So, what will the 'Verse send our way next?

First, it was a low impact Alliance occupation and the, admittedly lax, imposition of Martial Law on our little slice of Heaven. Then it was someone hiring some freelance Spooks to tap into our local communications network. The a core-based Bounty Hunter out looking for someone seen roughly in our parts. Now, a Mercenary team getting some down time over in Krenshar's compound. Coincidence? Suuuure, it is.

There's an old saying: First time's an accident. Second time's a coincidence. Third time is enemy action. There's no fourth time listed in the old saying, though I would tender 'Fourth time is a boot to the head.' Though, given the nature of things out here on the Rim, it could all just be filed under "Une journée de merde au paradis."

Mercenaries, much like Bounty Hunters, have their place. Most of them, the professionals anyway, are members of the Mercenaries Guild and can actually be trusted to do the job they've been hired to do. These guys? No idea. Though it was something I could look into easy enough. My biggest concern was how the 1st Marine Raiders would react to having a Squad strength mercenary unit on Hale's while the moon was under Martial Law.

If they were here to just make a show of being here, or were just in transit somewhere between jobs, the worst we'd probably have to deal with was a bar room brawl in Fook's or Firefly's. If they were here because someone in Destiny hired them to stand up to the Alliance, it could get very ugly very quickly. Our own battle-hardened militia wouldn't last half an hour against the 1st. A single squad, no matter how well armed, would barely know what hit them if they turned to make a stand.

More important was the question of who hired them? Assuming they'd been hired. Destiny wasn't exactly a wealthy enclave and a mercenary unit wasn't exactly cheap. Krenshar wouldn't bother with mercs. One of his followers? Possible. Just not something I was going to worry about for a little while. If they get out of line, I'm sure I'll hear about it. Hopefully, before tempers flare and someone starts shooting. Be just what we need to make the whole situation worse.

At least the efforts to free Cody's boat from impound were going to plan. A couple of favors, a couple of whispers in the right ears, and he'd have his boat back in a matter of days. Which would make him happy, which would make my little girls happy, which makes me happy.

All in all, a good thing.