Game play is not grinding

you would still earn gear but Not at complete random

one thing I really hate to see is a starfleet officer in a Jem escort armed with klingon cannons
and a crew consisting of borg

it ANNOYS me

would it not be better if when you leveled to rank VA you were issued White quality Mk XII Starfleet gear for your ship?

As to the economy
killing that would be a kindness

Star trek should not have currency speculators and ponzi schemes