Is it viable?
About to start my first game (vanilla for now), but from what I have read - it seems like a lot of hassle for very little payoff. No grinding bounties for money, even when non-hostile their presence debuffs your colonies, losing a source easy loot etc. Sounds like I'd have to run from every pirate encounter in order to avoid long lasting rep penalties.
Can anyone give me an idea of the benefits of getting pirates friendly, or should I forget it for my first time? I'd much rather play a shady smuggler type than Space Emperor.