Speaking in general terms, Duke Ricol is presently in need of mercenary forces of all types and is offering salaries considerably above the usual pay scales, especially for elite and veteran units. Further, Kurita forces have a tradition of victory--especially against House Steiner--which suggests that forthcoming operations against House Steiner within and near Duke Ricol's domains are likely to be successful and profitable. The opportunity for individual companies to receive land grants--at the cost of pacifying their own landholds--is one which would appeal to any landless mercenary unit.
BattleTechnology's assessment, then, gives Duke Ricol quite high need and pay ratings. Mercenaries contemplating service with Duke Ricol are cautioned, however, that the Duke has a past history of using mercenary forces without concern for their survival.
Indeed, there are persistent rumors that the mercenaries deployed in the Trellwan operation (actually militia MechWarriors "purchased" in a secret arrangement from one of Hendrik's staff officers) were destined to be liquidated by Ricol's own BattleMech forces as "proof" of Kurita's friendly intentions towards the native Trellwanese. The Oberonians themselves were apparently informed that they would be "captured" in a staged battle, then later and secretly given their choice of return to Hendrik's domains or employment with Ricol's personal forces.
There is now no way of proving Ricol's actual intent on Trell I one way or the other. However, the possibility that Ricol actually planned the deliberate extermination of mercenary forces he himself had hired has forced BattleTechnology's evaluation staff to give the Conditions code for service under Duke Ricol a low rating.
A second unfavorable factor in rating the Conditions for mercenary service under Duke Ricol is the probability that mercenary units will be assigned garrison or anti-guerrilla duty on worlds where the majority of the population will be actively hostile to the occupying force. All of the Tamar Pact worlds within Kurita domains are habitable without the need for special suits or equipment, and all possess cities where numerous recreational facilities and services may be enjoyed by off-duty personnel. The Conditions code rating is lowered, however, by the likelihood that the mercenaries will be targets of an armed and hostile populace.
These two factors together have yielded a relatively low Conditions rating code of "T".
BattleTechnology's recommendation is that mercenary commanders approach any negotiations with Duke Ricol or his staff cautiously, making every attempt to determine the unit's deployment, mission, and responsibilities before committing to service. If possible, a clause should be inserted allowing noncompliance penalties to be applied against the employer in the event of deliberate and provable sacrifice of mercenary troops in combat. Further, the unit commander should accept the possibility that R&R opportunities, while present, may result in casualties, as well as added friction between the occupation forces and the local population.
High pay and opportunity for victory and recognition, however, probably outweigh the risks.
BattleTechnology Mercenary Employer Assessment
Duke Hassid Ricol
CODE: B/C/T
ASSESSMENT: Marginally Favorable
Good Pay, good opportunity; considerable risk
More Hassid Ricol The Red Duke
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