Miraborg: Varldherre of Gunzburg, Military Commander of Radstadt Province This interview with General Tor Miraborg took place in hospital on his home planet of Ginzburg. Gen Miraborg (left) and friends, Spring 3029 Shortly after this interview, it was announced that General Miraborg had been given the title of Varldherre (world lord) and made commander of the province of Radstadt. This makes him one of the three top men in the new civilian government of Rasalhague. Tor Miraborg is a muscularly built man of forty one, commanding inpresence andsevere ofmanner. He received me seated in his wheelchair, he wishes it known that he will remain unable to walk from this time forward. He does not wish to discuss the matter further. General Miraborg looks like one of the old jarls, warleaders of free men from the days of his Viking ancestors. His troops in fact refer to him as the "Iron Jarl", a reference to his toughness as well as to his firm grip on his command. He has a healing scar on his cheek; he is beginning to go grey. The General speaks English fluently, but it is clear that his primary language is Swedenese, that unique colloquial combination of Swedish and Japanese which is Rasalhague's gift to colorful speech in the Known Sphere. We have not edited out the occasional un-English elements in order to keep the flavor of General Miraborg's speech. BT: Thank you for agreeing to this interview, General Miraborg. May we inquire how your recovery is progressing? Miraborg: It is as well as can be expected. The injuries were severe. BT: Would you mind telling our readers how you were wounded, Sir? Miraborg: During the Ronin Rebellion I was in one of our bunkers directing a combat which got ... in the expressive English idiom ... a bit hairy. An Archer unfortunately let off some stray LRM rounds which hit the bunker In the process of aiding people in getting out of the wreckage, a Steiner laser hit one of the supporting Pack Rats, and debris from that wreckage hit me in the back and across the face. And, well, I kept directing the battle as long as we could. And we won. BT: If you are to have a scar, this is a distinguished one. It looks rather like an old-style dueling scar. Miraborg: Why not? I can hope to start a great tradition! They are badges of honor, scars. BT: How did you first join the Tyr movement? Miraborg: In prison. With our leader Haakon Magnusson we became friends there. That was after his dealings with the SPA; we spent several years in prison together. Then he and I joined the Freedom for Alshaine movement where he was called 'Silver Fox'. (This identity is still not too widely known). We trained them to be a good army operation. That was all before Tyr. In 3029 the Lyran Intelligence Corps contacted our group. We went to a series of special meetings that lasted three weeks. There we joined the Tyr. BT: So Prince Magnusson and yourself were not founders of the Tyr? Miraborg: No, the Tyr were already in training for a time before that. As a matter of fact, Alshain's Freedom Fighters were influential in 3026/27 in attracting the Draconians view to Alshain. Skilled Rasalhaguian mechwarriors were not observed as they quietly left the Draconis Combine for Lyran space. Purely a coincidence, you understand. I'm told BattIeTechnology is publishing a small document by Johan Sorenson which explains the history of Rasalhague's founding more fully. (This was news to me at the time of the interview. Are we doing that, Mr Carter? Yes, see page 39.) BT: Where were you during the 4th Succession War? Miraborg: We were training underground movements to harass the Draconis Combine during the Fourth Succession War. We were ... where we were not expected to be. We were able to turn much of the battles into our favor. That is in deference, the Lyran Commonwealth, much of this action is still (what is the English?) ... classified. BT: What can you tell us about !he Tyr agreement with Archon Katrina Steiner? Miraborg: The agreement was that the Tyr were to assist the Lyrans with retaking certain worlds - all the worlds of the original Principality of Rasalhague. Those worlds at the end of the war were to go to us. Now we must thank Theodore Kurita for his generosity in giving us so many of these worlds so recently, worlds which were not conquered during the war. I do not know if you are familiar with Duke Kelswa's treachery and double dealing? BT: That was to be my next question. Miraborg (with his rare smile): Then, please, ask your next question. BT: Why was Duke Kelswa of the Tamar Pact allowed to take over the Tyr planets? Miraborg: He believed that that was the best policy for the Lyran Commonwealth, to have his troops occupy and control those worlds. He did it completely against the wishes of the Archon Steiner and ... he paid. Admittedly, many of us were thrown into prison because of it. We were soon released by the Archon. He was, I believe, suitably chastised for his attempt to put his own people into Rasalhague worlds. BT: Despite the