May 2001 Edition VIII

ola! Bueno Dias! Greetings from the writers of the Solaris Sentinel. With the 8th
H edition of the Solaris Sentinel, I’ve managed to get a real treat for you! I managed
to track down Blaine Lee Pardoe, author of Highlander Gambit, Roar of Honor, Impetus
of War, Exodus Road, and Measure of a Hero, and convinced him to do an interview
(okay, I just e-mailed and begged, so sue me!) Plus, I interviewed Clutch, one time
webmaster and leader of the Marauder Program, during an IRC session. Then the usual,
an article by myself on stripping techniques (no, not women!) I’d like to thank all the
supporters for their support of the Sentinel. I’m pretty sure that support is growing for
my humble little newsletter/ezine, so keep checkin’ up on us! Enjoy!

Ross Koga
Editor, Solaris Sentinel

The Call of Duty: Interview with Blaine Lee Pardoe

(note: bold text are questions submitted to me by fans and my own. Normal text is Mr.
Pardoe’s answeres)

What novel was the most fun for you to write?

Bare in mind, this is not my favorite novel but the one that was most fun to write. That
would be The Call of Duty, which is coming out in October. Reason: Snord's Irregulars
and Archer's Avengers. I have been the author of the Snord-stuff since the early days.
What a hoot to finally have them in the fiction. The fans asked me for it, it just took 16
years to find the right slot.

Are there any characters that you can identify with in you novels?

I identify most with Loren Jaffray and somewhat with Angela Bekker. Angela is like I
am at work in a lot of respects. She's tough and won't compromise her ethics and
integrity.

What author would you like to collaborate with on a BattleTech project if you ever
got the chance?

I'd have to say Robert Charette or Bill Keith. Bob's books are among my favorites -
especially Heir to the Dragon. Bill, well let's face it, Bill is a legend in BattleTech. All
of the writers are great to work with though. Loren Coleman and I are doing some
crossover stuff in our novels and he's been fun to work with – great sense of humor.
What's your favorite 'Mech design? (Submitted by a student at Central Michigan
University)

Well, for someone from my beloved alma mater – my favorite 'Mech varies depending on
the mission. I like the Hussar for getting in and out fast. I like an Atlas just to scare the
snail snot out of someone. In the midrange I'm a fan of the old Archer (but now I favor
the Penetrator)

If you could be any character that you created, who would it be and why?

Easy. Trent. Why? Trent was a complex character. It's hard to get into the mind of a
traitor. Trent embodied honor and sacrificed everything for the greater good. And in a
twist of irony, he was "assumed" dead. It has the makings of a Greek tragedy in some
respects.

Do you plan to auction off chances for people to become characters in future novels
of yours?

No.

Do you play BattleTech?

Yes. From time to time I break out the minis and the board and play. I tend to play more
as I write. Almost all of those shots are done with dice and the charts and the actual
damage. I only fudge it now and then.

Do you answer lots of fan mail and questions, or do you refrain from answering
them so he can spend more time on writing?

I do write many fans back (I'm doing this interview - right?) I can be downright
belligerent with fans that make weird demands. "Can you give me so-and-so's email
address? What's the real story with FASA closing?" I don't respond kindly to the fans
that ask that kind of stuff because they are total strangers.

Sometimes I use canned answers for the more typical questions - namely, "How can I get
my BattleTech novel published?" I get a few of those every week and have a pretty
standard answer for that.

What faction (that you have written about) is your favorite?

I like the Federated Commonwealth. However I'm not tied as much to a faction as I am
to units, like the Irregulars, the Avengers, or the Northwind Highlanders.

Are any future stories going to deal with the Free Worlds League, or are they going
to sit out the FedCom Civil War?
I'm not going to tip the scales too much by saying that I believe that the fiction will focus
on the FedCom Civil War mostly.

Are the 'Mechs from MW4/MC2 being worked into the stories?

Not in my stuff.

What is the best way of getting into writing?

Okay, there's no silver bullet for this. The best way is to write. I got my start at CMU
doing the school newspaper. For many years, I'd write anything. Just write. Get your
stories/articles printed. Don't get caught up that this is some big "art" thing; it's not. It's
supposed to be fun. Do movie and book reviews. Anything.

Have you seen "Tide of Goldfish" yet?

Submitted by "Mac Attack"

No. Have you seen Surf of the Sharks yet?

