A pirate (also known as a privateer or mercenary) is a person who commits the crime of piracy, robbing others of their possessions on a planet's bodies of water or in space. This is usually done for self-profit, but for the right price, one can hire a mercenary to do their bidding.
Early history
In the 17th century on Earth, piracy became popular in the Caribbean region on the high seas. Pirates would attack merchant ships and steal its cargo, usually gold, silver or salted fish. They would also take hostages, particularly females, as slaves and kill the rest of the crew.
22nd century
During the 22nd century, trade routes near Earth were often ambushed by Nausicaan interstellar pirates. (ENT: "Fortunate Son")
Another example of interstellar pirates is that of an Osaarian crew, who attacked Enterprise in 2153, after it had been disabled by a spatial anomaly. (ENT: "Anomaly")
In 2154, Harrad-Sar commented that he preferred commerce to piracy, although he stated that he would resort to plundering "when the situation calls for it". (ENT: "Bound")
The Orions became known as pirates in the late-2260s. (TAS: "The Pirates of Orion")
24th century
Apocrypha
In the video games Star Trek: 25th Anniversary and Star Trek: Judgment Rites, also set in the late-2260s, featured a clan of pirates known as Elasi. Elasi ships where a hodgepodge of old Klingon battle cruisers , which where fast and maneuverable but fragile. These frigates where equipped with phasers and photon torpedoes.
Towards the end of Star Trek: 25th Anniversary and throughout Judgment Rites, the Elasi made an alliance with the Romulan Empire, who provided the pirates cloaking devices. The Elasi retrofitted their ships with these devices along with other modifications such as 3 forward firing photon torpedo tubes. Elasi pirates where responsible for 46 attacks against the Federation between 2267 and 2269. During that time they where considered a "Class I Threat" to the Federation.
See also
- Harry Mudd
- Orion pirate ship
- Nausicaan pirate ship