Gary: Thank you for coming down to this interview, Maximillion.
Maximillion: It is my pleasure.
Gary: Let's start off with what you did before you joined Ophidian.
Maximillion: I was a general for the Tarn Space Rangers, an elite military force in the Tarn System.
Gary: What made you decide to join Ophidian? Why are you here?
Maximillion: I was court-martialed on false charges. The people I dedicated my life to protect lost their faith in me. I have joined Ophidian to regain their trust and my title so that I may continue to serve them.
Gary: What were the charges?
(Maximillion restrains his anger at the memory of his false accusation and the pain of the many soldiers that died that day.)
Maximillion: Insubordination, gross negligence, conduct unbecoming.
Gary: How many Rangers died? How many were injured?
Maximillion: We lost eight good men that day. Only five survived with injuries.
Gary: Were you also injured?
Maximillion: Yes, I was one of the five.
Gary: What happened?
Maximillion: My spine was damaged and I was paralyzed from the neck down.
Gary: And is that when you were rebuilt with cybernetics?
Maximillion: Yes.
Gary: Well, let's talk about your recent matches. You fought in the 16-Gladiator Discipline Elimination Tournament and represented the War discipline very well by defeating Leetah Kalynda in the first round. What have you to comment on that match?
Maximillion: That match was very close. I respect Leetah as a fighter.
Gary: Then you fought PK. Tell us about that amazing match.
Maximillion: That match was amazing indeed. I knew PK was good, but I just couldn't keep up with his speed. When he started portalling around, that's when he got the edge over me. He is a good fighter to have on your team.
Gary: It seems like there has been a mistake in the event and Striking Dragon, who was supposed to represent War with you was told to represent Cybernetics instead. In the event, you were the only one who was representing War. Did you feel any nervousness because of that?
Maximillion: No. Part of my training includes working under pressure where everything depends on you like that, so even though it surprised me, I was not nervous or distracted.
Gary: I was wondering about your thoughts on recent events in the news. More specifically, the anti-Kelnite demonstration in the Tarn System.
(Maximillion takes a deep breath, exhales, pauses, and then speaks.)
Maximillion: The Kelnites say they believe in peace and diversity, and this might be true. They do tolerate other races, but they do not tolerate other religions. They do say anyone is free to leave the system if they don't like it, but some people cannot leave. And if you actually pay attention, it is them who cause the violence. Those protesters in that demonstration were speaking their minds peacefully until the Kelnite followers came and disrupted things.
Gary: Well, that's all the time we have for this interview. Is there anything you would like to say in closing, to your fans or the other gladiators?
Maximillion: To my fans and the people of Tarn, I am doing this for you. To the gladiators, I respect most of you, and know this, I fight for the people.