Holst Prendre

**Spoiler Warning:** *There are spoilers for the details of the plot and/or ending in the text that follows.*

"*Rookies have to be trained, you know.*"
―One of Holst's random quotes during radio chatter.
**Holst Prendre** is a character in the *Airforce Delta* series who appears as one of the main playable characters in *Airforce Delta Strike*.

Holst is the leader of the 2nd Element of Delta Squadron and was a flight instructor before joining Delta.

## Biography

### Background

Holst has specialized in air-to-ground combat since becoming a pilot. He was a flight instructor before joining Delta Squadron. He had a wife named Elizabeth and a daughter named Alice. When the rapid pilot training program was introduced, Holst opposed it and it got him fired. This caused his wife to divorce with him and his daughter has been estranged from him since. Afterwards, he joined Delta to support the cost of raising his daughter. At an unknown point, he managed to defend Pedro Glankert from nearly getting shot down, by using his own plane to block the missiles. Holst managed to bail out but he got a large vertical scar on the left side of his face. He and Pedro became good friends and Pedro trained hard before joining Delta along with Holst.

### Personality

Holst is a strong, wise, and supportive man who, despite being a bit rough sometimes, is a fatherly figure to all the young pilots around him. He is often concerned about his allies and will do anything to defend them. He often gets tired of Pedro getting mad at Brian and when the two start to argue, Holst always tries to stop it.

### Appearance

Holst is a tall, muscular man with silver-black hair. He has a beard, a moustache, and blue eyes. His most notable feature is the large, vertical scar on the left side of his face.

### Events of AFD Strike

Holst is introduced, along with Jamie Jones, Rick Campbell, Alex Levine, Pedro, and Brian, in the debriefing for the mission operation code H4. Holst introduces himself as the leader of Delta 2nd Element and says that he normally handles air-raid operations. He then introduces Pedro and the new recruit Brian.

Later, 2nd Element is sent to attack as many hostile battleships gathering at Port Erythraei as possible within six minutes. On their way, they encounter four ships. They quickly destroy them and proceed to their target. There, they destroy several enemy ships within six minutes. During the mission, they encounter Giuseppe Ferretti who can be shot down. After six minutes, Amelia tells them to return to base and the mission is complete. In the debriefing, Brian is pleased with the results of the mission, but Pedro tells him to shut up. Holst tells Pedro to stop and tells Brian that he agrees today was a success and they sunk enemy battleships and it's natural to be excited about that, but he can't just forget about everything and go wild. He must reflect on what happened. Brian asks Holst what it is and Pedro angrily tells Brian that it was how he was zipping around out there and not giving a 'damn' to the rest of his Element. Holst tells Pedro to stop but he tells him that he's too easy on Brian who still doesn't even have the basics down and could've gotten them killed. Pedro and Brian start to argue and Holst angrily tells them to shut up. He then tells Brian that it's okay to be pleased but warns him not to let it go to his head as it can get him killed, and Holst also tells Pedro that he should remember that they were greenhorns once and he should remember that next time he deals with Brian. Pedro reluctantly agrees as well as Brian. Holst tells them that he'll file the report. Holst gets worried about what he's going to do with Pedro and Brian.

Later, 2nd Element is sent to the Lugerde Desert to deal with an invading ground fleet consisting of strange, tire-like battleships. They are accompanied by David Smith, Collette Le Clerc, and Constance Le Clerc, but they crash into the battleships. 2nd Element then attacks the main battleships from the side when Amelia tells them to. They eventually manage to wipe out the enemy battleships, completing the mission. In the debriefing, Robert congratulates them and Brian is overjoyed by their victory, but then Lilia states that although the Lugerde Desert fared well, everyone else took a beating and the front line has receded. Brian is displeased and Pedro asks him how much does it take to go through to his head, and tells him that 'you dreamy new recruits are the worst.' Brian gets angry saying that Pedro can't mean him but Pedro says he does and he doesn't take back a word from it. They begin arguing and Holst angrily stops them saying that they're free to celebrate and to take the war seriously but they are not allowed to stir up conflict in the Element. Pedro attempts to resist but Holst tells him that if this baloney doesn't stop, their Element will lose its ability to fight. Holst then leaves.

Later, Holst and the other pilots are sent to capture the enemy's air squadron and to destroy the enemy's airships surrounding the transports, then to guide the transports back into friendly airspace. They succeed in their mission.

Later, Holst and the other pilots are sent to attack the enemy's new anti-aircraft system, tornado generators, in the Drycharl Desert. If the player plays as a 2nd Element character, they will not have to play the Intercept mission for Twister. At the Drycharl Desert, Delta destroys the tornado generators and the operations base, completing the mission.

