Legend has it that Timbo did say that it would be released on a Thursday. He just didn't say which Thursday. So check back next week...
I'm assuming timbo or one of the trem team. Anyway, It doesn't mention "ked clones" in there at all, rather, it mentions recruiting mercanaries.
I believe that Timbo wrote it, but I really have no idea whose work it is. If they are mercenaries, why do they all look alike? No, in my version (it's open-source, all I have to do is reference
The Visit), Ked is the only survivor of that mission to the Fractal Zion system. The only survivor from amongst the roughest, meanest corporate mercs in the Company Systems. So when he returned alone, they cloned him and sent him back. Millions of him. It was cheaper than hiring and training new troops.