The Hermes Rose Gundam, while not a direct, physical mobile suit, represents a far more insidious and powerful force within the universe of *Gundam Reconguista in G*: the Hermes Foundation. This seemingly innocuous organization holds a chokehold on critical resources that dictate the very flow of technology and, consequently, power throughout the solar system. Understanding the Hermes Rose Gundam requires a deep dive into the Hermes Foundation, its origins, its influence, and its potential role as a silent antagonist in the ongoing struggle for control of space and Earth.
The Hermes Foundation: A Monopoly Forged in Towasanga
The Hermes Foundation's name hints at its connection to the ancient Greek deity Hermes, messenger of the gods and associated with commerce, trade, and trickery. This association isn't accidental. The Foundation, while ostensibly a philanthropic and technological organization, operates with a ruthless efficiency that prioritizes its own interests above all else. Its origins are rooted in Towasanga, a strategically vital orbital station that serves as a crucial trade hub connecting Earth, the colonies, and the vast expanse of space.
While Towasanga boasts a diverse population and a degree of relative autonomy, the Hermes Foundation effectively controls its economic lifeblood. They hold a complete monopoly on the production and supply of three crucial technologies:
* Photon Batteries: These are the primary energy source for mobile suits and countless other technologies throughout the *Reconguista in G* universe. Without Photon Batteries, mobile suits are essentially useless hulks of metal. The Foundation's control over their production gives them immense leverage over any faction reliant on mobile suit technology.
* Air Balls: These are vital components for maintaining breathable environments within space stations, colonies, and even certain mobile suits. They essentially function as portable, self-contained atmosphere generators. Control over Air Balls translates to control over life itself in the harsh vacuum of space.
* Water Balls: Similar to Air Balls, Water Balls provide a crucial source of potable water for space-based habitats and operations. The lack of a sustainable, independent water source makes any long-term spacefaring endeavor entirely dependent on the Foundation's supply.hermes rose gundam
The Hermes Foundation's control over these three essential resources is absolute. No other organization or nation can independently produce them on a scale sufficient to challenge the Foundation's dominance. This monopoly allows them to dictate prices, control distribution, and ultimately influence the political and military landscape of the entire solar system. While founded in Towasanga, its influence extends far beyond the orbital station's confines, reaching Earth, the Amerian Continent, and even the distant colonies.
Beyond Towasanga: The Reach of the Hermes Foundation
The Foundation's influence isn't limited to Towasanga. It actively cultivates relationships with powerful entities across the solar system, offering preferential access to its resources in exchange for political and economic support. This has allowed the Foundation to establish a vast network of influence that operates largely behind the scenes.
* Earth and the Capital Territory: The Capital Territory, the religious and political center of Earth, relies heavily on the Hermes Foundation for its Photon Battery supply. This dependence gives the Foundation significant leverage over the Capital Guard and its actions. The Capital Territory's attempts to secure its own Photon Battery production through the forbidden "Gundam" technology are directly linked to its desire to break free from the Foundation's control.
* Ameria and the Gondwan Fleet: The Amerian Continent, a rising power on Earth, also depends on the Foundation for its access to vital resources. While Ameria possesses a more advanced technological base than the Capital Territory, it still lacks the capacity to independently produce Photon Batteries, Air Balls, and Water Balls on a large scale. This dependence shapes Ameria's foreign policy and its relationship with Towasanga and the other factions in the solar system.
* Space Colonies and the Megafauna: The remote space colonies are even more vulnerable to the Hermes Foundation's influence. Their complete dependence on external resources makes them entirely reliant on the Foundation's supply lines. Even the Megafauna, a massive colony ship, is not immune to the Foundation's control. The crew's struggles to secure independent resources and their encounters with the Foundation's representatives highlight the pervasiveness of its influence throughout the spacefaring community.
The Foundation's ability to manipulate resource distribution allows it to instigate conflicts, maintain the status quo, and profit from the resulting chaos. By strategically limiting or increasing the supply of Photon Batteries, Air Balls, and Water Balls to different factions, the Foundation can effectively control the balance of power and ensure its continued dominance.
The Hermes Rose Gundam: A Symbol of Control and Hidden Agendas
The Hermes Rose Gundam, as a metaphorical representation of the Hermes Foundation, embodies the organization's power, influence, and hidden agendas. The "Rose" aspect suggests beauty and elegance, masking the underlying ruthlessness and manipulation that characterize the Foundation's operations. The "Gundam" portion, while not referring to an actual mobile suit, hints at the potential for the Foundation to wield its control over resources as a weapon, just as a Gundam is a symbol of immense military power.
Several aspects of the Hermes Foundation's operations contribute to the "Hermes Rose Gundam" metaphor: