GN-005 Gundam Virtue

The GN-005 Gundam Virtue (aka Gundam Virtue, Gundam Virtue Particle, Virtue)

is a Mobile Suit from season 1 of Mobile Suit Gundam 00. It is piloted by Tieria Erde.

Features

The Gundam Virtue is a heavily armed and armored Mobile Suit, possesses the greatest offensive and defensive power among the third generation Gundams deployed in 2307 by Celestial Being, a paramilitary organization aiming to eliminate global conflicts through armed intervention. Specializing in artillery attacks, fleet battles and assaults on enemy bases, the Virtue's firepower is unmatched among its contemporaries thanks to heavy beam weapons, consisting of a GN Bazooka and two GN cannons . As Virtue is not intended for anti-MS melee combat, his only melee weapon is a pair of GN sabers. Due to its large size, the Virtue's mobility and evasion capabilities are inferior to other Gundams, but these weaknesses are mitigated by its high defensive strength, in the form of heavy armor and its ability to generate a GN Field at 360° around itself which can negate most physical and beam attacks.

The Virtue demonstrated impressive propulsion capabilities, being able to overcome the combined thrust of six MSJ-06II-E Tieren Space Types. Like other Gundams, the Virtue features a semi-perpetual GN Drive in the center of its body that provides nearly unlimited energy and generates special, multifunctional GN particles. GN particles have a unique mass reduction effect and as a result the highly equipped Virtue can operate efficiently and is only half the weight of the equally bulky MSJ-06II-A Tieren Ground Type operated by the LRH. This reduction effect remains even when the Virtue is not operating while the GN Drive continues to operate. GN particles are also used for propulsion, weaponry, GN Field generation, attitude control and stealth purposes, as they can cause electromagnetic interference, leaving conventional communications and radar devices useless.

Due to the high demand for GN particles from the Virtue's weaponry and the GN Field, high capacity GN Condensers are mounted throughout its body to store excess particles produced by the GN Drive, when the Gundam is not operating. GN particles are primarily controlled by means of a pair of torso-mounted clavicular antennae and “  GN cables  » in pale purple color, are installed in various locations to facilitate the feeding of these particles into each part of the Gundam, and for trim control purposes. In case of emergency, the Virtue can activate the “  Trans-Am system  » to increase its thrust and defensive strength, as well as increase its production by three times that of its normal specifications for a limited period. The Virtue glows red as a side effect, and although the Trans-Am increases the power of its weapons, this system is also a double-edged sword as the Virtue's performance will drop significantly once it ends.

Besides the Trans-Am system, which is also used by other Gundams, the Virtue has another emergency response method of its own, it can purge its armor to reveal the GN-004 Gundam Nadleeh. However, this was not the original intention of the armor's purge mechanism, which was intended for simultaneous switching to the Nadleeh, while activating the latter's Trial system. The idea of ​​hiding a Gundam within another Gundam can be attributed to the Virtue and Nadleeh's common predecessor, the second-generation GNY-004 Gundam Plutone, which is equipped with an ejectable flight unit known as the "Core Fighter.” The Pluto is also the first Gundam capable of generating a 360-degree GN Field, but its generation system is not as stable as that of the Virtue. The Nadleeh is concealed to prevent its Trial System, an ability to stop traitors, and for efficient use of the limited number of GN Drives that Celestial Being possesses.

Among the third generation Gundams, the Virtue's development was the slowest. At this time, the Virtue's current form was also known as the "Gundam Virtue Particle" to differentiate it from another design, the GN-005/PH Gundam Virtue Physical Projectile. Both designs are prepared by Veda, Celestial Being's quantum computing system, based on its predictions regarding armed intervention missions. Despite their differences, Virtue Particle and Virtue Physical are both designed as artillery units for anti-fleet and anti-formation combat. This ensures that the Nadleeh is positioned astern and could quickly return to base or mothership to be equipped with more effective equipment to stop traitors. In the end, after studying the results of multiple joint exercises involving all four Gundam Meisters, Veda chose the Virtue Particle as it showed better team compatibility with the other Gundams.

Veda rejected the idea of ​​keeping the Virtue Physical as spare equipment, because changing equipment mid-mission was very difficult due to reduced manpower, and the design of the mothership. There is also concern that the enemy may discover the hidden Nadleeh by observing the commonalities between the two sets of equipment. The Gundam Virtue is eventually replaced by Celestial Being's GN-008 Seravee Gundam, which is also a Mobile Suit equipped with multi-beam cannons and GN Field. Data from the Gundam Virtue is also used in the development of the CBY-077 GN Cannon and the GNZ-003 Gadessa, the former part of Veda's alternate plan for armed intervention and the latter used by an enemy of Celestial Being.

