Most planets and bases have a Bar where you can talk to three kinds of people (i.e. NPCs).
A bar on planet Basin.
- Fixers offer payed missions. At the beginning this often means delivering a message or an item to someone in a different system. Later, when you've gained some reputation, these missions may involve smuggling contraband, which can be extremely profitable.
- Wingmen accompany you for a set amount of time for a price and defend you on dangerous flights.
- The Bartender tells you the latest gossip, which can translate into business opportunities. These can also be found on your Quine 5000 as trade news, but hours later. The Bartender also starts off the plot of most Quests.