8th Lyran Regulars

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Unit Description

The 8^th Lyran Regulars was a House Steiner BattleMech Regiment formed by the Lyran Commonwealth at dawn of the First Succession War. The unit was considered to have unusual behaviors and anti-establishment attitude towards Commonwealth's leadership. At one point they were considered to be best pirate hunters in Periphery.

History

Formation

The origin of the post-Star League incarnation of the 8^th Lyran Regulars lay in a Star League Defense Force command, the 238^th Mechanized Infantry Division - also known as the Czech Lancers. Already suffering from low morale and constant harassment prior to the beginning of the Periphery Uprising, the 238^th took heavy damage when deployed forward into the Taurian Concordat after the Uprising began. The losses were sufficiently heavy that Commanding General Aleksandr Kerensky officially disbanded the 238^th in 2767; a third of the 238^th's Second Mechanized Infantry Brigade and a regiment of BattleMechs were folded into other combat commands, but that left roughly four battalions of 'Mechs and infantry behind, to be shuffled into a reserve pool.

In 2783 the survivors among the remaining reserve population of the 238^th - less the battalion who had deserted a dozen years before, and become the pirate band known as Charon's Children - were approached by agents acting on behalf of the Lyran Commonwealth. Those agents were hoping to persuade elements of the former 238^th to defect to the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces, but the Lyran approaches exacerbated tensions within the survivors, leading to an explosion of violence within their ranks. By the time the violence ended, a battalion of the surviving MechWarriors from the 238^th had been imprisoned by their fellow survivors.

The senior officer imprisoned among those who were willing to consider the Lyran offer was Colonel David Cline, and he was approached by the Lyrans, who offered to work to see the prisoners released in exchange for pledges to join the LCAF. Cline accepted the offer on behalf of the prisoners, and the Lyrans approached the prisoners' captors to negotiate their release. The offer to effectively "buy" the survivors provoked further conflict among the remaining survivors, who were divided in their opinions. The senior officer within the mechanized infantry contingent, Colonel Lionel Schaffer, was a staunch Kerensky loyalist, as were those following him, and refused to even consider such an offer. Others among the survivors, headed up by Colonel Lacey McGill, were more tempted, and met with the Lyran agents in secret. McGill proposed a new agreement with the Lyrans; in exchange for the money originally offered, plus a retainer contract for her and her troops - a battalion in strength - and the loan of some LCAF 'Mechs, McGill offered to lead a prison break. She argued that by launching a prison break to free the prisoners, the Lyrans would gain the services of both the prisoners and a second battalion in the form of McGil's newly-ordained mercenary command, and Schaffer and his followers would feel that their own honor had been satisfied in resisting the breakout attempt.

While the Lyrans accepted McGill's offer, it turned out that McGill had underestimated the depth of feeling among Schaffer and his loyalist forces. The prison attempt escalated quickly into a full-scale firefight that saw McGill's troops take damage, and by the time the prisoners had been extracted, two companies of loyalist mechanized infantry and a company of loyalist 'Mechs had been killed. The survivors among the loyalists followed Kerensky on the Exodus; McGill and her followers became the Iron Raven Mercenary Command, while Cline and his supporters were adopted into the LCAF as the core of the reactivated Eighth Lyran Regulars.

Archon Jennifer Steiner was not entirely trusting of the ex-SLDF personnel, but agreed that if they acquire their own equipment, they be allowed to join her Armed Forces. The defectors were be dispatched to Free Worlds League world of Stewart, with equipment the LCAF could spare, in order to raid a former SLDF depot for 'Mechs. The mission was unconventional, where over course of a month they conducted a series of unusual incidents ranging from "spiking" base's water supply to using demolition charges to make fake minor earth quakes, flooding the base by changing course of nearby river and impersonating voodoo priests to try to panic local population. The unconventional tactics were effective; the 'Mechwarriors took three hundred BattleMechs from the depot. In light of the their success, the Archon rewarded these MechWarriors with commission in LCAF, formally designating them as the 8^th Lyran Regulars. Through their antics and the unusual methods used to get their newly acquired 'Mechs, the Archon's brother, General Paul Steiner, would give them their nickname, The Mad Hatters.