• GN Field

The Virtue can deploy a spherical GN Field barrier around itself, which provides 360 degree protection against most physical and beam attacks. The GN Field can protect another Gundam in addition to Virtue if necessary, and is created using compressed high-density GN particles, stored in the GN Condensers and released by the GN Field generators in the Virtue's legs and GN cannons. Housed in the outer side of each leg and in each GN Cannon, the four GN Field generators open when in use. Thus, restricting the movements of generators may hinder the deployment of the GN Field. The GN Field's excellent defensive capabilities require a high consumption of GN particles, requiring the Virtue's GN Condensers to be fully charged with the particles in advance. Although the GN Field is usually disabled before the Virtue's beam weapons fire, it is possible to fire the GN bazooka from inside the field. The GN Field's defensive characteristics can be affected by the compression ratio of its GN particles, and beam shots can penetrate the barrier if they match that compression ratio. Fortunately, this problem can be solved by changing the compression ratio of the particles. The GN Field is also shown to be defenseless against the GN Fangs of the GNW-002 Gundam Throne Zwei. In addition to forming the GN Field, GN particles are also emitted from the GN Field Generators when the Virtue maximizes its particle emission for atmospheric entry. The emitted particles are deployed in front of the Virtue, protecting it from aerodynamic heat release caused by adiabatic compression upon entry into the atmosphere. This use of GN particles is also present in other Gundams.

• Optical camouflage

Like other Third Generation Gundams, the Gundam Virtue can deploy an external cloaking membrane over itself when stationary, blending it into its surroundings and rendering it invisible. This allows the Virtue to remain invisible while waiting for the mission to begin.

• Trans-Am System

A special system hidden by the founder of Celestial Being, Aeolia Schenberg, in the black box of the original GN Drives, and which is revealed when a traitor appeared in the organization. During Trans-Am, all high-density GN particles accumulated within the Gundam are fully released, enhancing its mobility and defensive capabilities, and allowing it to operate at three times its normal output for a limited time. The entire Gundam turns red as the massive amount of GN particles surrounding, and covering the machine, as well as those inside the GN cables, and in the tiny paths in the armor begin to glow red. Additionally, afterimages are generated when the Gundam is moving. Although the Virtue gains greater destructive power during Trans-Am, due to converting the large amount of compressed high-density GN particles into beams, the system is unfortunately a double-edged sword. The Gundam's performance will drop significantly once it ends, as most of the GN particles in its body have been used up. This negative effect will last until the GN particles stored in the Gundam return to a normal level, so using the Trans-Am requires special attention. For the Virtue, which requires a large amount of GN Particles for attack and defense, even in normal times, this negative effect impacts it more than other Gundams.

• Veda Linked Operation System

The Gundams' operating system is linked to Veda, allowing the quantum computer to provide support to the Gundams and their Meisters. When Alejandro Corner took possession of Veda with the help of Ribbons Almark, they used it to interfere with the Gundams' systems, rendering them inoperable. Fortunately, Ptolemy's team had considered such a probability, and had developed a standalone operating system beforehand. Switching to this autonomous operating system restores the Gundams to their operational state, but the loss of support from Veda makes piloting the Gundams and completing missions much more difficult for the Meisters.

Armaments

• GN Bazooka: The Virtue's primary armament is a large hand-held cannon that fires a beam of high-density, high-energy GN particles. The GN Bazooka can vaporize multiple MS with a single shot, but must be charged before firing. One of the most powerful weapons used by the third generation Gundams, it can operate in two modes  : “Normal Mode” and the much more powerful “Burst Mode”. If necessary, the Virtue can be equipped with a second GN Bazooka, carrying one in each hand. The LARP Bazooka has two movable handles, one on the left and one on the right, and it is possible to move one of the handles on the bottom of the rear half of the weapon as needed.
• Burst Mode: Also known as the "GN Bazooka Burst Mode", it is the maximum output form of the weapon. In this mode, the Virtue's central thorax armor lifts up and the rear end of the GN Bazooka slides out to connect to the GN Drive via the thorax-mounted GN capacitor. Additionally, the barrel of the weapon splits in two and the yellow-colored interior parts of the barrel slide out. Burst mode fires a huge beam over a wide area and has severe knockback that knocks the Virtue back. As this mode consumes a lot of GN particles, it is incapable of rapid fire. The destructive power of burst mode is further enhanced during Trans-Am, but its particle consumption becomes so intense that Trans-Am ends immediately after a single shot.
• GN Beam Saber: A weapon that emits a beam-like blade made of GN particles from its hilt when fired, it is stored in each knee (or to be more precise, the knees of the GN-004 Gundam Nadleeh), and they have the same abilities as those of other Gundams. As the Virtue Gundam is not intended for anti-MS combat, GN Sabers are its only melee weapon. Although more powerful than the carbon blades and sonic blades of conventional MS, the Virtue rarely uses sabers, reserving them for emergencies.
• GN Cannon: A dual-cannon beam cannon, a GN cannon is mounted on the left and right sides of the backpack and their cannons extend during use. Although their firepower is less than that of the GN Bazooka, the two GN Cannons can still destroy multiple MS with a single shot. Additionally, they can move flexibly and target enemies in a wider area. By pointing the GN Cannons and the GN Bazooka in the same direction and firing them at the same time, the Virtue can unleash a devastating attack.

