[quote=@Jbcool]
What sort of tech level do you think would be appropriate? There will be other nations and planets with higher or lower levels, but for us as a starting group?
[/quote]

In a sci-fi RP, I tend to see a lot of diversity. Some people will surely want to go for a pistol-toting, rifle-slinging merc who uses more modern/"realistic" weapons (guns or mass-drivers), while others will want to fire around plasma beams or employ personal shields or build A.I. from scratch (the more traditional sci-fi). The best "tech level" would be one that allows both. 

For balance: perhaps plasma/energy is more damaging in-and-of itself, but mass-drivers (guns) are significantly more effective vs. shields? Just an idea.

[i][b]EDIT[/b][/i]: Ship speed and specifics doesn't really matter. Our ship(s) moves whatever speed we need it to move for the progression of the story. But there should be enough travel time between missions that our characters can speak and interact. Again, I'm assuming we get a ship. :lol

[i][b]EDIT 2[/b][/i]: Universal translators may be useful as a convenience. We need both crewmates and clients from vastly different species to understand eachother flawlessly and immediately. 
Unless, of course, someone wants to create a character that's a translation expert.

Because we're badass mercenaries, our military tech should be slightly "above average" compared to the rest of the galaxy.

[hr]

[quote=@Jbcool]

Oh, forgot to mention, we [b]will[/b] be needing specific roles such as quartermaster, paymaster, surgeon, scout etc. So if you do have ideas coinciding with these archtypes, feel free to keep them in mind or develop them. 
[/quote]

Is engineer possible?

I want engineer. 

[hr]
[quote= Da GM]
My actual question is thus; should we begin as an established and roughly uniform company/guild/lokhos/group (although 'national' sidearms would be fine to keep), or would you prefer a more mish-mash group of hardened (or not hardened) killers-for-hire? The latter probably going to be put together before leaving Taenarum.[/quote]

Mish-mash mercenaries!
Unlike my rambling opinion on technology up there, I don't really have a justification for this one. I just like the idea of a mish-mash smash.