Planeload of mercenaries apprehended in Zimbabwe

[Zaruthustran]

Fun material for a d20 Modern game. I thought this stuff only happened in spy movies and video games:

"Zimbabwe says it seized U.S.-registered plane
Minister says plane carried 64 alleged mercenaries"

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/africa/03/08/zimbabwe.plane.reut/index.html

"..."The plane was actually carrying 64 suspected mercenaries of various nationalities," he said, adding that an investigation had also revealed "military materiel" in the cargo.

Mohadi said fuller investigations were under way to establish the identity of the men and the nature of their mission. There was no word on where the airplane arrived from, or whether Zimbabwe was its destination.

Mohadi said a fuller statement would be released "in due course."

Officials at the U.S. Embassy in Harare could not be reached for comment."



I like that last bit. Reminds me of Mission: Impossible. "If you are discovered, the Agency will disavow all knowledge..."

-z

 

[VirgilCaine]

It's like a bad Jagged Alliance mission...but with more mercs.

 

[WayneLigon]

Nope, non James Bond stuff. Private military companies and organizations are around all over the globe, as well as individual 'mercs' who hire out to private security firms, as well as provide adjuncts to traditional military forces.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3136428.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1817495.stm
http://www.sandline.com/hotlinks/dovesofpeace.html

 

[Wycen]

My addlecoved mind saw the thread at first as "planetouched mercenaries apprehended in Zimbabwe".

 

[d4]

My addlecoved mind saw the thread at first as "planetouched mercenaries apprehended in Zimbabwe".

i originally parsed the header as an "alternate dimension" full of mercenaries... thinking it was a D&D campaign idea until i came to the word Zimbabwe.

anyways, that's really interesting. and people think it's hard to come up with ideas for modern campaigns. just read the news!

 

[Doppleganger]

It's like a bad Jagged Alliance mission...but with more mercs.

Ya, LOL, that's the first thing I though of too!

According to a Yahoo article, the passengers and crew were described only as 'heavily built males'. Here was some of their equipment:

"two satellite telephones, radios, blue backpacks, sleeping bags, hiking boots, an inflatable raft, paddles, bolt cutters and what appeared to be a can of Mace."

Mace, the preferred armament of Mercs?

 

[Gez]

The biggest merc company is Executive Outcomes. Googling for it can bring you lots of info on real-world mercenaries, and what they do.

 

[talien]

Shameless plug for Mercenaries: Born of Blood:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0970531257/michaeltrescaA/

Type: Role-Playing Game (D20 Supplement)
Cover Artist: Kieran Yanner and R. Hyrum Savage
Interior Artists: Samuel Araya, Paul Carrick, Jeremy Dale, Quinn Devlaeminck, Steve Miller, Chris Seaman, David Schrader and Derek Stevens
Suggested Retail Price: $27.99
Format: Softcover
Pages: 192
Publisher: OtherWorld Creations

Description:

You've tasted blood before, whether it was yours or others; it's all the same. It runs hot, dark and sticky as it falls to the ground in an endless torrent. There have been plenty of weapons, armor and men left broken on nameless battlefields -- but do you care? No. Why should you when you're the one left standing?

It comes down to two very important things... first is survival and second is collecting your pay for services rendered. Paladins and heroes do it for the 'greater good', you're just in it for the payoff. After all, you're not doing this for free are you?

Mercenaries: Born in Blood explores mercenaries throughout "real-world" history, how they've been used in fiction, tips for using them in your game, new feats, skills, and prestige classes, as well as six samples for use in a fantasy game, two for use in a pulp/modern game, and two for use in a sci-fi game. It also includes:

* A complete history of mercenaries, from the Greek and Persian wars, to modern day "security companies," to mercenaries of the future
* 16 new prestige classes
* 2 new core classes (the professional and soldier-of-fortune)
* 30 new spells and over 15 new magic items
* Rules for generating mercenary backgrounds, contracts, payments, punishments, and more
* Rules for creating mercenaries using most any creature from the Monster Manual

 

[VirgilCaine]

Ya, LOL, that's the first thing I though of too!

According to a Yahoo article, the passengers and crew were described only as 'heavily built males'. Here was some of their equipment:

"two satellite telephones, radios, blue backpacks, sleeping bags, hiking boots, an inflatable raft, paddles, bolt cutters and what appeared to be a can of Mace."

Mace, the preferred armament of Mercs?

They didn't mention the actual weapons...