The Despot-class is a heavy Cruiser constructed in 2531 by Sinix Shipyards and Chicono Heavy Engineering, following the regime change within the United Planets by Khetarian extremist Phlic Aelhoc. Just over one kilometer in length it was originally designed to serve as a carrier platform for swarms of KCL Mosquitos to counter the capship-heavy strategy employed by Task Force Warrior. However, shortly before its introduction, the secret shipyard fell victim to a well coordinated attack by rebel forces, during which the station was destroyed and the cruiser was seized.

Within the rebel strikeforce the cruiser was reconfigured, as the narrow Mosquito launchbays were turned into missile launchers and the cruiser was renamed Inferno II, a tribute to former UPMF Supreme Commander Firkis' flagship Inferno, which had been destroyed during the battle of Cophuran.

With the foundation of the Phoenix Systems Alliance, a modified version of the original design went into line production by Mithary Capital Yards, and Inferno II was chosen to be the class' formal name.