The Succession Wars and War of 3039

The unit would consider its tradition of using unconventional tactics through the Succession War era. They would be known to be at odds with establishment. Their excellent combat skills would keep the unit from being removed from service, despite their attitudes towards High Command. During the Third Succession War they would gain their affinity for pirate hunting. By doing so, they would be at odds with Archon Alessandro Steiner. Years after his reign would end, they would turn down the offer by Archon Katrina Steiner to be reassigned. When the Commonwealth conducted its operations against the Draconis Combine in the Fourth Succession War, the Regiment would remain at their post on New India during the conflict.

Prior to the War of 3039, the unit would be remain assigned to Loric in 3038. They would remain stationed there as the war with the Draconis Combine would unfold and end in stalemate for the newly formed Federated Commonwealth.

The Clan Invasion through to the FedCom Civil War

The unit would remain at its garrison throughout the Clan Invasion (3050 to 3052) remaining at its garrison post hunting Pirates. By 3062, the unit was well known for it deploying across the Inner Sphere to hunt down pirates. It was noted for deploying as far as the Magistracy of Canopus to Astrokaszy to hunt pirates and gaining its reputation as being among best in hunting pirates. They were noting only pirate band they had been able to hunt down, was famed Red Corsair. Among the Lyran Alliance's military bureaucracy, the Regulars would have supports that have kept the unit from being short on supplies. They would be benefit from newly build StarCorps production site on Son Hoa. The regiment would receive new equipment on a lend-lease program that would build up addition battalion worth of equipment.

During the FedCom Civil War, the Regulars would remain neutral through out the conflict. With its commanding officer keep the unit neutral, due to her views of General of Armies Nondi Steiner. The Regulars would be only one of its sister units to remain at full strength, due part its association with association with StarCorp of Son Hoa.

The Jihad

In the early Jihad, the 8^th landed on Megrez to reinforce the 4^th and 10^th Lyran Regulars. Later they assaulted Niihau and forced the Free Worlds League to leave the system. They took moderate losses.

During the Jihad, the 8^th Lyran Regulars would be assigned to Operation: Steel Hammer in March 3074. The Regulars would be part of a task force of coalition forces deployed to liberate Coventry from the control of the Word of Blake. The Regulars while teamed with the 4^th Falcon Cluster, 7^th Donegal Guards, and elements of ComStar's 4^th Army would wage a brief four day battle claim planet from Word of Blake forces.

The Dark Age era

The 8^th Lyran Regulars were assigned to Inarcs in 3085, both as a garrison unit and as a reconstruction force.

The unit was assigned to Operation Hammerfall as a reserve unit in 3137. They later participated in Operation Hammerfall and seized several pieces of equipment from their opponents in the Free Worlds League. During Operation Hammerfall they were assigned to block any reinforcements from the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth. As part of this they raided several League and independent worlds including Midkiff and Coriscana. After Clan Wolf turned against the Commonwealth, the Eighth found itself deep in enemy territory. They were able to escape the Wolf-held area and return to Bolan, but only after raiding some of the Wolf-held worlds for supplies.

By 3145 they were stationed on Abramkovo and Zdice.

Officers

Rank	Name	Command
Commanding Officers of the 8th Lyran Regulars
Template:LyranRankInline	William Korsant.	3050 to 3054
Template:LyranRankInline	Cynthia Nelson.	3062 to 3067
Template:LyranRankInline	Ramon Schräder.	3085
Template:LyranRankInline	John Nelson.	3145

Tactics

By 3062, the unit would never employ conventional tactics, unless it used to throw off enemy off its guard.

Composition History

2786

8^th Lyran Regulars (Regular/Questionable)

- At this point in time the Eighth was a heavy-weight regiment operating at full strength and was based on Revivim.

2821

8^th Lyran Regulars (Regular/Questionable)

- At this point in time the Eighth was a heavy-weight regiment operating at below two-thirds of full strenght and was based on Marsalle.

2830

8^th Lyran Regulars (Regular/Questionable)

- At this point in time the Eighth was an assault-weight regiment operating at roughly a company below full strength and was based on Loburg.

