Anatolia's Mercenary

Anatolia's Mercenary, also known by his custom-made NEXT as White Glint, is the main protagonist of the 2006 science fiction video game Armored Core 4 and a major character in its sequel, Armored Core: For Answer. He is a Lynx from the independent colony Anatolia. Originally a Raven, he became Anatolia's guardian Lynx following the advent of Pax Economica, wherein he partners with Emill Gustav and Fiona Jarnefeldt to support the colony by performing missions for corporations. When the Lynx War breaks out, his reputation skyrockets as he participates in many of the conflict's key events.
By the time of the Economic War years later, he is the only Lynx and the ace-in-the hole of Line Ark, a maritime city-state that opposes the League of Ruling Companies. Although he is only Rank 9 in Collared's Lynx roster, the corporations consider him too powerful for any single NEXT to take on, to the point that his presence is the only thing that prevents the League from outright annihilating Line Ark.
==Biography==
===Background===
The man who would come to be known as a hero of the Lynx War and "White Glint" was originally a Raven in the National Dismantlement War. After being rescued by Fiona Jarnefeldt, he took refuge in her colony, Anatolia, eventually calling it home.
Four years after the war, Professor Jarnefeldt who single-handedly funded Anatolia died and many of Anatolia's key researchers joined Aspina, leaving the colony in an economic crisis. In response, the new colony leader and a former aide to Fiona's father, Emill Gustav suggested that the Raven, who possessed the minimum AMS, compatibility needed to be a Lynx, support the colony as its mercenary for corporate work by piloting the NEXT Emill owned for research purposes. Fiona, a talented NEXT engineer herself, opposed the idea due to the dangers of Kojima pollution as well as AMS's high mental load on pilots with low AMS aptitude like the Raven. When he is turned into a Lynx regardless, however, Fiona then volunteered to be his Operator to ease his burden. The corporations themselves ultimately agreed to Emill's plan, largely because Anatolia received support from Global Armaments (GA) due to Emill's negotiations. The Raven would be known henceforth as "Anatolia's Mercenary," the first ever independent Lynx.
===Pax Economica===
His first mission is to eliminate terrorist forces at Gryphon, The Independent City. His success in this job impresses the corporations, thus presenting a number of opportunities for Anatolia's new Lynx.
A string of unimportant contracts taken at bargain prices convinces the corporations to rate him higher. They send him to White Africa, one of the most volatile regions in the world, to attack the Maghrib Liberation Front (MLF), the largest anti-establishment group there. First taking out their forces stationed at the Gelts'a Fortress, he then eliminates their ballistic missile arsenal at the Eritrean Stronghold, before finally ambushing and defeating Amazigh, one of their Irregular Lynx and their iconic hero, at the Former Peace City, effectively crippling them. In revenge, the MLF remnants launch a surprise attack on Anatolia, where the mercenary is forced to fight without Primal Armor for fear of rendering the colony inhospitable. Despite the setback, he successfully defeats the attackers. His final battle with the group is at the Nasser Oil Refinery, where he defeats surviving MLF Irregular Lynx Sus, putting an end to the MLF for good and firmly establishing Anatolia's reputation.
Having proven his worth to GA, they then task him with eliminating the massive prototype weapons being developed at the Hejde Arsenal, which not only belongs to the GA subsidiary GA Europe but is also supported by fellow Pax corporation Akvavit. Akvavit subsequently uses the attack as an excuse to wage war on the GA Group in a conflict that would later be named the "Lynx War".
===Lynx War===
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Anatolia's Mercenary considerable combat ability earns him a strong reputation among the factions. This recognition delighted Emill because the mercenary's might and the war could be used to lead Anatolia to a new golden age. Fiona, however, dreads their Lynx's rising popularity.
His skills grow to the point that his strength is likened to the Originals, powerful National Dismantlement War-era Lynx. This proves to be more than apropos when he is tasked to retake GA's Dornier Mining Station. The area, now occupied with Aldra forces, is a valuable site for GA, and there, Anatolia's Mercenary defeats not just multiple Aldra Normals and turret emplacements, but also the highly skilled Sherring, the Rank 14 Original, who commends the former Raven for besting him.