Later, 2nd Element is sent to destroy an enemy fleet in the Tieschull Ocean in the polar region. During the mission, they encounter Sergei Kinski. 2nd Element destroys all the ships disguised as ice flows, completing the mission. In the debriefing, Holst is feeling tired and then Harry Garrett appears and asks him if he's fine. Harry then asks Holst how his daughter is doing and Holst says she's fine and asks Harry about a wire transfer. Brian then appears and asks what Holst is talking about involving a wire transfer. Holst and Harry tell Brian that he shouldn't eavesdrop. Brian asks Holst what he's talking about and Holst explains that it's about his daughter and he says he lost custody when he divorced. Brian gets angry and asks Holst if it's the reason he joined Delta. Holst says that he fights to defend the wife that he loved and asks Brian why he's fighting and Brian calms down. Holst tells him once he's figured out what he's fighting for, he may go beyond Holst. Brian is excited and Holst tells Harry to go through with the wire transfer and leaves.

Later, Holst and the other pilots are sent to Armagest City to regain the airspace near the Chiron orbital lift and assist the ground troops as they advance. The player can skip the Intercept mission if playing as 2nd Element. At the city, they encounter Pierre Gallo. If the player is playing as Brian, Pierre tells them to 'just go home like good losers.' Holst says that he's a greenhorn and asks him if they taught him how to stay calm. Pierre says, "Oh, how touching! Don't worry. I'll still take you down!" Pedro tells him that he's caused enough monkey business and it's time for him to take his medicine. Delta manages to destroy the anti-air radar system and shoot down Pierre, completing the mission. In the debriefing, the pilots are wondering about Pierre, and how he was so young and so skilled. Holst wonders if the enemy starting some kind of rapid training program to fill in the ranks, and John Rundal says that Pierre was no beginner or he wouldn't have given John so much trouble and Pierre was as good as Sergei. Holst asks him if he thinks Pierre has experience and John says that it's the only possible explanation, otherwise he would've been able to take Pierre. When Lilia says that it must be some kind of hyper-accelerated gifted program, Holst is horrified and wonders if O.C.C. could really do that. Lilia says that the O.C.C. sends pilots into battle that Delta had taken for dead, and their weapons designs are beyond understanding.

Later, 2nd Element is sent on a mission to escort the Armed Fighting Walker to its final destination after 1st Element helps escort its transport, the Archelon, to its target location. They destroy several enemy gunships, known as Type-A8: Doggies, and shoot down several bombers. During the mission, they encounter Giuseppe. The AFW eventually reaches its destination, but then Giuseppe and the other enemies head over to attack them. After a brief fight, Giuseppe is shot down and killed as he was unable to eject. The mission is then completed. In the debriefing, Amelia congratulates them for their victory and a letter is received from Alice, Holst's daughter. Holst expresses concern for Alice as he walks down the hallway, and then Brian tells Holst that he shouldn't be assigned to the Delta Squadron. Holst states that he's the only one who can handle the position of Element leader, then Brian gets angry and says that he shouldn't fight when he's worried about Alice. After some talk with Pedro, Holst tells Brian that the operation against the Kotor Stronghold is not far off and he should make sure himself and his plane are in tip-top condition.

Later, Delta is sent to destroy the Kotor Stronghold. On their way, they encounter Francine Davout and Jake Emerson. 2nd Element deals with the ground targets while 1st and 3rd Elements deal with the air targets. They eventually manage to wipe out the enemies and they proceed to Kotor. There, they are attacked by Sergei and Albert Ungar. Delta manages to fly through several underground bunkers and, with help from Land Walker, destroy their internal hatches. If Sergei is left alive after the 5th hangar has been destroyed, he must be killed. Sergei is shot down and killed and Delta completes their mission. In the debriefing, Jamie asks Holst if they made it back in one piece and Holst says yes. Jamie asks if he cares to bet on who had the highest kill count and Holst turns it down saying he'd rather keep his cash. Jamie says he's such a bore.

Later, Delta is sent to clear a path for bombers that are being sent to attack the enemy's new railguns. If the player is playing as a 2nd Element character, they can skip the Intercept mission New Generation. At Marinor Canyon, large wind turbines are activated, creating a barrier of wind above the canyon. Holst, Pedro, and Brian are accompanied by David, Collette, and Constance, but the latter three get knocked out by the wind. As they fly through the canyon, they are pursued by Albert, Ellen McNichol, and two reinforcements. Albert and Ellen wonder about Ken and why he's not there. Albert says he'll finish this quick and then hunt down Ken, and challenges the Delta pilots. They eventually reach where the machines are located and they destroy them by breaking their supports, causing them to topple over, completing the mission. In the debriefing, when John gets annoyed with Brian for getting in his way and tells him to move it, Holst gets angry at John and tells him to show some maturity. Jamie then says that Brian is looking tired and Holst says that they've been at it without a break since they destroyed Kotor Stronghold, and he also says that Jamie is not looking so hot himself. Jamie says it's no fun getting old and it always shows up in your face when you try to push it too hard. When Pedro says that it looks like they're going to really have to push it to the limit for a while, Holst agrees and says that Brian is definitely getting tired and hopes that it doesn't drag down their capabilities.

