Thanks for the reply Drifter... I must be getting old....
Now I dont own the game ...yet.... as stated, but I dont mind the idea of being able to 'upgrade' your crews abilities after they gain battle expierience. It was well known that a crew with a few missions under thier belt were far more likely to return home than the green maiden crew. So I guess to simulate this on the computer the RPG elements were introduced. Dont you want some benefit from the crew (i.e. upgrades) for all that time spent on missions?
Maybe its the old Dungeons and Dragons coming out in me.... (now I am showing my age).... if only I could find my OPTAGOOGANOL sided dice and roll a 6!!! yes... its a hit!!... down with that freighter!!.. MWAAHHHHH.....