Not really looking for NPCs to take over multiplayer functions more of a call and send away type of deal.This they have clearly said no to. While it is possible to hire NPC's/PC's by service beacons the standing understanding is that NPC's will not fly your other ships if your not on them. It does ask the question of what happens if you fly a ship like a carrack and then hop into the runabout to check out a cave. So there are lots of edge cases that have not been addressed but Chris has from the very beginning been adamant that he doesn't want NPC's to take over for multiplayer interaction or turn players into fleet captains of NPCs.