History

The Virtue will make its first appearance to counter a terrorist attack with the GN-003 Gundam Kyrios. While GN-001 Gundam Exia and GN-002 Gundam Dynames are carrying out another operation on Earth at the same time. During the LRH's celebration of the 10th anniversary of Tenchu's solar power generation ("Heavenly Pillar" the name of the orbital elevator), a group of terrorists in their AEU-05 AEU Hellions, attempted to blow up a section of the Tenchu ​​low-orbit space station. The terrorists took a difficult path to the space station, taking the LRH security agencies by surprise. During the unexpected attack, Tieria and Allelujah, in their Gundams, moved against the terrorists, destroying all the armed Hellions ready to destroy the orbital station.

Many LRH guests inside the orbital station witnessed the battle, discovering the strange Mobile Suits that appeared on the scene. Shortly after, a video of Aeolia Schenberg was released to media outlets around the world, announcing the goals of Celestial Being.

After that, the Virtue will intervene during the operation aimed at ending the conflict

ethnic in Sri Lanka. It will destroy the fleet present in the port of Ceylon, as well as all the naval forces.

It will return to space following this operation, the Gundam Virtue is used to power the Ptolemy (Ptolemy) through its GN Drive while the 3 other Gundams continued to carry out their operations throughout the world. Tieria remained in the CBS-70 Ptolemaios (Ptolemy) with the rest of the crew, monitoring the progress of Celestial Being's operations and judging the actions of the other Gundam Meisters.

The Republic of Morals (PMC Trust) and the AEU have announced a joint military operation to take a stand against Celestial Being. Tieria takes the Virtue and joins the rest of the Gundam Meisters to intervene against the military exercise in Moralia. During the battle, the Gundams destroyed the defensive net

massive prepared by the AEU and the Moral private army. Tieria and Allelujah disrupted the enemy's air formation, while Setsuna and Lockon took out the enemy ground forces one by one. Hundreds of enemy Hellions were decimated in a matter of minutes. The battle at Moralie Headquarters, which was the final phase of the Gundam Meisters' armed intervention, lasted 5 minutes, the Gundams completely decimated all armed forces in the area. With no further reinforcements coming from the AEU, Morals fired their white flares to signal their unconditional surrender to Celestial Being.

In response to Celestial Being, the Edenra launches terrorist attacks around the world. After most of the Ptolemy's crew gathered at Celestial Being's base in the Pacific, the Gundam Meisters were ordered to standby in different locations and await further orders. It was later disclosed that the organization responsible for the indiscriminate attacks was the terrorist group La Edenra. With the information at hand, the Gundams were immediately sent to destroy 3 of La Edenra's bases around the world. The Virtue will be responsible for the attack on the La Edenra base in LRH in the Marshall Islands.

The LRH then launches a vast operation to capture the Gundams, during this attack, the Kyrios will be captured, and Tieria Erde will point the Virtue's GN Bazooka, preferring to sacrifice the Kyrios' GN Drive than see it captured. However, before it could fire, it was intercepted by LRH's MSJ-06II-SP Tieren Taozi. The two units were then locked in a MS battle. LRH's Chobu Team decided to capture the Virtue, not wanting their operation to end in failure. Six Tierens suddenly interfered in the battle between the Virtue and the Taozi and stopped the Gundam from moving using carbon wire and binding gel. Tieria tried to fight back, but Virtue's GN Cannons were unusable due to the cables hindering it. As Virtue dominated the Tierens, Sergei ordered the Taozi's pilot, Soma Peries, to cut part of the Virtue to prevent it from moving. Left with no other choice, Tieria activated the Nadleeh System, purging Virtue's armor and revealing the GN-004 Gundam Nadleeh. Tieria was freed from the enemy's bonds and began eliminating the Tierens with the VIrtue's GN Cannons. The remaining units of

The Chobu team immediately began to retreat.

Subsequently, Virtue will intervene in an attack against the LRH super soldier institute, while Kyrios enters the Quanqiu colony to destroy the institute, Virtue will destroy the Space Tieren protecting the colony.

