View source for Comm-Link:OP.NET Merc News - Family Reunion

Hey sharpshooters, thanks as always for joining us here at '''OP.NET''', the best and only home for non-guild news, tips and reviews — unfiltered and raw. I’m your host, [[Conva Maynard]], and I’d like to give a special welcome to all the new mercs joining us for the first time. Skiv and I had the honor of visiting the [[BHM Alliance|BHM]] Training School out in [[Cascom]] last week and giving a talk to their most recent graduating class. There was a bit of a Q&A with the students afterwards and it was really great to have a chance to explain why I choose to operate on my own instead of joining the guild. How being independent is a bit more work, sure, but for me, the freedom to set my own standards and decide for myself what terms I feel comfortable with makes it worthwhile.

For those of you not familiar with the school, they offer courses in general tactics, weapon training, boarding procedures, the works. All of the instructors are veterans of the industry and after meeting with the students, I can say the intensive courses they’re offering are a pretty fantastic way to learn the ropes. Especially for those who are looking to go a different route than getting their training in the military like a lot of mercs do. They also offer courses for experienced mercs who are looking to expand and hone their abilities. That’s how I got hooked up with them in the first place. Took a refresher course last year after we did a review of targeting systems and I realized that half the features Skiv mentioned were new to me.

Speaking of Skiv, there will be no review this episode because the lucky bastard is attending a super-secret sneak peek of a new ship that one of the majors is unveiling soon. I can’t say anything more than that, but I will cop to comming him about ten times a day trying to sweat more details out of him. Don’t worry though, we have plenty of other great stuff coming up. If this is your first time joining us, you have picked a fantastic show to start on. We’re going to do another edition of [[PsyOps]] where we get experts from various fields to discuss the latest tricks and tech for the modern merc. Plus, we have a special interview today with a guest who is very near and dear to my heart, and also the whole reason I’m even your host in the first place.

But before all that, we got some new contracts lighting up the Job Board, so let’s take a look.

First up, [[Blackjack Security]] is looking to take on a few hands to help handle an escort overflow they are dealing with near [[Crusader]] in the [[Stanton]] System. Recently, there’s been a rash of mining ships attacked by local scrags, and it seems that most of the companies over there are suddenly seeing the wisdom in ponying up for the extra security. They are specifically seeking mercs with combat experience who have their own rigs.

Next, we have an exotic escort gig out in the [[Banu Protectorate|Protectorate]]. A trade caravan is seeking to staff up a fairly sizeable protection detail to accompany them from [[Corel]] to [[Gliese]] on a bimonthly basis for a year. They are hoping to hire people for the full stint of the contract, so while you can work other jobs in between, it will make scheduling a bit trickier for a little while. Also, before you ask, they do clearly state on their posting that their business is in no way connected to sentient trafficking, which is always nice to see made plain like that.

Last, the good people of [[Uriel]] in [[Oberon]] are expanding their security forces. The [[UEE Navy|Navy]] had been maintaining a presence after last year’s [[Battle of Oberon|Vanduul attacks in the system]], but as war efforts concentrate elsewhere, the need for Uriel to provide its own protection has increased. Now, Uriel is a pretty tough place to live, but for the right merc, let’s say one who just graduated, I could see this being a great chance to establish themselves and get some real valuable experience.

All right, if you’re interested in any of those, we have the details for all of the Job Board listings up on our spec site. As always, make sure to check out all the specifics carefully for yourself before accepting any work.

Now, let’s finally get to that special guest I mentioned. I think it would be fair to say that I’ve been waiting my entire career here for a chance to sit down with her. Please join me in welcoming none other than '''OP.NET'''’s own [[Sabine Murillo|Sabine “Mixer” Murillo]].