1. Introduction

Mercenaries are a varied bunch, with an even more varied philosophy. Some will fight for credits, others will work for honor or glory. These individuals are free from the bindings which hold the Loyalists and common soldiers to a power or government. These men and women are not your common thugs and street urchins -- Mercenaries are highly skilled professionals.

In the Dark Jedi Brotherhood, the Mercenary Order is a loosely-organized group of bounty hunters, smugglers, private military contractors, and soldiers of fortune that serve as their individual hearts dictate. Through this course, we will delve into the history of Mercenaries, discussing some of their common philosophies and motivations.

2. History

2.1 Pre-Brotherhood History

Mercenaries have been employed in all manner of governments and conflicts throughout history. Several factions were employed in the Jedi Civil War. The Mandalorians were among some of the most famous and skilled Mercenaries. During the Clone Wars bounty hunters Jango Fett, Aurra Sing and Bossk worked for the Confederacy of Independent Systems.

Powerful Mercenary organizations were either employed by the Empire or hunted down and wiped out, with many Mercs being defectors from Imperial service. The Rebel Alliance also hired several privateers in the Galactic Civil War, including the likes of smugglers Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, and Chewbacca. Well-known bounty hunters during this period included the likes of Greedo and Boba Fett. The presence of Mercenaries in many forms have been evident throughout recent galactic history.

The Clone Wars saw the rise of Bounty Hunter Cad Bane. The Duros was hired by some of the galaxy's highest bidders and became one of the galaxy’s leading Bounty Hunters following the death of Jango Fett. His exploits included the theft of a Holocron from the Jedi Temple, the kidnapping of Jedi Master Bolla Ropal, and the capture of Force-sensitive children -- all for the Sith Lord Darth Sidious. He and his crew were driven first and foremost by the promise of credits.

Hera Syndulla was one of several individuals who arose during the Imperial era. A top pilot and captain of the VCX-100 freighter Ghost, the Twi’lek was a true believer in the rebel cause. Her dedication served as an inspiration to the rest of her crew. While kind-hearted, she could be very aggressive against Stormtroopers and other individuals who worked for the Empire. Her own moral compass drove her to act as a mother to her crew, and to fight against the threats of the Empire.

Greedo was one of many Bounty Hunters who operated during the Imperial and Clone Wars eras. While seen as unremarkable by others, Greedo was both overconfident and slow on the uptake. He considered himself a “big time” Hunter due to his employment by Jabba the Hutt. This pride and his poor skill with a blaster would later lead to his death in the Mos Eisley cantina.

Lando Calrissian was a smuggler active during the Rebellion Era. A former scoundrel, the man was a skilled pilot and leader. He did what he deemed necessary to protect the people under his charge. The Rebel Alliance would later commission him as a General, making him a sort of Mercenary/Loyalist hybrid. Between his leadership skills and piloting, he was a great asset in the operation that destroyed the second Death Star.

2.2 Brotherhood History

While the Brotherhood has only recently begun actively recruiting Mercenaries -- bounty hunters, smugglers, privateers, and more -- into its ranks, they have been in service for far longer than their current records suggest. Since they were part of clandestine operations, little further information can be found at this time. One notable known example of Mercenaries within the Brotherhood would be Clan Odan Urr’s use of the Clan Ordo Mandalorian Mercenaries in the Ninth Great Jedi War.

Currently, the Mercenaries of the Brotherhood can specialize in one of eight non-Force user disciplines, along with Loyalists:

The Field medic has gone through both rigorous medical study and combat training to be able to provide medical care not just from the comfort of a lab, but in the fields of battle, as well. These are the finest minds in the galaxy when it comes to medical knowledge and experience, making them valued in both the Loyalist ranks and the Mercenary discipline.

The Weapons Specialist is the one you call when something needs to be taken out, destroyed, buried, or otherwise reduced to rubble. They have undertaken extensive training with their weapon of choice, and with additional training this knowledge and experience is expanded to a secondary weapon. For a Specialist, any Weapon Type can become deadly, making them valued in both the Loyalist ranks and the Mercenary muscle.