Is there going to be at least one book from the point of the bad guys
(Lyrans)? Using Warner Dole's Adam Steiner idea for a possibility?

I have no idea who Warner Dole is (sorry) nor do I know what his idea is. What I do
know is that Adam Steiner will figure in a book coming soon from Loren, and he plays a
KEY role in the novel I'm doing right now.

And one more thing, it's a Civil War. The Lyrans aren't the bad guys. They just have a
real witch for a leader.

Is there any chance of seeing the Templar in action in a future novel?

Not in my books.

What do you do when you create a character? Do you use the Mechwarrior
3rd rules, or are the characters more or less done up in your imagination?

I use my imagination. I start with what traits they have to exhibit, what their passions
are, and devise a physical description of what they look like.

Do you play out your battle scenes via BattleTech, or are they written
more for story pleasure than the random luck that occurs in the board game?

I play them out unless I need something to happen for fiction's sake.
There's a pretty thick line between the fiction and the game. Some fans are quick to point
out that some stuff happens in the fiction that can't happen in the game. Guess what,
they're right! That's why it's fiction.

Is there any idea on the number of Archer and the Thorin gang's books?

Yes.

There are going to be three books total. Measure of a Hero (which is out) sets the stage.
The Call of Duty will get you to see Archer and the two Thorin Regiments in action later
in the war. Archer's evolving to be a combination of Robin Hood meets Stonewall
Jackson. His two favorite words, "independent command." Sorry, I digress. The third
book is in the works right now - Operation Audacity. Very fun book. Very different.

Are the Northwind Highlanders going to be abandoned for a while, while you
pursue Archer and crew?

Yeah. I would love to do something with Loren's kids when they're old enough, but for
now, I think that the Highlanders are going to need a break.

Are you assigned stories by FASA (or WizKids now) or do you submit them?

We have a master plot line for the universe. We put together proposals against the open
book slots. I don't get "assigned" anything.

How much input do you have to the general BattleTech storyline?

It used to be a lot more. I've found that the folks at FASA are and have always been open
to new ideas.

In your writing, what do you feel is most important to describe to the reader and
why?

There's some stuff we're required to do in every book. You've got to have a line
somewhere that explains that BattleMechs have been around for a while, how jumpships
differ from dropships, etc. That stuff's boring.

What's most important? A battle is the most challenging. You have to understand the
physical terrain (always tricky). You have to describe a full battle but from the
perspective of a participant - who's usually dealing with his or hers own problems (like
being shot at.) Battles with dozens of 'Mechs, highly mobile, covering kilometers of
terrain, are all rather tricky, yet it's what the readers seem to enjoy the most.

(Note: Check out Blaine’s new book in October, The Call of Duty, the second book in
the Archer’s Avengers series.)
Apology Time
It pains me to type this out, but I have committed my first negligible act on the Internet in
the pursuit of acquiring minis of rarer origins. Mr. Gabriel Gong contacted me a few
months ago with a very interesting proposition: I could pick from nearly any ‘Mech that
Ral Partha produced for about standard going rate. I sent a list of four minis I was
interested in and then totally forgot about the deal. Then, about 4 weeks later, Mr. Gong
contacted me again, telling me that only one of the ‘Mechs I had mentioned was still
available. I again said I would send a money order but forgot again and did not
accomplish it. Another span of two weeks went by, and Mr. Gong again contacted me
for the third time. This time I tried to find the money but could not. I have since
contacted him and told him that I would be unable to fulfill my end of the deal. I offered
to advertise in this E-zine, and as well on my site. I am ashamed by my actions and must
say that this has nothing to do with the Solaris Sentinel itself, but was my mistake and I
claim full responsibility for it. It was not my intention to lead you on Mr. Gong and ask
for your forgiveness in this matter. If anyone was wondering as to what the mini was, it
was a Stalker. Yeah, I should have checked for funds before committing, but such is the
ignorance of youth.

Ross “Koga” Hines

Editor and Publisher
Solaris Sentinel

The Art of Stripping

Okay, you just received your lance of OOP ‘Mechs in the mail from a buddy on the
Internet. You tear open the package and to your dismay, the minis are the ugliest painted
hunks of lead (or even pewter) that you have ever seen! The poop green “camo” with
even nastier stains of brown is totally disgusting! You want to cry! You can’t get these
gems of “ancient” FASA lore to even resemble the majestic war machines that are in
your head. What do you do? Well, lucky for you, I might have a few answers!
There are several methods for stripping the paint off almost any mini; each has
it’s own properties and tends to work well with certain types of paints. I’ll give the low
down on three of these:
!"Pin-sol- this stuff is pure havoc for minis painted in Testor’s Model Master series
of paints. I stripped a WHOLE Battalion of minis in a week’s time. Set up a
glass cup and pour enough of the thin, and I stress thin, Pin-sol into the cup.
Place your desired mini in the amber colored liquid and leave it for 24 hours.
When you return, you will notice that the paint has come of the mini in clouds.
Take the mini out with either a toothbrush or your hands. Using an old
toothbrush, scrub the mini under sink and run water over it. The remaining paint
SHOULD come off, although GW White Primer has been giving Piranha fits, and
even the Testor’s Model Master Primer doesn’t come out of all the cracks. If this
is the case, you have two options: you can put the mini back in the pin-sol, or you
can get a model knife and run it through the details. Now, be VERY sure to use
glass, because Styrofoam will disintegrate in the pin-sol. Almost ruined my
 bathroom counter like that, lol! Also note that you will probably have to change
the pin-sol every month, because after awhile, the stuff looses potency and takes
longer and longer to strip.
!"Brake Fluid- this stuff can tear up oil-based and spray-painted paints with ease.
You follow the same guidelines as above, but be a little more careful. The brake
fluid can blind you (yes, I got some in my eyes, not much, so I still see) Basically
follow the procedure above. Fresher is better, but I have a batch I have been
using for almost a year now, only adding small amounts of new fluid that works
wonders.
!"Acetone- I have not used this substance yet but have gotten a fair amount of info
on the process. The acetone is done in the same manner as the above two, but it is
HARD on the hands. This is a strong acid and also will dissolve the toothbrush
bristles after a lot of use. But the good side to this is that it will break up glue and
reduce your minis to just parts, if you have the need to do that, not to mention that
it takes only 6 hours to dissolve all the paint.

Well, I hope that this information helped you out a little. If you have more questions, e-
mail me at daishi_dvs_2@hotmail.com or visit this website:
http://www.paintingclinic.com/assist/assist.htm the website contains all sorts of
information on painting, so it might be worth your while to check out!

Ross Koga

Review: Flashpoint

By Loren Coleman

In Loren Coleman’s newest work, David McCarthy,

ex-Huntress hero of the Kathil Uhlans takes on the 8th
FedCom RCT on the world of Kathil. Many of the
on-line critics have noted that the beginning of the
novel resembles Blaine Lee Pardoe’s Measure of a
Hero, and I have to agree with them. BUT, the story
takes on a life of it’s own after the first section, and
brings plenty of enjoyment. You get a few special
treats in the novel as well: main character pilots a
Devestator, we get to see an Avalon-class missile
cruiser in action, and the Challenger X MBT makes
an appearance, along with Yellow Jacket Gun ship’s
and Cavalry Attack Helicopters. Coleman also does a
good job of alluding to classic BattleTech history in the form of Morgan Haesk-Davion’s
defense of Kathil. I felt the book was well written and well thought out. The only real
bad points I can bring against the book were a few minor things, like the Cerberus
surviving for as long as it did! But, I don’t want to ruin the book for you, so I won’t! I’ll
just recommend this book for you to read! Hope you enjoy it!
Ross Koga

Michael Stackpole’s Return?

Well, I was surfing the web the other day when Brian Wolfe pointed this out to the
people on Solaris 7. I went to Mr. Stackpole’s site (http://www.stormwolf.com) and
checked for my self. This is what was in the “What’s new?” section of the site:

With FASA, Inc., closing its doors, a lot of people have asked me about whether or not I'd
be coming back to BattleTech. BattleTech is moving over to WizKids, the company who
is doing great with MageKnight. It was founded by Jordan Weisman, one of FASA's
founders and a very good friend. We have been talking about BattleTech, my return, and
directions the universe might go. I am enthused with the talks, believe very strongly in the
property, and likely will participate if our schedules sync up.

Well, that is a good sign that Mr. Stackpole might return once again to BattleTech. But
of course the future is always uncertain at best. Just thought I would pass along this bit
of information, even though EVERYONE on IRC had already heard about it.

The Quarterly Best and Worst

Hear-ye, hear-ye. It is that time of the year, time for the Best and Worst of the First three
months of 2001 Battletech. This list also has stuff that is pre-2001 (I’ve got twenty years
to make up here-so sue me).

