[MINI-NOVEL] SF91 CH.02 DIVERSION

The development staff at Anaheim Electronics were confident that the RXF-91, also known as "Silhouette G," had data specifications that were on par with or even superior to SNRI's F91.

F91

Head Height: 15.2m
Base Weight: 7.8t
Full Weight: 19.9t
Generator Output: 4250kW
Thruster Propulsion: 15530kg x 4, 1380kg x 6
Apogee Motors: 51 (8)

RXF-91

Head Height: 15.4m
Base Weight: 8.5t
Full Weight: 21.7t
Generator Output: 4570kW
Thruster Propulsion: 31460 x 2, 19920kg x 1, 4620 kg x 2
Apogee Motors: 50 (6)

　The F-series, also known as the Formula series, had its origins in a proposal by the Strategic Naval Research Institute (SNRI) to the Federation Assembly in UC 0102. The proposal (titled "Recommendations on the Development of Miniaturized Mobile Suits") aimed to develop miniaturized mobile suits in order to reduce the exorbitant costs of their development and redirect the bloated military budget towards colony reconstruction following Char's Rebellion. However, Anaheim Electronics, the company that held a monopoly on the development of high-performance mobile suits, did not immediately accept this proposal.

　Instead of investing in mobile suit development, Anaheim focused on the production of colony materials, space vessels, and small-scale contracts that brought immediate profits. Additionally, the temporary pacification of the anti-Earth Federation movements slowed down the development of new mobile suits. The RGM-89 Jegan's upgrade was sufficient as the mainstay mobile suits for the Federation Forces. Although the exceptional versatility of the Jegan should be acknowledged, it further delayed Anaheim's development of miniaturized mobile suits.

　It took Anaheim five years from the time they began developing small-sized mobile suit for the completion of the RGM-109 Heavygun's first prototype, which should have been the vanguard of the next-generation mobile suits. In the meantime, Buffo Concern completed their small worker mobile suit dubbed the "Dessa Type" using its proprietary technology. Additionally, SNRI, dissatisfied with the performance of the RGM-109, obtained approval from the Federation Assembly to begin its own development and completed a prototype machine, the F90, targeting it as the next mainstay mobile suit in 0111.

　In the following year's military evaluation, the F90 defeated Anaheim's competing prototype, the MSA-0120, and won adoption. 

　However, Anaheim's executives still did not take the situation seriously at that time. This was because they supplied the nuclear fusion reactors, which were the main engine of mobile suits, and both Buffo and SNRI were no exception. It wasn't until around the time when the procurement of F71C Cannon, a support MS, began in 0115 that AE finally began to feel the pressure. This was due to the information that the completion of F91, which could be called the culmination of the F series' performance, was imminent. On the societal front, the movements of the Ronah family, and the repeated piracy using old-type mobile suits, had once again begun to create a sense of unrest and the possibility of war.

　It was inevitable that the development of miniaturized mobile suits would determine the fate of Anaheim Electronics. However, any new machine had to exceed the performance of the F91. Fortunately for AE, the F91 experienced setbacks with the bio-computer adjustments, and full-scale operational testing was stalled. Compounding this, it proved quite easy to infiltrate within the ranks of SNRI for industrial espionage, despite the semi-governmental, semi-private collection of agencies being a strategic research institute of the Federation Forces. 

　As a result of the information obtained through illegal means, the AE-made F91, known as the "RXF-91," was rolled out in August of UC 0122. Subsequently, in November of the same year, operational testing began in space near the "Zebra Zone" on the far side of the moon. Meanwhile, SNRI had relocated the F91 to its Frontier Side, where the bio-computer development division was located, due to flaws in the head computer replacement. At the same time, the F91 and its silhouette, the "RXF-91," were about to take flight...

　Comparing the "F91" and the "RXF-91" based solely on appearance and data specifications, it would be difficult to find any differences. However, the "RXF-91" had a weakness in that it was ultimately just a silhouette, and this is where SNRI's technological prowess came into play. They were able to control the propulsion units mounted on the limited space on the mobile suit and could be controlled with the aid of a bio-computer. This system was, in essence, a step above the psycommu, allowing pilots to manipulate the propulsion system much like they would their own bodies. AE didn't have such advanced computer technology capable of this level of control.

　Furthermore, AE only acquired SNRI's fire control system from the F90. The only technology that flowed back to AE was the fire control system, which alone was insufficient to develop a mobile suit that could rival the F91. Even the large-caliber beam cannon mounted on the RGM-111's backpack was made practical only because of this fire control system.

　Another problem was that the "RXF-91" wasn't a military prototype but an in-house experimental suit for AE. The real focus was on the "RX-91," which would be completed later, so this was merely a stepping stone towards restoring AE's credibility with the military. After the RGM-109 debacle, AE needed to regain the military's trust.

　The "RXF-91" had to be developed on a limited budget, so some parts, such as the internal frame, were reused from the RGM-109. Because of the installation of a generator (a fusion reactor) that outputted more than 1,000 kW, there was a weakness in its durability against excessive output. Of course, the crew of the Braywood knew that this was an acceptable weakness for an experimental machine, and not one of them imagined that this machine would ever be deployed in actual combat.

　The captain of the Braywood, Aitor Horst, tried to send a communication to Anaheim headquarters alerting them of the situation, but it was already too late. The Dark Tiger team had completed their dispersion of Minovsky particles around the Zebra Zone. 

　"Karl, it would be wise to consider this the precursor to a counterattack from the red MS we just saw," the Admiral said.

　"Admiral, we need to prepare for battle immediately! If necessary, I too can pilot a mobile suit..." replied Karl Spitz, who had fought as a Neo Zeon mobile suit pilot during the events of the Gryps War. 

