Mercenaries

Mercenaries, or simply mercs, is a private military company that operates within the Zone. They are one of the smaller yet widespread faction in the Zone. Highly trained and well equipped, they are a force to be reckon with.

> You shouldn't have come here, stalker. Now, you will be WORM FOOD!
>
> -Skull to Major Degtyarov, Jupiter plant, 2012.

## Mercenaries

"Like wolves, they are the apex predators on the top of the Zone's local 'hunting' chain..."

## Overview

Also referred to as "the blue boogeymen" or "blue eagles", their goals are much in vague, though their rather concerning association with making countless attempts to secure documents relating to the secret X labs suggests that their client has a great interest in the development of the Zone likely for their own personal interests. They compete with other factions in term of seizing artifact fields and area of high interest and importance such as Limansk and a few blocks in Pripyat. However, they don't use artifacts. The purpose of seizing artifact fields is to easily harvest them for the sake of their contracts, which are always expected to have luxurious pay. Utilizing their services always cost a fortune or an artifact.

This faction is collectively controlled and played by: Greyhound, Cap n' Razza, ~~some members of the Uno crew~~, First Mate Topol, Mito, Navigator Borealis and Fox.

## Background

It's unknown when the mercenaries were deployed into this region. However, with their presence already been noted since 2011, one can take a wild guess that they were deployed somewhere around the same time as the stalker phenomenon of 2010. Considered to be the most clandestine faction in the Zone, almost no one even the Military knows why they are here. Highly unpredictable and trained like Tier One operators, the Loners community would usually avoid them by all cost, since every firefight these factions have engaged in always ended in the mercenaries' favor. They are also one of the few factions that have the guts to face the Military, most notably was the Wild Territory incident back in 2012, resulting in the deaths of several ecologists (save for Professor Kruglov) and a mercenary named Wolfhound with his group by none other than the Strelok himself. Another incident was in Limansk, in the same year, where they shot down Lieutenant Solokov's helicopter. On the other side of the same coin, groups like Hog's and Hatchet's are relatively chill and would gladly prefer to talk with their mouths first than bullets.

## Infrastructure

### Overview

While Dushman acts as the official handler of the group, all operators work independently and aren't afraid of pulling the trigger on each other should one's goal conflicts with another, despite donning the same gear and weapons.

### Notable characters:

* **Handler - Salesman:** Dushman
* **Technician:** Hog
* **Bartender:** Aslan
* **Medic:** Surgeon
* **Others:**
	1. Rosie: A cyborg (not really) mercenary, remarked for her young age. (Played by Razza)
	2. A character I forgot the name (Played by Shinseki)
	3. Tango squad: A supposedly elite squad. (Played by Ediblebomb)
	4. Greyhound: Now deceased veteran merc who guards the Limansk city as a ghost.
	5. Krokodil
	6. Icarus: One of the newest operators to arrive in the Zone. She's known for her extreme marksmanship, which also accidentally set a new standard for any marksmen and markswomen to become a qualified operator for the Zone in the future.
	7. Alex: A dreaded operative for her extreme combat efficiency and effectiveness.
	8. Ronan "Jack" Cunningham (Played by Fox)
	9. Samvel Arkmessya: Armenian smuggler (Played by First Mate Topol)

### Ranks

* Trained
* Old hand
* Tough
* Professional
* Expert

### Base's locations

* Sport Center, Dead City
* Waste processing station, Zaton

### Areas of operations:

Everywhere they can reach to, most notably:

* Garbage
* Yantar
* Army Warehouses
* The Red Forest
* Jupiter
* Pripyat Outskirts

## Equipment

### Protective gear:

#### Helmets and gas masks:

* Helmets:
	1. ACH-7: Most commonly used helmet by the mercenaries.
	2. ACH-7EX: "Strap on some fucking gas mask"
	3. and many more modified Western combat helmets
	4. Exohelm
* Gas mask:
	1. Retrofitted PBF
	2. M40
	3. FM12
	4. Avon M50

