Introduction:
Oops! All Gundams!
Alright! So! I got some new Gunpla and I kinda need to write something to make back the money and keep you all happy.
So instead of doing an article on the Zaku that I promised last time I did a Gundam article; I’m just gonna make another Gundam article! This time on the Project G mobile suits from Gundam SEED!
For simplicity’s sake, I’ll only be covering the original 5 G-Weapons from Episode 1 of SEED. Especially since literally NONE of the other Gundams from the anime belong to Project G.
Chapter 1: GAT-X102 “Duel Gundam”
Designed from the digital-only prototype known as GAT-X101; the GAT-X102 was the first PHYSICAL G-Weapon developed by the Earth Alliance and was designed for close range combat. Armed only with two beam sabres, a beam rifle with underbarrel rocket launcher and twin head vulcan guns; the Duel Gundam would lay the groundwork for future G-Weapons while still being a competent unit on its own. Eventually; it would be fitted with an Assault Shroud that additionally gave it a quintuple-tube missile launcher on one shoulder and a rail gun on the other (The circumstances around WHERE these modifications came from will be covered later).
Chapter 2: GAT-X103 “Buster Gundam”
To make up for the Duel’s inadequacies at long range; the Earth Alliance went about designing a unit capable of just that. The GAT-X103 Buster Gundam was an artillery unit through and through; it has no hand-held weaponry and all its mounted weaponry is suited for heavy ordinance barrages. Equipped with a multi-use gun launcher on one hip and a high-energy beam rifle on the other, with six missile launchers in each shoulder and two additional weapons attained through combining the gun launcher and beam rifle; the Anti-Armour Shotgun and the Hyper-Impulse Sniper Rifle; the Buster has had the vulcan guns in the head removed and replaced with an enhanced fire control suite and additional energy batteries are stored in the knees and the weapons themselves. The sensitive equipment added beneath its enhanced physical armour AND the Phase Shift armour that it inherited from the Duel mean the Buster is VERY thirsty, hence the batteries.
Chapter 3: GAT-X105 “Strike Gundam”
With the Duel and Buster being exceedingly specialized in their roles; the Earth Alliance decided to work on more versatile units going forward. The GAT-X105 “Strike Gundam” was designed for such a task. The base Strike is armed with two knives, the vulcan guns in the head and an additional hand-held beam rifle. But where the Strike shines is with the Striker Packs! Designed to mount on hardpoints on the back of Strike; these packs would be interchangeable with each other; allowing this G-Weapon to be used in atmospheric flight with the Aile Striker Pack; slice ships in half with the Sword Striker Pack; penetrate shields with a storm of bullets using the Gunbarrel Striker Pack and many more! Legend even has it that there exists the Perfect Strike Gundam… But that’s not yet important.
Chapter 4: GAT-X207 “Blitz Gundam”
While Strike was versatile, as intended, the Earth Alliance needed a G-Weapon that could act as an independent unit while also incorporating experimental stealth tech. The GAT-X207 “Blitz Gundam” was the first G-Weapon fitted with the Mirage Colloid Stealth system; a magnetic field that basically turns the Blitz invisible to the human eye and infrared detectors for up to 80 minutes at the cost of disabling the Phase Shift armour. After the war between the Earth Alliance and PLANT; the Mirage Colloid was deemed a war crime and all surviving units were officially ordered to be scrapped while those still in development were either reserved for black-ops, were used by independent agents or were simply scrapped as well. To further help the idea that Blitz was a single-unit armada, it lacks conventional handheld weaponry; opting instead for the Trikeros Weapon System with integrated beam rifle, shield, beam sabre and Lancer Dart launcher on one hand and the Gleipnir Piercer Lock; which is just a grappling hook. In dire straits; the Lancer Darts can be wielded as melee weapons.