Much like the MLF, the mighty Bernard and Felix Foundation (BFF) takes heavy damage from the Lynx's actions. With the GA Group as Anatolia's main client, the mercenary's efforts result in devastating BFF defeats, such as the Lynx's elimination of BFF's top Original and "empress", Mary Shelley. In a back-breaking move, he also single-handedly destroys their heavily defended headquarters, the massive cruise ship Queenslance, thus taking the corporation out of the war. The elite BFF squad Silent Avalanche continues to fight despite the demise of their benefactors but they too are eradicated by Anatolia's Mercenary. Several more skirmishes occur between him and BFF remnants in areas spanning from the Razghul Colony's Subterranean Facility, the Zextex Global Airport,and even the Kojima energy facility Sphere. Just like before, Anatolia's Mercenary triumphs over the BFF forces.
Anatolia's Lynx also develops a friendship with the Aspina colony's Lynx, Joshua O'Brien, the pilot of the NEXT White Glint and an old friend of Fiona's. Together, the two are rumored to be unstoppable on the battlefield. When Asia's largest colony, Sing is attacked by Akvavit's devastating Sol Dios behemoths, he and O'Brien intercept them at the Pishin Lora desert, with Anatolia's Mercenary taking on the larger squad. They prevent Sing from being another colony crushed by Akvavit.
The man accomplishes more in the Lynx War: he defeats countless Lynx, including high-ranking Originals such as Berlioz and Anjou; and he brings about the fall of Rayleonard by not only defeating the Rayleonard Group's elite NEXT team in a pivotal battle in the war, but also single-handedly destroying Exavil, Rayleonard's headquarters.
At the end of the Lynx War, he and Fiona take a leave of absence from Anatolia, believing the conflict to be over; however, they are forced to rush back when the colony is soon attacked by Joshua O'Brien in the 00-ARETHA. The mercenary defeats O'Brien but it is too late: Anatolia is already devastated. With the Lynx War over and the colony in ruins, Fiona takes her partner and leaves Anatolia.
For his accomplishments, Anatolia's Mercenary is given the title "Hero of the Lynx War" by the time of the Economic War.
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Anatolia's Mercenary considerable combat ability earns him a strong reputation among the factions. This recognition delighted Emill because the mercenary's might and the war could be used to lead Anatolia to a new golden age. Fiona, however, dreads their Lynx's rising popularity.
His skills grow to the point that his strength is likened to the Originals, powerful National Dismantlement War-era Lynx. This proves to be more than apropos when he is tasked to retake GA's Dornier Mining Station. The area, now occupied with Aldra forces, is a valuable site for GA, and there, Anatolia's Mercenary defeats not just multiple Aldra Normals and turret emplacements, but also the highly skilled Sherring, the Rank 14 Original, who commends the former Raven for besting him. The Aspina colony's Lynx, Joshua O'Brien — the pilot of the NEXT White Glint and an old friend of Fiona's — supports the Aldra forces but he is also defeated by Anatolia's Lynx.
Much like the MLF, the mighty Bernard and Felix Foundation (BFF) takes heavy damage from the Lynx's actions. With the GA Group as Anatolia's main client, the mercenary's efforts result in devastating BFF defeats, such as the Lynx's elimination of BFF's top Original and "empress", Mary Shelley. In a back-breaking move, he also single-handedly destroys their heavily defended headquarters, the massive cruise ship Queenslance, thus taking the corporation out of the war. The elite BFF squad Silent Avalanche along with BFF Originals Eugene and Francisca continue to fight despite the demise of their benefactors but they too are eradicated by Anatolia's Mercenary. Several more skirmishes occur between him and BFF remnants in areas spanning from the Razghul Colony's Subterranean Facility, and even the Kojima energy facility Sphere. Just like before, Anatolia's Mercenary triumphs over the BFF forces.
