One of the least-known of the research staff at Defiance was Catherine Lawrence.   Quiet and withdrawn, no-one expected her to have the unusual gifts that make a BattleMech designer.   She managed to obtain computer time to work on her pet project, but no-one ever expected it to come to anything.   However, the Vordak proved the sceptics wrong; since its release in 3022, it has been widely adopted in the LCAF, and rumours persist of some examples having slipped through to Davion space even before the formation of the Davion- Steiner alliance.
       As for Dr Lawrence, she vanished in 3026.   Her whereabouts remain unknown.

       The key to the Vordak concept is its fairly flat damage spread.   Its AC/20 allows it to be devastating at close range, its PPC covers the 120 to 180 metre range, and the LRM 15-rack ensures that it can act adequately in the fire-support rôle.
       The arm-mounted medium lasers were included to allow extended arc attacks at close range, vital in a slow-moving 'Mech of this type.   The head-mounted SRM twin-pack, which has since become something of a Catherine Lawrence trademark, was intended for special-purpose missile loads such as inferno rockets or fire-extinguishing foam, and has proved extremely versatile and reliable.   It might be thought that this would interfere with the escape system; however, the ejection charges blow out the front of the cockpit, allowing a harder rocket thrust from the pilot's seat without endangering him.   Obviously, this system cannot be used if the 'Mech has fallen onto its face.
       With this large number of weapons systems, one might think that the pilot would have trouble deciding what to fire and when; however, the internal systems monitoring computers display projected heat and opponent-damage curves for the different weapon-selection options, making the choice process simple and fast.
       The Vlar 300 power plant carried is an extremely widely-used model, in 'Mechs ranging from the notorious TRC-4B Chamæleon to the Atlas itself, and including the Marauder and the Dragon series; thus spares are rarely a problem.
       The Vox 88 communications system fulfills its role admirably, making this 'Mech a popular choice for regimental commands.

       The Vordak has, in general, performed well in combat; its pilots are notorious for being especially keen to defeat Atlases.   Since Steiner's assault regiments have not tended to see much action (until recently), the best-known Vordak battles are those of the Hellfire regiment.
       However, Vordaks saw some action in the Fourth Succession War, particularly on the Kurita border, where they were often assigned to élite 'Mechwarriors.   They have exhibited great survivability, though how much of this is due to expert piloting is uncertain.

       Supplementary:
       The surprising return to the Inner Sphere of the Hellfire reg iment in 3050, twenty years after they had been thought lost by misjump, has to some extent eclipsed the remarkable amount of Star League technology they brought with them.   In particular, many of their 'Mechs have been upgraded in a similar manner to the process being performed by current House forces.
       The Vordak 7H is a prime example of this upgrading.   The AC/20 has been removed, replaced by a gauss rifle; although this does less damage, its longer range more than makes up for the comparative lack of striking power.   The PPC is now an extended range model, which does not suffer from the short range beam dispersion common to earlier models.   Thus the PPC and heavy projectile weapons have effectively exchanged battlefield rôles.
       The SRM 2 has been upgraded to a Streak model, to conserve ammunition.   With the conversion to an XL model engine, enough spare room was found to upgrade the LRM launcher to a 20-rack, and insert a missile defence system, ideal for a 'Mech used in the command rôle.

       Lieutenant Michael Platt
       Lieutenant Platt rides a Vordak in the Fire Lance of Kolewski's Company, 12th Donegal Guards.   He is very unusual in that he is a former Atlas pilot; thus, he is well qualified to judge the differences between the 'Mechs.   His preference is solidly for the Vordak, mainly because of the mid-range advantages.

       Colonel James Steiner-Lawrence
       Probably the most famous Vordak pilot is Colonel James Steiner-Lawrence, a third cousin of the designer.   Since he captured a Davion Vordak in 3023, the Hellfire unit founded at that time has in general been highly successful, due perhaps to his insistence that all tactical staff should also be combat soldiers.   His 'Mech, painted black and red, is kept in perfect condition and   has rarely been seen to be seriously damaged.   He has confirmed solo kills on four Atlases; this is thought to be a record for a single 'Mech or 'Mechwarrior.
       At the time of writing (3030), the Hellfire regiment is reportedly about to move from the Magistracy of Canopus, where it weathered the Fourth Succession War, to join Federated Suns service.