#### Body armor:

* Light:
	1. "Sunrise" stalker suits (scavenged from dead stalkers)
	2. LCS-F: Sarcastically called "Fighter", this version of the LCS is made for urban combat in mind. It features an urban camo pattern and a lighter weight as a trade for less protection and durability.
	3. LCS-S: Light Combat Suit "Scout". This version is stripped with even more protection in favor for the lightest weight possible. The durability is, however, acceptable.
* Medium:
	1. LCS: Full name "Light Combat Suit", also referred to as the mercenary stalker suit, it's one of the better suits in the Zone in terms of physical protection, providing better ballistics protection than the Military PSZ-7 (surprising, isn't it?). Anomaly protection is, however, worse than the Sunrise, which is really confusing. This also explains why stalkers tend to survive longer than mercs since they are more well protected against the Zone's elements.
		1. A small batch of this suit was made in a different pattern and issued to possibly a group of mercenaries. Only Zhorik and Garik are two *live* stalkers to make use of this variant. In **SoC**, zombified mercenaries in the Yantar region all wear this particular for some reasons... *Perhaps it's true that a task force was established and sent over there?*

* Heavy:
	1. Mercenary SEVA: SEVA variant employed by the mercenaries. It features an actual bulletproof vest (NIJ level II), improved physical-elemental protection and durability. It's mainly employed by mercenaries tasked with assignments located in highly anomalous areas. It's distinguishable from the other suits by the blue color of it, namely the armbands.
		1. SEVA body armor: SEVA stripped off its' elemental protection for the introduction of a NIJ Level III plate. Because of its' near useless stats, it's only used by *scientific* escort groups.
		2. Pathfinder: Given to them by Clear Sky as a token of goodwill, this version of the Pathfinder is made with extra protection in terms of ballistic protection in mind, sacrificing some of its' valued elemental protection.
		3. SEVA ACE: Extensive research and slight cooperation with the Ecologists was the result of this golden piece. Dubbed to be the best model of all SEVAs, it's considered to be the epitome of all scientifc suits' development. Sporting a really badass look, NIJ level IIIA plates and vastly improved all-round protection, it's also among the most expensive suits to date. Very few operators are capable to have their hands on this piece of armor.
	2. Mercenary heavy armored suit: Heavy armored suit employed by the mercs. It's reinforced with more kevlar plates for more ballistic protection, while the physical protection is vastly improved compared to the original version. Elemental protection is also improved, though not as much as one would think. A good substitute for any operator running short on fundings to acquire an exoskeleton unit.
		1. Urban pattern
		2. Woodland pattern
	3. Mercenary exoskeleton: Exoskeletons are always in constant demand, so it's not surprise that a faction like the mercenaries wouldn't want themselves a piece, as well. Their version of the set, also sometimes referred to as "*Blue power armor"* (power armor is another term for combat exoskeletons. Perhaps its' most iconic association is the *Fallout* game series. This maybe the reason why it's referred as *power armor* due to the Mercenaries' heavy usage of Western equipment), is one of the best models to ever existed. While the weight is heavier than that of the original model, the protection is doubled, or even tripled in some protective parameters. All of these reasons combined with a rather cool looking pattern, makes it a highly sought after armor piece in the Zone, which also consequently leads to a syndrome known as "**Merc Open Season**" whenever a batch of these boys arrive to the Zone.
	4. Mercenary nosorog: Nosorog variant by the mercs. Like the exoskeleton, it has established itself a deadly reputation among the common stalkers in the Zone.

#### Weapons:

Mercenaries mostly make use of Western gears, that doesn't mean they wouldn't turn their interest away from pieces than are proven to be vastly superior compared to some of their firearm models, however.

