Omake: How Do You Do, Fellow Mercenaries?
POV: Guild Administrator Farva, Guild Recruitment Office, late third shift
"Hello sir, how can I help you?"
Desk duty was supposed to be calm in the early morning. That mystical time when the sun had not even fully risen yet. The mercenaries and traders would be sleeping off their hangovers, and the businesspeople would be too busy doing their daily makeup routine in preparation for the day.
"Greetings Ma'am! I am Captain Gron! I heard that this is where you enlist in military contracts! The, uh, private ones I mean."
So why was there a
flat faced mammal as dark as
black melon giving her a crisp four fingered military salute she doesn't recognize? The helmet held under his arm occasionally gleamed into her eyes due to a rotten angle of the rising sun. The crack of dawn was not a time to deal with this nonsense.
"You are correct sir. This is where mercenary bands register for accepting Guild work. I assume you are here to sign up with the Guild. What name would you like to register your company under?"
The captain snapped to attention. His chest puffed up with air and pride and he began belting out what he probably saw as a long and storied tale.
"Ma'am the
Arcetron Guard has been in service as a formation for over eight decades. We have faithfully served to bring order and stability wherever we go. While we may be young for an independent military unit from the
Iotran Expanse, our dedication to quality and loyalty is top notch!
Our most recent client was located in the
Corporate Sector. We served alongside the
Security Division for over two decades combating various pirate bands and criminal syndicates. Our service was applauded and our commendations earned are listed in our records. Unfortunately due to financial constraints, they elected not to renew our contract.
Left without an employer, we began to search for a new chain of command. We heard from some of our
brothers and sisters in arms remaining on
Muunilinst that the Guild was doing its part to bring order to the Myto sector. We have determined that Myto can become a bastion of long term stability for this section of the Outer Rim. As such we decided to offer our military service in order to support these efforts."
Farva rubbed her temples as the Captain went on and on. She just asked for a name, not an entire biography of the group. She interrupted him before this lasted the rest of her shift.
"That is very impressive, and what specialties will your group be aiming to provide?"
Stumbling slightly, the Captain reoriented his line of thought before snapping back into the perfect picture rendition of a recruitment poster and unleashing another verbal broadside.
"Ma'am! The
Arcetron Guard brings over 500 soldiers with it along with the necessary support personnel. Each one has completed their universal conscription time under the
Iotran Police Force.
Every serviceperson has completed and maintain their rifleman training with a number being able to act as long-riflemen. I am willing to submit our records and give personal assurance that they have been completing the necessary range hours to maintain their current certifications."
Oh by the void make it stooooop. It is too early to be this loud and energetic. Unfortunately the captain interpreted her suffering as doubt and sought to address his assumptions.
"Worry not Ma'am! Any concerns about our being able to maintain our combat effectiveness are unwarranted. The
Arcetron Guard maintains supply lines back to the
Expanse for both resupply and reinforcement.
Unfortunately the current offensive by the Rebels has resulted in some delays. While we won't be able to sustain constant charges headlong into lines of repeating blasters, we will still be able to maintain our numbers through the duties you assign us."
Maybe if she asks about something boring he will be quieter. It's her only chance to avoid a migraine.
"And what equipment will these troops be using? We are willing to accommodate you if your equipment is a bit specialized."
There. Equipment specs and logistics are a dull topic. It reminded commanders of all the paperwork they have to do. That should get the Captain to quiet dow-
"I am glad you asked Ma'am! As you can see, every member of the Guard has a uniform consisting of a
Tuff1 Combat Jumpsuit and an
armored half-vest which they keep in excellent cleanliness down to daily polishing! Each and every soldier carries a
StarSlasher Blaster Carbine and studiously maintained their blaster to near perfect condition. Perfect for dealing with destabilizing elements such as pirates and dissidents.
That being said, we would not be adverse to using more local resources. Should the local armorers and quartermasters meet our standards, then we would welcome the chance to reduce our logistical burdens on our homeland. The thought of streamlining our supply chains fills me with joy!"
Logistics was a mistake. Captain Gron is obviously one of those psychopaths that enjoy talking about supply lines. Better plow on through and take the painkillers later.
"Will you be requiring transportation in space or on the ground?"
Gron was somehow beaming even more than the breaking dawn. There was something definitely wrong with him. He looked like a child excited to show a 100% on their school test. Not a look one would expect from a professional killer.
"Ma'am the
Arcetron Guard take pride in our mobility capabilities! We are able to fly to any location our client demands of us in the
ITSP Jackboot. Our customized
AA-9 Freighter-Liner has been reinforced to conduct operations from evacuations, to combat drops, to assisting with allied forces, to full blown beachhead securing.
As for planetside vehicles, the
Arcetron Guard boasts a stable of civilian repulsorcraft for logistical support with a squad of
X10 Groundcruisers for escort. This does not even include the pride of our two
Strikebreakers! They were graciously gifted by the
Security Division for our exemplary service in suppressing a particularly chaotic uprising in
Duroon and our creative usage of their
stun barricades!"
Okaaay. That should cover everything. Now to close it out and get this guy out of my life. He was starting to loom over my counter and clenching his hands when he started talking about the uprising. Which was impressive for someone who didn't break two meters.
"Well your resume is certainly impressive Captain Gron. I will forward to my superiors to process your application. You can look forward to a response in 2-3 business days. Although I am sure with a group's work history it may be even sooner. Now if you'll excuse me, my shift is almost up and I need to pack up."
Finally, an end to this claws on a dinner plate of a conversa…
"Of course Ma'am! To prove how serious we take our duties. Allow me to provide escort out of the building! While we wait let me tell you about my time in the Guard. It all started when I joined a junior cadet academy at my eighth season. Late I know…"
Gron continued to "extol the virtues of the Guard" as she prayed for the first shift to relieve her. Farva really hopes this isn't some elaborate courting ritual. She gets enough of that kind of talk from her parents.
——
I figured with Minda and the Guild's growth it was time for them to start attracting more higher end mercenary groups. Meet the
Iotrans: order obsessed military nuts from a homeworld with universal conscription whose army moonlights as PMCs (with an emphasis on the
Military part of the acronym) to keep the lights on. It's kinda like the Mandalorians, only without the wacky technology, less industrialization, and no galaxy conquering tendencies.
The Imperial Army would still wipe the floor with them from the resource and tech gap alone. Still, in the eyes of the common galactic citizen,
Iotrans probably seem like terrifying killing machines in a fight. Force help any pirates and gangsters they come across. Especially Captain Gron, who you may have noticed is showing a
lot of Red Flags amidst all that enthusiasm.
Crossposted on SB and SV
