Not necessarily. Some of them have a tendency to side with the underdog, and that is definitely a form of idealism. They obey their own best judgement rather than following orders like robots. They are mavericks and make up their own minds about which side to fight for. In many cases they will not fight for a given side, because they disapprove of its ethics or motives, even if it IS willing to pay them more money. In this respect they are very much like Indian warriors were, in that they are autonomous. Indians made excellent mercenaries, and sadly, helped the whites defeat other Indians time and time again...but that was because they lacked an overall sense of nationhood.

Then there are the ones who have no ethics at all, and fight just for the money. As regards those, s6k, you are quite correct in your estimation of their character.

- LH