##### Primaries:

* SMGs:
	1. HK MP5A5: West German design dating back to the 1960s, entered service among law enforcement in West Germany somewhere around the 1970s. A proven design, it was once the spotlight of news during the London embassy siege back in 1980.
		1. HK MP5SD6: An integrally suppressed version of the MP5. Features a slimeline handguard. It's mostly used by specialized operatives.
	2. HK UMP45: Universal Machine Pistol - A rather revolutionary concept based off the legendary MP5. The frame is made of polymer for a lighter weight while the gun can be effortlessly swapped from 9mm->45 ACP->40 S&W, since all magazines of the UMP are made to fit the magwell, regardless of the model. Perhaps the most well-known version is the 45 ACP version, being widely utlised in U.S, law enforcement agencies and SWAT teams. In the Zone, the gun is rather well liked for its' simplicity and the features of a broomhandle.
		1. HK UMP45 Modified: This version features improved reliability and stability. Also comes with a laser module attached to the left rail panel.
	3. B&T MP9: In 1989, Steyr designed a submachinegun called the TMP, standing for *Taktische Maschinenpistole* (Tactical Machine Pistol). It featured a broomhandle-styled foregrip at the front and fired 9x19mm. In 2001, Steyr sold the design to Brugger & Thomet AG, a Swiss company in the defense industry. B&T further developed this design, and later revealed it to the commercial market as the **MP9**, effectively making a whole new design. Features that differed from the TMP includes: a stock that folds to the right side of the weapon, an integrated Picatinny rail, and a new trigger safety.
* PDWs - Personal Defense Weapons:
	1. HK MP7: A design made to compete against the P90 hailing from Belgium. Chambered in HK's homegrown 4.6x30mm round - designed to have a high velocity for the sake of achieving adequate armor-piercing capabilities, the design itself is a highly modular one, having the capability to support rails. It lost out to the P90 during the trials conducted by NATO, but Germany (being the bitch it is due to the fact that the G11 wasn't able to get finalized) vetoed its' adoption. In the Zone, most of the MP7s used are the A1 standard, with a short few are of A2 standard, utilized by "*the richkids*".
	2. FNH P90: An innovative design coming from Belgium, created in response to NATO's requests for a new design to replace the 9x19mm Parabellum firearms. Chambered in 5.7x28mm, a high-velocity round that is capable to piercing through 25? layers of kevlar and a 3mm thick steel plate at a range of 100m (NATO's requirement), this bullpup design features a 50rnd translucent magazine that positions itself nicely on the top while the casings are ejected downwards.
* Shotguns:
	1. Remington Model 870: Good ol' American classic dating back to the 1950s. Still widely used by police forces around the globe. In the Zone, it's enjoyed by a variety of factions, namely the free stalkers and Freedomers.
	2. Mossberg Model 590A1: Upgraded version of a U.S. Army classic. Dating back to 1987, this shotgun has seen across all the major conflicts the American armed forces had partook in since the Gulf War of 1991. The civilian and police version is known as the M500, while the military version is known as the M590. Today, all pump-action shotguns are replaced with the adoption of the M1014 as the official service for all branches of the U.S. armed forces and the M26 MASS (Modular Ascessory Shotgun System) as an underbarrel attachment for the M4 carbines. Still, despite competing designs rising up to fame like the Remington Model 870 and Winchester Model 1200, the 590 continued to service well into the 2010s, when it was fully phased out. In the Zone, it's commonly fitted with a pistol grip stock instead of a full one.
	3. Izhmash Saiga-12 "Dushman": Special version of the Saiga-12. It's said to feature a Picatinny rail dust cover for using Western optics, while featuring more durability and slight increase of stability and rate of fire. The pistol grip is also replaced with a highly ergonomic one and a muzzle brake has also been attached.
	4. Armsel Protecta: South African revolving cylinder shotgun of Rhodesian-Zimbabwean origins. Nicknamed "Street Sweeper". Effectively at crowd controlling.
		1. AK-104: Carbine of the AK-103, part of the AK-100 series, made primarily for export. It's utilized by "Zaslon" - the speical force branch of the SVR, Ministry of Foreign Affiars of the Russian Federation. Some operators of the Syndicate like this little baby for its' immense firepower while remaining compact. It's usually heavily modded.
		2. AK-105: Carbine of the AK-74M, part of the AK-100 series. Most operators consider this as "Russia's attempt to make their own M4". It's used rather widely in the Zone, with Clear Sky and Duty being the most widespread user, even to the extent of creating their own modification package for it, "The Swamp Thing" and "Shakal", respectively.
		3. Colt M4A1: An American classic since 1994, this rifle and its' variants **and predecessors** have seen active usage on almost every single major conflict from the 60s all the way 'til now. The epitome of the M16 family, and the birth of the new AR-15 revolution. It's the most common Western rifle in the Zone, with the MP5 being the most common Western SMG.
			1. M4A1 "Butcher": M4A1 modified with proper usage of drum mags. Comes with a broomhandle and shortened barrel, making this a demon in CQC.
			2. M4A1 RAS: M4A1 with RAS flat top and handguard. RAS stands for Rail Accessory System, made by KAC (Knights Armamment Company) for the M4 carbine as a request from the U.S. military. This version is by far the most common rifle used by the mercenaries due to its' high versatility on the field. It can be outfitted with a variety of attachments, such as the Trijicon ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight) and either the M203 or M320 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher module.
			3. M4A1 Tactical: Version with a long handguard and broomhandle foregrip, as well as new ergonomic pistol grip and SOPMOD stock for increased stability.
		4. HK G36K: Carbine version of the well-known G36. It's a direct competitor of the M4A1 in the Zone.
