Fastball Special. A high speed reconnaissance pass. The ship accelerates to very high speeds outside the M25, then transits the system from 'north' plane of the ecliptic (POTE), to 'south' passing the target world at very high speed, but at silent running. This allows the ship a few hours of close observation of the world with a very low chance of being detected, let alone intercepted. It is very risky, especially because the ship passes through the POTE, where there is a higher density of matter - so it is only done in the most desperate of situations. The last examples were during preparations to attack known Exterminator bases in Q5 and Q6,

Flares.  Most warships have systems that deliver high-energy signature flares, designed to distract hostile Seeker Missiles in combat.

Fleet Academy, Imperial:  Located on Triton Station, Sol System, the Academy provides a centre of excellence for command training in the Imperial Navy. Graduates of this academy go on to independent command, and high command appointments.

Flint, Captain Johannes:  A famous, and very wanted, 'Independent Trader' or pirate who terrorised the minor colony worlds of Quadrant 7 for over a decade, before being finally brought to justice by the Imperial Earther Navy in 3197.

Flypaper:  Colony world in Quadrant 7.  Location of one of the largest battles of the Exterminator War.

Forerunners.  The colloquial name given to a approximately humanoid species that colonized a volume of space roughly coincident with that of human space, but tens of thousands of years before mankind.  Until recently, only scanty archeological evidence remained of their presence.

Foundation Guild of Master Spacers (FGOMS). A highly selective and secretive society to which all space crew operating on Mald Democratic Foundation internal merchant lines belong.
The Guild has very strict selection processes for membership, and nobody ever leaves once they become a member. As a result of the training and support the guild provides, Mald merchants are regarded as the most efficient, discrete and reliable in the Universe. They have a 100% record for safety and there are no recorded instances of a successful pirate attack on a Guild ship. This reputation is so strong, that pirates are very reluctant to even try and knowingly board a Guild Ship.

Free AI. There are abounding rumours of the existence of a number Moriarty Class AI that have escaped destruction at the hands of humanity. These entities are 'sighted' from time to time - but such sightings / encounters are never corroborated. Some suggest that they have infiltrated our governments and major corporations. While others believe that there is an 'Free AI World' somewhere, where these dangerous creations live their advanced lives in peace and harmony with the universe. If such a world exists, it will be the target of mass drivers as soon as its found.

Freeport. Colloquial term for a space pirate base or home port. There are reputedly many pirate 'freeports' - but they are very rarely located or positively identified - let alone put out of business.