After playing for some time I realized few thigs.
1. Slaves are basically useless sinkholes. You are "investing" so much of your time, energy and money into them just to make them be capable of earning enough for thier upkeep and you have to keep them in line, while you could use that resources to invest better.
2. Being a Bounty Hunter and a "local peacekeeper" with your mercs is waaaay too profitable. Daily T5 bounty + plasma gun drop are around 6,9k. 2 battles at arena are worth 1,4k. Not to mention random Stoke Hills bandit group, which gives you around 4 rifles and 1 coil gun, which are worth around 6k if I do remember correctly. Not to mention all, or most of, your, mercs are not eating your ammo and you sill have plenty of time, like half a day, to train them, train yourself, grind some crafting skills and read a book.
3. Influence can be only aquired and cannot be used to influence other people.
4. Rereading books in Ikaanos is not a thing.
Still, great game and I had quite a bit of fun playing it.