Anatolia's Lynx also developed a friendship with Joshua O'Brien. Together, the two are rumored to be unstoppable on the battlefield. When Asia's largest colony, Sing is attacked by Akvavit's devastating Sol Dios behemoths, he and O'Brien intercept them at the Pishin Lora desert, with Anatolia's Mercenary taking on the larger squad. O'Brien is overwhelmed and forced to withdraw but Anatolia's Lynx defeats every Sol Dios unit, thus preventing Sing from being another colony crushed by Akvavit.
The man accomplishes more in the Lynx War: he defeats countless Lynx, including high-ranking Originals such as Sadhana and Anjou and he brings about the fall of Rayleonard by not only single-handedly defeating the Rayleonard Group's elite NEXT team — which consisted of Originals Berlioz, P. Dam, Unseel, and Zanni — in a pivotal battle in the war, but also single-handedly destroying Exavil, Rayleonard's headquarters.
At the end of the Lynx War, he and Fiona take a leave of absence from Anatolia, believing the conflict to be over; however, they are forced to rush back when the colony is soon attacked by Joshua O'Brien in the 00-ARETHA. The mercenary defeats O'Brien but it is too late: Anatolia is already devastated. When the defeated ARETHA explodes, Rank 6 Original Celo suddenly attacks, only to be defeated by the mercenary as well. With the Lynx War over and the colony in ruins, Fiona takes her partner and leaves Anatolia.
For his accomplishments, Anatolia's Mercenary is given the title "Hero of the Lynx War" by the time of the Economic War.
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===Economic War===
Years after the Lynx War, Anatolia's Mercenary is active during the Economic War, now siding with maritime city-state Line Ark as their greatest military asset and sole Lynx, with Fiona as his Operator once again. He uses the NEXT White Glint, a craft dedicated to the memory of his deceased friend Joshua O'Brien. Because his name is unknown to the Collared database, everyone refers to him by his NEXT's name.
White Glint's exploits have become legendary, with a representative of the League of Ruling Companies even noting him to be considerably more powerful than his rank suggests, to the point that they believe him to be too much for any single NEXT to handle alone. Rank 1 Lynx Otsdarva has become obsessed with defeating him, and holds him and Fiona responsible for Anatolia's destruction. Serene Haze, a retired Original, even notes that White Glint's abilities are top-class.
After the creation of the Vanguard Overed Boost, White Glint is contracted to attack the Spirit of Motherwill with a VOB equipped in what a journalist suspects to be a test. White Glint uses the VOB to close in on Motherwill, attacking several MTs on the way then disengaging it once in proximity to the target. Upon landing on one of the AF's decks, he is immediately repelled by the numerous defenders, losing a left arm rifle in the process and getting a chunk of the NEXT's core blown apart while getting knocked into the sky. White Glint breaks his fall by bumping into a nearby helicopter then lands on the city below to escape.
Seeing MTs descending Motherwill to surround him and Motherwill itself aiming its cannons at him, White Glint activates his Assault Armor to quickly destroy the MTs then attacks the AF from below to avoid its main arsenal while engaging more enemies sent after him. In the end, neither Motherwill nor White Glint score a decisive blow but the latter withdraws due to ammunition issues. Though Motherwill is victorious, the battle reveals a glaring weakness in it — destroying the main cannons would likely cause catastrophic internal damage.
During the final stages of the Economic War, the League decides to finally rid themselves of the Hero of the Lynx War, knowing that Line Ark would be unable to resist them any further once he is eliminated.
==="Defeat White Glint"===
They send their strongest military assets: Otsdarva and the pilot of the NEXT Strayed, an up-and-coming Lynx.
The battle takes place in Line Ark itself. When the two League NEXTs arrive, Fiona gives them the chance to withdraw, threatening to respond with deadly force should they refuse to leave, but regardless, Otsdarva and Strayed engage the White Glint, whom Otsdarva belittles. As the battle rages on, Fiona remarks that their foes are the same as she and the White Glint were during the Lynx War, pleading for the enemy Lynx to question their own reasons for fighting. Eventually, Otsdarva's NEXT suffers a booster malfunction (accused by Otsdarva to be White Glint's doing), causing Otsdarva to helplessly sink to the water, cursing his fate. White Glint turns to fight Strayed, who ultimately emerges victorious.