2864

8^th Lyran Regulars (Veteran/Questionable)

- At this point in time the Eighth had been reduced to barely more than a company in strength, and was based on Timbiqui.

3025

8^th Lyran Regulars (Green/Reliable)

3040

8^th Lyran Regulars (Green/Reliable)

3054

8^th Lyran Regulars (BattleMech Regiment)
CO: Template:LyranRankInline William Korsant
Unit Note: The unit would remain on New India, assigned to the FedCom's Florida Command.

3062

8^th Lyran Regulars (Reinforced BattleMech Regiment)
CO: Template:LyranRankInline Cynthia Nelson
Unit Note: BattleMech regiment was reinforced upwards to four Battalions of 'Mechs. These would include full companies of Emperor and Highlander Assault BattleMechs.

14^th New India Fighter Wing (Aerospace Fighter Wing)
CO: Template:LyranRankInline Luka Schoner

9^th New India Heavy Armor (Reinforced Armor Regiment)
CO: Template:LyranRankInline Guttierez Ramon de Jesus Smith Unite Note: The regiment was reinforced to five Battalions worth of Combat Vehicles. Its 4^th Battalion would be exclusively consist of VTOL type vehicles, while its 5^th Battalion staffed with Mechanized Infantry companies.

Unit Note: The 8^th Regulars would be considered as of 3062 as Reliable in their loyalty and Regulars with their skills. They would be listed for the time with Equipment Rating of "D".

3067

8^th Lyran Regulars (Reinforced BattleMech Regiment)
CO: Template:LyranRankInline Cynthia Nelson

14^th New India Fighter Wing
CO: Template:LyranRankInline Luka Schoner

9^th New India Heavy Armor (Reinforced Regiment)
CO: Template:LyranRankInline Guttierez Ramon de Jesus Smith

Unit Note: The Combat Vehicle Regiment consisted of 3 Armor, 1 VTOL & hovercraft & 1 mechanized infantry battalion. The BattleMech regiment consisted of 4 'Mech battalions, instead of the 3 usually assigned. It would be assigned to the Timbuktu Theater of the Lyran Alliance as of 3067. They would be considered Veterans, but with Questionable loyalty. Its support forces, would rated as Regulars, but considered to be reliable in loyalty. While 'Mech and Armor reinforce regiments would at full strength, its Aerospace Wing would listed as 95% of its fight capacity..

3085

8^th Lyran Regulars (Regular/Questionable)
CO: Template:LyranRankInline Ramon Schräder

CO: Template:LyranRankInline Rochus Sabbadin

9^th New India Heavy Armor (Green/Questionable)
CO: Template:LyranRankInline Gerfrid Fortuyn

3145

8^th Lyran Regulars (Regular/Fanatical)
CO: Template:LyranRankInline John Nelson

Notes

Game Notes

Using Field Manual: Lyran Alliance's Force Specific Rules, the 8^th Lyran Regulars would be given number of traits and abilities from Rules Annex to be used in scenarios.

• When assigning randomly BattleMechs to the Regulars for a scenario, the controlling player may select a BattleMech from the "A" one out every four unit used. Once random dice rolling determines weight classes, the controlling player may choose which A Rated 'Mech will be rolled for their force.
• Prior to beginning of the game, a controlling play may choose which Force Specific ability would like to use for that game. They may choose from the following; +1 to their force Initiative rolls, Selection of Maps if selection is random, Forcing the Initiative, Banking Initiative, Off-Map Movement, or Overrun Combat. Also when playing a BattleForce 2 type game, they may choose commands to be played. However, all available commands must be chosen prior to the particular command be chosen again.

Bibliography

• 20 Year Update
• Field Manual: 3085
• Field Manual: 3145
• Field Manual: Lyran Alliance
• Field Manual: Updates
• Field Report: LAAF
• Fire At Will (Novel)
• First Succession War
• Historical: War of 3039
• House Steiner (The Lyran Commonwealth)
• Objective Raids
• Second Succession War
• Technical Readout: 3145 Free Worlds League