Editing Lyran Intelligence Corps

{{InfoBoxOrganization
| image = LIC.png
| Type = Intelligence Agency
| Founded = ca. [[2408]]<ref name=HBHS>''Handbook: House Steiner'', p. 104</ref><ref name=IOHp16>''Intelligence Operations Handbook'', p. 16</ref>
| Dissolved = 
| Parent Organization = [[Lyran Commonwealth]]
| Headquarters = Asgard,[[Tharkad]]<ref name = "IOHOrg">''Intelligence Operations Handbook'', p. 18</ref><ref name=IOHDCG>''Intelligence Operations Handbook'', pp. 20–21</ref>
}}
The '''Lyran Intelligence Corps''' ('''LIC''') is the intelligence arm of the [[Lyran Commonwealth]]. Founded during the reign of Katherine Steiner with the stated purpose of protecting the Commonwealth in general, and as an extension the Steiner family, from all nonmilitary attacks.<ref name=IOHp16/> As a result of this mandate, the LIC maintains information analysis groups along side its more infamous black ops teams.<ref name=HBHS/>


[[Image:Steineruniformlohegrin.png|right|thumb|200px|Lohengrin Security Officer]]

==Organization==
The head of the intelligence agency is the [[Chancellor of the Lyran Intelligence Corps|Chancellor of the LIC]]. The LIC maintains a rank structure similar to that of the [[LCAF]], starting at the rank of [[Leutnant]],<ref name=IOHOrg/> but operates outside of the LCAF chain allowing for freer usage of the service.<ref name = HBHS/> The highest ranking officer found at the majority of command centers, with the exceptions of regional headquarters and LIC Headquarters on Tharkad, will be a [[Colonel]].<ref name =IOHOrg/><br>

The LIC contains six major branches:
===Lohengrin===
Lohengrin is tasked with counter-terrorism and, through the use of Strategic Local troopers, act as SWAT teams in sensitive or difficult police crises.<ref name = HBHS/> The Lohengrin maintains the strictest and most specific background requirements with all recruits required to be orphans with no family ties. As the mission set of Loki and Lohengrin are quite similar, the two units often train with and against each other to improve performance.<ref name=IOHp21>''Intelligence Operations Handbook'', p. 21</ref> Lohengrin units are famous for their drive, fanatical patriotism, and loyalty matched or surpassed only by the [[ISF]]'s [[DEST]] units. During the reign of [[Katherine Steiner-Davion]], Lohengrin was commonly directed against "terrorists" who typically had expressed public distaste for the Archon-Princess.<ref name=HBHS/>  

===Propaganda===
Before the Civil war, this division was largely passive; but during the reign of Katherine, this changed considerably. Their technicians were to suppress "harmful" reports, to discredit persons who opposed the [[Archon]] and they coordinated with Loki for dirty work.

===Norns===
The Norns (named after the mythical Nordic beings of fate) are the primary intelligence collection and analysis branch of the LIC.<ref name=HBHS/> The branch itself is subdivided into two departments, one responsible for passive monitoring and the other for active monitoring.<ref name=IOHNorn>''Intelligence Operations Handbook'', p. 19</ref> Passive monitoring intercepts and analyzes all communication within the Commonwealth. Additionally the passive branch maintained surveillance on all [[ComStar]] transmissions within Lyran boarders prior to the dissolution of ComStar.<ref name=IOHNorn/> The active monitoring branch is closely connected with Lyran High Command and is responsible for monitoring the current logistical situation along with all troop movements across the Inner Sphere.<ref name=IOHNorn/> During the existence of the Federated Commonwealth, the Norns worked closely with House Davion's [[Department of Military Intelligence|DMI MI3]] to create and maintain the [[Black Box]] network.<ref name=IOHNorn/>

===Diplomatic===
The diplomatic section is comprised of the two most visible subgroups within the LIC, the Diplomatic Guard and the Diplomatic Corps.<ref name=HBHS/>

====Diplomatic Guard (DG)====
Primarily a security force, with its headquarters located within the Royal Palace, the Diplomatic Guard is charged with the protection and general safety of important Lyran Commonwealth personnel.<ref name=IOHDCG/> Candidates first undergo an extensive screening process before induction to ensure their loyalty to the Commonwealth. Those accepted will undergo intensive training in both armed and unarmed combat, as well as the use of various vehicles.<ref name=IOHDCG/> This enables the DG to serve as drivers or DropShip pilots when key personnel require transportation or perform courier services for vital, high security communications. While the Diplomatic Guard has personnel across the Commonwealth, most will be found on Tharkad as most nobles and administrators maintain residence there.<ref name=IOHDCG/>

====Diplomatic Corps (DC)====
The Diplomatic Corps is the most visible to other states, appearing at all major functions the Commonwealth has an interest in. This division recruits primarily from the Foreign Affairs Office, with the recruits receiving specialized intelligence training in DC programs. As operatives have been recruited largely from the FAO, they all specialize in the culture and social protocol of at least one of the other Great Houses and all speak at least one foreign language. As operatives are commonly assigned to a Lyran nobles entourages there can be no mistakes in communication, appearance, or dress with the LIC assigning the operatives substantial expense accounts to purchase necessary items.<ref name=IOHDCG/> These operatives then mingle at social events and attempt to determine motives of foreign officials.