The awards list is arranged like the Oscars, with best subdivisions and best overall.

Best Mech Award

Whenever the Locust grows up, it wants to be…
The Atlas…
Now come on, this is a gimme. Lot’s of mechs are more powerful, and obviously more
powerful. But an Atlas…they’re just scary. Just ask anyone who played Btech back
before the Clans. Be honest- when you play, this sort of conversation happens all the
time…
“Okay, they got a T-Wolf, an Executioner…”
“ Cool….”
“And an Atlas…”
“ So where’s my Dropship, again?”
Worst Mech Award
Target PRACTICE? Who said anything about practice…
STK-5M Stalker
Here’s a mech that needs a swift kick in the pants…
“But it has a lot of firepower”
Can’t use it…
“But it’s tough…”
Nope…
“But…you stink!”
Not as bad as your mech…

Best Anecdote
Aristotle once said, when he grew up, he wanted to be…
The S7 Flames Board
Obviously this guy is new…
“What I find odd is that this is a flames board yet almost all arguments,
except when certain people get involved, remain civilized. However when those
people do get involved it still remains civilized but it turns into an intellectual debate.
That is what I like about this board. On a flames board you would think it is like a
quake game where the messages are, camper, swear swear swear, that sort of thing
but here, instead of swearing like 13 year olds we actually point out facts where
people are wrong. Instead of pointlessly saying stupid things like we are in junior
high. This should be renamed the Civilized debate board I haven't seen that many
problems”

Worst Anecdote
The presidency has Bush, we have…
Again, the S7 Flames Board
What this has to do with Battletech beats the hell out of me….
“Well I personally think that it is okay to kick the crap out of people that spit
out gum on the streets. I hate stepping in it, being spit on accidentally or my
personal favorite sitting in it either getting my pants or jacket having a giant piece of
bubblegum stuck to it.”

Best Book- Prince of Havoc

Victor went. Victor saw. Victor kicked a**, and made it look easy…
All Victor aside, this book was really a good one. Lots of action, well written (Stackpole,
come on…), and lots of drama play, i.e. the takeover of the Fed Suns…

Worst Book
Let’s hope our young never read…
Black Dragon
Nope, not gonna even touch this one…
Battletech Lifetime Achievement Award
To the one person or thing that has influenced Battletech the most…
Mike Stackpole
The Man is “The Man” in the Battletech books. He writes the best stuff, in the most
interesting way, and doesn’t munch up everything. There’s a reason we call him
“The Man”

…and now *drum role*…

Best Overall Battletech Thing
The Solaris 7 Battletech League….
This is a really cool thing. You can play the board game over the Internet with
people who actually know what they’re talking about (guarantee not included). Set
up by three Olympians (Guru Mike, Skyhigh, and Mike Galicia), probably the best
web RPG group out there…

Worst Overall Battletech Thing

The Elimination of the Unseen Mechs…
It was a sad, sad day in the world of Battletech when the news was received…great,
classic mechs that will live forever in our hearts such as the Warhammer, Maurader,
and Shadow Hawk were taken away from us…
I say we throw the bastards who did it front of a moving vehicle, but that’s just me…

Yours truly,
Wes ”William Avon” Williams

You ever wanted a mini that was just a little bit

different than everyone else’s? Something that you
could brag about even more than the paint job that was
on your ‘Mech? Well, look no further, for The Ogre
can help you! E-mail him at Warped01@hotmail.com
to discuss what you might want done in the way of
modifications. Prices run between 15-20 dollars
generally, and Ogre can find almost any mini that was
inprint when FASA went under! So e-mail him today!
 THE SOLARIS SENTINEL INTERVIEW: CLUTCH
a candid conversation with a founding member of both the Lowcountry
Mechwarriors and the Marauders

Clutch; since the demise of FASA, few have been more in demand for a
one-on-one conversation. Toward this end, in mid-April, we approached
the embattled Ex-Marauder with our offer of an impartial, open-ended
interview. The dialogue that followed was conducted in the garage of the
home he shares with his wife and two young children in a tree-lined
residential neighborhood of Savannah. As the dog-tired Coast Guard
Chief stretched his long legs across a couch, Don Diego Cigar in one
hand, a Bombay Sapphire martini (his favorite drink) in the other,
SOLARIS SENTINEL interviewer Ross Koga began the interview by asking
him how it all started.

