XM-X1 (F97) Crossbone Gundam X-1

Developed by the Federation's SNRI branch, the XM-X1 (F97) Crossbone Gundam actually began its life as the Gundam F97. As part of an under-the-table deal, SNRI gave three such F97 units to Berah Ronah's (aka Cecily Fairchild) Crossbone Vanguard for use against the shadowy Jupiter Empire. Designed to operate within Jupiter's immense gravity well, the Crossbone Gundams use a set of X-shaped thrusters on their backs to put out incredible thrust. Due to the thrusters' flexible nature, the Gundams were also highly maneuverable as well. Focusing primarily on close combat, the Crossbone Gundams feature a number of weapons based on those used by the pirates of the seven seas in Earth's distant past. These weapons included the buster gun and the cutlass-like beam zanber, which could be combined into a powerful beam rifle called the zanbuster. Additionally, the Gundams' beam shields could also be used as punching daggers, leaving behind a distinctive X-shaped burn in whatever they struck. The rest of the Crossbone Gundams' armaments consisted of standard weapons such as vulcans and beam sabers. Their extra features included a special cloak treated with an anti-beam coating substance, allowing the Gundams to shrug off most standard beam rifle attacks.

The Crossbone Gundam X-1 was the personal machine of the Crossbone Vanguard's top pilot, Kincado Nau (aka Seabook Arno). Kincado's combat prowess, honed over ten years of combat, coupled with his superior machine to inspire great fear in the soldiers of the Jupiter Empire. After giving new recruit Tobia Arronax some training, Kincado allowed him to sortie in the X-1. Though he fared well against the Jupiter Empire's EMS-06 Batara, Tobia ran afoul one of the new EMA-03 Gangrijo units and had to eject his Core Fighter, allowing Kincado to jump into the X-1 with his own Core Fighter and defeat the mobile armor. On one mission, Kincado and Tobia had to pretend to be fleeing the Vanguard, while long-time veteran Umon Samon piloted the X-1. After returning from the mission, Kincado resumed piloting duties of the X-1. Unfortunately, he came up against the Jupiter Empire's Death Gale Team, piloting mobile suits specifically designed to battle the Crossbone Gundams. Badly damaged while fighting the EMS-VSX1 Quavarze, the X-1 was repaired and upgraded into the XM-X1 (F97) Crossbone Gundam X-1 Kai.