Lyran agreement that the Tyr were Rasalhague's government in exile, the worlds in Lyran hands were still not handed over to the Tyr, were they? Miraborg: No, because the Lyrans were under their official belief that the Kuritans would be mounting attacks at any point to take back those worlds. So of course, as history proves, the Kuritans did not. They gave us the worlds we wished, plus more. That forced the Lyrans to keep their agreement with us. BT: What was the agreement with Gunji no Kanrei Theodore Kurita that allowed a 'bloodless revolution" to create the Free Republic of Rasalhague? Miraborg: Well, relatively simple. A little harsh, but ... We agreed that one half our trade for export would go to Kuritan interests. In return the Kanrei was to give us our traditional worlds. He was in fact so generous as to give us other worlds as well. But along with this goes a formal pledge of military aid until we could get own own military, other than the Tyr regiments, operational. As we could see during the just completed Ronin Wars. And there is a minor unofficial reason also which is the Free Republic of Rasalhague would make a good buffer against invasion for the Combine. Especially considering the recent marriage between the Steiners; and the Davions. He would not have to fight on such an extended border with the diminished forces he has left even now, five years after the wars end. He could concentrate on two separated fronts instead of a continuous front around the Inner Sphere side of Draconian space. BT: What do you think is the basic cause of the Ronin Rebellion that erupted shortly after the founding of the Free Republic of Rasalhague? Miraborg: Those now considered ronin, including Marcus Kurita, believed themselves to be loyal to the Kuritan state and protectors of Lord Takashi. Our realm, now become our republic, has been freer than most of the Combine, or has always had a most independent mind set. People like us could have becomes enemies in future time. The ronin wanted to ensure that we would never be an enemy. Though as long as there is a Kurita on the throne we shall never be enemies of the Draconis Combine. BT: Will the famous Rasalhague Regular Regiments continue to fight for the Draconis Combine? Miraborg: Not as many regiments or in such numbers as before, but yes, they will. They would probably be joining Alshaine Regular units rather than continuing as Rasalhague Regulars. We have our own units forming now. BT: What will become to the existing Rasalhague Regular Regiments? Miraborg: They will stay with the Draconis Combine until their terms of service are up. This is the only honorable thing, to finish their service before returning to decide. If they wish to, they may then resume their rightful citizenships in the republic. BT: How do you rate the Free Republic of Rasalhague's preparedness during the Ronin Rebellion? Miraborg: We had but recently formed. With the exception of the Tyr, trained by the Lyrans, the Kungsarmee units had no combat experience, but we did receive our baptism of fire rather quickly. In small unit action, we have some of the best. BT: How do you rate the Free Republic of Rasalhague's morale at this point? Miraborg: Both military and civilian morale is high be cause Prince Magnusson is doing a good job. Leadership in the present time of peace will be strong. BT: Do you feel that the recent marriage of Duke Ryan Steiner to Duke Kelswa's daughter Morasha consolidated a threat against the Free Republic of Rasalhague? Miraborg: Itcertainly could be. You must knowthat if they decide to attack us, with our 'Even Scale' policy of trade equality between the Lyrans and the Draconians, the Tamar Pact would be breaking a trade agreement. We would have Lyran support in repulsing any attacking force they could muster against us. We do not believe that they are a threat to the sanctity of the present peace which pervades the Inner Sphere. BT: Speaking of marriages, you are reunited now with your family now for the first time in over two years. Do you find them well? Miraborg: I suppose your readers require to know about my family life? We have a wonderful little daughter, Tyra. She will grow up to be, probably, as headstrong as her father! BT: What direction do you see our new republic taking? Miraborg: Well, we will be making sure that the worlds which have been seeing so much of the death and destruction and the horrors of war will be built back into a more environmentally secures and quieter situation, so that we can live up to the policies of the old Principality of Rasalhague, that all worlds should be ecologically secure and their people should be happy. We will continue with the one-for-one , the 'Even Scale Policy'. We will hope that this time peace will last for our lifetimes, but I doubt it. But we will be protective of our borders and our families and our lives from any invader. BT: What problems do you foresee for the Free Republic of Rasalhague? Miraborg: Problems? Problems! That is not