Illuminaughty-696
Omega Risk Control Services
202
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Posted - 2012.10.26 22:26:00 -
[1] - Quote
Battletech, to quote another universe, has a lot of mercs. These mercs are either independent, as you call them, or house mercs (what you refer to as puppets). They have stable, long-term contracts with a specific faction, but that doesn't mean they won't eventually end up somewhere else one day, it's just that as mercs, when the pay is good, the work easy (but not so easy you grow bored), then you tend to be okay staying in one place and with one employer.
However, true mercs tend to go where the pay day is, so I suggest a third category: contracted merc corps. You will see some merc corps going from one contract to the next, taking contracts only in the short term, or for one 'war'. You will also see mercs who only fight for one faction/alliance, and perhaps anyone that alliance approves them to work for. But I believe most will fall somwhere inbetween as contract mercs, being employed for lengthy periods, but still not bound specifically to one alliance. They may take no-compete clauses out in their contracts, such that they can still take other contracts, just not against their employer, for instance.
Anyway, cool hypothesis, just thought I'd attempt to tweak it a bit.
Edit:
Also, if there ends up being a way to profit from invading and capping a planet that doesn't involve holding the planet, such as stripping it of all its resources and supplies, then we will also likely see bandit or marauder dust corps. They will have an EVE presence, either as a supposed 'puppet', or as a DUST based corp with EVE assets. They will likely take contracts, but will be the equivalent of DUST pirates.
I am excited as I contemplate the development of the major DUST corps. Corps that honor their contracts and are considered dependable AND efficient, will be highly valued, regardless of whether they are independent, puppet, contract, or marauder corps. Some corps will become known for being untrustworthy and treacherous and some of those will be known for their skill and ability to win battles, but will it be worth the risk of hiring them to defend your planet only to have them potentially hand it over to your enemies and plunder it themselves? Exciting times in the EVE universe to come. |