Dual Magazine No. 11
The red, boiling lava called to the wind. The smell of sulfur hit my nose. Fire Cask, the horrific lava death match.
After killing two enemies, my Berserga was suddenly hit by heavy machine gun fire. Berserga lost his balance and fellonto his back. However, at that moment, Berserga’s monitor still caught that black A.T. lurking in the maze.
He was closing in. A terrible sense of intimidation. Berserga’s retreat was cut off and his pile bunker was broken. What should I do?
(See original story on page 62)
A.T. Mechanism History III
Final episode
Birth of the next mainstay A.T.
Written by: Editorial Department
Illustrations by Kazumi Fujita
A.T. development chart
Request from the editorial department
Of all the A.T.s that have appeared in GAT so far, what is your favorite? Please write what you thought was good on the postcard at the end of this issue. We would like to use it as reference for future special editions.
At last, A.T. mechanism history GAT has reached its final episode. This time, we will explore the A.T.s which will play leading roles on the battlefield in the new war, and the Secret Society-made A.T. that was the prototype.
The Generation of “Light Class”
Equipped with an arm punch and a gliding wheel, the Armored Trooper became functionally bloated, and is being replaced by the “light class.” The light class A.T. was created by going back to basics with mobility in mind.
It became difficult for the medium and heavy classes to respond to urban warfare and attacks against fortresses. Therefore, a smaller body with the same maneuverability as the M class was sought. However, since it had to use the same muscle cylinder as the M class, and still had to be driven by a human, its scale was limited.
In order to meet the demands of a smaller, lighter, more agile body, concepts were incorporated from the Machine Trooper, which was the origin of the A.T.
ATL-01
The ATL-01 was created as an experimental prototype of the L class A.T. Since this unit used the same muscle cylinder as the M class, it reached the specified scale with the internal structure alone. Therefore, full-body armor was not used, and a single hinged plate was installed to cover the exposed portions of the muscle cylinder.
In developing this model, data and design techniques of the past MT-03 and -04 were utilized. This model was used for compatibility tests between a new smaller muscle cylinder and the A.T. body, as well as for development of the conditions necessary for practical application of the L class.
The prototype ATL-01 followed the structure of a conventional MT.
Because the aim was to downsize the entire body, the cockpit was extremely uncomfortable.
ATL-05
This A.T. combined all the techniques cultivated from ATL-01. It was a direct ancestor of the Zwerg. A muscle cylinder developed exclusively for the L class was embedded throughout the body, and armor covered the entire body. Its similarities with M and H classes were as follows…
The main control system and sensor system were organized on the back like a backpack. A waist balancer, developed as part of the foundation technology, eliminated the need to incorporate tilt drive parts between the cockpit and the leg supports. This balancer compensated for the tilt of the body by adjusting the opening angle of the leg supports. These treatments gave the ATL-05 a very different silhouette from that of the M and H classes. However, the detail design had the same concept as the conventional models.
Although the ATL-05 was mass-produced, the war ended without it ever being used in combat. However, the idea of variable functions was established, such as land roller or sand roller, treating them as option units.
XATL-01 DT (Zwerg)
A light class A.T. completed by the Secret Society. ATL-05 was used as the base, and a machine gun was attached to the arm. It also has a sandroader as an optional part, which gives it high maneuverability on sand. However, because option weapons are incompletely equipped, its attack power is low. It has higher mobility than the conventional M class A.T. But only a skilled pilot can maximize its potential.
XATH-02 (Strikedog)
A heavy class A.T. developed by the Secret Society as a special machine for P.S. It is modeled after the A.T.s made on Melkia. It is versatile enough to cope with various battlefields, making possible the collection of data on both the P.S. and the A.T. itself.
It features a rocket engine booster on its back for space operations and an iron claw on its left hand. The accuracy of the muscle cylinder and PRSP packs has been improved to the utmost limit. However, due to the miniaturization of the sensor system and the use of reinforced plastic coated with a metal shell layer for armor, weight has been reduced. Thus, it is much lighter than the Melkian H class A.T.
