Operation Lancaster

==Description==
BattleTech: Operation Lancaster (abbreviated BT:OPL or OpLan), is a large fan Sourcebook/Technical Readout. This project was led by Devin Ramsey, who created most of it, but it also prominently includes characters and mercenary units created by Donald Butler and Zach Schaffer. Although it includes many other events, the book is written primarily as a report on an extensive military operation which was undertaken during the Word of Blake's Jihad War by what is known as the Lancaster Coalition--a combined arms force consisting of the Dreadnought BattleCorps 1st Regimental Combat Team, the Ronin Free Companies Mercenaries, and the Blackwood Templars Mercenaries.
This combination Sourcebook & Technical Readout includes detailed backgrounds of the military units involved, as well as the Dreadnought BattleCorps' parent corporation, Dreadnought Interstellar Industries, which establishes itself over a thousand years of history. The Technical Readout portion of the book includes a variety of all-new designs (many of which have variants that date back to the time of the Star League) as well as numerous custom variants and configurations of canon 'Mech types. The sheer amount of art presented in Operation Lancaster is one of its greatest strengths, with roughly two hundred separate art pieces included in this project (most of which were commissioned by Devin Ramsey, though a handful were licensed by him, and a few others pieces were used with permission from the original commissioners). Additionally Record Sheets, Alpha Strike Cards, & MegaMek files for the units created for this project have been created and supplied.
"Operation Lancaster: A BattleTech Fan Project led by Devin Ramsey" began development in 2017. It was first publicly announced with a "Teaser Video" on Catalyst Game Labs' official BattleTech Forum on March 9th, 2022, and then released on March 25th, 2022, accompanied by a full-fledged "Launch Video".Operation Lancaster's launch announcement and links on BG.BattleTech/forums
=== Downloadable Project Assets & Updates ===
All these extensive assets associated with Operation Lancaster are available for download, free of charge.
* Sourcebook/Technical Readout (.PDF file) updated to Version 1.0.6 on January 7th, 2023, with a further minor update on March 21st, 2023. 
* Record Sheet Book (.PDF file) added January 25th, 2023, with an update made on March 31st, 2023. 
* Alpha Strike Card Pack (.RAR file) added January 7th, 2023. 
* MegaMekLab Unit File Pack (.RAR file) updated January 25th, 2023. 
* Complete Art Pack (.RAR file) added June 22nd, 2022.
==Introduction==
At the end of 3076, the horrible war known simply as the “Jihad” was in full fury. Millions, if not billions, had already died at the hands of the religious zealot faction known as the Word of Blake. Under the command of Devlin Stone, a massive joint offensive against the Word of Blake Protectorate, known as Operation SCOUR, was just one month away from being launched.Unbeknownst to any of the Great Houses or other militaries of the Inner Sphere,the Word of Blake were in the process of launching an offensive operation of their own. A squadron of WarShips and a heavily-reinforced, elite Manei Domini Shadow Division were en route to the Ashkum system. There they would rendezvous with a reinforced Provisional Division of Blakist regular forces, as well as three more Word of Blake WarShips already in-system, awaiting their arrival.Among other objectives, the intent of this large Blakist task force had been to strike at the nearby Acala system. Once there they would take control of ,or, failing that, destroy the advanced war-making materiel manufacturing capabilities of Dreadnought Interstellar Industries on Acala III. The Blakist force would then spread outward like wildfire, opening an entire new theater of war, dividing the resources of those who opposed the Word of Blake’s will.While unaware of the true extent of the Blakists’ plans or the inbound elite Shadow Division dispatched to join the Word of Blake force already present in the Ashkum system, Dreadnought was acutely aware of the foothold situation on their proverbial doorstep. In response to this imminent threat, a carefully-planned preemptive strike against the amassed Blakist force already on Ashkum IV was launched in late December of 3076.This strike was designated Operation LANCASTER.
Leading this preemptive strike was the Dreadnought BattleCorps 1st Regimental Combat Team, under the command of Colonel Ann Lawrence. With a checkered combat history and rightfully considered only a moderately experienced unit just decades prior, Acala III’s Dreadnought BattleCorps had become a seasoned powerhouse. The BattleCorps by this time fielded an impressive array of remarkably advanced war machines, as well as a unique military asset: a powerful WarShip. As with the megacorporation backing them, the BattleCorps also held a mighty grudge against the Word of Blake. 
