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GNX-705T GN-X
Model number: GNX-705T
The re-unification of the terrestrial warring factions in the early 220's was accomplished as much by the GN drive as by political reconciliation in the name of fighting terrorism. The newly-formed Earth Union set out to standardize its armed forces with GN-powered hardware, with the GN-X mobile suit serving as the flagship of that initiative. The GN-X, pronounced 'Jinx', incorporates a number of features from the Human Reform League's GNX-704T Ahead and the Earth Sphere Alliance's OZ-07AMS Aries - while ostensibly a joint venture between the two governments, the use of the League's model designations has drawn much speculation from outside observers as to which organization had more oversight. Its armor protection is slightly reduced compared to the stocky Ahead, with a number of other corners rounded-off to streamline the unit for mass production. Mobility is provided by GN verniers in the legs and waist, and the significantly reduced weight compared to the Ahead allows excellent speed and maneuverability in atmospheric and zero-gravity conditions. Unlike the Ahead, the pilot's cockpit is mounted in a rather unconventional location at the center of the lower GN vernier binder - in the event of a catastrophic mobile suit explosion, the binder is designed to be blown clear of the mobile suit's body, which may save the pilot's life. The booster unit originally designed for the Ahead may be mounted to the GN-X, enabling a similar improvement to mobility and long-range cruising thanks to the greatly increased particle reserves. While the GN-X could thus be considered "inferior" to the Ahead, if only in small measures, the much lower cost of production has put GN drive-equipped mobile suits in the hands of far more pilots than the Human Reform League had ever planned originally. As with the Ahead, the GN-X makes heavy use of GN particles impregnated in its armor, making it incredibly resilient to both solid ammunition and explosives while offering a limited resistance to beam weapons as well. When it was first deployed, the GN-X was armed with a battery of GN-powered beam weaponry, making it a very powerful combatant against all types of enemies. Its primary armament is a modular GN beam rifle, which can be configured in two styles per the pilot's preference. A long barrel and enlarged GN particle condenser can be fitted for accurate attacks at range, while a stubby muzzle can be used to make the weapon handier for close combat. A pair of GN beam sabers are stored in the GN-X's knees for a quick draw in chopping up an enemy; likewise, the sharp fingers of the GN-X's hands (copied directly from the Ahead) can be used to make melee attacks on their own, the particle-infused edges being more than capable of cutting through most armor protection. Two GN vulcans are installed in the GN-X's cranium for local defense and to hinder the movement of the enemy, and a modified GN shield is mounted to either arm (pilot's choice) for deflecting incoming attacks. The shield mounts a mechanism similar to the Iris Corporation's defense rod, though the appearance is entirely superficial. The GN shield is capable of deploying a small GN field for a few seconds at a time, allowing the GN-X to defeat most incoming weaponry with good timing. A GN bazooka, capable of firing standard solid rounds or special GN missiles, may be armed for situations requiring heavy firepower or against enemies protected by beam barrier field systems. The bazooka's GN missiles make use of compressed GN particles to essentially "overload" a struck enemy, causing the unfortunate mobile suit to rupture and burst like a rotten fruit. In the twenty years since being first deployed the mobile suit has also undergone periodic modernizations to improve its combat capability. Modernized GN-Xs can be armed with a powerful and long-ranged GN sniper rifle, which feeds off its own GN condenser that is attached to the mobile suit's shoulder. For assault purposes, a large GN vulcan can be installed instead of the GN shield - this configuration is popular with pilots who live by the old adage that the best defense is a good offense. The maneuvering surfaces on the mobile suit's shoulders can be replaced with disposable GN micromissile launchers for an extra attack at close range at the cost of a slight reduction in mobility, and grenades containing anti-beam gas can be used against an enemy force that is armed with beam weapons. The particle-laden gas also impedes sensor functions, which allows for a secondary use as a screening device for tactical maneuvers or to cover a retreat.
Anti-beam gas grenade |
