Vasteel Original

Vasteel Original
Stage	Judgement Sword
BGM	Duel of Top
Previous	Guardian's Knight
Next	Guardian Animus

Vasteel Original (ヴァスチール・オリジナル, Vasuchīru Orijinaru^?) is the fifth boss from Thunder Force V. It is a multi-stage battle against the Vasteel under control of the Guardian and equipped with different Extra Weapon Bays, the Guardian's equivalent to the RVR-02B "Brigandine" which enhances the Vasteel's firepower for engaging appropriately in single combat against the Brigandine.

Deatils

Extra Weapon Bay 1

This EWB is was built to be larger and obviously stronger than the RVR-02B. It is equipped with 4 super lasers, and powerful versions of Rynex's Hunter weapon. The Vasteel is completely visible in this EWB, just like the Vambrace was in the Brigandine. Once it is destroyed, it goes down with Rynex still connected, but it doesn't mean the end for the Rynex.

Extra Weapon Bay 2

This EWB partially hides the Vasteel from enemy fire, giving more protection to the ship. Its main weapon consists of charged shots powered by spinning cylinder shaped generators. But, when the generators are destroyed, there's a surprise waiting to be revealed to the enemy... The generators are actually three mechanical arms, two with claws for capturing the enemy and the third with a ranged energy weapon, but they can be destroyed, leaving the Rynex holding area as the only weak point. Once it is destroyed, this EWB goes down with Rynex again. But this still doesn't mean the end yet. Rynex has one more trick under its Vasteel sleeve.

Extra Weapon Bay 3

This is the final EWB in Rynex's arsenal. Much like the first one, it leaves the Rynex exposed to enemy fire. But it compensates it with multiple cannons and a screen-covering bullet rain from its tail. When this EWB is destroyed, it's all over, for both the Extra Weapon Bay and Rynex.

REFFI's analysis

" ---ALERT!---

The enemy is approaching fast! (Saturn Ver./JP PS1 Ver.); The enemy is dead ahead! (US PS1 Ver.)

Area Guard Name : Vasteel Original

That was when it all began.

Code : E5-SP04B-SS

Weak Point : Body, Extra Weapon Bay

Weapon : It has not yet been confirmed, but it seems to have offensive capabilities equal to or greater than the Gauntlet. (Saturn Ver./JP PS1 Ver.); Unconfirmed reports have claimed its offensive capabilities are greater than the RVR-01 Gauntlet. (US PS1 Ver.)

Comment : A body consisting of a Vasteel Original to which extra equipment was added. (Saturn Ver./JP PS1 Ver.); The original Vasteel has been completely restored and augmented with several additional weapons. (US PS1 Ver.)

Gallery

Trivia

• The BGM of this boss fight, "Duel of Top", is a rearrangement of "Lightning Strikes Again" : the opening theme for Thunder Force IV.
• While it's confirmed that their pilots Roy S. Mercury and Carol T. Mars were ejected from the Rynex, the Guardian/Khaos remotely pilots the Vasteel starfighter for the last time.
• Even though the Vasteel Original was destroyed, an Orn clone of the Rynex is fought in Thunder Force VI. This could be due to Khaos hacking the Guardian and transmitting its datas into Orn's databanks.
• The code for Vasteel Original is a reference to the original name of Vasteel, Fire LEO-04 "Rynex".
• The enhanced Hunters from the 1st EWB are a reference to the homing lasers from RayForce and Mystic Square.
• It and Vasteel Nocht are the only boss equivalents of a typical boss rush seen in Gradius series.