==="Defend Line Ark"===
They send their strongest military assets: Otsdarva and CUBE, a Lynx with inhuman piloting skills. Line Ark learns of the League's plans, so, realizing the severity of their situation, they hire the pilot of the NEXT Strayed, an up-and-coming Lynx, to aid them in the upcoming fight.
The battle takes place in Line Ark itself. When the two League NEXTs arrive, Fiona thanks Strayed's pilot and Serene Haze for their help, then the battle commences. Otsdarva, CUBE, and White Glint ultimately fall in battle, leaving Strayed the only confirmed survivor. Fiona once again thanks Strayed for helping repel the League, but she notes that with the White Glint gone, it may be the end for Line Ark.
===Aftermath===
The loss of the White Glint is a heavy blow for Line Ark, as without their trump card and only NEXT, Line Ark's military power greatly diminishes, exactly as Fiona and the League anticipated. Later on, the timing of the ORCA Brigade's declaration of war allows Line Ark to continue operations as the League shifts its attention to the conflict. In an interview with a journalist, Fiona reveals that Line Ark has a Lynx in stable condition and that she is working to acquire a new NEXT, though she refuses to answer when asked if the Lynx in question is the White Glint.
==NEXTs==
He seems to pilot various NEXTs during the Lynx War.
===Starter NEXTs===
During the Lynx War, the player can choose one of the six default schematics for Anatolia's Mercenary as his starter NEXT:
*GAN01-SUNSHINE-L: A middle-to-heavyweight NEXT designed by Anatolia's Mercenary's main client, GA America. It is a smaller and lighter version of the GAN01-SUNSHINE with slightly increased mobility and more combat adaptability than the original SUNSHINE model. It is popular with inexperienced players, as the SUNSHINE-L's high AP and Shell Defense ratings make it forgiving of pilot errors that are common among newcomers (for example, failing to evade a rocket barrage).
*TYPE-HOGIRE: Designed and built as a joint project between Rosenthal and Omer Science, the TYPE-HOGIRE is a middleweight, general-purpose Armored Core NEXT. With a good mix of AP, mobility, firepower, and defensive strength, the TYPE-HOGIRE is also equipped with a variety of weapons that enable it to engage targets at most combat ranges with ease.
*047AN: A middleweight designed by BFF, the 047AN is built specifically as a long range sniper and also performs well as a support unit. To that end, it is equipped with a long range FCS with a long range sniper rifle and a mid to short range assault rifle. Its only real weakness is its low defense ratings for a middleweight and its lack of close-range fighting capabilities.
*03-AALIYAH: The 03-AALIYAH is one of the first NEXTs, appearing in the National Dismantlement War and used by many of Rayleonard's LYNX. Considered their flagship model, it was optimized with the use of the then experimental Primal Armor and performs exceptionally in high speed combat. Although excelling in ground combat, the Rayleonard NEXT suffers from low AP durability, high energy consumption, and particularly low aim precision (which was thought to be of little importance as the 03's arms were intended to be used in high speed combat requesting more aim speed than accuracy).
*Y01-TELLUS: A middleweight NEXT model developed by Leonemeccanica and later the Interior Union. It has high adaptability and energy weapon spec.
*SALAF/SOLUH: The SALAF, later known as the SOLUH, is a standard NEXT design created by Eqbal, later known as Algebra. Built with emphasis on speed, the SOLUH is a lightweight model with high mobility and good close range capability. However, it suffers from high energy consumption, low AP, and low defense ratings. These particular pros and cons make this particular NEXT best suited for the more experienced pilots.
===White Glint===
During the Economic War, Anatolia's Mercenary pilots White Glint, a middleweight, all-white NEXT that bears the emblem and name of the deceased Joshua O'Brien's NEXT. This White Glint is aesthetically different from that of O'Brien's White Glint; it resembles Algebra's SOLUH NEXT frame, and its frame parts are custom-made by Line Ark. The NEXT also transforms for certain actions: during Over Boost, a myriad of boosters extend and open, and the head sinks into the torso; when activating its Assault Armor, the craft's frame expands and certain parts gain additional armor. The NEXT is designed by Abe Marsh, the designer of O'Brien's White Glint.
