diff --git a/Strategic/Game Event Hook.cpp b/Strategic/Game Event Hook.cpp
index 14d920d2..3a8b9df9 100644
--- a/Strategic/Game Event Hook.cpp	
+++ b/Strategic/Game Event Hook.cpp	
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ BOOLEAN ExecuteStrategicEvent( STRATEGICEVENT *pEvent )
 			break;
 		//When a merc is supposed to leave
 		case EVENT_MERC_CONTRACT_OVER:
-			MercsContractIsFinished( (UINT8) pEvent->uiParam );
+			MercsContractIsFinished( pEvent->uiParam );
 			break;
 		case EVENT_ADDSOLDIER_TO_UPDATE_BOX:
 		{
@@ -432,7 +432,7 @@ BOOLEAN ExecuteStrategicEvent( STRATEGICEVENT *pEvent )
 			BeginContractRenewalSequence( );
 			break;
 		case EVENT_RPC_WHINE_ABOUT_PAY:
-			RPCWhineAboutNoPay( (UINT8) pEvent->uiParam );
+			RPCWhineAboutNoPay( pEvent->uiParam );
 			break;
 
 		case EVENT_HAVENT_MADE_IMP_CHARACTER_EMAIL:
diff --git a/Strategic/Strategic Merc Handler.cpp b/Strategic/Strategic Merc Handler.cpp
index e6cae0b5..f510e653 100644
--- a/Strategic/Strategic Merc Handler.cpp	
+++ b/Strategic/Strategic Merc Handler.cpp	
@@ -721,11 +721,9 @@ void HandleMercsAboutToLeave( SOLDIERTYPE *pMercList )
 
 // ATE: This function deals with MERC MERC and NPC's leaving because of not getting paid...
 // NOT AIM renewals....
-void MercsContractIsFinished( UINT16 ubID )
+void MercsContractIsFinished( SoldierID ubID )
 {
-	SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier;
-
-	pSoldier = &Menptr[ ubID ];
+	SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier = ubID;
 
 	//if the soldier was removed before getting into this function, return
 	if( !pSoldier->bActive )
@@ -775,11 +773,9 @@ void MercsContractIsFinished( UINT16 ubID )
 }
 
 // ATE: Called for RPCs who should now complain about no pay...
-void RPCWhineAboutNoPay( UINT16 ubID )
+void RPCWhineAboutNoPay( SoldierID ubID )
 {
-	SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier;
-
-	pSoldier = &Menptr[ ubID ];
+	SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier = ubID;
 
 	//if the soldier was removed before getting into this function, return
 	if( !pSoldier->bActive )
diff --git a/Strategic/Strategic Merc Handler.h b/Strategic/Strategic Merc Handler.h
index 2ea34e9f..4e878f2f 100644
--- a/Strategic/Strategic Merc Handler.h	
+++ b/Strategic/Strategic Merc Handler.h	
@@ -3,11 +3,12 @@
 
 //forward declarations of common classes to eliminate includes
 class SOLDIERTYPE;
+struct SoldierID;
 
 void StrategicHandlePlayerTeamMercDeath( SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier );
 void MercDailyUpdate();
-void MercsContractIsFinished( UINT16 ubID );
-void RPCWhineAboutNoPay( UINT16 ubID );
+void MercsContractIsFinished( SoldierID ubID );
+void RPCWhineAboutNoPay( SoldierID ubID );
 void MercComplainAboutEquipment( UINT8 ubProfileID );
 BOOLEAN SoldierHasWorseEquipmentThanUsedTo( SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier );
 void UpdateBuddyAndHatedCounters( void );