Catnip is the Katanas' second in command, Takari's right hand man, and a very loyal samurai.

He is a former DCMS mechwarrior (he had 2 confirmed kills in his Panther before joining the BWL) of the 9th Dieron Regulars. He was dispossessed at Tamar when the 2nd Sword of Light pulled out and left the remaining Combine forces to. He was never a samurai in Combine service, and therefore not a true ronin. After receiving the daisho from his master, Takari, Lord Chesterton, he does consider himself to be samurai and to hell with the Combine.

Catnip is of mixed Asian-African ancestry (think Japanese mixed with Sub-Saharan African). He considers himself God's gift to all women (not that Takari bothers with these things, but he can't avoid having noticed that Catnip is no longer his amorous self - he's in some form of not-quite-secret relationship with Valkyrie).

Catnip is one of the original Lancers. He was recruited on Solaris, alongside such notables as Puppy, Jimmy and Mirage. He quickly worked his way into the Katanas. He originally piloted an old gladiator's Panther called "Quilt", then moved on to a modified PH, an d then took over Takari's old "Kamikaze". He now pilots a lostech "Royal" Black Knight by the name "Katanacat". As of the ladning on Oberon VI he has 23 kills to his name, making him a company level multi-ace.

“Catnip” is named after the plant that’s so appealing to most cats. It started when someone (one of his mechtechs probably) called him “A catnip to women” and the term stuck. Kwan isn’t sure if he likes it or not, but he doesn’t hate the callsign. It’s not like he has a choice in the matter anyway.