Melord – MechaBay | Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

The Melord was a Garuda-class stratospheric mobile suit transport plane operated by the Titans during the Gryps Conflict. Commanded by Jerid Messa, it was deployed in November UC 0087 in a failed attempt to intercept the AEUG-controlled Audhumla during its journey across Africa.

History

The Melord was one of six Garuda-class aircraft constructed by the Earth Federation Forces as part of the Garuda Initiative, a strategic defence programme that divided Earth into six air defence zones. Each zone was assigned a Garuda-class transport to provide rapid mobile suit deployment capability across the planet.

African pursuit operation

In November UC 0087, the Melord was assigned a critical mission under the command of Titans officer Jerid Messa. The aircraft was tasked with pursuing the AEUG-controlled Audhumla as it travelled across the African continent towards the Earth Federation’s capital at Dakar.

This operation was part of the Titans’ broader strategy to prevent AEUG forces from reaching Dakar, where the Federation Assembly was scheduled to convene. The Titans were particularly concerned about the potential for AEUG to present evidence of Titans war crimes to the assembled delegates, which could severely undermine their political position.

Engagement with Karaba forces

During the pursuit across Africa, the Melord encountered fierce resistance from Karaba forces supporting the Audhumla. The most significant threat came from veteran pilot Amuro Ray, who deployed in his MSK-008 Dijeh mobile suit to defend the AEUG transport.

Amuro’s combat experience and exceptional piloting skills proved decisive in the engagement. Using the Dijeh’s capabilities to their fullest extent, he managed to inflict heavy damage on the Melord’s systems and structure. The damage was so severe that the massive aircraft was forced to abandon its pursuit of the Audhumla, allowing the AEUG transport to continue its crucial mission to Dakar.

Operational failure

The Melord’s failure to intercept the Audhumla had significant strategic consequences for the Titans. The AEUG successfully reached Dakar, where Quattro Bajeena (revealed to be Char Aznable) presented damning evidence of Titans atrocities to the Earth Federation Assembly. This revelation turned political opinion against the Titans and marked a crucial turning point in the Gryps Conflict.

Design

The Melord shared the same revolutionary design as all Garuda-class aircraft, representing the pinnacle of atmospheric transport technology in UC 0087. The massive aircraft was specifically designed to operate in the stratosphere, where it could remain aloft for extended periods while serving as a mobile platform for rapid mobile suit deployment.

Atmospheric operations

The Garuda-class design drew inspiration from the Principality of Zeon’s Gaw atmospheric attack carriers from the One Year War, but represented a significant advancement in both scale and capability. The Federation’s engineers had studied captured Zeon technology and created a transport that far exceeded the original design’s capabilities.

The Melord’s ten jet engines provided the enormous thrust required to keep the aircraft airborne despite its massive 9,800-tonne gross weight. The aircraft lacked dedicated VTOL capabilities, requiring either reinforced runways or the ocean surface for takeoff and landing operations. This limitation meant that only specially prepared facilities could service Garuda-class aircraft.

Mobile suit complement

The aircraft was designed to carry up to 20 mobile suits in its spacious internal hangars. The Melord featured multiple deployment options, including a forward catapult beneath the bridge for rapid launches, large doors under each wing for mid-flight deployment, and a massive rear cargo bay that served as the primary loading facility.

In addition to mobile suits, the aircraft could transport numerous sub-flight systems such as Base Jabber and Dodai Kai units. When operating in a transport role, the vast interior could accommodate hundreds of personnel, making it invaluable for large-scale military operations.

Defensive systems

The Melord’s armament consisted of ten 2-barrel laser gun turrets strategically mounted across the aircraft’s hull. These weapons provided point defence against incoming aircraft and missiles, but the aircraft’s primary protection came from its mobile suit complement.

The defensive philosophy of the Garuda-class emphasised the rapid deployment of mobile suits to establish a protective perimeter around the aircraft. This approach proved vulnerable when faced with skilled enemy pilots like Amuro Ray, who could engage the aircraft directly before its mobile suits could be effectively deployed.

Command structure

Jerid Messa

Jerid Messa commanded the Melord during its pursuit of the Audhumla across Africa. A rising Titans officer known for his rivalry with Kamille Bidan, Messa was selected for this critical mission due to his combat experience and tactical acumen.

However, Messa’s leadership was tested when the Melord encountered Amuro Ray in the Dijeh. Despite the advantages provided by the massive aircraft and its mobile suit complement, Messa was unable to prevent the severe damage inflicted by the legendary One Year War ace. This failure highlighted the limitations of relying solely on superior numbers and equipment when facing exceptional enemy pilots.

The engagement demonstrated both the potential and the vulnerabilities of the Garuda-class design, showing that even the most advanced military platforms could be neutralised by skilled opposition with appropriate tactics.

Strategic significance

The Melord’s failed mission represented a crucial moment in the Gryps Conflict, as it allowed AEUG forces to reach Dakar and present evidence of Titans war crimes to the Earth Federation Assembly. This political victory proved as significant as any military engagement, fundamentally altering the course of the conflict.

The incident also demonstrated the importance of air superiority in the post-One Year War era. Control of massive platforms like the Garuda-class aircraft could provide significant strategic advantages, but only if they could be adequately protected from enemy mobile suits and experienced pilots.

Behind the scenes

The Melord was designed by Fujita Kazumi, who was responsible for many of the distinctive mechanical designs in Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. Fujita’s work on the Garuda-class aircraft showcased his ability to create massive, imposing vehicles that served both practical and narrative functions within the series.

The name “Melord” possibly derives from the English word “milord,” an archaic term meaning “my lord” used when addressing nobility. This naming convention fits with the somewhat grandiose approach to vessel names common in the Gundam universe, where ships often carry names suggesting power and authority.

The aircraft’s defeat by Amuro Ray served an important narrative purpose, demonstrating that even the most advanced military hardware of the UC 0087 era could not overcome the skill and experience of the legendary pilots from the One Year War. This reinforced the series’ themes about the importance of human capability over pure technological superiority.

Appearances

Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam

External links

Garuda class (Melord) on MAHQ
Garuda-class on the Gundam Wiki