firstly, - yes, it does not say you must wait for the trader to answer. - but whats the point then? ( even if its not down in the rules, it would be a horrible example of roleplay )
about grouped pirates, - its not specificly described how it has to look like. - while your example works, - i d have a greater problem when a grouped pirate was too far away. in order to consider a group a "group", they must be a group ( not only grouped ). - that means, they must form a unit.
that is either scanner range or ( in terms of the time it takes to travel certain space.... a tradelane works, too ). it does not work when the other partner is clearly NOT in the same group, even if grouped up. - that means, in another system or so far ( in terms of time mostly ) away that no one can reasonably consider the ships to be one unit anymore.
so, no - being grouped does not make one unit. - there must be a logical link between the ships to make a group, - in that case, it would even work when the ships were not grouped ( technicly ) but seperate. ( allthough it makes no sense not to be grouped in that case )
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