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The PMX-000 Messala: A Formidable Mobile Armor

The PMX-000 Messala is a powerful transformable mobile armor introduced in the anime series Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. This impressive machine was personally produced by the skilled Newtype Paptimus Scirocco on board the transport ship Jupitris. As the first of five mobile weapons created by Scirocco, the Messala boasts exceptional speed, agility, and firepower.

Design and Capabilities

The Messala is designed to operate in the atmosphere of Jupiter, which requires it to have powerful thrusters to counter the planet’s high gravitational pull. This feature makes it extremely fast and agile when used under Earth’s atmosphere. The mobile armor is heavily armed with a pair of mega particle cannons, two missile pods, two beam sabers, two arm claws containing grenade launchers and vulcan guns, and two leg claws. These weapons make the Messala a formidable opponent in both close and long-range combat.

History

The Messala was first used by Scirocco to attack the shuttle Temptation under the command of Bright Noa. During this battle, it engaged in a short but intense fight with the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II piloted by Kamille Bidan and the MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki piloted by Quattro Bajeena. Scirocco later used the Messala as a vanguard for the Titans’ fleet during the AEUG’s orbital drop operation to attack Jaburo. The mobile armor’s incredible speed and power allowed it to sink several of the AEUG’s Salamis Kai-class cruisers.

Pilots and Later Engagements

The Messala was subsequently piloted by young Scirocco follower Sarah Zabiarov and later by AEUG defector Reccoa Londe. Towards the end of the Gryps conflict, with Scirocco piloting the PMX-003 The O, Sarah piloting the PMX-002 Bolinoak Sammahn, and Reccoa piloting the PMX-001 Palace Athene, the Messala was left without a pilot, forcing it to sit out the final battle of Gryps 2. The mobile armor’s fate remains unknown after that.

Specifications

• Unit Type: Prototype Transformable Assault Mobile Armor
• Overall Height: 30.3 meters
• Head Height: 23.0 meters
• Max Weight: 89.1 metric tons
• Empty Weight: 37.3 metric tons
• Power-plant: Minovsky Ultracompact Fusion Reactor
• Armor: Gundarium Alloy
• Max Acceleration: 1.08 G
• Mass Ratio: 1.97
• Rocket Thrusters: 6 x 16000 kg (main thrusters only; total thrust unknown)
• Vernier Thrusters: 8

Armaments

• Beam Saber
• Mega Particle Cannon
• 9-tube Missile Pod
• Arm Claw (with grenade launchers and vulcan guns)
• Leg Claw

The PMX-000 Messala is an iconic mobile armor in the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam series, known for its impressive speed, firepower, and versatility. Its legacy continues to inspire mobile suit designers and pilots alike.