Doubts about factions and colors

[Damodar]

Mi skills in combat are now just a little better and finally I got enough money to upgrade my frame into a Mirage.
I jumpet into Onyx system, looking for better equipment, but my reoputation there is flagged as moderate.
My problem is that I'm confused with the factions and colors of the NPC. For example, I've seen a red NPC Navy and another Navy one but green. The same goes with Energy and Rebels.

I really don't have any clue of how the reputation and factions works.

Thanks guys.

[Maarschalk]

The Green Navy are from systems you have a good reputation with....Navy also travels from system to system, and these green ones you can hire to assist you. The Red Navy are from the Systems you do not have a good reputation with yet.

[Edited on 4-24-2011 by Maarschalk]

[Marvin]

Here's one explanation:

Circa 2411, after the formation of the Independent
Mercenary Guild, it became obvious to the IMG Board of
Directors that trade within the known star systems was
stagnating. Both the Federation and the Alliance had
abandoned exploration and colonization. Worse, the
relationship between IMG pilots and governmental
entities remained problematical, forcing mercenaries
to spend precious time building a good reputation in
far too many areas of space before they could safely
conduct their business.

Consequently, with membership in the IMG increasing at
every cycle, the trading pie had to be shared by a
greater number of mercenaries. Meaning, each
mercenary’s share got smaller and, therefore, the
potential to get rich dwindled.

As a solution, the Board decided to establish new
colonies; directing mercenaries to build facilities in
areas of space that were outside the boundaries of the
known star systems.

But, true to the law of unintended consequences, ten
years after embarking on this program of territorial
expansion, the IMG began to fragment. Some pilots
spent most of their time and nearly all their credits
in the exploration and development of previously
undiscovered star systems. Then, after all the real
work was done, other mercenaries moved in to exploit
the now-fertile trade of each new system.

Separate guilds formed within IMG.

As trade expanded, rogue guilds and rebels began to
infiltrate the new areas of space. Subsequently,
authoritarian elements followed, in pursuit of these
bandits. Navies arrived, some of them seemingly
operating under the guideline of shoot first and ask
questions later. IMG was pushed further out.

The above quote is not intended to reflect actual events.