Noer

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Noer Cassia
Alias(es)	Noll / Noel (variant renderings); Hadi Kes; “Phantom of Panama”; “Red Reaper”; “Strongest Natural” 51 203 306 477 489
Species/Race	Natural with a genetic mutation; later identified as the “Strongest Natural.” His early memories also describe him as a First Generation Coordinator. 2 242 306
Gender	Male 489
Affiliation	ZAFT; Cruze’s team; later appointed Military Head of Capantaria Base 95 400
Occupation/Role	Mobile suit ace, military officer, and combat-data source for several MS and Bio-CPU projects 206 364
Rank	White uniform, ZAFT’s highest military rank 327
Status	Alive; later stated to be marrying Lacus Clyne 792
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

Noer was a war orphan whose initial priority was simply to survive. His early memories identify him as a First Generation Coordinator, though later revelations identify him as a genetically mutated Natural created through the SEED experiments. 2 242

Visions of his past show scientists hailing him as the “Strongest Natural” and humanity’s future before he was removed from the laboratory by his parents. Siegel Clyne later states that Noer’s Natural parents were betrayed and killed, after which Noer reached Junius 7 alone. 131 452

He spent twelve years at Spark Orphanage in PLANT under a nun’s care. During this period, he knew Anna and Asya. 452

Noer was subjected to gene-potion experimentation. An early unknown medicine heightened his senses and caused dissociation, a nosebleed, and loss of consciousness; its long-term effects developed into genetic deterioration that left him dependent on medication and searching for a cure. 8 32 207

Appearance

Noer is a young man usually seen in military uniform or plain clothes. During periods of illness, he is described as pale-faced; his military bearing is recognizable enough that Mu La Flaga identifies him as a soldier from his calluses, gait, posture, and manner of standing. 47 95

• Wore a green ZAFT uniform early in his career. 68
• Later wore a red uniform as an elite pilot. 169
• Was ultimately promoted to the white uniform rank. 327
• Used the civilian identity Hadi Kes, recorded as an eighteen-year-old male of the East Asian Union. 489

Personality

Noer initially considers himself selfish, lazy, and content with mediocrity; he has no grand ambition beyond survival and seeing the world. 63 His chronic illness and repeated exploitation by political and military powers steadily make survival—rather than ideology—his central motivation. 207 369

Despite this, Noer repeatedly protects people and factions he has little practical reason to help. He assists Kira and the Archangel, intervenes on Orb’s behalf, and refuses opportunities to needlessly kill politically valuable enemies. 72 177 232

He is observant, guarded, and pragmatic in negotiations. Noer recognizes when others are using him, but often accepts transactional alliances when they may provide medical information, technology, or a path to survival. 190 326 401

As his condition worsens, Noer becomes increasingly detached and fearful of his own emotions. He eventually expresses a wish to stop fighting and live his remaining days peacefully, though Lacus’s influence later changes his outlook. 470 475 557

Abilities & Skills

Mobile Suit Piloting

Noer is an elite ace whose combat data is valuable enough to influence mass-produced Buster variants. He is regarded within ZAFT as the pilot of the Destiny Gundam and a feared battlefield figure. 203 206 477

• Disabled a stronger opponent in his first documented MS battle, then continued attacking despite orders to stop and damaged an instructor’s MS. 23
• Defeated Gena Sahak’s Gold Frame while piloting the GAT-X103 Buster. 118
• Held off four enemy MS and an MA-like unit while piloting St. Covenant. 150
• Evaded and countered coordinated attacks by six Earth Alliance units in the St. Covenant encirclement battle. 286
• Destroyed the Slaughter Dagger’s cannon and forced Sword Calamity and a Gadi-class warship to withdraw. 249
• Fought while surrounded by the Dark Strike, Chaos, and Sword Calamity in the Prototype Destiny Gundam. 688

Predictive Combat Style

Noer unconsciously studies opponents’ attack patterns and movement habits, allowing him to anticipate their actions before they are fully executed. This habit is the basis of his close-combat effectiveness. 198

• Excels when he can observe an opponent long enough to recognize their patterns. 198
• Originally struggled to transition smoothly between close- and long-range fighting, despite being strong in each specialty separately. 103
• Is disadvantaged by highly irregular or unpredictable attacks, such as distorted beam trajectories. 198

SEED and Awakening

Noer possesses SEED abilities and talent as the Strongest Natural. 306 During a near-death battle, his Destiny Gundam suddenly displayed enhanced performance, enabling him to break free of an ambush and defeat multiple enemy units, including Shani Andolas’s Forbidden Gundam. 151

• Uses Awakening Agents to enhance his performance in dangerous battles. 173 175
• Awakening is associated with balancing extreme emotion and absolute rationality. 248
• He struggles to deliberately trigger Awakening against formidable opponents. 248
• His heightened emotional states can become unstable and destructive, including blood-red eyes and violent impulses during combat. 687

