Running missions for a faction and lower your rep with them?

[FinnegansWake]

I was running a Feddie Blacks Ops mission in Barnard's Star Sector, hunting down pirates, attacking only pirates, in an effort to get my rep with The Federals up, (was unfriendly due to a heavy trigger finger when I first started playing) So I'm targeting and attack only "wanted" pirates, when the feddies in the combat zone start attacking me. (All fines, bounties had just been paid. before undertaking the mission.)

At first I thought accidental fire, etc, but they were both a good kilometer *behind* me when they attacked.

Now I'm flagged as Hostile to the feddies is there any way to fix this or should I just say screw it and take my skills to the Empire? Seems a waste though, since I've worked my rank up to chief petty officer.

 

[Neuros]

Before you open fire, check what faction the pirate is part of, even if he is "Wanted" if he is part of a federal faction you will lose rep with the feds.

only target non fed pirates to stop this from happening.