Katana (Individual Invader-class JumpShip)

History

The Katana was a JumpShip operated by Isesaki Shipping of the Draconis Combine. The Katana and its attached DropShip Kwaidan were impounded for smuggling by Federated Commonwealth officials at the nadir jump point of the Tharkad system in mid-3050. Both ships and their crews were subsequently requisitioned by then-Major Adam Steiner when he formed the 1st Somerset Strikers. The Strikers, the Katana and the Kwaidan became somewhat famous through Tharkad Broadcasting Company's (somewhat inaccurate) holovid about the unit's exploits; the 'real' existence of the vessels and their involvement with the unit was was confirmed beyond said holovid by other sources.

According to available sources, the Draconis Combine consented with the requisition of the ships and sanctioned their service with the 1st Somerset Strikers. It was not stated what happened to them after the 1st Somerset Strikers were disbanded.

Notes

• Within the animated TV series ("holovid show"), the Katana is consistently described and depicted as an Invader-class JumpShip. However, the show is frequently described as inaccurate and having taken considerable artistic license, and the Katana's class is not explicitly stated in any other source. It should be noted that it seems unusual for an Invader-class vessel (with three hardpoints, assuming they were all undamaged and useable) to carry only a single DropShip.

Bibliography

• 1st Somerset Strikers (sourcebook)
• Era Report: 3052
• Jade Falcon Sourcebook