World Building Idea's, Fears and Phobias (World Building Notes)

Fear is one of the greatest motivators for people in real life, so it should be in fiction too, especially if we are trying to create realistic depictions of characters. I like to make each person good at something, while also being bad at something. One of the main characters, Cutter, for example, is good at dealing with problems and is charismatic enough to get himself out of situations... Well, he's charismatic enough for his friends to get him out of problems.

Source

But, in making that realistic, I had to try and make him helpless in a way, as why would people risk themselves for this person? I made him a bad shot. Really, I did it as a comedic element, but, as I thought more about it, I thought it was a trait that would fit his character. While also making it believable that anyone would willingly risk their necks for him. Sure, there is a friendship there too between him and his crew. But, I thought if the others almost felt sorry for him, that would make sense.

Off-Worlders
In general, Off-Worlders are afraid of two things, mutiny, and supply shortages. These two things can spell utter death for anyone involved, as flying in the middle of open space with a ship full of crazies gunning for you, that'd be about the time to start praying for a miracle. People go just as crazy if their supplies run low.

To get from point A to point B, most ships use Jump Lanes. Well-mapped out and charted sections of space which can help a ship reach its destination in half the time. As the Ship's Navigation Computer doesn't have to make so many calculations and processes to avoid collisions.

Sacrificing speed you, you can choose to travel outside of the Jump Lanes. Most people choose this method, as traveling by Jump Lanes can lead to unwanted random Checkpoints, where illegal contraband can be seized. However, sometimes a planet's authority aren't the only ones at the end of a Checkpoint.

Criminal Factions
Raiders can be the instigators in one of these stops. Most of the time they'll steal valuables and maybe carry off a few of the crew. Pirates can be different, depending on how much plunder they have, they might decide to just play target practice with your hauler. Training any new crew they recently took aboard.

The Marauders
The Marauders though, they're different. They won't just steal valuables, they'll take the whole vessel to add to their roving, ever-expanding trail of ships. They had their planet destroyed by The Confederation, after which they all took to the ships. After receiving no support from Free Space during the occupation, they have no love for anyone and see every ship as a necessary prize and every planet as a target. If they take a ship, they aren't the kind of people who drop the crew off, on the nearest inhabited planet.

As large a fleet as The Marauders have, it's understandable that they would board and take every ship they come across, with so many of their own, ships are a valuable and life-saving commodity. Used for spare parts, or to give to anyone who wants to break out in their own ship.

Some rumors tell of Confederation Checkpoints, but why would they be stopping people in the heart of Free Space?

End Notes
These are a few of the fears Space Faring folks should be very cautious of while Star Jumping. Some of these reasons are the cause of so many people staying put, regardless of how harsh and lacking in prospects their Home Planet is.

This prompt is thanks to World Building, all be it an older post, nonetheless interesting to think of and expand on. Here's A Link If You Want To Give It A Go.