When the Nova labs were destroyed they were done so by a mysterious fire, the cause of which wasn't explained. Perhaps an opposing group against WAR decided to destroy the place and took the Nova plans for themselves before destroying it, all while the 2097 tournament took place. The group of which who did and for what purpose they stole the plans, god only knows. Iron Fist? A WAR splinter group? Someone else?
Katana Robot Update.
For this image with the hand blades I have one retracted and one extended. I imagined the blade would retract into the main blade of the hand like an antenna.
I'd always figured the Katana to be a more 'feminine' styled HAR. It should be slimmer, like your Thorn design, to emphasize agility.
Sounds good. Will do another.