During the Praxedes war an unknown Space Marine Chapter recovered
the hulk of the Gothic Cruiser Hierarch, It's lance decks were
completely absent and in a desperate attempt to obtain another Cruiser
to reinforce their beleaguered fleet the Hierarch was refitted with some
spare Bombardment Cannons. Initially there was trouble with the super-structure
bending under the stress of the bombardment cannons recoil but some very
secretive refits the Techmarines managed to counteract this. At the
end of the War the marines refused to hand the cruiser back to the Navy,
after a brief investigation by the Inquisition it was decided that the
Hierarch would be handed over to the Mechanicus and studied.
It was soon apparent that the Mechanicus was greatly impressed as
Hierarch Class cruisers entered production in the shipyards around Mars.
It is a mark of honour that the second and third cruisers of this class
where named in honour of the two Techmarines responsible for the original
refit as well as this the Hierarch was returned to the Chapter as a gift
from the Mechanicus.
Today the Hierarch Class sees action predominately in the Warfleets
of the Mechanicus though some have found service in the fleets of the Astartes.
The Imperial Navy has petitioned to be allowed access to this class
but so far the best they have been offered is one or two on loan from the
Mechanicus with Mechanicus crews and captains. |
