Stellaris Zero is a mechanics overhaul mod focused around overhauling the internal management aspect of the game. With everything from political parties to pirate empires to redesigned rebellions, the goal is to improve upon the under-utilized systems in the game. Mainly, factions and governments.
I just added a new smuggler system :D
Smugglers will spawn in a pirate enclave, make a pick-up from a random planet nearby, make a drop-off at a planet with a rebel faction, then return back to pirate territory.
Smuggler activity in an empire will increase the support of it's rebel factions. To stop them you have to attack the pirate nation they are spawning from.