Given the challenge and complexity of the task at hand, as well as the specific tactical requirements of the strike, the BattleCorps required outside assistance for a strong chance of success. With Operation SCOUR in the process of being organized and launched, assistance from House Davion’s Armed Forces of the Federated Suns was not forthcoming. To accomplish Operation LANCASTER’s mission, Dreadnought hired not one, but two separate mercenary commands for their unique skillsets. 
The first was the Ronin Free Companies Mercenaries’ “Oni Slayers” and “Morningstar” Free Companies, working together under the command of Free Colonel Donaldarus Meridius. This elite, defense-oriented combat unit was no stranger to digging in and taking a beating while dishing out horrendous punishment on whoever dared to attack them. Although referred to as “Free Companies”, these seasoned units were closer to a combined arms regiment in number when added together. With a potent combination of ‘Mechs and armor, though only backed by limited aerospace support, Meridius’ forces were a battlefield presence to be reckoned with. 
The second force hired by the BattleCorps was the Blackwood Templars Mercenaries, under the command of Colonel Tyr Blackwood. The Templars had formed by absorbing the remnants of ruined mercenary commands during the Clan Invasion. Blackwood had built around him a remarkably effective, cohesive, and experienced combat unit. In direct contrast to the defense-oriented Ronin Free Companies attached to the Lancaster Coalition, the fast-moving ground forces and heavy aerospace assets of the Templars were dedicated to hit-and-run strike tactics. 
Alongside the Dreadnought BattleCorps, the combination of these two mercenary units created a one-two punch of the “immovable object” and the “unstoppable force”. Working together under the command of Colonel Lawrence, the forces of the Lancaster Coalition were more than capable of executing the planned mission.
The plan was thorough and clever.
The troops were elite and driven.
The operation was carried out almost exactly as planned—at first.
Unfortunately for the members of the Lancaster Coalition, an unexpected and foreboding discovery on the world of Ashkum IV, coupled with the arrival of a far more dangerous opposing force than anything that could have been planned for, would prove once again that the age-old adage of “No plan survives contact with the enemy” still rings true as ever in the 31st Century…
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===Canonicity===
This is a parallel story, where universe's history continues unabated in the background, while additional changes are introduced due to the existence and action of Dreadnought BattleCorps and DefenseCorps forces. This book features fan paid new art for canon BattleTech Warships as well as completely new art for fan produced vessels, BattleMechs, Battle Armor, Combat Vehicles and others created by Matt Plog and other known BattleTech fan artists & creators.
==Contents==
*Table of Contents
*Credits
*Special Thanks
*Introduction to Operation Lancaster
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*Corporate & Military Unit Profiles
**Dreadnought Interstellar Industries
**Dreadnought DefenseCorps
**Dreadnought BattleCorps
**Blackwood Templars (Mercenaries)
**Ronin Free Companies (Mercenaries)
**Word of Blake 102nd Provisional Division "Divinity's Shield"
**Word of Blake 52nd Shadow Division "Thanatos' Grip"
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*Planetary Profiles
**Acala III
**Waycross II (Theris)
**Ashkum IV
**Pantheress VI
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*OPERATION LANCASTER–THE ASSAULT & DEFENSE OF ASHKUM IV
**Assault on Ashkum IV
**Defense of Ashkum IV
**Aftermath
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*Operation LANCASTER Tables of Organization & Equipment
