I'm back... and I have a question for SG2 players

I'm back. I think. If I've done this
right. I've sub'd to the digest
version... but I'm sending to
gzg-l@csua.berkeley.edu so hopefully
this will appear on-list as is the
intent.

Hope all list members are doing well,
and that the list has prospered in my
absense.

I was just thinking about Ghurkas, and
their potential role in the GZGverse.

I have seen several suggestion:
1) No role, defunct.
2) ESU light infantry. (Likely given the
absorption of Nepal, but somehow
unsettling).
3) OU light infantry.
4) NAC light infantry.
5) Independent light infantry.

1. or 2. can be posited as a result of
the ESU annexation of Nepal. The other
three are possible as a result of that
annexation and an out-of-Nepal migration
of at least some part of the Nepalese
population.

Right now (I think) Ghurkas may be
serving with the British and the Sultan
of Brunei. In past days, they have
worked closely with many other forces
including the Australians and New
Zealanders. They are now serving in the
Indian Army too which becomes part of
the ESU IIRC.

One option is to suppose they are now
annexed (via the annexation of their
land and the Indian Army) into the ESU
armed forces. It certainly is a twist on
an old theme.

Let us suppose that someone (either the
NAC or the OU) provide the Ghurkas a
place to escape to and the means to do
so - a similar mountainous region on
another planet for sake of similarity.
The NAC might do so out of
traditionalist feeling ("The Ghurkas
have always been with the British. It is
only proper that they be so in 2185.").
The OU could do so out of a commonality
of climate (the planets they'd want
might include tropical terrain,
mountains, etc. very much like what the
Ghurkas might enjoy and they'd be rough
worlds) and an interest in NOT letting
their forces join the ESU or IC.

In either of these cases, it might be a
dependent colony, in which case the
Ghurkas could only serve with that
Nation, or it could be an independent
colony, at least allowing them to serve
with other friendly nations (NAC, OU,
maybe IF (Sultan of Brunei)...) at the
decision of the King of New Nepal.

If they were independent, they could
contract out as excellent Mercenaries
(as long as they didn't oppose the
nation that provided them a colony).
They could use anyone's equipment, or
their own homegrown brand. Or they could
buy equipment from the NI or other arms
producing source. If they were not
independent, they could be equiped
similarly to the national force they are
allied with.

So... opinions? Do they exist? Who do
they work for? How should they be
equiped?

Thomas Barclay
Software UberMensch
xwave solutions
(613) 831-2018 x 3008