Package / Passenger interception by 3rd parties

[spike]

I'm delivering a package or passengers to some Faction. I'm stopped by an authorised warship of a different Faction, not the "we will be opposed by" faction. They confiscate my package, arrest my passengers, void my Contract. Why?

This rule is not particularly clear. If this is the way it's supposed to work, the flavour text for the mission should make it clear not to allow any searches by anybody of any faction, while carrying passengers or packages.

If it's an exception due to the mission's real backer being concealed, or the intercepting ship's real flag being concealed, then that should be explained as part of the Consequences screen.

[bnoury]

I view this as a faction taking advantage of an open opportunity. As a third party faction, I could hold the contraband cargo/passengers hostage or sell it to the intended destination since there are at least two potential buyers for this stuff. If the siezure took place in the third party faction's space, tough noogies for you. If not, The you would have a good case for piracy, but poor chances of enforcing the law.
For the game I would like to see my ship have an opportunity to intercept contacts and profit from it. If you get my Droid.

[spike]

That might sometimes be possible but should not always happen. Packages are not always illegal and passengers are not always fugitives. Seizing them would often be an act of war against the Contract Faction and something only an out and out enemy - not a neutral or third party - would engage in.

I agree that player Captains should be able to intercept whenever interception is permitted for non player Captains.

[oldalchemist]

Maybe there should be a difference between allowing a scan and allowing boarders. Once you let armed dudes on your ship, you're at their mercy.

[spike]

Darth Vader: [addressing the Tantive IV's captain, whom he is interrogating] Where are those transmissions you intercepted? WHAT have you DONE with those plans?
[holding Captain Antilles off the floor, the Captain's feet are dangling at Vader's knees]
Captain Antilles: We intercepted no transmissions...
[gasps]
Captain Antilles: ... This is a consular ship... We're on a -
[chokes]
Captain Antilles: diplomatic mission...
Darth Vader: [shouting] If this is a consular ship, WHERE is the ambassador?
[Antilles dies before he can answer, and Vader throws the man's body against the wall, narrowly missing 2 stormtroopers]
Darth Vader: Commander, tear this ship apart until you find those plans! And bring me all passengers, I want them ALIVE!

[oldalchemist]

Honestly, I was thinking of a scene from the Firefly series, but Star Wars is spot on.