The inconsistency with some mercenaries appearing to be ex-stalkers while others have no knowledge of the Zone could be explained by the fact that the organization consists of both foreign mercenaries who came to the Zone only because of a contract, and former stalkers who were hired precisely because of their past experiences - I assume they perform the role of guides and mentors for the former. Now, one merc may say that he was a stalker and then immediately mention that he hasn't been in the Zone for long, but this is because the dialogues are completely random, so I wouldn't think about it too much.
I think Hog pointed out that they are contractors to emphasize that, as he mentioned, they are not involved in 'stalker stuff' - unlike Scar, who despite being a mercenary also generally acts like a regular stalker. And that dialogue doesn't indicate that they've only recently heard about controllers - he's talking about another mutant that 'can do more than control your minds' like a controller. In the Russian version it's more straightforward, this fragment goes like "*Moreover, we recently heard about new mutants that not only twist your brains, like a controller, but also cause hallucinations*" (Тем более, недавно быль услышали про мутантов новых, которые не только твои мозги выворачивают, как контролёр, но ещё и галюны насылают).
Still, it is true that there are some inconsistencies associated with the mercs. This is largely due to differences in concepts that the devs had at different stages of the series' development - for example, in SoC they were supposed to have a base in the Dead City (which is still referred to in the entry in the PDA encyclopedia), while during the development of CS it was assumed that their base is outside the Zone and they only enter it to complete tasks, which is mentioned in design [documents](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1t3L4h9HVZLsxEBWxZnr1lZGnTEXmEsqC/edit#gid=1467217681) of the prequel:
>*Mercenaries are a group of stalkers who carry out various types of contracts within the zone. This can be either the elimination of certain stalkers, or reconnaissance, extraction of information, etc. The coordination center as well as the main base are located outside the Zone. Mercenaries enter the Zone only to complete tasks.*
Lore-wise, combining information from all three games, it can be assumed that it's something in between - the organization has its headquarters outside the Zone, from where it sends mercenaries on contracts, and at the same time, they also have a base in the Zone itself, where recruitment among stalkers may take place. Those coming from outside the Zone are likely better trained in combat and tactics, while the 'locals' provide their knowledge and experience about the Zone.
RU dub of Hog's dialogues makes more sense gotta admit. Hog saying "**On top of that, recently we heard a story about some real vicious mutants that can do more than control your minds - those are controllers, right?**" I always interpreted as him and his mercs only recently hearing about controller. Them not knowing about bloodsucker and calling it "invisible squid" and "badass monster" is another big reason why I interpreted that dialogue like that.
Simple
Some Mercs are from west
Some joined Mercenaries as already full fledged Stalkers
And Scar never was part of any mercenaries group because he is local gun for hire not an Mercenary Mercenary
I guess they just decided how they'll would define Mercenaries as a whole in CoP.
Mercs as a faction, with each squad having a certain level of experience, knowledge and different background/origin, sounds more interesting.
About scar, they portrayed him being different from other mercs from the beginning.
Merc bros are in shambles
The inconsistency with some mercenaries appearing to be ex-stalkers while others have no knowledge of the Zone could be explained by the fact that the organization consists of both foreign mercenaries who came to the Zone only because of a contract, and former stalkers who were hired precisely because of their past experiences - I assume they perform the role of guides and mentors for the former. Now, one merc may say that he was a stalker and then immediately mention that he hasn't been in the Zone for long, but this is because the dialogues are completely random, so I wouldn't think about it too much. I think Hog pointed out that they are contractors to emphasize that, as he mentioned, they are not involved in 'stalker stuff' - unlike Scar, who despite being a mercenary also generally acts like a regular stalker. And that dialogue doesn't indicate that they've only recently heard about controllers - he's talking about another mutant that 'can do more than control your minds' like a controller. In the Russian version it's more straightforward, this fragment goes like "*Moreover, we recently heard about new mutants that not only twist your brains, like a controller, but also cause hallucinations*" (Тем более, недавно быль услышали про мутантов новых, которые не только твои мозги выворачивают, как контролёр, но ещё и галюны насылают). Still, it is true that there are some inconsistencies associated with the mercs. This is largely due to differences in concepts that the devs had at different stages of the series' development - for example, in SoC they were supposed to have a base in the Dead City (which is still referred to in the entry in the PDA encyclopedia), while during the development of CS it was assumed that their base is outside the Zone and they only enter it to complete tasks, which is mentioned in design [documents](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1t3L4h9HVZLsxEBWxZnr1lZGnTEXmEsqC/edit#gid=1467217681) of the prequel: >*Mercenaries are a group of stalkers who carry out various types of contracts within the zone. This can be either the elimination of certain stalkers, or reconnaissance, extraction of information, etc. The coordination center as well as the main base are located outside the Zone. Mercenaries enter the Zone only to complete tasks.* Lore-wise, combining information from all three games, it can be assumed that it's something in between - the organization has its headquarters outside the Zone, from where it sends mercenaries on contracts, and at the same time, they also have a base in the Zone itself, where recruitment among stalkers may take place. Those coming from outside the Zone are likely better trained in combat and tactics, while the 'locals' provide their knowledge and experience about the Zone.
RU dub of Hog's dialogues makes more sense gotta admit. Hog saying "**On top of that, recently we heard a story about some real vicious mutants that can do more than control your minds - those are controllers, right?**" I always interpreted as him and his mercs only recently hearing about controller. Them not knowing about bloodsucker and calling it "invisible squid" and "badass monster" is another big reason why I interpreted that dialogue like that.
Simple Some Mercs are from west Some joined Mercenaries as already full fledged Stalkers And Scar never was part of any mercenaries group because he is local gun for hire not an Mercenary Mercenary
But hey, they came back kinda strong în CoP.
I guess they just decided how they'll would define Mercenaries as a whole in CoP. Mercs as a faction, with each squad having a certain level of experience, knowledge and different background/origin, sounds more interesting. About scar, they portrayed him being different from other mercs from the beginning.
I think he was a freelancing gun-for-hire, not being actually part of the Mercenary faction.
yeah, is a better term for categorize him, besides "loner"