Sgt Holt After Sentencing

News Service

by Bob Carter

February 28, 3030

Maddelena Brant, BattleTechnology Broadcast News, in an exclusive interview with Lt., now Sergeant, Holt in his hospital cell. One week later, Sgt Holt was shifted to a civilian recovery home in the countryside far from New Avalon. He is reported in good condition.

Brant: Do you think that the verdict of the board was fair?

Sgt Holt: Most fair. Especially because I'll be having a chance to do what I was arguing for; offering to assist the people of Northwind after their great losses, particularly to the civilians.

Brant: Will you be returning to Team Banzai afterwards?

Sgt Holt: Most probably. A position has been made open to me two years down the road with no prejudice.

Brant: I've promised to ask this - so many of our readers want to know. What is Dr. Banzai really like ?

Sgt Holt: A taskmaster. He only wants the best Techs and the best mechwarriors. He is ... highly creative. How else to describe him? I wouldn't want to serve under any other leader.

Brant: Now you've been away from the front, and the pressures of a combat situation, do you still consider your actions on Northwind, killing Kurita soldiers who seemed ready to surrender, justified?

Sgt Holt: Yes ... because they brought civilians into the war in the way they did, which is against the Ares Conventions and against what the mechwarrior really stands for. Mechwarriors fight ... in an honorable way. Despite the Kurita sound, there's no other way to say it. Plague is not an honorable weapon, unless it comes by nature or by accident.

Brant: Would you do it again?

Sgt Holt: At this time I would have to say yes. Perhaps after my time in Northwind, among the most honorable warriors I know, it will be otherwise. After all, I'll be in a noncombat situation for an extended time. Perhaps it will temper me as a sword needs to be tempered.

Brant: Finally, is there anything you feel the need to say to the peoples of the Inner Sphere?

Sgt Holt: Yes. Let's see if I can say this right. No cause, whether it seems to be for good or evil, which harms noncombatant civilians can ever be justified. Honor requires that only those who have chosen the warrior's path should fight for those who are weaker - the innocents.

BattleTechnology News Service

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