"FASA as a corporation was a
lot like one of those
Galapagos Tortoises. You
could watch it plod along at 2
miles per hour, or you could
flog it and it would plod
along at 2 miles per hour."
"Each one of the “I don't really know...I'm not
Lowcountry Mechwarriors that talented, I do know that.
brought a different talent to I don't know what sets me
the group. I was the one who apart. Maybe that I write
had a really solid base good fluff on the LCM site?”
knowledge of the game and
the universe, history, the
different houses, etc.
Dragonskull had a really
strong grasp of the tactical
aspect of the game, Stinger
brought an unprecedented
level of enthusiasm, and
Falcon kept us all from
taking ourselves too
seriously."
<Solaris Sentinel> Okay, to start off with, how long have you been painting miniatures?

<Clutch> I've been painting since I was in High School; I guess about 20 years or so. I'm
35.

<Solaris Sentinel> Cool...

<Clutch> I started off with the original Ral-Partha D&D miniatures.

<Solaris Sentinel> Okay... when did you start doing Btech minis?

<Clutch> Hmmm, I guess it was around '86. I still have the first Battlemech Miniature I
ever bought. A Marauder.

<Solaris Sentinel> Cool! I have mine as well. What got you started painting BattleTech
Miniatures?

<Clutch> The biggest thing that set the Battletech Hook in me was the 1st Edition of the
Mechwarrior Role Playing Game. I used to buy RPG's just to read, and when I picked up
MW1, I really dug the color plates and the Battletech Background History.

<Solaris Sentinel> So, the pics got you? Would you compare any of FASA's new stuff
to those older pics?

<Clutch> Wow, you don't wait to ask the tough ones do you? (Laughs)

<Solaris Sentinel> Nope =)

<Clutch> The color plates in the old sourcebooks were great. Then again, Steve Venters,
who is one of my favorite illustrators, did a lot of that stuff. Steve also did some of the
better covers for Battletechnology Magazine.

<Solaris Sentinel> Cool, so how does that compare to now? A lot of us youngsters
haven’t seen the wonders of the old days.

<Clutch> I will say this, the Battlemech color Plates in the recent Field Manuals were on
par with most of the old stuff. They just shouldn't have used the same mechs over and
over. That of course, is an opinion.

<Solaris Sentinel> I tend to agree with that as well.

<Clutch> Good! You have the correct opinion.... :)

<Solaris Sentinel> Okay, next question, all right if I stay away from minis for a while
and discuss the Marauder program?
<Clutch> Sure, if you're done with minis.

<Solaris Sentinel> Well, I guess I'll go ahead and ask what your favorite paint job is and
what you do that you think makes you stand out in the "community"

<Clutch> Favorite paint job of mine? Or favorite paintjob overall?

<Solaris Sentinel> Favorite of yours.

<Clutch> Hmmm, well, let's see. My personal favorite would probably be a Panther I
did. I doubt anyone else would notice it, but I know what I was
thinking and feeling when I was painting it. It was one of those
jobs that was just a joy because everything flowed perfectly. I
guess I like it the best cause I enjoyed painting it so much.

<Solaris Sentinel> Ahh... cool =) those are the best kind =)

<Clutch> Yes, they are. As far as standing out in the community?

I'm not sure I understand the question.

<Solaris Sentinel> Well, like Ron is known for Drybrushing, Fanjoy for airbrushing,
ect... =) What sets you apart and makes you special, IYHO?

<Clutch> I don't really know...I'm not that talented, I do know that. I don't know what
sets me apart. Maybe that I write good fluff on the LCM site?

<Solaris Sentinel> Well, I have to agree with that! It is most interesting surfing through
there, if only you'd update =)

<Clutch> All of them moved away on me! It's not my fault.

<Solaris Sentinel> Ahh.... sorry to hear that! Form up another group! =)

<Clutch> Well that's easier said than done. The four of us really formed a synergistic
bond. Each one of the Lowcountry Mechwarriors brought a different talent to the group. I
was the one who had a really solid base knowledge of the game and the universe, history,
the different houses, etc. Dragonskull had a really strong grasp of the tactical aspect of
the game, Stinger brought an unprecedented level of enthusiasm, and Falcon kept us all
from taking ourselves too seriously. In addition, we were all friends that had more in
common than a love of Battletech. It was one of those really rare convergences that you
don't notice until, unfortunately, it's gone.