Chapter 5: GAT-X303 “Aegis Gundam”
Even with the pinnacle of stealth tech that was the Blitz; the Earth Alliance didn’t stop there and commissioned the GAT-X303 “Aegis Gundam” to address rapid response concerns while maintaining the aforementioned versatility that they’d begun to implement across the board. Aegis was unlike the other G-Weapons in that it could transform into a mobile armour bearing resemblance to a squid. Maritime connections aside; the Aegis was the new apex G-Weapon developed by the Earth Federation (in collaboration with ORB; who helped with the other four G-Weapons as well), and PLANT was on the back-foot in their war. Nothing could possibly go wrong for the Earth Alliance, right?
Chapter 6: G-Project Combat Records Pt. 1 – Grand Theft Gundam
Of the five G-Weapons; four were stolen by clandestine elements of ZAFT; PLANT’s military branch. These forces stole the Duel, Buster, Blitz and Aegis while also bulldozing half the colony where they found them and causing as many casualties as they suffered in the process of the heist. One such notable loss for ZAFT was Rusty Mackenzie, who was intended to hijack the Strike but was killed by defending forces while on approach to the hanger. While the Strike was able to take out one of the belligerent GiNN units attacking the colony; the rest had successfully escaped to a ZAFT carrier and were effectively lost from the Earth Alliance. Following a few failed attempts to destroy the Archangel; a warship also part of Project G, a few things would happen to the G-Weapons across their service life. Of note; the Duel and Buster would be shelved at the end of the war and reserved for scrapping; Aegis was destroyed and Strike was adopted by a different ace before also getting destroyed. Blitz however…
Chapter 7: G-Project Combat Records Pt. 2 – Carnage In G-Minor
Following a catastrophic accident, wherein Blitz’ pilot Nicol Amalfi was half vapourized by the Strike’s Anti-Ship Sword before exploding; Blitz Gundam was destroyed in the same blast as Nicol and (save for the right arm) was totally lost. Even years later in the sequel anime and supplementary materials, Nicol Amalfi’s death is regarded as a pivotal loss in the series. The Blitz Gundam was among the three G-Weapons to survive past the war; but not in a way the uninitiated would expect.
Chapter 8: G-Project Combat Records Pt. 3 – Gundam With The Golden Gun
After the battle that resulted in Nicol Amalfi’s untimely demise; a clandestine group scoured the battlefield for salvage and found, as hinted above, the Blitz’ right arm. This same right arm was used on THREE DIFFERENT Astray units before the Astray Gold Frame Amatsu Hana (last bearer of the arm) was heavily damaged in action and the arm was removed; presumably beyond saving after one last sortie.
Chapter 9: G-Project Combat Records Pt. 4 – Duel Blitz and Lightning Buster
One would assume that the story of the Project G mobile suits ends with the removal of Blitz’ arm from the Gold Astray. But here’s a plot twist: The Duel and Buster were ORDERED to be scrapped… They weren’t! PLANT Supreme Councilmen Eileen Canaver, Ezalia Joule and Yuri Amalfi ordered they be retrofitted in secret and preserved for emergency operations. Following a coup within PLANT, that emergency had come. Reunited with their original pilots Yzak Joule and Dearka Elsman respectively; the Duel Blitz and the Lightning Buster were the oldest units fielded in the battle against the coup forces. Parts had been replaced, notably the Buster now closer resembled the UC Guncannon than its original visage and the Duel was fitted with a Zaku Warrior cockpit as per the retrofit, but they were the same G-Weapons as ZAFT stole nearly five years prior.
Chapter 10: In Closing
With all things said and done; there are PLENTY more Gundams in the SEED universe that I could cover; from the enormous Destroy Gundam, the majestic Mighty Strike Freedom, the Erzats Z’Gok and many more. But I close this piece on the Project G Gundams with the acknowledgement that the Duel and Buster weren’t successful because of their specialized designs and roles; but because their pilots were skilled enough to make them work beyond those roles. As such; with the dust settled in good ol’ Cosmic Era 75, the Duel and Buster shall remain a constant; ready and waiting for the next conflict.
In honour of Nicol Amalfi [C.E. 56 – C.E. 71]; may his death forever be flashbacked to in all future SEED material to come.
Records of an Aspie 