IMO, the obsession is just with becoming an officer - the exam is only a means (he takes officerhood sans astronavigation on the Holoship). And they promise him an officerhood - Head Of Safety.
IMO, he wants to make sure they go down due to charges that are unrelated to him. They've been charged with desertion and stealing and destroying a Starbug, and they can clear themselves if they can show that the ship was destroyed and then recreated. Their charges are unrelated to the deal, because they had no actual hand in it. Rimmer cannibalized the old Starbug, took the information, and used it; Lister had done nothing illegal there.
Hollister makes it clear at the dinner and at the VO to Part 3 of BITR that Rimmer is going down if it can be shown that he has been given access to confidential files, which is something that only Lister can prove.
no subject
IMO, he wants to make sure they go down due to charges that are unrelated to him. They've been charged with desertion and stealing and destroying a Starbug, and they can clear themselves if they can show that the ship was destroyed and then recreated. Their charges are unrelated to the deal, because they had no actual hand in it. Rimmer cannibalized the old Starbug, took the information, and used it; Lister had done nothing illegal there.
Hollister makes it clear at the dinner and at the VO to Part 3 of BITR that Rimmer is going down if it can be shown that he has been given access to confidential files, which is something that only Lister can prove.