The Empire does not allow its subject worlds to make war on each other, nor does it permit private citizens to raise armies. Nevertheless, situations arise where Imperial authorities at least tacitly ignore the use of armed force by private interests. For example, even civilian starships can carry weapons for protection against piracy, and when Imperial forces don't want to take down a pirate base, merchant leagues sometimes hire "security firms" to do the job. Similarly, colonies without an Army garrison may need some extra protection from raiders - although on a few worlds the mercenary guards turn out to be just as bad as the pirates the colony hired them to fight. Traders operating outside Imperial space sometimes take along guards. Mercenaries in the Empire come in two sorts. The most reliable work for large security firms like Guardian Services or Fousheng Security. These companies have well-paid and welltrained troops, hire out as guards for interstellar corporations, protect colonies, and occasionally go on offensive missions against pirates and bandits in lawless areas. Slightly shadier outfits sometimes work as company goons in labor disputes. The other kind of mercenaries hire themselves out individually or in small bands; many people have difficulty distinguishing some of these groups from pirates or bandits. Most are Imperial military veterans bored by civilian life and willing to take no-questions-asked jobs.