Day of Thanksgiving

News Service

by Bob Carter

November 16 3029

New Avalon, Federated Suns

Today a Day of Thanksgiving was celebrated, proclaimed by Prince Hanse to praise the people who have aided in the war against the Capellan Confederation. He began with the exoneration of Justin Xiang Allard, who has apparently been undercover since his trial and disgrace at Prince Hanse's own hands. The trial was a ploy to get Justin into the good graces of House Liao, as were the Solaris Davion-baiting combats which had attracted the attention of all the Inner Sphere. Prince Hanse not only gave Allard a pardon, but called him a hero of great ability, a man who had gone through incredible sacrifices beyond the call of duty.

Duke Morgan Hasek-Davion was proclaimed a hero for his daring ruse on Sian this September. His ploy of being captured by Liao troops had placed the Capellans at ease, and created an illusion of superior chances of winning against their Davion foes. When the DropShips landed, Duke Morgan's new force, the Lions of Davion, dashed all hopes that House Liao had of winning the Fourth Sucession War.

After the honoring of several other men and women who had served well, the Prince announced his wife's greatest service to date. Princess Melissa Steiner-Davion had paid a secret visit to her husband during the war-torn month of July. During that visit, Princess Melissa, Archon-Designate of the Lyran Commonwealth, became pregnant. This news was the greatest of all because it meant that there was to be an heir for both the Federated Suns and the Lyran Commonwealth, the final link between the two states. Now that the war seems to be almost over, only the discussion table is left to be fought over. Perhaps life will return to normal in the Inner Sphere.

Text of a letter from Maddelena Brant, BattleTechnology Weekly News
to Bob Carter, Editor-at-Large, BattleTechnology, Sep 16, 3029

It isn't pretty, but it needs to be told, Chancellor Liao asked his Kurita allies to trounce Northwind because the Highlanders reunited with their kin and spoiled his plans in the middle of a war. The fact that Northwind is a key planet in Davion's corridor to Terra probably had a little to do with it too!

The use of biological weapons against two major population centers is fully documented in the packet enclosed. Cromarty alone lost 1800 lives, many of the children. This is a black stain on House Kurita's wartime ledger.

No, these atrocities do not excuse the savagery with which the battered units which had held out so long treated the Kurita losers when the tide of battle turned. Part of our balanced news coverage is surely to show the reasons why these troops felt driven to their actions. Lt Kahil Holt is one of many. He was driven past the breaking point and he broke. He is not famous or rich enough for anyone to want to cover up for him. He's willing to do another interview, but only for us. And only if we publicize the violations of the Ares Conventions. He's not asking for mercy, but he does want to be heard.

Mr. Carter, I've interviewed a thousand sweaty MechWarriors in the last two years. I've conned fighter pilots into letting me come along for the ride on your instructions, and I've been in more bomb shelters than anyone my age has a right to. It's not just that I've paid my dues. I truly feel that telling these stories is what news is for...

BattleTechnology News Service

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