Later, Holst and the other pilots are sent to attack the Navarone battery, home to three of the enemy's new large-bore railguns. On their way, they encounter Francine and Jake again. They also encounter strange new enemy vehicles shaped like crabs. 2nd Element deals with the vehicles and Jake is killed during the fight. Delta then heads to where the railguns are located, and all of the bombers are shot down by one of them. David, Collette, and Constance fly through one of the railguns and blow it up from the inside. Amelia then tells them to leave the battle zone. Delta then takes care of the rest. They manage to destroy the other two railguns, completing the mission.

Afterwards, 2nd Element is sent to the Tethys Sea to attack an oil base and numerous battleships while avoiding firing at neutral ships. During the mission, they encounter Donald Chan. 2nd Element manages to destroy the enemy ships and the oil base, completing the mission. In the debriefing, after Pedro praises Brian as opposed to lecturing him, Holst smiles and tells Pedro that he has been awfully hard on Brian, just the same. Pedro thanks him for telling him that and Holst tells Brian that now he's becoming so good, that doesn't mean he can start acting reckless. Holst then tells Brian that if he wants to keep being a pilot he will have to try to understand why things happen the way they do. Holst then tells Brian to keep up the good work, calling him 'Sprog,' and Brian is delighted.

Later, Delta is sent to attack the Chiron lift in Armagest City to prevent the enemy from attempting to resupply. During the mission, they encounter Donald and Ellen. Donald is killed if he is shot down, but the mission does not require him to be. Ellen is not required to be shot down either. The orbital lift then comes online and Delta attacks the elevator car as it moves upwards. They manage to stop it, completing the mission. However, Pierre discovers this and, flying a large mech, fires a powerful laser beam at the lift, causing it to explode and slowly break up.

After 1st and 3rd Elements deal with the orbital lift fragments, they are then sent to the Uranometria base to provide cover for the last heavy-lift vehicle (HLV) known as Starlight as it takes off. Holst appears in the mission's briefing telling them good luck and his Element is not cut out for that kind of job and will let them handle them. The Starlight then takes them up into space and, along with several other HLVs, approaches the mother ship Isis.

Afterwards, Holst and the other pilots are sent to defend the E.D.A.F. armada from an enemy formation. If Ellen is not unlocked at this point, she will appear in the mission as an enemy. Delta manages to wipe out the enemy formation, completing the mission. In the debriefing, Holst meets Harry in the hallway asking him to meet him to come to the bridge. Holst gets irritated wondering what they are sneaking around for and Harry says that they have to keep it quiet. Harry tells Amelia to take care of Holst and Harry tells Holst that he wanted him to send a message to someone, thinking it would get him motivated for the huge battle. Holst appreciates this and sends a message to his daughter Alice. The message says, "I promise I'll come back, and I'll bring back a piece of a star when I do!" Harry says that Holst made a promise to his daughter that he'll meet her again when the war is over and Harry tells Holst to keep his promise and Holst says he'll do everything in his power to not break it.

Later, Holst and the other pilots are sent to attack the L-2 Colony where the O.C.C.'s main base is believed to be located. 2nd Element attacks the enemy's fleet while 1st and 3rd Elements go after the enemy's fighters and mechs. During the mission, they encounter Francine who wants to avenge Jake's death. Delta eventually manages to wipe out the enemies and complete their mission. In the debriefing, it is revealed that the L-2 Colony was not the enemy's main base and Holst asks Lilia if she thinks this mystery man leading the O.C.C. is located at Mars. Lilia says that it's about the size of it but then she says that the person, known as Navigator, leading the O.C.C. may be an alien. It is then revealed that Navigator created all the highly advanced weapons technology. After some talk, Holst asks Lilia if they're going to Mars and she says that the new spacecraft they've seen out there are from Navigator and they're not invincible by any means.

After 1st and 3rd Elements defend Isis as it descends to Mars, the E.D.A.F. troops construct a base there and prepare for the final battle.

### Ending

In the final mission for 2nd Element, Battle of Under Ground, Holst, Pedro, and Brian are sent to go underground in Mars, to defend an observation base from Candel missiles. They fly through large caverns and some narrow tunnels created by the missiles. They eventually manage to destroy all the missiles, saving the base and completing the mission. Afterwards, a cutscene plays showing the last missile approaching the base. The people in the base are in panic and then 2nd Element arrives. Holst destroys the missile and the people in the base cheer. 2nd Element then flies over to a large hole in the top of the cavern on their way back to base. Brian asks Holst if it's the end, and he says no and that it's not over as long as there are still battlefields left to fight on, and Brian says, "Then let's play the final round." and the cutscene ends with them flying through the hole.

