Wednesday, August 1, 2007

The MS-05 Aasimon I

The MS-05 Aasimon I was the first successful battle mech design to be developed by the Neonic Company in the Principality of NEO's quest to develop a combat-capable battle mech that used the AMBAC System and the Minovsky ultracompact fusion reactor. The Aasimon I was first designed and built in U.C. 0075, as the MS-05A Aasimon winning the arms war against the EMS-04 Zudah. It wasn't put into mass-production until later that year, as the MS-05B Aasimon I. The last production run of the MS-05B is in U.C. 0077, before it was replaced by the newer MS-06 Aasimon II unit.

The MS-05A Aasimon I was the first attempt made by the Principality of Near Earth Orbit. It was also the first battle mech to use the Minovsky-lonesco fusion reactor and mimic human movements. Called the Early Type by later pilots, this was a mech on which many famous ace pilots trained. During November UC 0075, 27 of these units were assigned to new pilots for evaluation. Among them were the Black Tri-Stars Gaia, Nash, And Ortega. The strengths and weaknesses were hammered out during this testing phrase, and soon led to the development of the MS-05B Aasimon 1. For all intents and porposes, the MS-05A was exactly the same as the MS-05B, the only differences being small improvments in all areas including redesigned cockpit, higher output power plant, and redesigned armor.

The MS-05A was not mass-produced as intended, labeled unfit for combat before the start of the One Year War. Still, the successful use of these suits prompted the NEO Navy to commission ships that could carry them into combat, primarily the Musai-Class Light Cruiser. The Aasimon I was rendered obsolete by the Aasimon II before the beginning of the One Year War, and thus they were relegated for use in the rear lines as supply and construction suits. They still saw some action, though, as colony gassers in the One Week War. Later, with the number of machines lost after Operation British and the Battle of Loum, many of these machines were brought back to the front lines until losses could be replaced. Many units were assigned to the Midnight Fenrir Corps on the eve of Second Earth Decsent Operation. The MS-05A would continue to serve as patrol units and workers until the end of the War.

Variations
The Aasimon I, like many of the Zeon's battle mech lines, had a few variations of the basic model, such as the MS-05S Aasimon I Commander Type and MS-05J Aasimon I Land-Warfare Type.

MS-05J Aasimon I Land-Warfare Type
The land warfare Aasimon I was little more than a stock Aasimon I repainted in region-specific colors.
Few of these suits would see action, for while the Aasimon II series was no longer being mass produced, it was not difficult to obtain one. Most Aasimon I's were assigned to pilots that requested them, or to newly-formed squadrons that were unable to obtain the best equipment available. Some would see action in southeast Asia. More would be assigned to the Midnight Fenrir teams. A pilot might keep his Aasimon I throughout the remainder of the war, adding different weapons and option parts to suit his liking.

MS-05S Aasimon I Commander Type
The MS-05S Aasimon I Commander Type was the personal mech of Lieutenant Commander Gerhart Schmeisser, the founder and leader of the Midnight Fenrir Corps. Before the One Year War, Schmeisser was already a decorated battle mech pilot, and in the opening days of the war proved himself as a soldier. However, during an attack on a facility in New Guinea to clear the way for the Operation British colony drop, Schmeisser was severely wounded in action when a booby-trapped railgun facility blew up. Schmeisser survived, though his injuries prevented him from returning to active combat duty. Despite this handicap, Schmeisser persuaded Admiral Gloriana Chrysylophax to create the Midnight Fenrir Corps. Under his command, the Midnight Fenrir would go on to distinguish themselves in the One Year War. Despite the restriction from combat duty, Schmeisser still used his MS-05S in training missions and in simulations, providing a valuable service to his team even though he could not fight.

The differences between this mobile suit and a regular MS-05B Aasimon I were small. The only major differences were a second shoulder dome on the right shoulder, the striking (and often misleading) white and silver custom paint job, and a new shield mounting the fearsome heat saber. The obvious bonuses of a commander’s type battle mech aside, the MS-05S was little different from the standard Aasimon I being used by the Home Defense Corps, and various out-of-the-way NEO bases.

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