Mercenary
A mercenary, also known as a merc, is a warrior-for-hire, a soldier of fortune, marketing his martial skills to a variety of peoples and causes.
A mercenary operates on the edge of the law, acquiring anything on demand if the price is right, and works as an intermediary in the underworld. He arms himself with state-of-the-art weaponry and the best gear he or his employer can afford. He knows how to organize and lead small units to accomplish tactical and strategic goals, how to keep his men safe and comfortable in the field, and perhaps even how to perform simple medical procedures in the field. Since so much of modern warfare depends on advanced technology, he may also possess rudimentary engineering skills, as well as knowledge of demolitions and sabotage.
Missions
On the surface, the mercenary appears little more than a single-minded, well-armed ruffian, fighting for the highest bidder without any concern for the reasons or consequences surrounding his mission. While some mercenaries fit this profile, many are far more complex.
To succeed as a mercenary, one needs to excel at more than fighting. The veteran mercenary is a skilled negotiator and businessman, for his career, and perhaps his survival, depends upon obtaining the best possible contract for himself and his men. In addition to purely battle-oriented duties, mercenaries can conduct patrols, perform guard duty, train militias and civil guard fores, stand "dress duty" to show off and scare away enemies, or conduct covert operations on their employer's behalf.
Background
Renegade and expatriate soldiers gravitate toward this profession, as do starship officers and former resistance fighters who miss the excitement of combat. But mercenaries can also hail from nonmilitary backgrounds: Rogues who find they prefer the soldier's life, refugees who decide to take charge of their own destinies, heartbroken young men and fugitive criminals trying to escape their past or seeking fame and glory.