		5. HK G36C: Compact version of the G36, usually referred to as "G36 **Commando**" despite this being an erroneous name. This version is used by security forces escorting VIPs or specialized operatives.
		6. SIG Sauer MCX: In 2015, SIG Sauer revealed to the world one of their latest inventions - the MCX, a highly modular and lightweight rifle utilizing the M-LOK systems to attach gun functional mods. Today, it's used by a variety of special forces around the globe, including the SAS and SBU "Alpha" groups.
		7. LWRC M6A2 UCIW: Around the year of 2012, the UKSF decided to adopt a limited amount of this weapon to replace the 9x19mm SMGs still in service back then. Before, it pitted against the HK 416C, of which it obviously won. It's unknown how these boys made it into the Zone... It's used by security forces escorting VIPs such as selected Ecologists or Ecologist teams.
	2. Semi-auto rifles:
		1. Custom AR-15 builds: "I love creating my demons..."
		2. OP-SKS "Merc": Comes with a railed handguard for attachments, such as foregrips.
	3. Assault rifles:
		1. AK-74: Good ol' Kalashnikov from 1974. Hits hard and accurate.
			1. AK-74 PMC: AK-74 comes with railed handguard and broomhandle, Zenitco RK-3 pistol grip, new unknown stock and railed dustcover for optic mounting.
			2. AKS-74N modified for accuracy and mounted with a PSO-1 and suppressor.
		2. Colt M16A4: Good ol' American classic since 1997. Has participated mostly Middle Eastern conflicts.
		3. Colt Canada C7A2: Essentially the Canada's answer to the need of replacing their aging C1A1 rfiles: Just copy the M16A2 and make some changes to it! The C7A2 is the latest model, with many important changes incorporated into the model. It's a rather rare sight in the Zone due to how limited the numbers are.
		4. Enfield L85A1 (in limited numbers, obviously): The worst assault rifle to ever be designed, adopted and produced in considerable numbers.
		5. L85A2 (in surprise, surprise, large numbers): The pride of the Brtish Army.
			1. L85A2 Tactical: Features a flat top for installing a variety of combat optics.
			2. L85A2 Operator: Now comes with a fully railed handguard with a broomhandle already installed. The choice of optic is also preset, it being the SpecterDR.
		6. Steyr AUG A1/A3: Austrian-made assault rifle. Known for its' rather unique design. The A1 comes with an intergrated scope which also doubles as a carry handle and a foldable foregrip, while the A3 features a flat top for mounting various kinds of optic. This is Icarus's primary of choice.
		7. HK 416A5: A further refined version of a well proven design, the 416A5 features many innovation changes that would certainly boost its' once reputable status to an even greater level among the Syndicate's operators' eyes. It's always in constant demands.
		8. HK G36: After the reunification of Germany, the Bundeswehr requested Heckler & Koch to create a new rifle for the new unified German Army, resulting in the cancellation of the G11 project. In 1995, HK revealed the finalized version of the G36, then known as **HK50** to the Bundeswehr for trialing, of which it beat the Steyr AUG. 1996 saw the start of the production of the gun. In the Zone, the gun is remarked for a high accuracy and interesting scope complex, a 3.4x scope under a red dot sight, increasing the gun's overall versatility. It's mainly used by experts.
		9. FNH SCAR-L: 5.56x45mm version of the SCAR family. It's in rather limited numbers and isn't that favored by operatives.
		10. FNH F2000: A... very strange design. It features an integrated 3.4x scope and a rate of fire of around 1000 RPM, making it a beast in clearing tight quarters.
		11. FNH FNC: Ak 5 but original and Belgian. Yes.
		12. IWI ACE 22: Just another Gaili ACE in 5.56x45mm.
		13. Bofors Ak 5C: One of the best Western rifles there is the Zone has to offer to a lucky operator.
	4. Battle rifles:
		1. DSA-58: A copy of the Stg 58 (Austrian FAL) manufactured by American arms company DS Arms (David Salvaggio Arms), using the same equipment used in the Steyer-Daimler-Puch production line. Has a more durable furniture and roughly the same rate of fire, around 650-750 RPM.
			1. SA 58 OSW: Operational Specialist Weapon, assault carbine variant of the SA 58 based on the paratrooper model of the FAL. Features a new folding PARA polymer stock and shorter 11 inches barrel.
		2. FNH SCAR-H: I consider this as the modernized FAL. Features a slower rate of fire than the FAL, and more rails for attaching functional mods.
			1. SCAR-H Tactical: Essentially a SCAR-H with a broomhandle preinstalled.
			2. SCAR-H Operator: SCAR-H in CQC configuration, with broomhandle and an EOTech 552 + magnifier. The stock also comes with a cheek pad for better stability.
		3. HK417: 416 but upscaled to fire the more powerful 7.62x51mm NATO round. Available in three configurations, with the Assaulter being the most used on in the Zone. It's recommended to fire in semi auto or short controlled bursts.
	5. DMRs and Sniper Rifles:
		1. KAC SR-25: Modernized AR-10 for even more accuracy. Adopted into USSOCOM's service as the **MK 11** (Battlefield players will know this bad boy).
		2. SVDS "PMC": The "PMC" package for this gun is just railed handguard, an angled foregrip, more ergomonic stock and a mount for backup sight, such as a Delta sight.
		3. Arctic Warfare AWM: The former rifle with the longest kill record, by a British sniper, in Afghanistan.
			1. Arctic Warfarm AW Covert (in extremely limited numbers): It's unknown how the fuck did these boys ever got to the mercenaries' hands, all we know is that a report of a merc group making use of this rifle was documented sometimes around 2016.
		4. HK G28: Bundeswehr's service DMR, based on the MR308 - essentially a civvie's HK417. Highly modular, accurate and rather light, a perfect gun for its' role. Used in limited numbers.
		5. HK MSG-90: Made as a cheaper and more accurate version of the legendary PSG-1 - a sniper rifle born out of the aftermath of the Munich massacre of 1972. It resembles the G3.
	6. Machine guns:
		1. FN USA M249: "Triple Canopy was more interested in putting these on for sales than actually using them."
		2. HK M27 IAR: It's just an HK 416 with extra steps. Made for the crayon lovers.
	7. Special weapons:
		1. AS "Val" Tactic: "We love being 'tacticool' all of our guns."
		2. VSS: "I don't know how we got our hands on this..."
			1. VSS "Mercenary": "Uhhh...."
		3. RPG-7: Possibly smuggled into the Zone.

