Greetings,
Essentially, I was invited to visit this thread. Both Jayde and Cemetarygate bring up good points and make for quite the interesting debate.
Now, I will get a few things out of the way from the start. I am a Clansman, still completely loyal to the Council of Truth and hoping for them to return, still dedicated to a victory of the Clans against Omni-Tek, a diplomat and hopeful pacifist to the end. I am not blind to the points of view of others, or a "bigoted clan" as was so aptly put by someone.
With that out of the way, let me say I consider Neutrals to be my brothers. I respect them highly for choosing freedom in this conflict, and will always help out a Neutral in need because of it.
However, I am forced to agree with Cemetarygate on most points. The Neutrals do not have "official" backing from anyone; ICC is an off-world "company" that has nothing to do with the conflict on Rubi-Ka, or the civilians caught in the crossfire. Even though they do poke their noses occasionally, they aren't any manner of force on the planet. Harry, from what I can see, is an entrepreneur out for profit, and quite possibly too busy a man to handle the bureaucratic side of a merit system along with his buisness. This essentially reduces the potential sources of "backing" to nil from the listing given higher in this thread.
On the subject of equipment, however, I will say nothing more than the following:I am a nanomage doctor wielding a Sword of Sir Galahad with outdated implants and equipment, and I can still solo a mission when, not if, I feel like doing so. You wouldn't catch me dead in the criminal Clan Anarchiste Syndicate's armor, and I honestly can't see any point in compromising my personal integrity for the sake of "wearing the most popular armor". I'd sooner die than give them any more notoriety.
Tokens boards, however, I'm inclined to agree with Jayde. He does not have the possibility of having a token board, as Cemetarygate so firmly states. He is Neutral, and does not wish to be forced to choose a side for the sake of the occasional benefit here and there. I respect him deeply for that. However (and I use that word quite often), given that I've established there is no official backing for Neutrals, I am forced to suggest Jayde, and any other Neutrals feeling distraught on the subject, direct his(/their) attention to obtaining an item such as the one Kenidy/Isgrimnur describes; "neck item that is unique and has certain advantages". His idea of quest completion is perfectly sound, and inspires me of, bear with me while I elaborate, an item that essentially shows a Neutral has been hired by the ICC. This is quite extreme, of course, and I doubt such an idea would be worked in, but essentially the principle is fine.
I'll end with the shortly-mentioned subject of OT/Clan/Neutral service exchange and trade by mentioning that I am strongly of the opinion OT/Clan interactions should be outlawed. As is explained on the application forms given to everyone as they arrive planetside; "both sides agree that they don't want moles". Interactions with Neutrals however, I regret to admit that I see them perfectly fine as they are, generally. This within reason of my statement that I will help any Neutral that requires it.
I have attempted to make this post as little inflammatory as possible, and if anyone takes offense to any of the contents, I will be quite surprised. And quite willing to discuss the reasons of said taking offense personally with the individual.
That is all for now.