Apsalus I
The first phase of the Apsalus Project involved creating the massive mobile armor that could operate in the upper atmosphere or low-Earth space orbit. To achieve atmospheric flight the Apsalus used the Minovsky Craft System, which created a highly concentrated cushion of Minovsky Particles between the mobile armor and the Earth, providing lift.
The Apsalus I, built in a Zeon mountain base in Southeast Asia, served as the test-bed for the Minovsky Craft System. Built with many spare parts from old Zakus (even featuring the head and its monoeye instead of a larger, MA style monoeye), the Apsalus required a very powerful generator to run its Minovsky Craft System. Built under the direct supervision of Ginias Sahalin, the Apsalus I would be piloted by his sister, Aina Sahalin, on its test flight. During flight tests the Apsalus I was proved to be flight capable, but the generators output was not sufficient enough to keep the Apsalus I at a stable height. Due to its role as a test unit the Apsalus I had no armaments, but it was able to manipulate the Minovsky Craft System to release powerful energy pulses over a short area that could be used as a defensive ability.
During one test flight the Apsalus I lost altitude and was severely damaged when it came under attack from the Earth Federation Forces 08th Mobile Suit Team, which was on a routine patrol through the area. Heavily damaged, the Apsalus I later crash landed in a small village where it stayed until it was repaired and was flown back to the Zeonic mountain base.
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