The mercenary

 This random event occurs in:

• Civilian Sector
• Pirate Controlled Sector
• Rock Controlled Sector
• Rock Homeworlds
• Slug Controlled Nebula
• Slug Home Nebula
  Can also occur as a filler event in any sector.

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This event can start with any of the following event introductions:

• You find a mercenary for hire at this Beacon. Their unique skills can sometimes prove to be useful.
• A mercenary hails you: "Greetings, friend! We've heard tell of your quest and are here to offer our valuable services."
• There's a ship with pirate markings orbiting the nearby planet. You receive his hail: "Anything is possible, for the right price"
• The captain of this ship claims he can provide "services" as long as you've got the scrap.
• Mercenaries are swarming the galaxy now, knowing that their less-than-legal services are in demand during this period of unrest. One is waiting at this beacon and hails you.
• A ship hails you: "Good sir! It seems you're having some troubles with the Rebels. I'd like to help you, but I can't afford the upkeep required on this hunk of junk I'm flying... maybe we can come to an arrangement?"

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1. Hire the mercenary to delay the Rebels.
   • The mercenary ship masks its jump signature to mimic your own and then jumps off in the opposite direction. This should keep the Rebels guessing.
     • You lose 10-25 scrap and the Rebel Fleet is delayed by 2 jumps.
2. Hire the mercenary to scout the sector.
   • Your map has been updated.
     • You lose 10-20 scrap and your map is revealed.
3. Fight the ship.
   • Mercenaries are worse than rebels. The only honorable course is to engage the mercenary in battle.
     • Fight a pirate ship (default rewards).
4. You have no need of his services.
   • Nothing happens.

Trivia

On The Last Stand the "delay the Rebels" option will stop the spread of Rebel control, and delay the flagship.

This event is called "MERCENARY" in the datafiles.