### Secondaries

* Pistols:
	1. 9x18mm
		1. PB 6P9: Used for assassinations.
			1. "Do it in the Mozambique style, boy!"
	2. 9x19mm
		1. Glock 17: Classic silver screen guy.
			1. Glock 19: Compact Glock 17 for "specops LARPers".
		2. Beretta 92FS: For those who love the Resident Evil series and old guns.
		3. SIG Sauer P226: A good handgun.
		4. CZ 75B: Czech's engineering never fails.
		5. Browning Hi-Power: "This shit's older than my gramps."
		6. Walther P99
		7. HK USP9: The start of everything. HUNK's favorite gun.
	3. 45 ACP
		1. Colt M1911: Good ol' American classic, serving you *since 1911!*
		2. SIG Sauer P220: Somehow, it's the same age as the CZ-75.
		3. HK USP45: USP but in 45.
	4. 357 Magnum
		1. Deagle Mark XIX: The handcannon, *blastin' your foes' limbs away since the 1980s!*
	5. FN 5.7x28mm
		1. FN Five-seveN: Also stylized as "FN57", this pistol was made as a compliment to the P90. Chambered in a high velocity armor piercing round, the 57 is perhaps the closest thing to a proper "rifle" sidearm. It sports 20rnd magazines, which is even better!
* Machine pistols:
	1. Glock 18C: Basically, the Austrian counter-terrorism group EKO Cobra wanted a full auto Glock for... well... their own thing, I guess. C means Compensated, meaning it has a compensator for less recoil (it doesn't)
	2. vz. 61 Skorpion: Czechoslovak madness... in a good way.
		1. Fun fact: it was submitted as the work for a test.

## Gallery

Hatchet's squad in Zaton, 2012.One of the two leaders of the mercenary group stationed at the waste processing station.Hatchet himself.