Mercenary Slang

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  • Good War/Bad War: The terms "good war" and "bad war" are expressions used by mercenaries to differentiate between small scale actions within the Imperium, and full-scale wars between the Imperium and outside forces. Small scale actions are viewed as good because the Imperial rules of war are in effect, and a unit knows that it will not be subject to nuclear weapons. Good wars are usually short and not particularly bloody. A unit in a tight spot need merely surrender and activate its repatriation bonds to be removed from combatant status. Even anti-guerilla actions are good, under this classification, because of the fact that although most guerillas usually observe no restraint with captured government forces, captured mercenaries can usually be ransomed, and serve as a source of income. A war is bad when no such controls are in effect, and a mercenary unit will be subject to the full horrors of war. Mercenary units are understandably reluctant to accept bad war contracts, but are often forced into them by Imperial law.
  • Off-dirt Rank: Mercenary jargon for the courtesy title major, applied to nonnaval captains when aboard starships, to avoid confusion with the starship captain.
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Non-Canon

Feel free to enter further information and/or personal experiences with this tradition.

Dream Ticket a clear cut, straight forward battle, well paid, short term, ideal for a unit who wants to fight and leave.

Thunderball nuclear device

Bug Bomb biological weapon

Sploog Bomb chemical weapon

Rock(s) unguided ballistic ordnance

Delta Xray destroyed

Delta Bravo dead body

Sierra Oscar Bravo (SOB) soul onboard

Sierra Bravo standby

Alpha Oscar alert order, action order