Originally designed as a "proof of concept" vessel, the Krester Ship Construction vessel Kimagure impressed the SLDF naval commanders who saw it with its combination of speed, resilience and firepower, filling a niche in the nascent SLDF navy. They placed orders for a dozen vessels, in the process establishing Krester's credentials and earning them the contract for the Texas-class in the early twenty-seventh century. (Only five of these vessels would survive the wars that followed and leave in Kerensky's Exodus. Clan Snow Raven would transform two of those into the Conqueror-class.)
         The Kimagure-class, its name meaning "capricious" in Japanese, was among the fastest vessels employed by the Star League fleets. They were capable of sustained 2.5 G acceleration and 4 Gs short sprints, comparable with many corvettes. Unlike most corvettes, however, the Kimagure was heavily armed, with banks of naval PPCs in seven of its eight firing arcs-providing hard-hitting, long-range firepower while largely freeing the vessel from ammunition constraints. Most commonly employed were its quad heavy- and medium-Naval PPCs in the nose, allowing the Kimagure to pound its target as it approached at high speed. Formidable broadside bays also allowed the vessel to hold its own in sustained engagements. Impressive armoring (a trait that would also appear on the Texas) aided the design's abilities in a stand-up fight, though few sought out such battles, preferring to fight mobile engagements and exploiting the vessels speed and agility.
         The design's greatest weakness, however, was its array of energy weapons. Those banks required vast arrays of heat sinks. While carrying more than 2,500 double heat sinks, each of the Kimagure's broadsides required half that amount to fire on their own. A Vessel that allowed itself to be surrounded would be unable to use its full firepower, a fate that befell most of those Kimagure lost in the Periphery and the Amaris revolt.
         The vessel's distinct prow (a feature retained on the Conqueror) became its trademark, earning the Kimagure the nickname of "hatchetface" among its crews. Engines dominated the more bulky aft section of the vessel, though the crew's quarters were well regarded despite the enlisted crew sharing four-occupant bunkrooms.
         During the Jihad, the Word of Blake used some of these old ships to help break the Star League fleets. One of these, captured by Nashan Diversified agents, fought through most of the Jihad under Lyran Commonwealth command and continues to fly as the flagship of that government.

Lyran Commonwealth
Katherine Steiner (captured 3071)