Bernadette Briett

Bernadette Briett (ベルナデット・ブリエット, Berunadetto Burietto), often called “Bell”, was a mobile suit pilot who fought alongside Tobia Arronax in the reformed Crossbone Vanguard during conflicts against the Jupiter Empire in the Universal Century 0130s. As both combat partner and romantic interest to Tobia, Bernadette represented the personal relationships that sustained resistance fighters during extended conflicts far from Earth.

Biography

Joining Crossbone Vanguard

Bernadette joined the reformed Crossbone Vanguard before Tobia Arronax’s involvement, making her more experienced in both the organization’s operations and mobile suit combat. Unlike the aristocratic Crossbone Vanguard of UC 0123 that had invaded Frontier Side, this new iteration operated as anti-piracy and resistance force in the Jupiter sphere.

Her background and reasons for joining the Vanguard reflected the diverse motivations of those operating far from Earth’s authority:

Opposition to Jupiter Empire’s expansionist ambitions
Belief in reformed Vanguard’s protective mission
Personal experiences that led her to military service
Commitment to defending Jupiter sphere colonists

Mobile Suit Pilot

Bernadette piloted mobile suits in combat against Jupiter Empire forces, demonstrating competence that made her valuable asset to the Vanguard. Her experience and calm under pressure contrasted with Tobia’s initial inexperience and fear, though she remained supportive mentor-figure to the younger pilot as he developed his abilities.

Her piloting style emphasized:

Tactical awareness and battlefield coordination
Supporting teammates rather than solo heroics
Practical combat effectiveness over dramatic manoeuvres
Survival and mission completion over glory

Relationship with Tobia

Bernadette’s relationship with Tobia Arronax developed from professional partnership into romantic connection. She served multiple roles for Tobia:

Combat Partner:

Coordinated mobile suit operations
Provided tactical support during battles
Protected him when his inexperience left him vulnerable
Taught practical combat lessons

Emotional Support:

Helped Tobia process the psychological impact of warfare
Provided stability and normalcy amid conflict
Offered hope for life beyond constant combat
Represented what he fought to protect

Romantic Interest:

Their relationship developed naturally through shared danger
Provided emotional stakes beyond abstract political conflicts
Created mutual concern that motivated both to survive
Represented possibility of future beyond war

Their relationship was healthier than many Universal Century wartime romances – both survived to maintain their connection, avoiding the tragic separations that defined earlier UC couples.

Jupiter Sphere Operations

Bernadette participated in extended operations throughout the Jupiter sphere, facing:

Jupiter Empire’s advanced mobile suits
Environmental challenges of Jupiter’s intense gravity and radiation
Supply constraints far from Earth manufacturing
Political complexity of Jupiter sphere colonist factions
Extended deployments without reinforcement or resupply

These operations tested her endurance and commitment, demonstrating that effective military service required more than combat ability – it demanded psychological resilience for sustained conflict in isolated conditions.

Later Service

Bernadette continued serving in Crossbone Vanguard operations depicted in sequel manga, remaining active combatant alongside Tobia through multiple conflicts. Her sustained service demonstrated professional soldier commitment rather than temporary wartime involvement, making her career military figure within the Vanguard’s structure.

Personality

Bernadette was characterized by:

Competence: Reliable pilot who executed missions effectively
Maturity: More emotionally stable than many younger pilots
Loyalty: Committed to Crossbone Vanguard’s mission and teammates
Compassion: Supported Tobia’s emotional development without condescension
Pragmatism: Understood warfare’s realities without becoming cynical

Her personality balanced combat effectiveness with maintained humanity, demonstrating that professional soldiers could remain emotionally healthy.

Significance

Bernadette’s character represented:

Female Combat Pilot

As capable female mobile suit pilot, Bernadette continued Universal Century tradition of women as effective combatants rather than support roles. Unlike some earlier female pilots defined primarily by relationships with male protagonists, Bernadette had independent military competence whilst also having romantic relationship.

Healthy Relationship

Bernadette and Tobia’s relationship was notably healthier than many UC wartime romances:

No major betrayals or conflicting loyalties
Mutual support rather than dependency
Both survived to maintain relationship
Emotional stability rather than constant drama

This provided alternative to tragic romance pattern common in Gundam narratives.

Professional Military Service

Bernadette represented professional military service rather than civilian-thrust-into-combat. Her sustained career demonstrated that effective military organizations required experienced professionals alongside talented newcomers, balancing institutional knowledge with adaptability.

Jupiter Sphere Expansion

As character in Jupiter sphere conflicts, Bernadette helped establish that region as distinct political and military environment beyond Earth-space dynamics that dominated earlier UC timeline.

Behind the Scenes

Bernadette Briett was created by manga author Hasegawa Yuichi for Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam. Hasegawa designed her as counterpoint to Tobia Arronax – where Tobia was inexperienced civilian thrust into combat, Bernadette was competent professional who could mentor whilst developing romantic relationship.

The decision to make Bernadette experienced pilot rather than civilian love interest differentiated her from some earlier Gundam heroines. Hasegawa wanted to show that effective military units included experienced women as combatants, not just male pilots with female support staff.

Her relationship with Tobia was designed to be healthier than typical Gundam romances. Hasegawa noted that not all wartime relationships needed to end tragically – some people found emotional anchors that helped them survive and maintain humanity despite conflict.

Her nickname “Bell” provided informal familiarity that contrasted with military formality, reinforcing that Crossbone Vanguard’s reformed iteration was less rigid than traditional military hierarchies.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam
Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Skull Heart
Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: The Steel Seven
Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: Ghost

External links

Bernadette Briett on the Gundam Wiki