Other Perspectives
Sarna News
| Other Perspectives | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Herbert A. Beas II | |
| First Publication | |
| Published | 8 August 2006 |
| Publisher | BattleCorps |
| Illustrator(s) | Gerhard Mozsi |
| Pages | 28 |
| Chronology | |
| Era | Jihad era |
| Timeline | 15 March 3068 — 21 March 3068 |
Other Perspectives is a short story by Herbert A. Beas II that was published online on BattleCorps on 8 August 2006.
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| “ | Bertram Habeas: instructor at the Chekswa School of Literature on Donegal, historian, Lyran. His work has taught him that other perspectives are necessary to understand an event. Yet, when INN offers him the chance to help provide those other perspectives on the Word of Blake Jihad, Bertram finds himself strangely reluctant—until history intervenes… | ” |
Plot Summary[edit]
On 15 March 3068, Bertram Habeas, a young historian and academic editor living and working at the Chekswa School of Literature on Donegal reviews a holovid presentation about a key moment in Lyran history. Habeas reflects on the inaccuracy of media portrayals and his disillusionment with state propaganda. He is interrupted by a visit from Elroy MacNair, a journalist with ComStar's INN network, who invites him to join an international media panel on Orestes to represent the Lyran perspective on the ongoing Jihad. Habeas is hesitant and declines to commit. He later visits a ComStar HPG station, where he searches casualty and survivor lists for signs of his brother, Arastide Habeas, who is missing on New Avalon.
That evening, Habeas meets MacNair again at Finnegan's Pub in East Harlow, a town near Chekswa. During their conversation, an emergency broadcast reports that a Word of Blake WarShip has entered Donegal's orbit and launched aerospace fighters. As panic spreads, an air raid begins. Moments later, an aerospace fighter drops a nuclear bomb on Chekswa, destroying the city and the university which Habeas calls his home. He watches the blast and blames ComStar in a moment of grief, physically attacking MacNair. Shortly thereafter, Habeas helps civilians avoid an oncoming vehicle and is injured in the process.
He awakens days later in a hospital, recovering from his injuries. MacNair visits again and renews the offer to speak on the international media panel. As Habeas reflects on his limitations and his desire to contribute to the war effort, he considers using his voice as a historian to make a difference. The story ends with him drifting back to sleep, contemplating the impact one person can still have.
Featured Characters[edit]
- Bertram Habeas
- Elroy MacNair
- Archon Kevin Steiner
- Baron Rashad Getthright
- Sarah Steiner-Dinesen
- Steven Marcus
- Arastide Habeas (mentioned)
- Jennifer Steiner (mentioned)
- Luther Domokos (mentioned)
- Archon Michael Steiner (mentioned)