SST re US$3.95 BattleTechnology ea AU cc Combat in the 3ist Century : } :BattleTechnology The Magazine of Combat in the 31st Century The only authoratative news magazine covering the Inner Sphere. ‘BattleTechnology ... .is simply the best — Not since MechWarrior of Fortune Magazine has there been such an informative and insightful forum! — Abraxis (Mo) Murasaki, Owner, Battletechnic Miltary Salvage ‘BattleTechnology is_in- valuable for the MechWarrior. Even a dirtfoot can appreciate the tactical insights in the Bat- tleTech Simulator in every is- sue.” — Captain Mamiuke ‘ap Prentiss, Drilmaster, The Faroes’ Own Independent Lowianders ‘BattleTechnology don't lead your Lance without itt — Lieutenant Mike Stone, Tactical Demonstration Expert, General Optronics, Laser Weapons Division| BattleTechnology is available from finer merchants, throughout the inner Sphere, from our publishing house on New Avalon, or from: BattleTechnology Post Office Box 23651, Oakland, California, 94623 Backissues still available postpaidat $3.95 in US, $4.95 US in Canada’ 0101, August 3027 — report on Davion wargames, MechWarrior mental discipline, FLC-4N ‘Falcon’ Mech, Battle of Kilgore, Engine Swaps, Combat drop on Scheat V, more. (0102, December 3027 — Combat Salvage, Camoutlage, Hassid Ricol: The Red Duke, Black Luthien: the Draconis capital, DVE-5B ‘Devastor, Long range combat, more. (0201, February 3028 — Tharkad, Decompression, GLD-3R ‘Gladiator, BatleMech Weapons — range versus accuracy, Galaina the Pleasure Planet, Vacuum combat, more. BattleTech is a registered trademark of FASA Corporation, Chicago, llinois, and is used with permission, 4 A ABattleTechnology The Magazine of Combat in the 31* Century rach Tech Aree, Mach Machi, SS Seen Sete eres Decimals tend se” Packe Ris Pblting Company. rtd nw USA Ceprsht oaceaeSok Cover am H Keith J anininie "Paper 25 ans 27 by Cint Thome Page #3 by Bob Charente Alter artwork by iam H. Kh. ‘Photography inhi lasue: Wilars Hh, ‘ating ins isve: "ing Consoanoe of a Wows a King “kn intrvew wih Hanee Davion™ oy Mcnae A Stcxpole ‘Max by WR Shumaker ‘Cavalry. Tactes ara Appcatos for a New Aga.” "Caray Vehicles” and Sie at Witengae ty ThomaaS.Grecsman ‘Bansnee "by Boo Chatete “Chalenger by Steven. Forythe ‘Barner of Young Oavor”by Andrew Keith ‘Nioter wring by Witla Keith ‘About the Cover: I's hover tanks against Batio- Mechs as a 31*-century Light Brigade charges into the Valley of Death. The cover shows Captain Verna LeMann of the Royal Grays cavalry militia during her charge against Kurita heavies at Harmony Pass. The engagement is described in this issue's BattleTips on page 12 Issue 0202 April 3028 Contents ‘The Conscience of a Would-Be King: ‘An Interview with Hanse Davion Brandon Corey Max u Caval ‘Tactics and Applications for a New Age Colonel Morgan C. Graeme DEPARTMENTS. BattleTechnology News Service 4 Hiring Hall ‘The Dragonsiayers 6 BattleGear—Sidearms Laser Rifles 8 MechTac—BatleTips The Valley of Death 1 BattleMechanics— Technical Readout BNC-3S Banshee-S 42 Combat Salvage ‘CGR-SB Challenger (Charger variant) 44 Letters tothe Editor 58 BATTLETECH SIMULATOR Lasers: Big, Bigger, Biggest Ranged Combat: Laser Rifle Update Cavalry Vehicles Strike at Wittengate Clash at Port Royal ‘The Battle of Harmony Pass Dragonslayers on Guard SESSERS More Than Warriors— ‘The Banner of Young Davion ‘Traditional to the tune of “The Bonnets of Bonnie Dundes"OPENING SHOTS Just because you’re paranoid. doesn't mean they're not out to get you! erceptive BatlleTechnology readers will be keenly aware that the last issue, dated February 3028, was abit late. Readers with the keen observation and lightning mental reflexes possessed by highiy-trained MechWarrors will note thatthe issue number on that front cover 's 0201—meaning the first issue of our second calendar year of publication—while our various ‘Simulator rules variants refer to the same issue as 0103—the third issue of our first year. As things were originally planned, our third issue would have been out in December Unfortunately, a series of unforeseen difficulties arose to plague us. Chief among these was the mysterious obliteration of three of Battle Technology's regional offices, on Luthien, on Tharkad, and on Atreus. Authorities within the Draconis Combine, the Lyran Commonwealth, and the Free Worlds League have all independently assured us that these ovents wore loated and coincidental, the work of aberrant ndviduas... possby rato iterary critics. ‘While this theory is certainly a possibilty, we wonder it there might not be something more toitthan this, something conspiratorial. We have discounted the rumors that local police kept secret the small, black, origami cats discovered among the ruins at each site but