MO-III

MO-III was an asteroid base that appeared in Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Endless Waltz. Used by the Mariemaia Army as a staging point during the Mariemaia Incident in AC 196, the base served as the deployment platform for the Earth invasion after the Gundam pilots stabilized Colony X-18999 and prevented the colony drop. Zechs Merquise, operating as “Preventer Wind” in the OZ-00MS2B Tallgeese III, destroyed the base using the Tallgeese III’s mega cannon at maximum output, though Dekim Barton escaped before the base’s destruction.

Overview

MO-III represented the Mariemaia Army’s fallback position—a secondary base allowing them to continue operations even after losing control of X-18999. Its role as the deployment platform for Earth invasion demonstrated the Barton Foundation’s multi-layered planning, with contingencies in case the colony drop failed.

History

Mariemaia Army occupation (AC 196)

The Mariemaia Army occupied MO-III asteroid base as part of their preparation for the Mariemaia Incident. The base’s location in Earth orbit made it an ideal staging point for deploying forces to the planet’s surface.

After the Gundam pilots stabilized Colony X-18999 and prevented Dekim Barton’s colony drop, the Mariemaia Army’s main force relocated to MO-III. From this asteroid base, they launched their invasion of Earth, with transport vessels carrying over 400 Serpent mobile suits descending to Brussels.

Destruction (24 December AC 196)

As the Mariemaia Army deployed from MO-III to Earth, Zechs Merquise, operating as “Preventer Wind,” piloted the Tallgeese III to intercept. He destroyed the first wave of transport vessels with the Tallgeese III’s mega cannon, demonstrating the weapon’s devastating power.

Zechs then positioned to destroy MO-III itself, which would have prevented the entire invasion. However, Dekim Barton threatened to drop Colony X-18999 onto Earth, completing the original Operation Meteor. With no choice, Zechs allowed the remaining transports to pass, prioritizing prevention of the colony drop over destroying the base.

After the Gundam pilots (Heero Yuy, Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton) stabilized X-18999, Zechs returned to MO-III and destroyed the base using the Tallgeese III’s mega cannon at maximum output mode. The base was completely annihilated in a single shot, though Dekim Barton managed to escape before the destruction.

Infrastructure

As an asteroid base, MO-III provided:

Military facilities:

Mobile suit storage and deployment systems
Transport vessel docking bays
Command and control centres

Strategic location:

Positioned in Earth orbit
Ideal staging point for planetary invasion
Close enough to threaten colony drop

The base’s destruction eliminated the Mariemaia Army’s orbital presence, though their forces already deployed to Brussels continued the occupation until Dekim’s death.

Tactical significance

MO-III served as a crucial link in the Mariemaia Army’s invasion plan:

Primary plan: Drop X-18999 to devastate Earth
Contingency: Deploy from MO-III if colony drop prevented
Outcome: Contingency executed, base destroyed post-deployment

The base’s role demonstrated the Barton Foundation’s sophisticated military planning, with layered strategies accounting for potential setbacks.

Destruction method

The Tallgeese III’s mega cannon destroyed MO-III in a single shot using maximum output mode. This demonstration of the Tallgeese III’s power showcased the mobile suit’s capability to eliminate strategic targets, though it required precision timing and positioning to execute.

The destruction occurred after the Mariemaia Army’s main force had already deployed to Earth, limiting its tactical impact on the Brussels invasion but eliminating their orbital retreat option.

Behind the scenes

MO-III served as a plot device demonstrating the Tallgeese III’s destructive capability. The base’s single-shot destruction established the mega cannon’s power whilst removing the Mariemaia Army’s orbital presence.

The asteroid base’s designation “MO-III” suggested a series of similar facilities, though MO-I and MO-II (if they existed) were never mentioned in the series.

Appearances

MO-III appeared in:

External links

MO-III on the Gundam Wiki