<Clutch> Yeah that's the tough thing. I've said this many times. "I love the game, I love
the universe, I love everything about it. It's just really rare to find people to play with that
you don't want to choke the first time they open their mouths."
<Solaris Sentinel> Okay, moving on! What's your favorite painting technique and why?

<Clutch> I love doing Camouflage jobs. There is something about making these little
bits of pewter look like bona fide War Machines that really trips my trigger. Cammo, and
good weathering really sets off a well-sculpted miniature.

<Solaris Sentinel> Of course, you have all that nice terrain to play with, or did that leave
with the others?

<Clutch> No, the terrain is mine.

<Solaris Sentinel> Cool =) Always wanted some!

<Clutch> Well, I got mine from GeoHex for my 25th Birthday.

<Solaris Sentinel> Cool!

<Clutch> Well, my dad got it for me; GeoHex didn't send me a present.

<Solaris Sentinel> Well, I figured that much!

<Clutch> GeoHex never sends me a present, sniff....

<Solaris Sentinel> Okay, moving on. Any pointers you could give on your favorite
technique?

<Clutch> The best advice that I could give is to invest in quality paints.

<Solaris Sentinel> Such as?

<Clutch> I like Testors Model Master Acrylics.

<Solaris Sentinel> Ditto!

<Clutch> They have a huge collection of great Military Colors, and they're water based.
Which is much easier on your brushes.

<Solaris Sentinel> Yup

<Solaris Sentinel> I can testify for them as well, lol

<Clutch> Testify Brotha!!

<Solaris Sentinel> (Laughs), lots of military shades is correct... desert storm cammo,
WWII cammo, you name it, they probably got it
<Clutch> Yeah, it's a solid line.

<Solaris Sentinel> Okay, lets see here. How do you regard some of the other "master"
painters out on the net, such as Dave Fanjoy or J. Frazier (or any one else)?

<Clutch> I really dig their stuff. Dave is a great painter, and very modest about his work.
Joe I've never actually talked to, but Dragonskull games with him now, and says he's a
great guy. His work speaks for itself. I like Archers work a lot also.

<Clutch> But I think that Stinger has got to be one of the most under-rated painters out
there. I have never seen anyone that has an eye for color and detail like Stinger does. If he
ever learns to self promote, he'll be one of the greats.

<Solaris Sentinel> Well, there is the Solaris Sentinel =)

<Clutch> Yes, there is. I'll see if I can round Stinger up for you. He moved up to Hilton
Head Island because he thought that Comstar was actually there, who am I to bust the
kid’s bubble?

<Solaris Sentinel> true, but I agree with you... SalCrump is in the same boat
sometimes... always ignored...

<Clutch> Right, Sal is just an all around talented artist.

<Solaris Sentinel> Okay, explain your role in the Marauders

<Clutch> Ok, I joined the Marauders pretty much as soon as the program officially
started. The only thing was, that once I got accepted, there was nothing. No e-mails, no
guidance on demoing, nothing. I contacted the fellow who was running the program and
offered to do a Marauder Website. I got the site up, and we really started to see an
upswing in activity.

<Solaris Sentinel> Ahh...So, you were webmaster basically?

<Clutch> Yeah, webmaster, at first.

<Solaris Sentinel> Okay, what happened then?

<Clutch> The fellow who was running the program quit, and the new boss was a guy
inside FASA. Once the guy inside FASA took over, he and I worked together so that the
Marauders could schedule events, report them, and request Prize Support all through the
website. So I ended up compiling all that data on a weekly basis and transmitting it to
FASA.

<Solaris Sentinel> Cool...And this was nation wide?

<Clutch> Yeah, nationwide, and Canada, and a few Europeans.

<Solaris Sentinel> So, how did the program work? Someone request a demo or were
they run at Cons?

<Clutch> Both, but mostly the Marauders scheduled their own demos. We did a lot of
outreach stuff to game stores in the respective communities. At least, we encouraged
Marauders to do that.

<Clutch> The Marauder Program could have been a very, very effective tool, had FASA
utilized it correctly.

<Solaris Sentinel> Yeah, I think so too. What happened? How did they not utilize it
correctly?

<Clutch> Well, FASA as a corporation was a lot like one of those Galapagos Tortoises.
You could watch it plod along at 2 miles per hour, or you could flog it and it would plod
along at 2 miles per hour. They didn't exactly "embrace change" up in Chicago. That, and
they placed their most inexperienced employees in charge of the most critical programs,
like Customer Service, MechForce, The Marauders, etc.