really my end of things. Some problems may be ensuring that our home units are adequately trained. And perhaps doing the 'Even Scale Policy' will bring its own problems with bureaucracy just at first. We must hope that with time this will clear up. And, well, we'll probably have minor problems like pirates raiding us for water, or the occasional mercenary groups like those Kell Hounds attacking our worlds for personal profit as they did in 3010 in Skandia. These are about the only problems I can see - at this point in time. BT: Under Kurita rule, there was a discrimination for those of Oriental descent. Do you feel that there will now be a backlash of discrimination against them, as some critics foretell? Miraborg: The people of Rasalhague have always been isolationist themselves. But those people who have been part of the community on our worlds, those people of orientalheritage minority will probably find that life won't really change too much for them. It is a problem we must look into. They will receive more freedoms - probably a change forthe better. Only time will tell. BT: And the so-called 'Lyran Half', the planets that until recently were under Steiner influence? There are already charges that they will be left out of the new civilian government. What will be their lot in the Free Republic of Rasalhague? Miraborg: Well, much as those in the worlds which Kanrei Theodore has so easily given up. Each world would have a government which meets with its Varldherre, and decides basic dictates for the entire province. The three Varldherres communicate this to the Prince. As long as they will take part in our government and do not go to the more violent ways of our past to make a statement, their voices will be given equal hearing as those from former Kurita space. BT: Now the difficult question. Many of BattleTechnology's readers are mercenary soldiers. What is the role of mercenaries to be in the Free Republic of Rasalhague? Miraborg (with a steely look): Very minor. (Long pause) You wait for more? Mercenaries are in the politics of the thirtyfirst century a necessary evil. The majority of them are little children given big toys to play with. Very few have learned the honor which it is to be a true warrior. There are exceptions, but very few of them. We will hire them when we need them. If they persist in certain actions of the past, they will.. not be liked by the people of Rasalhague. BT: I must persist, sir. How will mercenaries be treated here? Miraborg: If they are honorable and act as true warriors, they will be accorded the courtesy they need. But no more and no less. The people of Rasalhague have had bad experiences with mercenaries -- or example, the Kell Hound action in 3010 in which the unit created a shallow sea in what had been an important mining operation, and so depressed the economy of Skandia for several years, just so they could get a DropShip. So the government will honor their contracts, but I will not guarantee the people. BT: And yet rumor has it that the government intends to hire those same Kell Hounds. Can you comment on that? Miraborg: Just because they play irresponsibly with the ecology of a world and the economics of a world? They can still be hired to deal with Periphery scum. BT: In Tyr meetings you were known to quote Macchiavelli about mercenaries. Miraborg: That is true ... You wait, again? Yes, I believe in Macchiavelli's saying that a Prince should not trust mercenaries. I quote Mercenaries are one of two types: the majority, at least in the thirty-first century, are completely and utterly incompetent. They are worse for the side that hires them than for the enemy. The other type are actually good soldiers. These are very few. These are dangerous, because they work not just for money but to gain power. This makes them worse than the incompetents... BT: Is there anything you would like to say to the readers of BattleTechnology? The readership spans the entire Inner Sphere and most of the Periphery. Miraborg: Yes, actually. Now that a sort of peace is achieved, after Davion's quest for more territory, it is time for real peace. There is time to put our weapons away, time to live as brothers instead of as enemies. We must bring back that which has been lost - knowledge and technology both in order to improve our own lives, and to improve those worlds we live on. So they can workwith us instead of as many do, working against us. BattleTechnology's local stringer, Holger Andersson, makes no pretense of objectivity. He used to have the nom-de-guerre (war pseudonym) of Vaspar. Precious stone were the codenames for leaders like Miraborg and Prince Magnusson, semiprecious stones were the codenames for district leaders, and names like 'Onyx, 'Agate, and 'Jaspar' indicated city or small planetary state leaders of the Tyr movement. He has a wholehearted admiration for the movement and its leaders. He has only the highest hopes for the new Free Republic. 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