The Ace is more than just a “pilot.” Their understanding of the technology that they use to set a machine into motion allows them to apply their aptitude to a wide range of vehicles found in the galaxy. This can be anything as small as a speeder bike to as large as a capital ship. Knowledge pairs with instinctive, seemingly inherent talent that allows an Ace to pull off incredible stunts without any intervention from the Force.

The Director shows that leadership can come in many forms, but there are those who are born with certain gifts that help them stand out from others. Whether brokering in diplomacy or warfare, a Director seeks to manipulate events toward their desired outcome. They see beyond what is right in front of them and tend to be thinking of their next course of action before the current is even completed. Beyond that, they know how to influence the emotions of those who follow their command—all without the aid of the Force.

The Hunter comes in all shapes and sizes. Some choose to pursue careers as Bounty Hunters while others use their skills for Smuggling or simply to pursue their own hobbies. When tracking down an objective for either personal or monetary satisfaction, Hunters have a unique knack for spotting clues that others might miss. This, when combined with their inherent knowledge of the various gadgets and technologies of the galaxy, keeps them in high demand for a wide range of jobs or missions.

The Infiltrator is a master of getting into places they do not belong, and they have long been used as agents on both sides of history for the Republic and the Empire. They are the go-to professionals when you need to discreetly acquire information or gain access to something behind a locked door. Infiltrators are more than common thieves, however, and can use a wide range of tricks and techniques to accomplish their missions.

The Scavenger is someone who can always find you that one part you need to get your ship running. In a galaxy where conflict over the varying methods and ideologies of government rage alongside the ongoing battle between the Dark and the Light, there is still room for the average sentient to make a living and survive without getting too involved. Smugglers, brokers, and bounty hunters alike are forced to find ways to survive in a multitude of harsh and constantly changing environments. As a result of this adaptive lifestyle, these Scavengers develop a unique relationship with the wide range of technology used across the Galaxy.

The Scoundrel sits at the heart of a galaxy that often writes them off. In truth, there is no one in the galaxy who has seen or experienced as much, making them invaluable despite their tendency to look out for themselves. A citizen doesn’t want their kid to marry and run off with one, but they understand the important role that a Scoundrel can play in getting things done.

3. Philosophy

"Look, I ain't in this for your revolution, and I'm not in it for you, Princess. I expect to be well paid. I'm in it for the money."
- Han Solo

Mercenaries are soldiers for hire who fight for a side, being paid credits or equipment for services rendered. These individuals operate without adherence to a creed or government in the same way a Loyalist would. Some would use the term “Mercenary” in a derogatory way, believing that these individuals prize credits over things such as ideals or kinship. This misnomer does not always hold true, however.

For example, the Mandalorian Bounty Hunter Boba Fett was driven by a sense of pride as much as money. Credits were a large contributing factor in which bounties he took, but personal vendettas factored, as well. For example, seeing Jedi such as Obi Wan Kenobi as a threat to his father and himself, a young Fett took great pleasure in fighting the Jedi at Geonosis. Still, this did not stop him from pursuing the likes of Han Solo for Jabba the Hutt.

By comparison, the smuggler Solo was driven by his own moral compass. Credits acted as the primary motivator when he first assisted Leia Organa and Ben Kenobi in reaching the former location of Alderaan. At that point, he was more transfixed with keeping enough credits to preserve his own life. However, after fighting alongside Skywalker, Organa and the desperate rebel forces, the smuggler underwent a change of heart. Though once driven by money, he clearly demonstrated his bravery and loyalty to his friends at the Death Star, risking his own life for the good of the Alliance and becoming a hero of the Rebellion.

4. Ranks of the Mercenary Order

5. Conclusion

Whether you agree with their methods or not, the Mercenaries have been officially given a place within the Brotherhood. Hopefully, this course has given you an understanding of both sides of the coin that is the Mercenary.