there continue to be persistent rumors that Someone wants to silence BattleTechnolagy forever. Who that ‘Someone is is a matter for conjecture. Suspicions range from the Nekekami (a secret mercenary Unit featured in a BattleTechnology exposé in Issue 0102) to the Bereiter Arms Company (displeased with our reviews oftheir products). Internal police units within the Draconis Combine are investigating reports that a small, well-organized band of BattleTechnology subscrivers may be exacting revenge for late delivery of the magazine. Inany case, let me take this opporturity to assure al of Battle Technology's readers that we Intend to continue publishing this magazine despite all threats, attempts at coercion, or acts of Violence. BaitieTechnology Is dedicated to providing MechWarriors from all of the Successor State Houses with news from everywhere within the Inner Sphere, without favoritism, propa- ganda, or political manipulation. We do sincerely apologize to you all for the delay in Issue 0103/0201. New offices for our staffs on Luthien and Tharkad have been secured, and they wil bein full operation just as soon {as survivors can be located or replacements can be trained. MechWarrior readers interested in ‘news from the Free Worlds can be assured that we have not forgotten them. It may simply take Us.abitlonger to reorganize on Atreus, since the blastn our offices there took out most ofa city block. ‘Meanwhile, be it known that the Rules Variants in 0201 will henceforth and forever be referred to in future issues as 0201-A and 0201-B. This issue is 0202. Next issue, which is scheduled to cover news within the Capellan Confederation, will be 0203. itis fortunate indeed that the “coincidences” on Luthien, Tharkad, and Atreus did not extend to Sian as well! Mihi fféioILWANT YOU! FOR THE MECLIFOROE Join THE MEcHFoRCE AND BECOME AN OFFICIAL MecuWarrtor! For Just $15.95 LOOK AT ALL YOU GET... + An Official BattleTech hat emblazoned with the House Patch of your choicet + A House patch to sew on your jacket or shirt! +A full-color BattleTech Poster! + An Official MechForce ILD. Card showing that you are an official MechWarrior! - Four big issues of the MechForce newsletter, loaded with exciting inside informa- tion about the House leaders, as well as front-line reports from their military units! + Bea registered MechWarrior and have yourself rated against other players! + Plus Special rates on exclusive BattleTech merchandise! srs] 28BattleTechnology News Service PEACE A POSSIBILITY Dateline: Tharkad—The announcement made eatlier this year ofthe impending marriage of Prince Hanse Davion of the Federated Suns to Archon- Designate Melissa Steiner ofthe Lyraxi Commonwealth has raised widespread speculations about the possibility of peace. Michael Fyhne, Duke of ‘Arcturus, was quoted last week as saying that the muck-alked-about alliance between the two houses could well be Man's best hope of a lasting peace. “We've been balanced to long against the poins of five drawn dageers,” the Duke sad. "The alliance between Davion and Steiner would change ‘that old balance of power and eliminate the rivalry which brought down the old Star League inthe first place." Government officials on Tharkad refused comment. One Lyran official, however, was quoted as saying, “I think the marriage is going o bring us peace in our time. ‘The Duke's suggestion that peace was a possible result of the marriage alliance between Hanse Davion and Melissa Steiner brought only subdued ‘comment from the capital ofthe Federated Suns, "Peace? It's a possibilty.” said Colonel William Moore of Davion’s Public Information Office. "Let's hope Liao and Kurita se things the same way.” ‘Continuing war has been a facto ie forthe citizens of al ofthe Suocessor State Houses for centuries. tis generally acknowledged tha the coniict known formally as the Third Succession War, which began in 2866 with the invasion of coreward portions of the Lyran Commonvieath by Draconis ‘Combine forces, has long since petered out du othe mutval exhaustion of the combatants. aids and skirmishes continue along al of the House frontiers, with no formal cessation of hostilities. [News ofthe alliance has raised hopes that a firm Davion-Steiner union would be so powerful that the other three major houses would be forced to fall inline behind Hanse Davion. Rather than risk defeat on the battlefield, Houses Kurita, Marik, nd Liao might sue for peace—or voluntarily join the alliance—to avoid being left out as plans for anew Star League are drawn up. ‘Optimism over the alliance is not universal, however. Government officials on Atrus, Sian, and Luthien all refused comment. A usually reliable source on Luthien, however, assured BattleTechnology correspondents