After months of armed interventions, Celestial Being will be the target of all the major world powers, in a joint operation in Taklamakan, under the pretext of a terrorist attack to counter. Aware of the traps, Celestial Being will still send its Gundams, the Virtue will fire with its GN Bazooka Burst Mode, in order to create a trench for the Dynames and the Kyrios, the Exia defending the Virtue. For 15 hours, the Meisters will resist attacks, a lull in the bombardments will give the Gundams the opportunity to escape, but squadrons are waiting for them. The Virtue will be attacked with Hellions and an Enact from the AEU, the Hellions use an energy field device to immobilize the Virtue, while he was about to be captured, a red ray will save him, coming from a new Mobile Suit, the GNW-001 Gundam Throne Eins from Team Trinity.

Team Trinity who saved the Gundams from Celestial Being will then take actions larger and more destructive than Celestial Being. These methods will push the Meisters to fight against Team Trinity. Virtue will join Exia in a confrontation against the Trinity, as the Throne Eins and Drei prepared to attack Exia, Virtue intervenes and stops the attack with his Beam Saber, however they manage to trap Virtue. Tieria will then use the Nadleeh and the Trial System to take control of their machines, when he was about to deliver the fatal blow, the system suddenly shut down. The Trinity manage to escape.

Following

actions of Team Trinity, the major economic blocs decide to unite against the Gundams under the United Nations Forces. The United Nations' first action will be to launch Operation Fallen Angels, aimed at destroying the Gundams and Celestial Being. Armed with GNX-603T GN-Xs (donated by Alejandro Corner) the United Nations begin by chasing the Trinity before attacking the Ptolemy, and then send their forces, made up of 19 GN-Xs, to attack. The Gundam Meisters were immediately ordered to launch with their Gundams, and attack the enemy MS. Early on, the GN-Xs clearly showed that they could match the power of the Gundams, one example, a beam shot from GN-X immediately nullified the Virtue's GN Field. Additionally, the UN Forces also outnumbered the Gundams. So in the middle of battle, Virtue was about to launch an attack to destroy one of the GN-X when the connection with Veda was interrupted. Celestial Being had anticipated that Veda would be cut off by the enemy, and attempted to implant a new OS into the Virtue following this cut, but this failed (due to the nature of Tieria) and the Dynames came between the Virtue and the attack of Patrick Collasour's GN-X, taking the damage in place of Virtue, and effectively injuring its pilot Lockon Stratos.

Celestial Being had docked with its Resource Satellite in Lagrange 1 to repair the Ptolemy and make upgrades to the Gundams, with an additional GN Bazooka for the Virtue. During their stay, Tieria and the Meisters were briefed on the mechanics and weaknesses of the Trans-Am system. Tieria and Allelujah used their Gundams to protect the ship. Lockon, on the other hand, was forced to go on hold. Tieria had locked Lockon in his room to prevent him from going into battle. After making a preemptive attack, the Virtue and Kyrios split up to divide the enemy forces. Tieria was able to defend and counterattack against the enemy GN-X forces at first, but was at a disadvantage after receiving damage from the fangs of the Zwei Throne. The fangs managed to destroy one of the Virtue's GN Field emitters.

Tieria activated Virtue's Trans-Am in order to escape, and he used the Burst Mode of his GN Bazooka, but the shot consumed all his particles, he was saved by the Dynames equipped with the GNR-001D GN Armor Type- D.

This first attack will be marked by the death of Lockon Stratos, which will impact the Ptolemy's crew, and Tieria in particular. But the United Nations will not give Celestial Being any respite, and will launch a new attack, with the help of the GNMA-XCVII Alvatore, which will damage the Ptolemy from afar. The overly damaged Virtue will then be stripped of its armor so that the Nadleeh alone can carry out the mission entrusted to it.

Did you know?

• The unit's name is derived from the Greek, Virtues, which is a reference to the fifth rank angels.
• Virtue's armor ejection is similar to Kamen Rider Kabuto's.
• In early concept art, the Virtue was named the "Rook Gundam". Like Virtue, Rook was a heavy bombardment type machine. The idea for the Virtue's ejectable armor actually came about in a "throw" concept that the King Gundam would use, in which an entirely different unit would emerge from inside the Rook Gundam, but the idea did not was used for the Virtue (who in the end gained an ejection ability from his armor) and was given to the Alvatore instead. The Rook Gundam also had large energy reserves and had the ability to transfer this storage to its allies, but only the storage capacity will be used, while the latter concept will be given to Thrones units instead.
• The GN Bazooka's ability to connect directly with the GN Drive is similar to the Doven Wolf's ability to attach its beam rifle to the megaparticle cannons on its torso, but they differ in mechanics.
• On January 27, 2014, Japanese site Gundam.info announced that the Gundam Virtue won an online poll, where fans voted for a future entry in the Real Grade Gunpla line. There has been no follow-up regarding an RG Gundam Virtue from Bandai since.