Also, the comments were "can't pay you much" but at that point, with the Lyran commander betraying you and being trapped on world . . . well, it was just gravy. In addition, a contract like that would offer very generous salvage rights- your pay is going to mostly be in what you can haul off the battlefield. AFAIK, while the Davion side was working with the guerillas, the FedSuns did not actually recognize their independence . . . or IF the Major did, its not the same as coming from New Avalon.
And the GDL are not the only ones-
Crescent Hawks landed to help rebels on WoB held Ruchbah
Burton's Brigade supporting Count McNally on Hall
and those not mega-units in FM Mercs can be found taking that marginal contract vs Blakists or the Clans
All valid points, but yes, that major did indeed sign up the FC to recognising the independence, it was in a Jihad SB, IIRC where they defined Liberty *blurgh* falling and finally losing it's independence.
As for pointing out a novel, not a scenario, it was a scenario that was mentioned and that I specifically asked for, apparently it happened several times, I'm waiting to know which ones. This is not just sematics, novels, while entertaining, were all over the shop with tone. They are the Battletech equivalent of a block buster movie. Many things happen in the novels that are effectively impossible in game just because it's cool.
As for that specific novel, it had other features that kept the atmosphere more than just painted on. The GDL novels epitomised the Mad Max feel of the universe, true scavenger tech.
I'll concede that I'm somewhat biased in this, and I'm perfectly cool with people liking the storyline, I just only get a Hollywood feel from it.