Conservative elements within the militaries of each of the four Factions were suspicious of the new Immortal Solders. These mortal Generals secretly feared that the Immortals would gain political power over time and take control of their military, so they argued that the Immortals were dangerously unstable and lobbied for greater controls to insure they did not become a threat. Restrictions were imposed. The Immortal mercenaries of the DUST Program were confined to quarters, only allowed out when they were on contract. Basically under house arrest, only allowed out to work. The mercs accepted this in the short term because they were promised greater freedom in the future. The whole system was under review, and their representative council was negotiating with the 4 Factions behind closed doors.

But when the announcements came, instead of being granted the freedom they had hoped for, the DUST mercs learned that the DUST Program was being phased out, and was due to be shut down completely in two years.

Many gave up hope and Biomassed themselves as a political statement, hoping that their final act would have meaning. Others simply fell into depression and refused to accept contracts.

But several prominent members of the DUST Program entered into secret talks with Muryia Mordu of MorduGÇÖs Legion. Muryia Mordu has a reputation in New Eden for standing up for the solders who follow him. If anyone in New Eden had the power, the infrastructure, and most importantly the desire to insure the freedom of the Immortal Solders, it would be Muryia Mordu. They just had to convince him that supporting them was worth the risk and the political fallout. Their effectiveness as a fighting force certainly played into MorduGÇÖs considerations.

Finally it was agreed, and MorduGÇÖs Legion began a secret project to build the infrastructure, including clone production facilities and related technology to support the Immortal Infantry joining the ranks of MorduGÇÖs Legion, and becoming part of his mercenary outfit.

Support for this arrangement came from an unexpected source. The same Conservative elements within the four FactionGÇÖs militaries who had lobbied to shut down the DUST Program, still saw the military benefit in hiring Immortal Infantry to fight their wars, and now that the Immortals were no longer part of their military structure, the Conservative Generals no longer saw the Immortals as a threat to their careers and ambitions.

Although some loyalists are planning on sticking with the DUST Program until the end, many within the DUST Program are making secret plans to join the Legion, just as soon as the technology to support the transfer is in place...