After a long silence, I am posting an update. It looks like the next code release will be end of April. I am expecting that release to be ready for some beta testing and playing!
And help will be needed with ship and mission balance.
The release will focus on navy, pirate and mercenary combat missions.
Here is a new page showing the Career GUI you can use to hire on with a faction, transfer to a new career, or desert your position. Freeform play is the goal!
http://www.i-war2.com/epic/default.asp?nc=8566&id=42
Much more information on how careers work here:
http://www.i-war2.com/epic/files/Career.rtf
-Gtrout