clear division between pirate...Opportunistic space going parasitic, criminal, and Privateer. I see pure piracy as a sort of part time job...If a chance to score an easy prize comes along go for it..otherwise find another way to make a living.
Pirates would also provide no questions asked muscle for criminal organizations, underhanded nobles, and corporations, and the odd private citizen with an axe to grind and money to pay low-lifes to do his dirty work.
This sort of black hearted ne'er do-well is the worst kind of scum, probably kicked out of every respectable career, or running from something nasty in his past.
A privateer, working the semi-respectable trade-war, "Luke warm" proxy war trade would be hitting ships with a definite eye toward causing economic hardship, and making a profit in the process. The objective would be to interdict trade, damage or capture shipping, and generally make life hard on the targeted faction...everyone else can go on their way as long as they dont try to play hero.
A privateer, or Corsair, would be skilled, reasonably professional, willing to take a risk but not desperate enough to stick his neck out too far. He might jump into a system look around for a likely target then go on his way ....rapidly if there is a system patrol in the area...he would not go after a target with only a slim margin of safety, and low expectation of return..after all someone is probably paying his for his time anyway.
Better to collect just enough to pay for fuel and crew costs, than risk a shoot out with a SBD/patrol boat.
Even if he had a custom built commerce raider/corsair, he'd never risk serious damage unless the payday was a guaranteed big haul, or he was being compensated for repair/medical costs.
) that sort of thing.