White Glint is armed with two BFF-manufactured rifles: the 051ANNR on the right hand, and the 063ANAR on the other. It is equipped with two SALINE05 spread missiles on its back. Because of the way the NEXT's shoulders were built, White Glint cannot be equipped with Shoulder Weapons. In some cases, it can also reactivate itself after being disabled once.Armored Core: For Answer, Mission: "Defeat White Glint" Hard Mode
Like Joshua O'Brien's White Glint, this craft is built with high-speed combat in mind.
==Gallery==
NEXT Schematic AC4 GAN01-SUNSHINE-L.jpg|GAN01-SUNSHINE-L, one of Anatolia's Mercenary's starter NEXTs.
NEXT Schematic AC4 TYPE-HOGIRE.jpg|TYPE-HOGIRE, one of Anatolia's Mercenary's starter NEXTs.
NEXT Schematic AC4 047AN.jpg|047AN, one of Anatolia's Mercenary's starter NEXTs.
NEXT Schematic AC4 03-AALIYAH.jpg|03-AALIYAH, one of Anatolia's Mercenary's starter NEXTs.
NEXT Schematic AC4 Y01-TELLUS.jpg|Y01-TELLUS, one of Anatolia's Mercenary's starter NEXTs.
NEXT Schematic AC4 SALAF.jpg|SALAF/SOLUH, one of Anatolia's Mercenary's starter NEXTs.
NEXT Schematic ACFA White Glint.jpg|Second White Glint, Anatolia's Mercenary's final and signature NEXT.
==Trivia==
*4 the Answer is the character's leitmotif in Armored Core: For Answer. It is played in the game's intro movie and trailers, and in "Defeat White Glint".
*White Glint's parts are listed under Line Ark, making them some of the few AC parts in the Armored Core franchise to not have been manufactured by one of the corporations. White Glint's parts are also the most expensive in Armored Core: For Answer, costing 700,000c.
*White Glint is the only mecha in Armored Core: For Answer to be designed by Shoji Kawamori.
*Armored Core 4 establishes that the battle between Anatolia's Mercenary and Sherring took place shortly before the Lynx War whereas Armored Core: A New Order of "NEXT" says it was part of the war.
*The final boss of Armored Core: Verdict Day, J uses the N-WGIX/v, a machine with NEXT technology and a resemblance to White Glint, even having its own version of a Vanguard Overboost unit.
*Japanese hobby company Kotobukiya released various 1/72 scale model kits of the Armored Core: For Answer White Glint; variations include one with a gunmetal coloration as specified by Shoji Kawamori. A kit made in super-deformed style was also released in 2010.
*White Glint appears as "W.Glint" in 3D Dot Game Heroes, a 2009 action-adventure video game developed by FromSoftware where he is a playable character described as "a mysterious NEXT controlled by an unknown LYNX. (Hero)."
*The graphic of White Glint used for the cover of Armored Core: A New Order of "NEXT" and a SuperGroupies promotional image shows that one of its decals reads, "A hardpoint is a mount where parts (often weapons) are externally mounted to a vehicle." This is the exact wording in the first sentence of a 2007 revision of Wikipedia's article on hardpoints.17 January 2007 revision of Wikipedia's article on hardpoints
*Armored Core 4 heavily references the titles of Agatha Christie's novels, with each chapter being named after the title of one of her books. The default pilot name, "Unknown," therefore may reference "Destination Unknown" which serves as the first chapter title, as well as "U.N. Owen," the alias of the killer in the novel "And Then There Were None," which the final chapter of AC4 takes its name from.
==External Links==
==Reference==
==Navagation==
Category:Video Game Heroes
Category:Science Fiction Heroes
Category:Action Heroes
Category:Male
Category:Mechanically Modified
Category:Psychics
Category:Military
Category:Mercenaries
Category:Fighters
Category:Status Dependent upon Player Choice
Category:Neutral Good
Category:Anti-Heroes
Category:Mute
Category:Honorable
Category:The Hero
Category:Presumed Deceased
Category:Freedom Fighters
Category:Good Vs. Good