"Destroying the ship seems counterproductive, especially if they're pirates. No profit in it." And not so hard to change a ships transponder codes, fly it somewhere far away from where it was snatched, and sell it for a profit. Particularly in these times where they could steal from the Republic and sell in Separatist space or vice versa. Or in this case, apparently, steal while in neutral space and leave no witnesses behind to cry foul.

"And no...there haven't been any stories but don't at least some merchants carry weapons, especially when they're transporting valuable cargo?" Just in case? If nothing else, it seemed sloppy of them not to check.

He cocks his head suddenly, listening to the thrum of the engines through the body of the ship. "I think we've jumped to hyperspace."