Reader surveys indicate that fully 32.6% of BattleTechnology's readers are mercenary warriors, either as members of established mercenary combat units serving one or another of the great houses, or as freelance warriors-for-hire in such diverse services as bounty hunters and personal body guards for important government or corporate officials. As a special service to its mercenary leaders then, BattleTechnology introduces this column designed to apprise the magazine's readers of mercenary employment opportunities throughout the Inner Sphere and beyond. Each column in future issues will feature a particular potential employer, ranging from the GreatHouses of the Successor States themselves to wealthy or powerful individuals, corporations, or institutes which periodically require soldiers-for-hire. A three-letter coding system has been developed to rate each employer reviewed in this column. Each letter, ranging from A (very good) to Z (very bad) provides insight into possible advantages or disadvantages associated with hiring out to the employer in question. Note that the same code is presented in the companion BattleTechnology column, World Book. The areas rated through this code are: NEED: How frequently does the employer require mercenaries? Code values of A through G indicate a nearly continual need for mercenary forces of various types. Values of U through Z suggest that mercenary openings are relatively rare. PAY: How well does the employer pay? Code values of A through G indicate aboveaverage pay scales. Values of U through Z indicate poor pay, or a history of noncompliance with mercenary contracts. CONDITIONS: What are the usual conditions under which mercenaries work? Values of A through G generally indicate relatively good conditions-access to recreational or R&R facilities, service on an Earthlike world, or "soft tickets" such as ceremonial guard duty or providing escort for noble functionaries at court. Values of U through Z suggest generally bad or unpleasant conditions, such as service at an isolated outpost far from recreational facilities, guard duty at a remote prison or forced labor facility, or a hitch on a world with an unusually hostile environment. Numerous factors are taken into account in calculating each code value. Naturally, contract openings, pay, and conditions under the same employer may vary tremendously depending on circumstances or changes unreported to BattleTechnology since the basic research was done. These code values are intended as guidelines in the presentation of a readers' service only. BattleTechnology assumes no responsibility, written or implied, for damages, costs, or casualties incurred through service to mercenary employers screened in this column. Back to BattleTechnology Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1987 by Pacific Rim Publishing. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com