Nomads think he is, and not just because of his Lhost body. But He's a human that works a lot for Aleph. He's only in vAleph, OSSS, and White Company (which he is the owner of). So, he might as well be Aleph. Even his personal symbol and the White company symbol look reminiscent of Aleph.
You just said that CB writes a background and then they don't follow it... regardless: make a proposal for the inclusion of Hawkwood in the roster. It will have the implication that White Company (that he owns) will effectively become Aleph ;). I wouldn't complain to an Aleph mercenary sectorial: helps making money ;) (plus with white company there is a good number of nice pieces as well)
And - which is more important - offers plausible deniability. Black ops is one thing, having a front that isn't your own front is a different kettle of fish. However, this requires said mercenary company to remain outside of the officially recognized structures of Aleph. Otherwise the whole plausible deniability goes to hell in a handbasket. So, I believe the White Company won't become an Aleph sectorial. Same way as StarCo won't become a Nomad one, despite everybody and their grandma knowing StarCo is basically a rebranded Corregidor with few cosmetic touch-ups...
Which makes me speculate that the next operations box will be a new Nomads sectorinal versus a new Aleph Sectorial. Both Sectorials were established to address the integration of EI into the human sphere and limit its influence, but in very different ways.
Both can be true! In other words, they follow it when it suits them. I don't think WC would become a part of Aleph seeing as how he and a Danavas are the only Aleph troops. If they made a new Aleph sectoral, I can see him being in it. I'm also relatively sure we are going to see Aleph vs. Nomads. Specifically OSSS vs. Tunguska.
And all of this shenanigan at saying that Aleph time will come just so they can touch up OSS? And all the triumphant trumpets to have a "mountain that gives birth to a mouse"... I'd be so disappointed I will sell my Infinity miniatures the day after and close the book on this experience! Nomads are ok with the 3 ships being populated. Corregidor needs a bit of love. On the other hand Aleph dearly needs not just one sectorial... a massive overhaul! So you CB out there: don't you ever think a box is enough to cover for years of negligence to Aleph!
Having played with and against Corregidor, I'd say they are still in a good place. Sure, they could use a few touchups, but then, every army could. Bakunin was relatively recently updated, and AFAIK is considered to be a very strong army. I don't know a thing about how Tunguzka is doing, but if we were discussing "updating the Nomads", I'd point that one as the oldest and needing updating the most of these. I'd be kinda disappointed seeing Nomads in a new starter box, but, well. They had two Operation box appearances so far (Icestorm & Crimson Stone), as had essentially everyone else save for O-12 (one), JSA (one - because they're a new thing), and PanO (three: Iscestorm, Kaldstrom & Sandtrap). Plus, Tohaa were never a starter pack thing, but they are kind of a special case... As to updating Aleph, I don't have a dog in this fight. If anything, it is the lack of attention given to Haqqislam in recent years that is irking me.
The fact is, Nomads sell. Nomads and Combined have had more new figures than others combined in the last 5 years. If it's not Nomads, it might be Onyx.
Tbh I'd say that armies like FRRM and QK are most likely to get a next box. Or at least mostly in need of one. For all its issues Aleph and its sectorials are in decent, modern shape. They could mostly use a refresh like the one MO got last year.
The metal one is fantastic but not readily available to new players. Would be fun to play two of them too! lol
