Well, although GluttonyFang seemed to dislike my previous comment way back in this thread (or just didn't read it all), I actually believe that pirates and even plain murderers have their place in this game and can add content and life (or death) into Elite universe, making it more interesting in the end.
I loved the Hutton CG. On my first run, I thought I wouldn't even come back to collect the reward. Ended up losing count on the runs I did. I went to Hutton in 4 different ships, ASP first, then after an unsuccessful interdiction attempt bu a pirate brought my Clipper, then a T6 and finally Python.
Went to Hutton alone, with friends, with strangers. Made new friends, and new "enemies".
Seen kinds of user-generatied content and activities never seen before. traffic controllers, physical landing queues, respect for queue order, players dumping cargo for others, players policing the system.
Then came the pirates...
They brought me in-game suspense, in-game anger, but also brought even more player cooperation, convoys rallying at Readdy Terminal, wings of players who were complete strangers just the day before. Travelled in wings, picked up other players along the way, joined up with other wings. Destroyed pirates and was destroyed by pirates.
The pirates brought rage and indignation, fury, revenge wishes, etc. And that was fun. Also added more layers of cooperation between scrap haulers and hauler escorts.
Added a very exciting final push. And in the end they "cost me" a Python, which went up in a ball of flame after I deliberatly disregarded the warning to leave, and then the warning to stop, trying to fight a wing of pirates alone. Because my in-game character will never surrender to pirates, no matter the consequences.
And that, my friends, in my own personal opinion, just made a completely legendary CG even better.
The Hutton CG legend will live forever. Congrats to All, including the pirates.
For the MUG! o7
ps: still dislike the OP overall tone, although it makes some fair points.