NZ-666 Kshatriya Besserung
Field repair Newtype-use mobile suit captured and partially repaired by the Earth Federation.
The NZ-666 Kshatriya Besserung was a field repair Newtype-use mobile suit captured and partially repaired by the Earth Federation during the Laplace Incident.
The “Besserung” designation comes from the German word meaning “improvement”, “amelioration”, or “recovery”, reflecting the mobile suit’s status as an improvised repair of the original Kshatriya.
History
During the Battle of Palau, Marida Cruz’s NZ-666 Kshatriya was heavily damaged by Banagher Links’ RX-0 Unicorn Gundam and captured by the Londo Bell ship Nahel Argama. The severely damaged mobile suit presented an opportunity for Federation engineers to study Neo Zeon’s advanced psychoframe technology.
Following its defeat and capture by Londo Bell, the Kshatriya was stripped of its weapons and armour so its frame and structure could be studied by the crew of the Nahel Argama. As part of an alliance with Suberoa Zinnerman’s Neo Zeon faction, the Nahel Argama’s engineers conducted partial field repairs and renamed the suit Kshatriya Besserung.
The suit’s partially severed right leg was replaced with a makeshift leg. Only one of the four binder wings remained intact, and all funnels were destroyed in combat. Despite these severe limitations, the Besserung proved that even in its damaged state, the Kshatriya’s frame retained considerable combat potential.
The Kshatriya Besserung served as an intermediate stage between the original mobile suit and its eventual restoration. Once repairs were completed, the suit was again renamed as the Kshatriya Repaired.
Design
The NZ-666 Kshatriya Besserung represented a fascinating example of battlefield improvisation and cross-factional cooperation. The mobile suit retained the basic frame and core systems of the original NZ-666 Kshatriya, but in a severely compromised state that required creative engineering solutions.
The Kshatriya Besserung was the partially dismantled form of the NZ-666 Kshatriya. The mobile suit’s distinctive four-winged silhouette was dramatically altered, with only one wing binder remaining functional. The absence of the other three binders not only reduced the mobile suit’s firepower significantly but also affected its mobility and overall combat effectiveness.
The mobile suit retained its psychoframe cockpit, allowing Marida Cruz to continue piloting the unit despite its damaged state. The panoramic monitor and linear seat configuration remained unchanged, providing the pilot with the same level of situational awareness as the original Kshatriya.
Armaments
The Kshatriya Besserung’s armament was severely reduced compared to the original mobile suit, reflecting the extensive damage it had sustained and the limited repair facilities available.
Mega particle cannons
The mobile suit retained four mega particle cannons mounted on its chest. These weapons provided the Besserung with its primary offensive capability, though their effectiveness was limited by the loss of the mobile suit’s binder-mounted cannons.
Binder mega particle cannons
Only one of the four binder wings remained intact, meaning the Besserung retained only two of the original eight binder-mounted mega particle cannons. This significant reduction in firepower made the mobile suit far less formidable than its predecessor.
I-field generator
The remaining binder retained its I-field generator, providing the Kshatriya Besserung with limited defensive capabilities against beam weapons. However, the loss of the other three generators significantly reduced the mobile suit’s overall defensive coverage.
Machine cannons
A pair of machine cannons mounted in the torso between the mega particle cannons provided the mobile suit with close-range defensive capabilities. These rapid-firing projectile weapons were primarily used for restricting enemy movements.
Beam saber/gun
The mobile suit retained at least one beam saber/gun stored in the recharge racks in its forearms. This weapon could function as both a melee weapon and a ranged beam gun, providing versatility in combat situations.
Combat performance
Despite its current state, the Kshatriya Besserung was able to temporarily pin down the YAMS-132 Rozen Zulu in a surprise attack. This engagement demonstrated that even in its severely damaged condition, the mobile suit remained a formidable opponent when piloted by an experienced Newtype like Marida Cruz.
The Kshatriya Besserung was never used in actual combat, but it was able to pin down the YAMS-132 Rozen Zulu during a brief confrontation in the ship’s hangar. This confrontation highlighted the mobile suit’s remaining capabilities and Marida’s exceptional piloting skills.
Known pilots
- Marida Cruz (aka Ple Twelve)
Behind the scenes
Hajime Katoki was the original mechanical designer. The Besserung represented an intermediate design stage that showcased the practical challenges of mobile suit maintenance and repair during extended military campaigns.
Appearances
See also
External links
- NZ-666 Kshatriya Besserung on the Gundam Wiki
- NZ-666 Kshatriya Besserung on MAHQ