thatthe announcement earlier this year has raised grave concerns within the Draconis Combine government. “All of the big bosses are in an uproar.” the source reported. “They don't like this one bit.” If optimism and acceptance of the alliance are not universal, however, itis cerain that war sickness is. “It can’t continue,” ‘one Davion official said, on condi- tiomofanonymity. "The Third War has us all wom down to where we can scarcely defend ourselves against pirates and bandits out on the Periphery. These raids and harassing strikes we've been see- ing would be nothing compared to ‘what a fourth major war would bring onal of the houses.” “The official added, “We must have peace. Another big war will ruin us al.” “Another big war will us all" A Kurita Rifleman photographed. in central New Derry, Galtor I, during the recent ‘campaign on that border world {Growing concems that continued ‘war could bring on the end of tech- nic civilization have fed specula- tions that @ Davion-Steiner all ance could mean final and lasting peace, 4 BattleTechnology April 3028BattleTechnology News Service Mystery Blasts Rip Successor State Capitals Dateline: Exeter—Members ofthe staff atthe editorial offices of BattleTechnol- yo strony reve at atin ved delays inthe publication ofthe m: Zine were the result of explosions which destroyed their regional news offices on Luthien, Tharkad, and Atreus, “It's sys- tematic campaign a said, on condition of anonymity. “The police on Atreus say a gas main exploded. ‘That whole planet has been powered by fusion plans for centuries. On Tharkad, they're saying it was an aberrant individ ual with home-made bomb. The security forces on Luthien claim the blast there was the result ofa freak hit by lightning. But I don’t think any of them are telling all they know." ‘Other staff_ members at the magazine's head office on Exeter ported that "steps are being taken” to insure the survival of BatleTechnology. “We've put the call out for mercenaries.” said one, “Anyone tres todo that here on Exeter is sing tobe i foes Sazpiac!” Above: Remnants of the local offices of BattleTechnology magazine on Luthien. Similar destruction ‘curred simultaneously on Tharkad and Atreus. A coincidence? Galahad ’28 Plans Announced Dateline: New Avalon—An official spokesman for Prince Hanse Davion, ruler of the Federated Suns, formally announced plans for this year's wargame exercises. The controversial military exercises, code named “Galahad,” have been held each year since 3026. “Galahad isimended to demonstrate our preparedness and our strength of purpose,” said Colonel William Moore of Davion's Public Information Office. “Critics insist the maneuvers are inflammatory stirring up raids and intel-gathering probes. We insist they make the opposition think twice about launching 2 major campaign.” Reports of major troop and Battle Mech movements along the frontier with the Capellan Confederation brought an angry response from House Liao officials. “Davion is shifting everything he has to our borders." Major Xiang Tse-Sung of the Sian Information Services reported."He will ind he cannot imimidate the free peoples of the Confederation with luff, thats, and military parades." Special Late News Bulletin: Wolf’s Dragoons On The Run Dateline: Luthien—Reliable sources on Luthien this week revealed to BattleTechnology that the contract of Wolf's Dragoons, celebrated BatleMech ‘mercenary regiment, with House Kurita expired this month, Further reports, at this time unconfirmed, suggest that combathas broken out between Wolf's Dragoons and regular elements ofthe House Kurita military forces. The cause ofthis combat, the curent locaton of Wolf's Dragoons, and the mercenary regiment's destination and future plans are ll unknown, BattleTechnology’s informants did reveal, however, that savage fighting has been reported on both Misery and Capra, Combine worlds recently ‘occupied by the Dragoons. Combine government officials could not be reached for comment April 3028 BattleTechnology = 5Wien te ony, BatleTacnnoegy coninues ts ‘exclusive save o hase o readers wh ae fem Sots maconary solders, Techs, of Mechiaror, dkesrig ar spray penta mata at Indopandent Battech company curently Inthe ‘mpoy of ouse Davin, now ach aeeking rps. ‘mento makeup esses recent suflered abate "AS described previous Ming Hal clumes, 8 tveetwner code has boon devo.ped 10 rate ach ‘rospecive employer rovewes by BateTecmelegy. ‘hess ter codes, rang tom Arar 900d 12 (08 bag) provce nigh ino posse advantages and cs ‘avantages when must bo wesed by morcenares onaderng hing omsewes aut the employer ‘ueston Tho areas rated rough is ode are NEED: How equenty does the omployr ire mrce: ‘alos? High ratings neato 2 comin need: Low Fangs suggest