CityMercs are exactly what the name implies - mercenaries. Guns and muscle for hire. They take care of all the dirty jobs that you don’t want to get associated with (or are afraid of)… Of course, these warriors for hire operate under a certain code of conduct and will not do just anything – unless the price is right. As someone once remarked: “Everybody has his price…”

Headquarters

The old and run-down Military Base, deep within the Wastelands outside of Neocron, serves as the base of operations for the ‘Mercs’. The area provides plenty of opportunities to sharpen your warrior skills and its remote location keeps the prying eyes of the law and former mission targets at a safe distance.

Players choosing the CityMercs as the faction for their runner will start out in an apartment in the Bunker of the CityMercs.

Key figures

At the age of 53, Tarok Cajun may have passed the zenith of his physical prowess, but the blood of a warrior still flows strongly through his veins. Among his people and his customers, he is well known as a brilliant strategist with a success rate of over 95%. His call sign ”The Eye” he earned in 2735, when he took command of four mercenary units at the same time after his superior had been killed in combat during a fight against the Black Dragon. He stayed well informed about his troops’ progress and their positions throughout the running engagement.

According to rumors, the SysAdmin of the CityMercs, Kim Ma Wong, once was an assassin in the service of the Black Dragon. After falling out of favor with the Dragon, he was happily accepted by the Mercs before his former employers could permanently delete him from their payroll.

History

When the war ended, groups of veterans gathered in the Wastelands and began with the construction of their new home in 2588. A large, bunker-like complex containing all necessary facilities such as living areas and medical stations was established as a refuge for the heroes. In the course of time, however, some parts of the complex were abandoned and now shelter a bunch of hostile creatures. So far, they haven‘t become a real annoyance yet and are mainly used as a good training opportunity.

In the course of the years, several traditions developed that have stood the test of time: Beginners must complete three trial fights against CityMercs of different experience and defeat at least one of them. They are called ‘Rookies’ from now on and must accompany patrols as observers three times. If the rookie still wants to join the Mercs, he’ll become a ‘White Ribbon’, named after the white ribbon worn around his left wrist. Higher-ranking mercenaries treat white ribbons as if they were their own children and respect them. Statements like “a clever white ribbon is an honor for the unit” and “What does a mercenary live for, if not for his white ribbon?” demonstrate the young mercenaries‘ importance. Tales of white ribbons who saved their units through their guts and wits are told on many occasions, and all white ribbons know them by heart. If a white ribbon is wounded in action for the first time and still decides to stay with the CityMercs, a red ribbon replaces his white one. The candidate then selects a call sign, which usually reflects his special abilities or characteristics. Now the mercenary has finally become a normal red ribbon CityMerc for standard operations. Two red ribbons form a unit, and three units form a platoon. The leader is selected from the unit’s ranks depending on the mission objective. Six platoons form a battalion. Battalions are only massed if necessary, and each platoon has certain preferences. One rather cooperates with certain colleagues than with others. Retired veterans, who‘ve laid down their weapons and, depending upon their abilities, work in the administration and other areas, lead the CityMercs’ bunker-headquarters. They wear black ribbons, work on a voluntary basis and often are like fathers to the ‘boys’. “Send the black ribbons!” is a well-known phrase, often used if a dangerous situation is getting out of hand.

Rumors

Complications have sprung up recently since one of the Mercs’ larger customers, Tangent Technologies, expressed its desire to hunt down elements of the Fallen Angels because of a few computer hacking incidents. It is generally believed that most of the Mercs won’t go to war against their Wasteland neighbor. Cajun ‘the Eye’ would be in a tricky and complicated situation if he were to accept the order. On the one hand, his men’s wellbeing is of utmost importance to Cajun; losing Tangent as a customer on the other hand would spell financial disaster.

Friend and foe

The Mercs’ kevlar-wrapped fingers are almost everywhere – at least if protection is needed. Since most of the larger companies in Neocron like to delegate dirty jobs, CityMercs is an ally to almost any company able to afford its services. Sometimes the CityMercs conduct operations against a company that contracts them for an assignment against the initial contracting party only a short time later. Although this sounds absurd, it simply proves that most factions and groups of Neocron have recognized that the CityMerc is for hire to everyone while remaining more or less neutral. As they take care of their jobs in a highly professional manner, it has become normal for the factions to rather hire and use the Mercs than to eliminate them.

During their missions, the Mercs are often sent against elements of the Anarchy Breed, which has naturally led to somewhat frosty relations with the Breed.