Friend or Foe

Like many members of the Strikers, Mason Garr is an old acquaintance of Mike
Strider. The two grew up together as boys, planning a partnership to take over
Garr's father's business. In 3057, though times had changed, Strider
remembered his old friend back on Black Earth while searching for new team
members. Relaying message there, Strider learned that Mason had created a
business for himself. Mason was now a security officer for high ranking officials.
He had purchased a BattleMech and planned to freelance work for various
companies, but decided to keep the permanent security position offered to him
by Black Earth's ruling noble family. Strider's offer for employment offered off
world opportunities, and nearly double the pay Mason was making in security
work. Mason decided to join the Strikers temporarily, and if he liked it he would
stay. Stationed on the Striker's Wasat base, Mason helped fight off the invading
Toyama faction. Ejecting when faced with an ammunition explosion, he was
vaporized when an enemy Wraith BattleMech targeted him with medium pulse
lasers. Mason's loss is a large one, and has affected the team deeply. Luckily,
Mason was the only Mechwarrior casualty when the Wasat base was destroyed.

In the mercenary business, familiar faces are not always a plus. One time allies
can end up on the other side of the fence, and old friends in such positions are
often put in difficult situations. One time victims of such a circumstance, "the
Chemical Brothers" have created an incredible alliance.
Forged when "Mad Dog" was faced with executing his old friend "Scorpion" on
the small planet of Contra in the Periphery, the "brothers" decided to act against
the system. Mad Dog's refusal to accept his order faced him with an angry,
powerful employer. The two united and together destroyed five of the
employer's Mechs.
They immediately became best of friends and decided to work together. After a
guerrilla campaign lasting two months against Mad Dog's employer, the
Chemical Brothers insured their reputation. Destroying means of communication
quickly and then completing destroying the enemy, the two next left for Outreach
and established themselves as a united mercenary "unit".
Often enemies of the Strikers, the Chemical Brothers have been captured so
many times they are becoming friends of the team. Only time will tell if they join
the Strikers. They have been formally invited to trial events held for new
members.

With several members actually from Marik space, the Strider's Strikers have
established a mutually beneficial relationship with House Marik and the Free
Worlds League. Helping to keep Word of Blake problems under control, the
Strikers are considered an honorable team of mercenaries dedicated to helping
the League in risky situations. This was actual fact, but with the Toyama
rebellion within Word of Blake, the Strikers have now left Marik space. However
their history and skills are remembered. Trading continues between the team
and House Marik, including magnetic pulse warheads (MPWs) and spare
Albatross parts for Sir Owen's Albatross.
Recently House Marik has gained new interests in the Strikers as the unit has
become more involved with the Clans Nova Cat and Steel Viper. Attempting to
investigate the unit's Clan connection, House Marik offered to place a Marik
liason in the unit as part of an upcoming contract. However Commanders
Strider and Carns declined the offer, recognizing the danger of gaining yet
another political identity.
Unknown to the Commanders, Marik gained power within the Strikers ranks, as
well as sets of both eyes and ears. The House successfully infiltrated the
mercenary unit with one of their S.A.F.E. agents. Agent 6572 was hired under
the guise of Buford Olman. Agent 6572 collected information on Clans Nova Cat
and Steel Viper, which he then released to his S.A.F.E. commanders when
given opportunities to make the coded transmissions. Because of this security
leak, the Word of Blake was able to learn invaluable data, data that helped to
form the attacks that struck the unit in 3067. S.A.F.E. Agent 6572's identity was
not uncovered, but information concerning the leaks was released by the
Strikers Security Division. These secrets were uncovered by a joint project
between the Strider's Strikers Intelligence Corps and Mural Rye-Del.