by Hilary Ayer
Col Morgan Kell
Phelan Keg's Wolfhound at start of the fatal mission. I regret to inform you of the death of your oldest son, Phelan Patrick Kell, killed in the course of battle under my command. Phelan died fighting bravely against an enemy who seems to have a weapons technology beyond our grasp. He f ell during our retreat under fire. We were unable to recover his body for burial. Phelan was rapidly becoming a valuable member of the Third Battalion. He had a good grasp of tactics and a formidable ability to master new skills as quickly as he identified the need for change. I asked for permission to write this letter because I wanted to tell you myself how valuable a person you son was, both as a person and as a mechwarrior. I wanted to tell you how grieved I am at his loss, and how much he will be missed. Sincerely, Lt. Col. Akira Brahe Kell Hounds Regimental
Headquarters
Dear Editor Having been with the Kell Hounds Battalion on Skondia in 3020, I take exception to Tor Miraborg's characterization of the creation of Mare Aldo. He suggested that our action flooded out a major mining operation and that our motivation was purely the recovery of a DropShip. He further suggests that our action depressed the local economy for several years thereafter. The Iron Jarl, in his seething hatred for mercenaries, has overlooked several factors. That mining operation was a vast open strip mine the members of the Skondia legislature described as "an open, stinking wound inthe flesh of our planet." There had been numerous votes to shut the operation down and while the people wanted it closed, offworld mining interests managed to exert enough pressure to get any bill to that effect killed. The mine was coming to the end of its useful life anyway, as the companies hoped to abandon it and not replenish the site. In fact, the topsoil had been carted off to agrocombines elsewhere. Our action of digging a channel to flood the area created an artificial ocean around which a resort community has grown up. The construction of the facility provided many jobs and continues to provide jobs. Tor Miraborg should have known this as at least one of the meetings he had with Tyr took place at this site. The facilities escaped the war undamaged and have continued to be an economic boon to Skondia. More importantly, Skondia was not part of the Free Rasalhague Republic at that time. Had it been so, and had we been inthe employ of the FRR,we are confident we would not have had to go to such lengths to obtain what was ours. Duke Lestrade, may he burn in hell, played a game and lost. Regardless of his personal feeling toward mercenaries, Valdherre Miraborg should realize that we are not bloodhanded bandits. We are warriors who do what we are paid to do, and often more than that. He was betrayed by politicians, not mercenaries, and should lay the blame for his injuries where it truly belongs. Sincerely
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