Also of note: the planet progress 1 systems all have only the magistracy of canopus or pirates listed as potential employers in their system files, so you’ll likely have those two options to align with initially
I would not be surprised if for the first 3 - 4 missions / contracts you ether work for the Magistracy or are a Pirate, then something happens to have you go on your own to become a merc, and everything that follows after.