**JumpShip Allocation
**Dreadnought BattleCorps 1stRCT Black-Water Task Force
**Dreadnought BattleCorps1stRCT Ground Forces
**Blackwood Templars Mercenaries Ground Forces
**Ronin Free Companies Mercenaries Ground Forces
**Word of Blake 102nd Division Black-Water Task Forces
**Word of Blake 102nd Division Ground Forces
**Word of Blake 55th Shadow Division Black-Water Forces
**Word of Blake 55th Shadow Division Ground Forces
**Ashkum IV Ad Hoc Militia Forces
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*Civilian Vehicles produced by Dreadnought Interstellar Industries
**Vector Storm VI High Performance Motorcycle
**Vector Endurance High Performance Hovercraft
**Successor DS9 Armored Supercar
**Foundation Utility Truck
**Oxen Heavy Hauler
**Fire Hunter Firefighting Vehicle
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*Export BattleMechs produced by Dreadnought Interstellar Industries
**Guardsman Light BattleMech
**Dorgas Medium BattleMech
**Tyrant Medium BattleMech
**Oryx Heavy BattleMech
**Hammerhai Heavy BattleMech
**Emancipator Assault BattleMech
**Reckoning Assault BattleMech
**Sumaire Assault BattleMech
**Mattock II Assault BattleMech
**Neugen Assault BattleMech
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*Combat Vehicles of the Dreadnought BattleCorps
**Albatross Light Attack VTOL
**Streaker Recon Buggy
**Cobra Patrol Vehicle
**Sprinter Light Tank
**Marathon Medium Tank
**Quake Tank Destroyer
**Kodiak Heavy Tank
**Omniscience Command Vehicle
**Fusillade Flak Tank
**Sledgehammer Artillery Vehicle
**Triton Repair Vehicle
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*Pilot Gear of the Dreadnought BattleCorps
**Liberator MkVI Laser Pistol
**PAARR-15/GL Infantry Assault System
**Dreadnought Elite Marine Infantry Combat Kit (DEMICK/DEMIC Kit)
**Dreadnought Elite Marine Infantry
**Dreadnought Armored Pilot Survival Kit (DAPSK/DAPS Kit)
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*Battle Armor & ProtoMechs of the Dreadnought BattleCorps
**Vixen Light Battle Armor
**Kitsune Medium Battle Armor
**Ceòlmhor (Hunter) Heavy Battle Armor
**Breakwater Assault Battle Armor
**Prowler Ultra Heavy ProtoMech
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*BattleMechs & OmniMechs of the Dreadnought BattleCorps
**Quenn Light OmniMech
**Ravage Light OmniMech
**Ravage II Light OmniMech
**Dorgas Medium OmniMech
**Tyrant Medium BattleMech
**Crusher Medium OmniMech
**Oryx Heavy BattleMech
**Hammerhai Heavy BattleMech
**Gemini Heavy OmniMech
**Lancer Heavy BattleMech
**Emancipator Assault BattleMech
**Reckoning Assault BattleMech
**Sumaire Assault OmniMech
**Mattock II Assault BattleMech
**Neugen Assault OmniMech
**Behemoth III Superheavy BattleMech
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*Aerospace Assets of the Dreadnought BattleCorps
**Clairvoyance Type-V Tactical Satellite
**Precognition Type-VII Tactical Satellite
**Vertigo Light AerospaceFighter
**Sabretooth Medium Aerospace Fighter
**Steel Cobra Heavy Aerospace Fighter
**Firestar Heavy Aerospace Fighter
**Skua Recovery Craft
**Abeona-Class DropShuttle/DropShip
**Borealis-Class DropShip
**Colossus-Class Assault DropShip (Dreadnought BattleCorps Refit)
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*Capital Ships & Space Stations of the Dreadnought BattleCorps
**Orbital Defense & Refit Platform (ODRP)
**Mammoth-Class JumpShip Series
**Jackal-Class Destroyer
**Firebrand-Class Battleship
**T.H.S. Trinity / D.B.C. Trinity – Dreadnought-Class Battleship
**S.L.S. Phoenix / D.B.C. Phoenix – Texas-LFR-Class Battleship
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*Unique Machines associated with the Lancaster Coalition