===Espionage===
Espionage is composed of three subsections:

====Loki====
Loki (named after the Nordic god of lies) is essentially a state-sponsored terrorist unit. Their operatives are trained in espionage along with every form of combat<ref name=IOL>''Intelligence Operations Handbook'' pp. 22</ref>; allowing for the unit to act as secret police, special forces, or terrorist cells as needed.<ref name=CO>''A Guide to Covert Ops'', p. 71</ref> Agent training lasts for six years with regular supplemental training to maintain operational readiness. While Loki has served the Commonwealth faithfully for hundreds of years the unit has often been willing to serve the personal ambitions of the Archon; notably Archons Alessandro Steiner and Kathrine Steiner-Davion.<ref name=IOL/> The excessive brutality of Loki agents is infamous throughout the whole [[Inner Sphere]].
: '''[[Gunter Duiven]]''' was the head of Loki operations during at least [[3137]]<ref name=FaW>''Fire at Will'', ch. 14</ref> to [[3139]].<ref name=ABoWc3>''A Bonfire of Worlds'', ch. 3</ref>

====Bodians====
The Bodians function as the LIC's administrative division primarily focused on recruitment, training, and agent assignment.<ref name=HBHS/><ref name=IOHBD>''Intelligence Operations Handbook'' pp. 21–22</ref> Bondians take no active role in intelligence operations proper, instead monitoring all Lyran educational facilities for potential agent candidates. After identification the candidates education is subtly directed to areas of LIC interest with the candidate being approached for recruitment when they would begin advanced education. The candidate is then educated by the Bondians at one of six LIC colleges located on Tharkad before assignment to a branch. As Bondians' careers are mostly focused on assignment and command, senior LIC officers are often transferred to this branch so their experience can be put to use training the next generation of agents.<ref name=IOHBD/>

====Molehunters====
The Molehunters are the LIC's primary counterintelligence/counterinsurgency force tasked with securing the state against spies and covert threats.<ref name=HBHS/> This mandate requires the Molehunters to detect and eliminate any infiltrators to the Commonwealth with their vast authority covering all state apparatus along with any mercenary company currently under contract.<ref name=mole>''Intelligence Operations Handbook'', p. 22</ref> The Molehunters have been known to work with Loki agents—as was the case during the lead up and prosecution of the [[FedCom Civil War]]<ref name = "CO"/>—but often are used to remove potentially dangerous Loki agents, notably those loyal to [[Alessandro Steiner]] and those loyal to Katherine Steiner-Davion at the end of their respective reigns.<ref name=CO/><ref name=mole/>

===Heimdall===
Named after the Guardian of the Bifrost and defender of the Norse Gods, Heimdall is the unofficial guardian of the Lyran people.<ref name=AGtCOp15>''A Guide to Covert Ops'', p. 15</ref> A highly secretive organization, most theories suggest that Heimdall originated either alongside or in response to Loki and that department's excesses.<ref name=IOHH>''Intelligence Operations Handbook'', pp. 22–23</ref><ref name=HBSH>''Handbook: House Stiener'', p. 101: "The Discrete Opposition"</ref> Heimdall's secrecy is helped by the fact no known member of the organization has been captured alive and divulged information leaving recruitment methods, training, and equipment a mystery.<ref name=HBSH/> Public knowledge of this organization is largely confined to romanticized events surrounding Alessandro Steiner's abdication in 3007 and holodramas.<ref name=IOHH/><ref name=HBSH/> While usually opposed to Loki, Heimdall remains an organization staffed by Lyran patriots as shown during [[Operation BLACK ICE]] where a local Heimdall cell cooperated with Loki Team "Hagall" on [[Pobeda]].<ref>''Tamar Rising'', p. 21: "Black Ice on Pobeda"</ref>

===Known Command Structures===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the {{PAGENAME}} Immediately Prior to the [[FedCom Civil War]]'''<ref>''Intelligence Operations Handbook'', pp. 25–27</ref>
|- 
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Command
|-
| General|| [[Karl Halburg]] || Commander in Chief
|-
|-
| Kommandant-General|| [[Alicia Savinson]] || Commander, Loki
|-
|-
| Kommandant-General|| [[Gunther Yorden]] || Commander, Diplomatic Corps
|-
|-
| Kommandant-General|| [[Sasha Gorge]] || Commander, Lohengrin
|-
|-
| Kommandant-General|| [[Gunther Procknow]] || Commander, Molehunters
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the {{PAGENAME}} Post–FedCom Civil War'''<ref name=AGtCOp70>''A Guide to Covert Ops'', p. 70</ref>
|- 
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Command
|-
| General|| [[Sasha Gorge]] || Commander in Chief
|-
|-
| Kommandant-General|| [[Johann Strauss]] || Commander, Norns
|-
|-
| Kommandant-General|| [[Kirsten Byrd]] || Commander, Diplomatic Guard
|-
|-
| Kommandant-General|| [[Damon Braun]] || Commander, Diplomatic Corps
|-
|-
| Kommandant-General|| [[Klaus Hirsch]] || Commander, Lohengrin
|-
|-
| Kommandant-General|| [[Tabitha Bjorn]] || Commander, Propaganda
|-
|-
| Kommandant-General|| [[Mikhail Rappaport]] || Commander, Bondians
|-
|-
| [[Hauptmann-General]]|| [[Andrew Redstorm]] || Commander, Molehunters
|-
|-
| Hauptmann-General|| [[Heinrich Kinchmeyer]] || Commander, Loki
|-
|}

==Insignia==
<gallery>
Image:LIC-lohengrin.png|Lohengrin
Image:LIC-propaganda.png|Propaganda
Image:LIC-norns.png|Norns
Image:LIC-diplomaticcorps.png|Diplomatic Corps
Image:Lic-loki.png|Loki
Image:LIC-bondians.png|Bodians
Image:LIC-molehunters.png|Molehunters
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[A Bonfire of Worlds]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Fire at Will]]'' (novel)
* ''[[Handbook: House Steiner]]''
* ''[[Intelligence Operations Handbook]]''
* ''[[A Guide to Covert Ops]]''
* ''[[Tamar Rising]]''

[[Category:Intelligence Agencies]]