Mat now openings as rar. PAY: How oodlethe pay High values suggest above ‘verag pay sales Low valves neato fw py possby, aisory of nxrcompance wi contacts CONDITIONS: What sre the usual condone under when maranaras work? High vals suggest aos TD RAA facie, svice onan Eartike wor, ost Tkats such caveman quad auy er proving fsce fr notes at cour & aw rating ean poor ot Unpleasant cnctons, such ae Guy stan oad Dipost rina hose anand ‘As aus, conractqpenngs, pay, and concn under ie same smptayer may var temencousy o= ‘penang en eveumstaness or on changes unreported f2 BatieTechnabgy shoe he baat: research was done ‘These code values are Infonded ge gudenes ihe ‘rosenaton of a reader's sence. SatieTeehno}ay "ssumes no esponsby, win ripe, fr da ‘gee, cost, or eauaiesincured rough sonics 12 mercenary empoyers screened fs coum, ‘The Dragonsiayors Rating Code: KU ‘Above: The emblem of the Dragonslayers recognizes the unit's beginnings as lancers and honors its long history of combat serv- ice against House Kurita 6 —_BattleTechnology The Dragonslayers UNIT HISTORY ‘The mercenary unit known today as the Dragonslayers traces is history back 10 £2866, when Reginald Kilian, Duke of Dela- Von, used his personal fortune to form and equip a line Davion BattleMech unit during the opening months of the Third Succes- sion War. Entering the rosters as the 1” Delavon Lancers, the unit distinguished itself in several actions within he Draconis Marches. Though it began at slightly less than full company strength, it quickly ex- panded to three regular companies of Bal- tleMechs, plus three auxiliary platoons of mechanized infantry. In 2896, during the invasion of Lapida Il, the 1 Lancers took partin the fighting in the rugged uplands north of Scaleandro. With victory secured, they were assigned the duty of guarding the captured port against incursions by marauding guerillas. ‘A sudden thrust by Kutita forces hid- den in forest cover nearby surprised and ‘overwhelmed the unit which, at the time, had only four light Mechs activated and on perimeter defense. Eighteen of the unit's "Mechs were captured intact, another five destroyed. Worse, Kurta infantry ran wild through the regiment's encampment, de- stroying supplies and slaughtering person- nel. indiscriminately. Colonel - Victor Rassmussen was captured and subjected to. prolonged “interrogation,” apparently because of unfounded or malicious rumors. thatthe 1# Lancers had been guilty of alroci- ties earlier in the campaign. His son Erik assumed command of the Unit's remnants. Against direct orders tothe. ‘contrary, heled the Lancers into Kurta-held Soaleandro. The elder Rasmusson’s body ‘was returned to Davion lines, cradled in the hands of Erik's Shadow Hawk. Rassmussen and his officers were later court martialed and dismissed for their cisobedionce to orders at Scaleandro, and the unit punished by being forbidden to isplay its battle honors for one year. The regiment's protest was not formally referred to.as mutiny... but the dacision was quickly made that the 1* Lancers were now too ‘smallto constitute a regiment, oo broken to be incorporated into other urits. The 1* Delavon Lancers were disbanded Erik Rasmussen promptly organized the surviving MechWarriors into a merce- nary company, named Dragonsiayers in token of the blood feud which now existed between the unit and the legions of House Kurita. New members were required to swear an oath, vowing vengeance upon Kurita and his minions “to the end of time, Initially, the unit served solely with House Steiner, mistrusting the possibilty of a sec- ‘ond “betrayal” by House Davion, Eventu ally, memory of the Rasmussen court mar tial faded... but not the oath of vengeance against the Combine. The Dragonslayers have remained in service for 192 years. In that ime, they have ‘served with every major Successor State house save House Kurita, as well as exe Couting contracts with several score lesser houses, periphery states, and private or- ganizations requiring military services. ‘Though always referred to as a regiment their actual field strength has varied from as ‘much as a shor battalion to as few as eight ‘Mechs organized as an understrength- company. ‘Aweil-known trademark ofthe Dragon- slayers is their prominent display of the Unit's battle honors on their ‘Mechs’ armor at all times. In modern combat, these are ‘most often painted on "Mech armar only for special occasions, parades, and reviews ‘and painted out before combat. The Lanc ers, however, have maintained the tradition of displaying their battle honors even during extended campaigns, in memory of the ‘court martial on Lapida Il long ago. RECENT CAMPAIGN HISTORY ‘After an extended tour of service with House Steiner, during which time they saw