How The Scouts Obtained the Airship to Marley: A Strategic Masterclass
The acquisition of the airship by the Scout Regiment for their incursion into Marley represents a pivotal moment, achievable only through a confluence of cunning strategy, daring ingenuity, and, crucially, the leveraging of Paradis Island’s untapped technological potential. Their success was not simply about finding a vehicle; it was about reimagining what was possible, transforming scrap into a strategic asset, and exploiting Marleyan vulnerabilities.
From Scraps to the Skies: Understanding the Airship’s Origins
The airship used by the Scout Regiment wasn’t a pre-existing entity discovered intact. Instead, it was painstakingly constructed and modified from salvaged components and rudimentary designs based on captured Marleyan blueprints and theoretical knowledge. This involved reverse-engineering advanced technology beyond the current capabilities of Paradis Island. The project was a highly classified undertaking, requiring years of research, resource allocation, and the dedicated efforts of a select team of engineers, mechanics, and strategists.
The central premise lies in the fact that while Paradis Island lacked a developed industrial base comparable to Marley’s, they possessed raw materials, ingenuity, and the unwavering commitment of their population driven by survival. This, combined with the captured knowledge gleaned from Marleyan technology, became the foundation for the airship project. The operation began during the relative peace following the retaking of Wall Maria, allowing the Scouts to dedicate resources to long-term strategic goals.
The Key Players and Their Contributions
Several individuals played critical roles in the airship’s creation.
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Hange Zoe: As the 14th Commander of the Scout Regiment, Hange provided unwavering support and allocated crucial resources to the project. Her insatiable curiosity and scientific acumen guided the research and development efforts, allowing the team to overcome significant technological hurdles.
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Armin Arlert: Armin’s strategic brilliance was instrumental in analyzing the captured Marleyan blueprints and identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited. He also played a key role in planning the operation to secure the necessary resources and materials.
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The Azumabito Family: Kiyomi Azumabito and her family provided crucial technical assistance, particularly in shipbuilding and propulsion technology. Their knowledge of advanced engineering, coupled with their desire to restore the glory of Hizuru, proved invaluable to the project. The Azumabito’s contribution cannot be overstated, as it provided a leap in technology that could not be achieved alone.
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Paradis Island Engineers and Mechanics: A dedicated team of unnamed engineers and mechanics tirelessly worked to construct and modify the airship, overcoming numerous challenges and setbacks. Their skill and dedication were essential to the project’s success.
Resource Acquisition and Fabrication
Acquiring the necessary materials and components for the airship’s construction was a daunting task. Paradis Island lacked a developed industrial base, and resources were scarce.
Salvaging and Repurposing
Much of the materials used in the airship’s construction were salvaged from ruined structures, abandoned military installations, and even the remains of downed Titans. This required meticulous planning, resourcefulness, and a willingness to repurpose existing materials in innovative ways.
Developing New Technologies
The team faced numerous technological challenges, particularly in areas such as propulsion, navigation, and materials science. This required them to develop new technologies and adapt existing ones to meet their specific needs. The development of a lighter-than-air gas to replace the highly flammable gas used by Marley was one of the key challenges. This involved experiments with local materials and a deep understanding of chemistry.
Maintaining Secrecy
The entire operation was shrouded in secrecy to prevent Marley from discovering their plans. This required strict security measures and careful control of information. The secrecy involved diverting attention to other projects and spreading misinformation within the Paradis military.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
H2: FAQs: Decoding the Airship Acquisition
H3: 1. Was the Airship Completely Built on Paradis Island?
Yes, the airship was entirely constructed on Paradis Island, albeit using a combination of salvaged materials, reverse-engineered Marleyan technology, and the technological expertise provided by the Azumabito family. While the underlying principles were based on Marleyan designs, the actual construction and modifications were a Paradis Island endeavor.
H3: 2. How Did the Scouts Overcome Their Technological Disadvantage?
The Scouts compensated for their technological disadvantage through ingenuity, resourcefulness, and the invaluable assistance of the Azumabito family. They focused on understanding the underlying principles of Marleyan technology and finding innovative ways to adapt and improve upon existing designs.
H3: 3. What Role Did Kiyomi Azumabito Play?
Kiyomi Azumabito provided crucial technical expertise in shipbuilding, propulsion, and advanced engineering. Her family’s knowledge and resources were instrumental in overcoming key technological challenges and ensuring the airship’s functionality and reliability.
H3: 4. What Were the Biggest Challenges in Building the Airship?
The biggest challenges included acquiring necessary materials, developing new technologies, and maintaining secrecy. Paradis Island lacked a developed industrial base and faced significant resource constraints. Moreover, the entire operation had to be conducted in secret to prevent Marley from discovering their plans.
H3: 5. How Long Did it Take to Construct the Airship?
The exact timeframe is not explicitly stated, but the project likely took several years to complete. It involved extensive research, development, construction, and testing. The post-Wall Maria reclamation period allowed for the resources needed.
H3: 6. What Happened to the Marleyan Airship Blueprints?
The Marleyan airship blueprints were captured and analyzed by Armin Arlert and the Scout Regiment’s intelligence division. These blueprints provided valuable insights into Marleyan technology and served as the foundation for the airship’s design.
H3: 7. Was Hange Zoe Involved in the Airship Project?
Yes, Hange Zoe, as the Commander of the Scout Regiment, played a critical role in the airship project. She provided unwavering support, allocated resources, and guided the research and development efforts, leveraging her scientific expertise to overcome technological hurdles.
H3: 8. How Did They Keep the Airship Project a Secret?
The project was kept secret through strict security measures, careful control of information, and strategic misinformation. The Scouts limited access to the project, compartmentalized information, and created diversions to conceal their true intentions from Marley.
H3: 9. What Type of Fuel/Gas Did the Airship Use?
The exact composition of the gas used in the airship is never explicitly mentioned, but the Scouts needed to discover a non-flammable alternative to the gas used by Marley. The lighter-than-air aspect was key, so it was likely a modified version of something like hydrogen or helium (though the story leans towards an unrevealed, fictional gas).
H3: 10. How Many People Could the Airship Carry?
The airship’s capacity is not precisely quantified. However, it was large enough to carry the entire Scout Regiment reconnaissance team, including their gear, weaponry, and supplies for an extended operation in Marley. It also accommodated the Azumabito engineers accompanying them.
H3: 11. Was the Airship Equipped with Weapons?
Yes, the airship was equipped with weapons to defend itself from aerial threats. These included machine guns and potentially other anti-air capabilities. The primary goal was reconnaissance, but they anticipated the potential need to defend themselves.
H3: 12. Did the Airship’s Design Evolve Over Time?
Yes, it is highly probable that the airship’s design underwent significant evolution and modifications throughout the construction process. As the Scouts gained a deeper understanding of Marleyan technology and faced unforeseen challenges, they undoubtedly adapted and improved upon the original design. Continuous testing and refinement were likely integral parts of the development process.
The Airship as a Catalyst for Change
The acquisition of the airship was more than just a technological achievement; it was a strategic turning point for Paradis Island. It allowed the Scouts to gather crucial intelligence about Marley, assess their military capabilities, and plan their attack on Liberio. Furthermore, it demonstrated the resilience, ingenuity, and determination of the Eldian people and their commitment to fighting for their survival. The airship represented hope, and the ability to not just survive, but also fight back.