federation scout turned neutral in asteroid field

[LoWang]

Hello, I got into the asteroid field and had the option to explore it or not. I explored it and found hostile federation scout (why are federation ships hostile anyway?). But after few seconds when he got hit by an asteroid he turned neutral! Why?

[5thHorseman]

I have never seen this happen. Is it possible he was neutral all the time and you just didn't realize it? I know when I've just been playing on rails for a while I sometimes try to shoot at or teleport on to a ship only to realize it was neutral all along because I accepted his bribe or something.

[LoWang]

I saw it's interior and crew and shot a few ion blasts on it. Then it was hit by an asteroid and an interior disappeared and he turned neutral...

[5thHorseman]

I saw it's interior and crew and shot a few ion blasts on it. Then it was hit by an asteroid and an interior disappeared and he turned neutral...

Do you use the number keys 1-4 to select what weapons you will be firing, during the battle? It sounds like maybe he offered a truce and you inadvertently accepted it.

In the Options, you can set the game to either not allow you to hit the numbers for popups like this, or set them to only accept input after a brief delay. I suggest you try both of those options if you are a "number keys" sort of person like I am.