How can I escort Freighters with a Frigate?

[Mazryonh]

Apparently you can command other ships while in your orbit cam mode by left clicking on them and right clicking on the screen, but I can't do this as a Lt. Commander; I can only radio other starships who really don't seem to follow my suggestions, and for some reason I can't use the number keys to radio entities (mainly fighters) who are 10 or higher on the list.

Every time I try to take on one of these "freight escort" missions, I can't seem to get there in time to save the Freighter from being blasted to pieces by fighters who come out of nowhere to kill the Freighter. I can never seem to race on over to the escort target fast enough; I've tried killing the power to all non-essential systems (Quantum Drive and Sensor Drone, for instance) and setting my shields to zero, but I never seem to get to the Freighter on time.

Is there another way, such as using the Quantum drive to get over instantly, or is the Quantum drive for Interstellar Travel only? Or is there another way to get close to the escort target in time that I'm not thinking of?