### Ellen becoming unlocked

If the player plays as Ken, and shoots down Ellen every time she appears, the debriefings for the missions Up Stream, Meteor Structure, and Departure will then change. In the one for Meteor Structure, Holst and Pedro celebrate their victory, but then Brian notices a strange plane landing. They believe it to be an enemy at first, but then the pilot is revealed to be an unbrainwashed Ellen. Ellen is then unlocked after Departure.

### The Confront

If Ellen is unlocked and Mother Ship and Inside are played with Ken, Lilia mentions that all Delta members have gone off to intercept and Ken and Ellen are the last team left. Holst is among the pilots who already left and, like the others, he is never seen or heard from again. His fate is left ambiguous as a result even though Lilia likely sent him and the others because she knew they'd come back alive.

## Specifications

* Call sign: Cobra 1
* T.A.C. name: Duke
* Plane colors: Pale green with black and white lines (some planes have different colors, such as brown).

## Characters who can be killed by Holst

* Giuseppe Ferretti - Killed in Armed Fighting Walker.
* Sergei Kinski - Killed in Tiger's Cave.
* Jake Emerson - Killed in R-Mite.
* Donald Chan - Can be killed in Up Stream.

## Holst's planes

* F-105D Thunderchief
* Su-25A "Frogfoot"
* Yak-28L "Brewer B"
* A-10A Thunderbolt II
* F-117A Nighthawk
* Jaguar GR1
* F-16XL
* Tornado GR1
* F-15U Plus
* X-44
* F-101B Voodoo

## Mission Appearances

* operation code H4 (Debriefing)
* The Newbie
* Fleet Attack
* Roller Games
* Over the Cloud (Optional)
* Twister
* Iceberg
* Night Blitz (Optional appearance in mission, appears in Briefing and Debriefing regardless)
* Armed Fighting Walker
* Encount (Tiger's Cave) (Optional)
* Tiger's Cave (Optional appearance in mission, appears in Debriefing regardless)
* Wind Valley (Optional appearance in mission, appears in Debriefing regardless)
* R-Mite (Optional)
* Turning Point (Optional)
* operation code T8
* Up Stream (Optional appearance in mission, appears in Briefing regardless)
* Meteor Structure (Debriefing, only if Ellen was unlocked)
* Departure (Briefing)
* Decision (Optional mission/Briefing)
* Skirmish (Optional appearance in mission, appears in Briefing and Debriefing regardless)
* The Defender (Not playable)
* The Decisive Battle
* Battle of Under Ground

## Gallery

### Aircraft

Holst's F-105D Thunderchief paint scheme 1.Holst's F-105D Thunderchief paint scheme 2.Holst's F-105D Thunderchief paint scheme 3.Holst's Su-25A "Frogfoot" paint scheme 1.Holst's Su-25A "Frogfoot" paint scheme 2.Holst's Su-25A "Frogfoot" paint scheme 3.Holst's Yak-28L "Brewer B" paint scheme 1.Holst's Yak-28L "Brewer B" paint scheme 2.Holst's Yak-28L "Brewer B" paint scheme 3.Holst's A-10A Thunderbolt II paint scheme 1.Holst's A-10A Thunderbolt II paint scheme 2.Holst's A-10A Thunderbolt II paint scheme 3.Holst's F-117A Nighthawk paint scheme 1.Holst's F-117A Nighthawk paint scheme 2.Holst's Jaguar GR1 paint scheme 1.Holst's Jaguar GR1 paint scheme 2.Holst's Jaguar GR1 paint scheme 3.Holst's F-16XL paint scheme 1.Holst's F-16XL paint scheme 2.Holst's F-16XL paint scheme 3.Holst's Tornado GR1 paint scheme 1.Holst's Tornado GR1 paint scheme 2.Holst's Tornado GR1 paint scheme 3.Holst's F-15U Plus paint scheme 1.Holst's F-15U Plus paint scheme 2.Holst's F-15U Plus paint scheme 3.Holst's X-44 paint scheme 1.Holst's X-44 paint scheme 2.Holst's F-101B Voodoo paint scheme 1.Holst's F-101B Voodoo paint scheme 2.Holst's F-101B Voodoo paint scheme 3.Holst's F-16XL in flight.Holst's Tornado GR1 in flight.Holst's X-44 in flight.

## Trivia

* His name suggests that he hails from the *Airforce Delta*-equivalent of Germany.