　Aitor Horst, on the other hand, was only a former Federation Forces Captain, and his experience was that of a minesweeper ship captain at best. Although he was the superior officer in terms of his position, Karl always had the feeling that he was superior to him when it came to mobile suits. But in the end, he was just an underdog. At times, it made him feel pitiful to be glorifying him as an 'Admiral' when he was just a captain. 

　"Hold on, Spitz. Both the RXF-91 and the Hardygun are experimental suits. We can't risk them in actual combat."

　Chief Engineer Eisner's unease about the upcoming battle was evident, but Orlando was quick to offer a solution.

　"Chief, neither the RXF-91 nor the RGM-111 are far from fragile machines. They can be equipped with combat-ready gear in less than five minutes."

　"Orlando, that may be true for the RGM-111, but there's only one RXF-91 in existence at Anaheim. If it gets heavily damaged in a fight with these pirates, how are we going to explain it to the folks at headquarters?"

　Ensign Randall felt helpless as he listened to the conversation between Chief Engineer Eisner and Iris Orlando. 

　"If it's just a test, I can handle it, but if it's actual combat, it's my job. So if you entrust me with this RXF-91, I'll definitely return it without a scratch."

　Eisner hesitated, "Randall, are you sure you can handle it? You don't have that much combat experience yet..."

　"Chief Engineer, he can do it... I believe in him," said Iris Orlando.

　Iris Orlando's father, William C. Orlando, was also a mobile suit pilot exclusively for Anaheim. Since the late UC 0090s, he had served as a senior test pilot for the company, making significant contributions to the practical testing for the RGM-109 as well as the modifications to the RGM-89 (J, R, and M types). On June 20, UC 0111, he died in an accident during the test of the prototype MSA-120, which aimed to be the next mainstay mobile suit. It happened on his thirty-sixth birthday, and Iris had just turned nine.

　"Chief Engineer, is the F71B operational? I feel more comfortable with it than the Hardygun..." 

　"Commander, after this test, if you go to SNRI..." Iris's sarcasm was sharp, and Karl Spitz's expression became stern.

　"Randall, I'll let you take the lead. Show us what a soldier can do! I'll support you from the rear with this F71B... and Kevin, you can sit on the bridge and watch!"

　"This is no joke. Even if you don't have any military experience, the enemy is just a bunch of pirates, aren't they? Besides, even if they call it a new model, it's just a mobile suit from Buffo."

　"Enough with the chatter... you can do that from the cockpit!"

　The three mobile suits, the RXF-91, F71B, and RGM-111, raced towards the launch catapult from the hanger, ready for battle. As they rocketed off into the dark void, Iris monitored their progress from the bridge, fingers flying over here keyboard.

　"From OMS723986 to IW C-115600... Wait, the output of the D Vernier exceeds 300kW... This is bad. There's a crack in the frame supporting the generator and cockpit block..."

　"In that case, it could self-destruct..."

　"I'll try to figure out the adjustment data before we receive the transmission from Tokio..."

　Under the influence of Minovsky particles, longer wavelength waves are more susceptible to interference than ultra-microwaves. Laser detectors are effective for detecting small targets and measuring distances for shooting.

　"It looks like our little pirate friends are here. Cut off comms and get into combat formation. Kevin and I will wait here, while Randall performs an upward inversion and attacks the enemy with a hit and fade. Got it?!"  

　Commander Karl's booming voice echoed inside the cockpit of the RXF-91 through their contact communication.

　"Copy that!"

　Using the AMBAC functions to control the two VSBR (Variable Speed Beam Rifle) protruding from its back, and the RXF-91 executed a smooth inversion. 

　As it disappeared from Kevin and Karl's view, four crimson-colored mobile suits emerged. 

　"Commander, the one from earlier is here too, but the rest are all different in form. When did Buffo... Forget that. They're all so flashy with their red bodies..."

　"Kevin, as always, you talk way too much."

　In combat under the influence of Minovsky particles, the visuals on a panoramic monitor captured by the main camera have a significant impact compared to HUD and CRT displays. It's as if the world has become an aerial battle with reciprocating aircraft during World War II. But the more flashy the color of the aircraft, the more it serves as a means to identify allies, similar to biplanes in World War I.

　The formation was led by Lieutenant Shelf Sheffield's XM-05B Berga Barus, with one XM-01 Den'an Zon and two XM-02 Den'an Gei. Of course, the Den'an Zon's pilot was none other than Morris O'Barry, whom they had encountered earlier.

　Suddenly, the right arm of the Den'an Gei on the left flank exploded. The attacking RXF-91 quickly evaded.

　"Kevin, now! Fire the beam cannon!" 

　The beam cannons of the RGM-111 and F71B flashed. One more Den'an Gei suffered minor damage. It disappeared with the Den'an Gei that lost its right arm.

　Ensign O'Barry's Den'an Zon tears after the RXF-91 in a fit of rage, firing off the machine gun mounted in the shot lancer. The pilot was a novice, which meant he would tend to shoot too fast. O'Barry was inexperienced.

　However, Tokio was not much better. The RXF-91 had no time to deploy its beam shield and fired the mega machine cannon on its shoulder. The bullets from the cannon tore into the exposed power cables, the weakness of the Den'an Zon, causing it to lose balance and begin to falter. Then the fusion reactor detonated when it was barely visible. 

　"I did it... but someone died, didn't they... I had no choice... he fired at me... and I did what the commander told me to do!"

　Tokio D. Randall was greatly confused by his first shootdown.

　The Berga Barus, which had repositioned itself behind the RXF-91, was rapidly approaching.

To be continued...