HM-002 Ningyo

The HM-002 Ningyo was the first mobile suit piloted by Melissa Newman, the main protagonist of Drifting Down: The MS Girl. An old mobile weapon, the Ningyo served as Melissa's only means of defense against Clarissa Smithson, her abusive ex-partner and the pilot of the Kuringyo, until it was severely crippled at the latter's hands, after which she switched over to the MSC-02 Fumina. Its remains are later used to upgrade the latter suit.

History

The Ningyo was created after the end of World War II, in the colony of America. The suit was never put to use for unknown reasons, though it can be speculated that it was designed for civilian use. Years later, the mobile suit would be discovered by a young girl named Melissa Newman, who became its pilot in order to escape from Clarissa Hollington, a cruel, sadistic girl who had constantly tormented her.

Technology and Combat Characteristics

The Ningyo is equipped with the Lunar Thrust system, which is not to be confused with the Moonlight Butterfly installed in the SYSTEM ∀-99 ∀ Gundam, which goes by the same name, despite having similar effects. The Lunar Thrust system, when activated, functions as type of electric sail, by generating an modified I-field combined with focused plasma in the form of large beams resembling large wings, which can propel the suit at high speeds. The "wings" can also absorb the reflected light emitted from the Moon, hence its name, allowing for greater acceleration.

The Ningyo's main armaments are its "mega particle caster", miniature directed energy weapons systems, mounted onto the suit's manipulators. They are fairly powerful, and capable of damaging a mobile suit in a few strikes. However, the Ningyo is nowhere near as powerful as the other suits of its kind, such as the Lohengrin and the Kuringyo.