Technology & Combat Characteristics

The Blondie was the first Machining Skin—a humanoid weapon, equipped with a small nuclear fusion reactor and thermonuclear rocket, based on the design of the giant Quicksilver that Machining Workers used in constructing the space colonies. The nuclear fusion rector makes the Blondie vastly more powerful than the original Machining Worker. With frame and joint components strengthened as far as technology will allow, Machining Skins are able to utilize "knocking," a method of attitude control giving them enhanced maneuverability in outer space. The actuators in the legs allow for swift bipedal movement, although both Machining Workers and Skins suffer from lack of maneuverability in a gravity well. It's easy to see the influence of the Quicksilver design in the upper half of the Blondie. Equipment and armaments on the Blondie can be interchanged to allow for a wide range of functionality. Machining Skins are usually deployed in groups of three, each customized for either demolition, sabotage, or reconnaissance. Initially, around 36 units were produced.

History

Three Blondies are dispatched to attack the space colony Noah, which the cruiser Pegasus had entered to retrieve the Gunboy-Wilbur. They succeeding in killing many of the Pegasus​' crew, but Ling A-bao foresaw the attack and was able to get into the Gunboy-Wilbur's cockpit, and used the Machining Skin to fight back against the Blondies.