**Chaeronea Light Aerospace Fighter “Spicy”
**Hussar Light BattleMech “Cuirassier”
**Peregrine (Horned Owl) Light BattleMech “Havoc”
**Raven Light BattleMech “Thunder Chicken”
**Blackjack Medium BattleMech “Aces High”
**Marathon Medium Tank “Ronin Special”
**Goshawk (Vapor Eagle) Medium BattleMech “Ainneamhag”
**Shadow Hawk Medium BattleMech “Defender”
**Wolverine Medium BattleMech “Rocket’s Revenge”
**Rifleman Heavy BattleMech “Gravy”
**Vulture (Mad Dog) Heavy OmniMech “Knox”
**Cauldron-Born (Ebon Jaguar) Heavy OmniMech “Caroline”
**Roughneck Heavy BattleMech “Ronin Special”
**Archer Heavy BattleMech “Tempest Fury”
**Warhammer Heavy BattleMech “Heartbreaker”
**Black Knight Heavy BattleMech “Carver”
**Helepolis Heavy BattleMech “Higher Call”
**Lao Hu Heavy BattleMech “Rusty”
**Mad Cat (Timber Wolf) Heavy OmniMech “Demoness”
**Marauder Heavy BattleMech “Bunty Hounder”
**Bloodbath Assault BattleMech
**Heavy LRM Carrier (SRM Refit)
**Legacy Assault BattleMech “Isorla”
**BattleMaster Assault BattleMech “Titan”
**Cyclops Assault BattleMech “Warcrime”
**Highlander Assault BattleMech “Honor”
**Mad Cat Mk II Assault BattleMech “Sandstorm”
**Scytha Heavy OmniFighter “DragonSlayer”
**Supernova Assault BattleMech “Star Burst”
**Atlas Assault BattleMech “Skully 2.0”
**Berserker Assault BattleMech “Crossbones”
**Daishi (Dire Wolf) Assault OmniMech “Obsidian”
**Kodiak Assault BattleMech “Goober”
**Kraken (Bane) Assault BattleMech “Butcher”
**Marauder II Assault BattleMech “Blackwood”
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*Celestial OmniMech Configurations used by the 55th Shadow Division
**Malak Light Celestial OmniMech "Divinus”
**Preta Medium Celestial OmniMech “Divinus”
**Grigori Heavy Celestial OmniMech “Divinus”
**Deva Heavy Celestial OmniMech “Divinus”
**Seraph Assault Celestial OmniMech “Divinus”
**Archangel Assault Celestial OmniMech “Divinus”
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*Clan Second-Line BattleMechDesigns
**Wasp IIC Light BattleMech
**Beholder Light BattleMech
**Screaming Cricket Light BattleMech
**Likho Medium BattleMech
**War Cobra Medium BattleMech
**Hammerhands IIC Heavy BattleMech
**Ristar Assault BattleMech
**Oblivion Assault BattleMech
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*Dreadnought/Lancaster Specific Rules (Special Equipment Rules & Quirks)
**Dreadnought Target Data Networking (TDN) System
**Experimental Clan ER PPC Capacitor (X/C-ERPPC Capacitor)
**OmniBow Streak Advanced Tactical Missile (Streak-ATM) System
**Spin-Werx Type A10 Rotary-5 Autocannon
**Decoy/Electronic Warfare Missile (DEWM) System
**Dreadnought Spec (Quirk)
**Wing-Mounted Weapons (Quirk)
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*Additional/Miscellaneous Resources
**Dreadnought Interstellar Industries Weapons & Equipment List
**Additional/Miscellaneous Personnel Profiles
**Personnel Profile Index (Character Index)
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*Local Fauna – Acala III
**Acaroc (Acalan Roc)
**Cheezurah
**Gaatee
**Acalan Dragon
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*“Choices” – The Short Stories of Operation Lancaster
**Nightmares, by Devin Ramsey
**Convictions, by Devin Ramsey
**Scars, by Zach Schaffer
**Warcrimes, by Donald Butler
**Demonesses, by Devin Ramsey
**Prophecies, by Devin Ramsey
**Keepsakes, by Devin Ramsey
==Download Links==
Author's Download Link for BattleTech: Operation Lancaster - Sourcebook/Technical Readout (.PDF File)
Author's Download Link for BattleTech: Operation Lancaster - Record Sheet Book (.PDF File)
Author's Download Link for BattleTech: Operation Lancaster - MegaMek File Pack (.RAR File)
Author's Download Link for BattleTech: Operation Lancaster - Alpha Strike Card Pack (.RAR File)
Author's Download Link for BattleTech: Operation Lancaster - Complete Art Pack (.RAR File)
==Launch Video (Operation Lancaster's Release Trailer)==
Operation Lancaster's "Launch Video", posted on March 25, 2022.
center|500 px|
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==Notes==
Author self-paid and received permission to use existing fan art as well as commissioned new for this massive project which took over five years to produce.
==References==
Operation Lancaster
Operation Lancaster
Operation Lancaster
Operation Lancaster