Image copyright by Kow Yokoyama. Once the element of surprise had worn away from the early attacks on Strahl spy satelittes by Mercenary Fireballs being launched into orbit via Banana Boats, Strahl forces started actively seeking out any such launches by the Mercenaries. The Mercenary response was mixed and varied, using decoys and dummy launches to hide their real attacks, but it was noted that a Banana Boat was essentially an easy target being defenceless. The result was the Interceptor, designed to escort and protect the Banana Boats once they were in orbit from Strahl forces. Most were initially launched by Banana Boats themselves, but once there, spent their lives solely in orbit and being repaired by other Mercenary orbital forces.