XATH-02 DT (Rabidlydog)
Based on the data of XATH-02, Wiseman manufactured this A.T. in the automated plant at his station. It is designed for desert use. The basic performance is a tune-up of the 02, but the iron claw has been strengthened and a mine ejection system was added on the back. Its capabilities as a combat weapon have been further strengthened.
XAT is the Gilgameth military code name for an A.T. produced by the Secret Society. It is based on the Melkian-made A.T. with the ATM-09-GC (a modified ST type) being the first model. See issue 9 for the ATM-09-GC and issue 10 for the XATH-01.
The Generation of “BAT”
BATM-03 (Fatty)
An A.T. of the Balarant military, classified as M class. Balarant could not independently develop their own A.T., so it uses the same muscle cylinder mechanism as the early Melkian A.T.s. Therefore, the basic performance is inferior to Melkian A.T.s of the same period.
However, it was originally designed for space battles. Vernier thrusters and vernier nozzles on the back of the legs are the basic equipment.
The Generation of “FX”
FX is the next mainstay A.T., assumed to become the main force on the battlefield approximately five years after the start of the Third Galactic War. Class positions are changing as A.T.s continue to evolve.
ATM-FX1
Since this A.T. is the most complete class, its silhouette is not much different from the A.T.s that preceded it. ATM-FX1 is basically an ATM-09-ST Scope Dog with the characteristics of the Secret Society XAT series. It gave a new direction to the M class A.T., which was being displaced by the L class.
This was a reversal of the development path of the M class A.T., which had been designed for polar warfare and had firearms built into the body. This machine is also equipped with an iron claw, increasing the number of weapons for melee combat. Also, with the improvement of the mission disc, P.S. level combat ability can now be expected of an average person. At this point, relying on P.S. as a strategy has become obsolete.
ATL-FX1
A new A.T. that incorporates the concept of the Secret Society A.T. Zwerg. This is the first time the L class has actually been deployed in combat. The L class A.T. takes advantage of its maneuverability and versatility, taking the position previously held by the M class. In other words, it has become the most popular combat weapon.
ATL-FX1 corresponds to trend of becoming a well-rounded A.T. by selecting sub-units. For this, it was developed as a base unit that can be used on land, at sea, and in space, with a wide range of option parts.
ATH-FX1
Essentially an advanced version of ATH-14-ST Standing Tortoise. Feedback of techniques used by the Secret Society is provided throughout. The H class A.T. uses heavy weapons more frequently, and has gradually assumed the role of a suppression weapon. As a result, long-distance transportability decreased, but mobility within a limited area improved.
ATH-FX1 is a type that fully demonstrates its characteristics. A log gun and missile pod are fixed to the upper arm. Furthermore, it is now possible to attach large weapon units in an interchangeable manner.
BATM-03 BTC
Fatty Battling Custom
An A.T. for Battling, customized by adding Melkian technology to Balarant’s A.T. Fatty. In addition to the basic equipment, an arm punch and a knee control nozzle have been added. It stores a machine gun on the hatch for Real Battle scenarios. It also has a limiter for Battling.
The back propellant tank has also been changed in shape to reduce its volume. Its dedicated gun is a modified heavy machine gun for the ATM-09-ST. Since it has never experienced actual combat, its combat abilities are unknown. However, according to simulation data, its potential is high.
ATH-Q63 BTSII SX
Berserga Battling Special II
Super Execution
The demonic A.T. that caused a rematch between the Gilgameth and Balarant armies. Everything except the sensor system has been upgraded based on the ATH-Q63 BTS. In addition, the leg armor not only provides protection, but also increases stability during roller dash.
Even now, as the battle between both armies continues, it must still be fighting on a battlefield somewhere.
Hey there, Combat Joe Chirico is finally ready!
To anime fans, Combat Joe has never been very popular, but I think you’ll change your mind when you see him as Chirico. Recently, scratch-built figures have become popular everywhere. However, they’re just for viewing purposes and should be enjoyed by looking at them.
If you modify Combat Joe as a base, you can easily change the pose. You can also change helmets, clothes, guns, etc. Please note that this model is not the one shown in issue 9, but is instead a “perfect” version created by Hiroshi Kameyama himself.
Blue Knight Berserga serial novella, part 2
Illustrated by Hiroyuki Hataike
