Because to be honest Mercenary is something age old and pre-existing before us.

Eve Players get called Captains (though by nature of ship command)
Capsuleer (by trade and lore is the name and it is what they have done before cloning immortal tech was added to the pods)
Empyrean (by the Amarr)

Among those most common titles they do have a large number of derivatives and cultural references but for the game's context these are the only three used.

Enter Dust 514.

While we are soldiers of fortune, we're absolutely no different from an eve pilot on that aspect, they too get paid for their immortal services as do we. Yet eve pilots get branded all sorts of titles including mercenaries which is also a fairly common title to others of our nature but not in such an immortal way.

I purpose we be named things more tangible usable and something not as confusing.

Operators/Operatives(also Agent is implied as well as an alternative reference for using these words) - This covers a wide variety of play styles, and who is to say that dropsuits are not the only thing we suit up in? What if our MTACs are like living coffins similar to the warhammer dreadnought and starcraft dragoons. Operators are a type of highly specialized soldier but the name has yet to be widely used in eve lore on a significant level. An operator can perform such a large variety of roles on and off the field that it would not be in lore violation of being a mercenary. Its easily used in conversation as well in forms of reference and addressing. 'Operator' I need you to clear out this base of the infestation. A group of Operators have held up this building creating a hostage crisis. I need an Operative action against these pirates. Operator (name), are you ready for your mission

As for the definition of such word has multiple sources and definitions to the likening; To work shrewdly, a genetic code that regulates activity, A scientific term dealing with quantum mechanics positioning and momentum. Which all oddly fit us better; we're modified clones genes would likely had to be reregulated, we do work in a rather shrewd manner, and our implants are quantum entangled based.

Elysians and for the matching lore name calling from the Amarrians (from Geek Elysion pedion "Elysian field," where heroes and the virtuous live after death, from a pre-Gk. word of unknown origin) Everyone knows that all immortal soldiers have to commit willing suicide to transfer over. We been delivered from the clutches of death, and by Amarrian thinking delivered from the jaws of damnation and into a path of salvation.

So your thoughts?

Adium onto the conversation I have realized a few more importantly critical requirements for the suggestions from you guys. The term has to be able to be used in regular conversation which is probably going to make a lot of cool sounding names just completely drop off because they're far too awkward to use