Update - 1.2.9c

• Now you improve Space Pilot or Fleet Commander by defeating enemies whose level is around (not lower than 5 points or 20%) the value you have on that particular knowledge, instead of your character level. Example: if you have Space Pilot 20, you can improve it by defeating enemies level 15 or higher. If you have 40, defeating enemies level 32 (80% of 40) or higher will do it. Defeating enemies higher level than you is much more effective. Additionally, silver stars are worth 2 and gold stars are worth 5. As for all knowledge, improving high levels takes longer than lower ones.
  
• Tech Level now works similar to the above, meaning you can improve it by scrapping items whose tech level is around yours (not lower than 5 points, or 80% your own tech level). It is now progression based, instead of a 100% chance as before.
  
• Crafted items yield no Tech Level when scrapped.
  
• Scavenging ship graveyards also works for improving tech level, using the graveyard's level in comparison to your TL.
  
• Added item: Scrap Metal, which will later be used for crafting and can not be found on stations.
  
• Ship Graveyards now only drop Energy Cells or Scrap Metal, unless you have certain skills or perks to drop other items or equipment. Ocasional escape pods still drop. If the graveyard level is 5 points higher than your Tech Level, you'll only obtain junk and energy cells, although it will still count for your Tech Level progression.
  
• Changed 'Scavenging' Skill to increase 20% scavenge speed and 10% chance to obtain special items.
  
• Removed chance to gain Tech Level from Debris Analyzers and increased scavenging loot bonus.
  
• Knowledge levels are not limited by player character level anymore.
  
• Scrapping a holocron now always affect your progression to learn tech level, regardless of its level.
  
• Added a progress bar to every knowledge stat.
  
• Commanders of player fleet ships now apply all skill bonus effects to their ship (player character effects like 'market insight' will not apply though).
  
• Fleet Ships with a Warp Drive can now emergency warp to the nearest sector when their HP falls under a % threshold, which you can define from 0% (never warp) to 50% total hull points. After emergency warping, they need to be fully repaired before doing so again.
  
• Fleet Ships in another sector will wait and rejoin the fleet once you get there. They can also be called anytime to warp in and assist the player, if they have a warp drive.
  
• For now there is no range limitations for calling a fleet, which will serve as testing and will probably change in upcoming updates, or become perk bound, etc.
  OBS: Please note that fleet ships in old saves may be relocated to the initial sector (25,14), so you'll have to go back and get them.
  
• Fixed BUG that would make fleet ships try to repair themselves and stop moving.
  
• Fixed BUG that would prevent basic commands until you pressed ESC twice.
  
• Fixed sector map showing "100% explored" when it isn't.
  
• Fixed 'target enemy' command (T) targeting derelicts.
  
• Fixed BUG that spawned multiple copies of a towed derelict ship.
  
• Fixed towing ships through jumpgates not working without a warp drive.
  
• Updated several new item and skill icons.

Follow up fixes:

• Fixed recent hired mercenaries being listed twice on the fleet panel.