<Solaris Sentinel> Ahh... I see. Have you been in contact with WizKids for possible
continuing the Program?

<Clutch> At first I did contact WizKids, but they have their own program in place
already. WizKids is very squared away when it comes to marketing their products, so, I'm
sure they have a plan.

<Solaris Sentinel> Hmm... I see. So they are keeping strictly internal on the whole
matter?

<Clutch> Yeah, as far as I can tell.

<Solaris Sentinel> Darn... can't pry info out of "helpers", (Laughs) I need to interview
Jordan Weisman...

<Clutch> Yeah, I wish I could tell you more, but what I do know is what went on in the
past. I'm as clueless as the next fan-boy when it comes to the future.

<Solaris Sentinel> Lets see here... how active were the Marauders? I mean, out here in
Oklahoma, I only heard of them through the internet

<Clutch> Frankly, not as active as I would have liked. We had about 120 Marauders on
the rolls, but of those, only about 12-15 were really active.
<Solaris Sentinel> Yeah, I gathered that much. You have/had any ideas on how to make
it more active?

<Clutch> Yes, I was going to let the inactive ones go and start recruiting heavily in the
online communities. Quite a few of the core fan group took a "Wait and See" attitude
towards the program. Some were scared off by the participation quota, which, by the
way, was never enforced.

<Solaris Sentinel> Yeah, that can be rough. I think the Internet houses the core group of
fans...
<Solaris Sentinel> That was one of the factors for myself, that I didn't have enough
'Minis =)

<Clutch> Some had heard rumors that there were draconian rules placed on Marauders
that they could only demo this or that kind of game, once again, completely untrue.

<Solaris Sentinel> I also heard that the 'Mechs had to painted up decently and have
decals...

<Clutch> Not true. There were Marauders that demoed the Battletech 4th Edition Boxed
set with the cardboard cutouts. Marauders that demoed Shadowrun. The thing was, if you
were going to use miniatures, they had to be presentable

<Solaris Sentinel> Ahh... how did all this false info get spread around, do you know?

<Clutch> No, I don't. I suppose some of the blame could fall to FASA and the
Marauders (including me). We just never got out there and evangelized the
program like we should have. I know that no one who applied was turned down. If
that tells you anything.

<Solaris Sentinel> Yeah, that is sad. I felt that the program had merit. I mean, we saw
less and less fan base and such...

<Clutch> Right, the program was on the right track. We just had some critical failures on
the Chicago side. I'm not sure how heavily the eminent shutdown of FASA played into
the lack of support, but, there were some big mistakes made that lowered morale and
participation overall.

<Solaris Sentinel> Like what you mentioned earlier. Any ideas on what WizKids might
do for their replacement program or what they might do to BattleTech in general?

<Clutch> I wish I knew, but I just don't. I think the fact that Shadowrun got picked up so
fast is good news. It lets WK concentrate on a good solid marketing plan for whatever
they come up with for Battletech.
<Clutch> Many folks have said that Battletech as a game is flawed, to complicated, takes
to long to play, etc. The flipside to that is that is that the game sells, there is a solid fan-
base for the game, and money talks. Battletech fills a niche between the obscenely
complicated war-games of the late seventies/early eighties, and the dumbed-down
miniature games being published lately. I mean, it's a long, long way from Advanced
Squad Leader to Mage Knight Rebellion. In the past couple of years the buzzword in
gaming has been that "simple, fast playing games sell," that is without a doubt true, but
that doesn't necessarily mean that every single new game that comes down the pike has to
be as easy as checkers. Time will tell.

<Solaris Sentinel> It will. Thanks for sitting down with us!

<Clutch> No Problem, my pleasure.

(Editors note: Clutch volunteered to format this massive interview for me and I agreed)

Till next time…

Well, this has been the longest edition of the Solaris Sentinel to date and also one of the
smallest file-sized Sentinels to boot! I had planned on unveiling my Northwind
Highlander ‘Mechs in this edition to go with Blaine Lee Pardoe’s interview, but I didn’t
get to it. Maybe next edition! Oh well, if you would like to contact Gabriel Gong about
any minis that he might have left, e-mail him at ggong@keyspanenergy.com and let him
know. Once upon a time he had at least one of nearly everything that Ral Partha
produced so it might be worth your while to ask! Until next time, enjoy this edition!

Ross Koga
Editor and Publisher
Solaris Sentinel