Rourke's Mercenaries

You heard him, step back! I’m warning you.
A MERCENARY SERGEANT ORDERS MILO THATCH TO KEEP HIS DISTANCE WHILE THEY LOAD KIDA NEDAKH INTO A TRUCK.[Note: Although numerous sailors, engineers, and officers are under Rourke’s command, this page only refers to the infantry soldiers seen combating the protagonists towards the end of the film, as none of the other unnamed crew members survived long enough to showcase their loyalties.]
Rourke's mercenaries are the supporting antagonists in Atlantis: The Lost Empire. They serve both Lyle Tiberius Rourke and Helga Sinclair.
These mercenaries can be seen at various points throughout the film, such as the boarding of the Ulysses, the group's journey and arrival to Atlantis, Rourke’s betrayal, the confrontation with the Atlantean King Kashekim Nedakh, and during the final battle. It is unknown if any of the mercs survived, although it is highly unlikely.
== Appearance ==
Rourke's mercenaries are always shown wearing gas masks featuring blue lenses and breathing tubes that connect to oxygen tanks on their backs. This sets them apart from every other crew member and major character within the film as the masks are never removed, allowing them to appear impersonal and more visually intimidating. 
In addition to their distinctive masks, they wear army green trench coats, olive green trousers, khaki gaiters, along with leather boots, gloves, and belts holding two pouches each. They appear to wear pith helmets on their heads as well, but with added spot lamps and neck coverings. 
== History ==
=== Boarding the Ulysses ===
The mercenaries make their first appearance when loading onto the Ulysses. They aren’t seen again until after the devastating Leviathan attack, where they attend a brief memorial service commemorating the fallen crew of their vessel.
=== The Journey to Atlantis ===
For the rest of the trip to Atlantis, Rourke’s mercenaries act as security for the remaining vehicles. Partway through the expedition, a fire spreads throughout their entire camp. The mercs throw on their clothes and attempt to put it out until they’re ordered to evacuate by Rourke. After narrowly surviving the fire and a drop into a deep pit, they assist in locating the missing Milo Thatch, which leads them to the entryway of Atlantis. Following a close call with some Atlantean warriors, Rourke commands Squad B to salvage what they can from the shaft.
=== Rourke’s Betrayal ===
When Kashekim Nedakh reluctantly grants the crew one night’s stay in Atlantis to rest and resupply, the soldiers help Rourke seize the opportunity by secretly arming themselves and staging a coup against the King. They capture Milo alongside Kida Nedakh and forcefully enter the King’s chamber, where they attempt to find the Heart of Atlantis to sell for a pretty penny. Upon recovering the Heart, which was now using Kida as a host, the mercs imprison her inside a portable chamber and flee. At this point, the soldiers are the only surviving crew members who have remained loyal to Rourke and Helga Sinclair.
=== The Final Battle ===
To escape the dormant volcano, the mercenaries fire a gigantic cannon into its enclosed mouth, creating a hole large enough for their blimp to escape through. Before they can leave, however, they are unexpectedly attacked by the defected crew and numerous Atlantean warriors riding Martags and Aktiraks. The soldiers attempt to fend off the assault through a mix of small arms fire, artillery, and even motor-powered gliders. At first, their defense holds strong, bringing down one of the Martags in the process. But when the protagonists learn their vehicles have energy weapons, the tide of the battle turns against the mercenaries as they are pulverized one after another by the crystal beams. By the time of Rourke’s death, all of his mercenaries were either killed or (potentially) went AWOL.
== Arsenal ==
=== Rifles ===
The weapon of choice for these mercs are bolt-action rifles that are seemingly inspired by the SMLE Mk III, the official service rifle of the British Empire during World War One. 
=== Machine Guns ===
Towards the end of the film, Rourke’s mercenaries are seen threatening and combating the protagonists with mounted Vickers machine guns. Explosives expert Vincenzo “Vinny” Santorini is nearly hit directly by a Vickers’ gunfire, causing him to reflexively press his Martag’s inscription pad and inadvertently discover its energy weapon. 
=== Mortars ===
The mercs also make use of trench mortars during the final battle. This is the only one of their weapons that successfully destroys a Martag on screen. A large cannon was previously used by the soldiers to blow a hole in the volcano’s roof, but it’s hard to say if it was intended for combat purposes.
Whitmore’s Wings
Rourke’s mercenaries attempted to intercept the protagonists in single-manned, propeller-based gliders called Whitmore’s Wings, which are launched from a truck-mounted catapult and feature two light machine guns beneath the pilot. Despite their size, they can still be carried by two people.
Category:Characters
Category:Henchmen
Category:Atlantis: The Lost Empire characters
Category:Animated characters
Category:Disney characters
Category:Adults
Category:Villains
Category:Silent characters
Category:Military characters
Category:Armies
Category:Soldiers
Category:Males
Category:Deceased characters