diff --git a/Strategic/Merc Contract.cpp b/Strategic/Merc Contract.cpp
index c6698792..18e812c3 100644
--- a/Strategic/Merc Contract.cpp	
+++ b/Strategic/Merc Contract.cpp	
@@ -1018,6 +1018,11 @@ BOOLEAN StrategicRemoveMerc( SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier )
 	// if the merc is not dead
 	if( gMercProfiles[ pSoldier->ubProfile ].bMercStatus != MERC_IS_DEAD )
 	{
+		//shadooow: this allows RPCs to re-appear in the areas we recruited them initially after being fired
+		if (pSoldier->ubProfile != SLAY || gGameExternalOptions.fEnableSlayForever)
+		{			
+			gMercProfiles[pSoldier->ubProfile].ubMiscFlags &= (~PROFILE_MISC_FLAG_RECRUITED);
+		}
 		//Set the status to returning home ( delay the merc for rehire )
 		gMercProfiles[ pSoldier->ubProfile ].bMercStatus = MERC_RETURNING_HOME;
 
diff --git a/Tactical/Soldier Create.cpp b/Tactical/Soldier Create.cpp
index 550b71bb..df8c57b6 100644
--- a/Tactical/Soldier Create.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/Soldier Create.cpp	
@@ -60,6 +60,8 @@
 
 #include "GameInitOptionsScreen.h"
 
+extern INT32 GetTheStateOfDepartedMerc(INT32 iId);
+
 // THESE 3 DIFFICULTY FACTORS MUST ALWAYS ADD UP TO 100% EXACTLY!!!
 #define DIFF_FACTOR_PLAYER_PROGRESS			50
 #define DIFF_FACTOR_PALACE_DISTANCE			30
@@ -750,7 +752,7 @@ SOLDIERTYPE* TacticalCreateSoldier( SOLDIERCREATE_STRUCT *pCreateStruct, UINT8 *
 		}
 
 		// Copy the items over for the soldier, only if we have a valid profile id!
-		if ( pCreateStruct->ubProfile != NO_PROFILE )
+		if ( pCreateStruct->ubProfile != NO_PROFILE && (gMercProfiles[pCreateStruct->ubProfile].Type != PROFILETYPE_RPC || GetTheStateOfDepartedMerc(pCreateStruct->ubProfile) == -1))
 		{
 			CopyProfileItems( &Soldier, pCreateStruct );
 			//CHRISL: make sure nails gets his jacket no matter what
diff --git a/Tactical/Soldier Init List.cpp b/Tactical/Soldier Init List.cpp
index 258d9357..8f660195 100644
--- a/Tactical/Soldier Init List.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/Soldier Init List.cpp	
@@ -2649,6 +2649,8 @@ void AddProfilesUsingProfileInsertionData()
 		if( gMercProfiles[ i ].sSectorX != gWorldSectorX ||
 			gMercProfiles[ i ].sSectorY != gWorldSectorY ||
 			gMercProfiles[ i ].bSectorZ != gbWorldSectorZ ||
+			gMercProfiles[ i ].bMercStatus == MERC_RETURNING_HOME ||
+			gMercProfiles[ i ].bMercStatus == MERC_FIRED_AS_A_POW ||
 			gMercProfiles[ i ].ubMiscFlags & PROFILE_MISC_FLAG_RECRUITED ||
 			gMercProfiles[ i ].ubMiscFlags & PROFILE_MISC_FLAG_EPCACTIVE ||
 //			gMercProfiles[ i ].ubMiscFlags2 & PROFILE_MISC_FLAG2_DONT_ADD_TO_SECTOR ||
diff --git a/Tactical/Soldier Profile.cpp b/Tactical/Soldier Profile.cpp
index 63bb1959..fc1aeeba 100644
--- a/Tactical/Soldier Profile.cpp	
+++ b/Tactical/Soldier Profile.cpp	
@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@
 	extern BOOLEAN gfProfileDataLoaded;
 #endif
 
+extern INT32 GetTheStateOfDepartedMerc(INT32 iId);
+
 //forward declarations of common classes to eliminate includes
 class OBJECTTYPE;
 class SOLDIERTYPE;
@@ -1732,6 +1734,8 @@ BOOLEAN RecruitRPC( UINT8 ubCharNum )
 		return( FALSE );
 	}
 
+	bool first_time_recruited = GetTheStateOfDepartedMerc(ubCharNum) == -1;
+
 	// OK, set recruit flag..
 	gMercProfiles[ ubCharNum ].ubMiscFlags |= PROFILE_MISC_FLAG_RECRUITED;
 
@@ -1760,12 +1764,12 @@ BOOLEAN RecruitRPC( UINT8 ubCharNum )
 
 		KickOutWheelchair( pNewSoldier );
 	}
-	else if ( ubCharNum == DYNAMO && gubQuest[ QUEST_FREE_DYNAMO ] == QUESTINPROGRESS )
+	else if ( ubCharNum == DYNAMO && gubQuest[ QUEST_FREE_DYNAMO ] == QUESTINPROGRESS && first_time_recruited)
 	{
 		EndQuest( QUEST_FREE_DYNAMO, pSoldier->sSectorX, pSoldier->sSectorY );
 	}
 	// SANDRO - give exp and records quest point, if finally recruiting Miguel
-	else if ( ubCharNum == MIGUEL )
+	else if ( ubCharNum == MIGUEL && first_time_recruited)
 	{
 		GiveQuestRewardPoint( pSoldier->sSectorX, pSoldier->sSectorY, 6, MIGUEL );
 	}
@@ -1784,7 +1788,8 @@ BOOLEAN RecruitRPC( UINT8 ubCharNum )
 	}
 
 	// handle town loyalty adjustment
-	HandleTownLoyaltyForNPCRecruitment( pNewSoldier );
+	if(first_time_recruited)
+		HandleTownLoyaltyForNPCRecruitment( pNewSoldier );
 
 	// Try putting them into the current squad
 	if ( AddCharacterToSquad( pNewSoldier, (INT8)CurrentSquad( ) ) == FALSE )
@@ -1820,7 +1825,7 @@ BOOLEAN RecruitRPC( UINT8 ubCharNum )
 #ifdef JA2UB
 // no Ja25 UB
 #else
-	if ( ubCharNum == IRA )
+	if ( ubCharNum == IRA && first_time_recruited)
 	{
 		// trigger 0th PCscript line
 		TriggerNPCRecord( IRA, 0 );
@@ -1852,7 +1857,8 @@ BOOLEAN RecruitRPC( UINT8 ubCharNum )
 	AdditionalTacticalCharacterDialogue_AllInSectorRadiusCall( ubCharNum, ADE_DIALOGUE_RPC_RECRUIT_SUCCESS, ubCharNum );
 	
 	// Flugente: external scripts might have extra functionality on recruiting someone
-	LuaRecruitRPCAdditionalHandling( ubCharNum );
+	if (first_time_recruited)
+		LuaRecruitRPCAdditionalHandling( ubCharNum );
 
 	return( TRUE );
 }