I was mining for some nickel among some asteroids just above a planet when 3 civilian ships passed just ahead as I was firing at the rock. I saw one was hit by my lasers. I thought `No! that was a mistake- sorry, ok?` Immediately, it sent out a distress call and I just knew this was going to be bad news.

3 Police fighters appeared. I couldn`t see any way to surrender or apologise. I didn`t want to fight them and make things worse, so dived for the nearest planet to escape them like I do pirates.

It took ages getting to the planet with tracer laser whizzing past my cockpit and having to reinforce it several times, but finally I was on the planet. I started cruising and checked the damage... Suddenly laser fire hit my ship and I jumped! The cops had followed me down!

I powered the ship in boost mode and moved as fast as I can and as low as I could between tall rocky structures and into canyons to throw the fighters and shield myself against their shots. As much as I didn`t want to be chased by the Police it was actually enjoyable - the game was actually letting me get low and cut really close to the land. It was like some kind of air race!

But I couldn`t lose those ships. In desperation I landed and hoped they wouldn`t try strafing me or my ship. They didn`t. I gave a sigh of relief.

But then a SENTINEL immediately attacked me! What the? I didn`t know the ships above communicated with the sentinels below? I destroyed that sentinel and ran and hid... Waited. And nothing more. Finally, it was over. I got back in the ship, to space and warped to a new system... just in case!

Don`t hit civilians - It`s a world of hurt! :)

Good story, and good to know.

How do you - actively - send out a distress call?

You can`t.

Another hint for you guys. Do NOT hit transport ships by mistake. They have some big ass guns!

And where the hell are the cops when pirates attack *me*?

=(

It's because I'm a Gek, right? I bet that's it.

This happened to me twice but rather than mining asteroids, I was trying to help by answering distress calls. I accidentally fired at the good ships and then everyone joined up against me including the pirates. So I don't bother answering distress calls anymore.

What do you get for helping them? Is it even worth it?

You have to be extremely careful when fighting around big ships (freighters and the like), one hit and they all go for you. My ship is very good at taking down pirates fast now, but even I will retreat if it looks like I might hit a friendly since those pirates tend to fly all about them.

You get nothing exception reputation from for killing the pirates and any pirate loot. You don`t even get a thankyou, so it`s only worth it to be the moral good guy. You don`t even get back up, at least I haven`t.

Thanks. Doesn't sound like it's worth the trouble.