Technology & Combat Characteristics
The MS-14J/BR Gelgoog Vertex was a mobile suit produced as part of Anaheim Electronics (AE)’ Vertex Project, a major mobile suit development program for the Chimera Corps in U.C. 0090. The basic concept and lead development were overseen by Rimia Greenwood of the Federation Survey Service, with assistance from her sister, Amalia. The actual design, development, and manufacturing were carried out by AE’s 2nd Research Division, the same team responsible for the Rick Dias and several other mobile suits.
Based on data from Char’s Dijeh—with its Psycommu system activated—left behind in Led’s Gelgoog, which was recovered after the battle in the Confeito sector, the mobile suit was required to be developed within a short timeframe while retaining the necessary specifications to counter the Dijeh as a hypothetical enemy unit. To significantly reduce the verification and development period for new components, the basic design incorporated data from Neo Zeon mobile suit models provided by Anaheim Electronics. This data had been supplied in advance by Hugwald Samatar as part of an arrangement with Haman Karn, which stipulated that Anaheim would handle military production in the event of a Neo Zeon victory.
The main body of the unit is an upgraded version of the advanced MS-14BR Gelgoog High Mobility R Type, which had been unofficially supplied to the Chimera Corps by Anaheim. Its frame structure was revised, and the armor material was replaced with the Gundarium alloy familiar to the 2nd Research Division. The number of thrusters on the rear waist armor was increased to five, similar to the Regelgu’s configuration. Originally, both forearm armors were equipped with beam guns like those of the Regelgu, but these were later replaced with grenade launchers.
History
After Led Wayline was defeated by Char Aznable's Custom Dijeh at Confeito, Rimia Greenwood decided to design a mobile suit capable of defeating Char. The result was the Gelgoog Vertex, a mobile suit envisioned as the next generation main mobile suit for the Chimera Corps. The simulated prototype was tested by Cristobal Rutherford, who commented that it was an amazing machine.
Later, an actual unit – the Vertex Testarossa, envisioned as Johnny Ridden's unit – was test-flied above Granada. After testing, all three Gelgoog Vertex units were transported—disguised as construction materials—and delivered to the Garden of Thorns, the base of operations for the FSS and Chimera Corps. Assigned to the Chimera 1st Platoon, which was stationed aboard the Argama-class ship Nikaya, each unit launched using a Type-89 Base Jabber to commence the operation to capture the Minaret, anchored in the former A Baoa Qu sector. They then used the Gelgoog Vertex Xanthos’s laser key to disable the Minaret’s defense system.