Grave is a secret organization within the Earth Federation Forces that was introduced in Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story: Missing Link.
Overview[]
After the Earth Federation Forces began mass production of the RGM-79 GM, the focus of its mobile suit development efforts turned to developing next-generation machines using the most advanced technology available at the time and an open-ended budget. To this end, the mobile suit research organization Grave was created. While Grave nominally operated under the authority and oversight of General Johann Abraham Revil, in truth it was almost entirely independent from the EFF chain of command and had free rein to pursue its mandate, even to the point of utilizing unethical methods such as human cybernetic experimentation and employing children as expendable test pilots. Grave constructed a private research and development facility within Jaburo, where its mobile suits were produced.
Using the RX-80, a one-of-a-kind experimental high-spec mobile suit frame that was deemed impractical and mothballed, and the EXAM System as a base, Grave launched the Pale Rider Project, which produced four prototypes: the RX-80WR White Rider, RX-80RR Red Rider, RX-80BR Black Rider, and RX-80PR Pale Rider. The original RX-80 unit was retrofitted into the Pale Rider using data collected from the other three units, which were used to test various mobile suit systems and weapons. White Rider, the first completed prototype, was primarily a platform to test the ZEUS fire control assistance system. Red Rider, the second prototype, possessed capabilities that closely matched the finalized design of the Pale Rider and was intended to gather operational data from testing in live combat; Red Rider was installed with the ARES system, an AI which could disengage the machine's limiters and assume temporary control from the pilot. The third prototype, Black Rider, served as a testbed for special equipment, including the Steelyard electronic warfare suite and an experimental optical camouflage system; Black Rider was installed with the THEMIS system, a simplified iteration of the HADES system that was created for Pale Rider from EXAM. HADES itself was designed to operate Pale Rider semi-autonomously and demonstrate performance levels far surpassing what its human pilot could achieve alone.
Once Grave completed testing and finished work on the Pale Rider, the other three prototypes were distributed to EFF units in the final stages of the One Year War. White Rider and Black Rider were sent to the Black Dog Squad, which participated in the North American counteroffensive against the Principality of Zeon occupation. Red Rider remained with Aggressor Squadron, which had acquired the unit in November of U.C. 0079 and deployed it extensively in battles across South America and outer space. Pale Rider was deployed in various black ops missions until it was destroyed in the Battle of A Baoa Qu by Zeon's Marchosias Team, and the remains were later obtained by Newborn Neo Zeon and used to build the AMX-018［HADES］ Todesritter in U.C. 0090.
Known Members[]
- Ensign Chloe Croce (Pale Rider's designated pilot)
- Colonel Lim Bergenholm (Red Rider's designer and chief engineer)
- Corporal Frankie Kruger (Red Rider's primary designated pilot)
- Tanya (Red Rider's original test pilot)
- Hangman
- Smiley
- Snowman
References[]