Enhanced Physiology and Genetic Condition

Noer’s body was altered by genetic experimentation. The same condition that grants extraordinary combat potential also causes progressive physical decline. 207 242

• Early medication produced enhanced senses and mental detachment. 8
• The first-generation Bio-CPU was developed from his genetic template. 364
• Data from PLANT and Earth Alliance research places the probability of reversing his condition at less than one in ten thousand. 207
• He seeks Bio-CPU research and the scientist Haka Atos in hopes of extending or saving his life. 364 401

Combat Support System Compatibility

While test-piloting the GAT-01D Long Sword, Noer used a helmet-linked Combat Support System that improved his piloting and predictive ability. 344

• Easily outmaneuvered and destroyed intercepting Duel Short Swords, Mobius units, and warships while using the system. 344
• Suspected extended use could cause schizophrenia or comparable psychological side effects. 368
• The test unit’s self-destruct sequence was activated by Kenaf. 344

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Gene potions / medication — Required for his altered condition; Noer routinely carries a month’s supply. 32 173
• Awakening Agents — Performance-enhancing stimulants used when conventional combat ability is insufficient. 173 175
• GAT-X103 Buster — Used to defeat Gena Sahak’s Gold Frame. 118
• Destiny Gundam — His primary named Gundam in several campaigns; equipped with Dragoons and later a Quantum Virus Jamming System. 151 243 249
• St. Covenant — High-mobility unit used in several major battles; equipped with Dragoons, beam sabers, and the Tri-Horn Shield Attack. 150 176 177
• Prototype Destiny Gundam — Used during the later Orb conflict. 686 688
• GAT-01D Long Sword — Test-drive unit operated with the Combat Support System. 344
• ZGMF-X22A Eternal St. Covenant — A later St. Covenant model with updated neural-network and second-generation ZAFT technology. 727

Relationships

• Lacus Clyne — A close confidante who consistently worries about Noer’s condition. She calls him “the future she chose”; they are later stated to be getting married. 131 475 792
• Kira Yamato — Formerly met aboard the Archangel. Kira considers Noer a good person and does not view him as an enemy despite their opposing sides; Noer later aids Kira and repays his favor. 131 173 232
• Athrun Zala — Fellow trainee and long-time acquaintance. Athrun is concerned by Noer’s changing behavior and supports him in battle when possible. 51 686 688
• Yzak Joule — Fellow ZAFT pilot whose relationship with Noer is strained by Noer’s independent actions. Yzak nevertheless worries about Noer’s condition and safety. 190 324
• Cruze — Noer’s superior in Cruze’s team. Cruze supplies or controls Noer’s medication and repeatedly assigns him dangerous missions; Noer comes to suspect that Cruze treated him as a bargaining chip. 32 35 143
• Gilbert Durandal — Political patron and manipulator who values Noer’s combat ability and genetic potential. Durandal provides resources while seeking to use Noer for larger plans. 207 400 468
• Kenaf / Kennf Ruggini — Information broker and uneasy partner. Noer trades data and military assistance for Bio-CPU research, intelligence, and help locating Haka Atos. 364 401
• Lund Mina Sahak — Orb representative whose Heaven’s Pillar Noer sees as a potential independent power base. She later provides him with tranquilizers to manage his condition. 172 470
• Flay Allster — A prisoner whom Noer takes with him during his intervention at Orb. Their later dealings involve Kira, political influence, and the Combat Support System. 173 190 364

Story Role / Major Arcs

Heliopolis and the Archangel

Noer discovers intelligence confirming Orb and the Earth Alliance’s Project G development, including photographic evidence of the Archangel. Realizing that the wider conflict is beginning to follow the events he fears, he is drawn into the Heliopolis crisis. 35

After ending up aboard the Archangel, he attempts to conceal his ZAFT affiliation. Mu La Flaga exposes him as a soldier through his habits and physical bearing. 47

Return to ZAFT and Rise as an Ace

Noer returns to ZAFT service under Cruze’s team, where his combat ability earns him a reputation as a red-uniformed elite. He pilots the Buster, defeats Gena Sahak, and becomes increasingly important to multiple factions because of his battlefield performance. 95 118 203

His combat data is later used in the production of a new Buster model, cementing his influence within ZAFT’s MS development. 206

St. Covenant and Orb Intervention

Noer acquires and pilots St. Covenant, using its Tri-Horn Shield Attack and Dragoons in battles against the Atlantic Federation’s specialized Gundams. 176 177

He aids Kira, Athrun, Orb, and the Archangel despite the political and military consequences. His intervention leads Yzak to confront him over his apparent betrayal of ZAFT expectations. 179 190

Search for a Cure

As evidence mounts that his genetic damage may be irreversible, Noer seeks experimental data through Kenaf and other dubious contacts. He offers his own physical data to LOGOS in exchange for Bio-CPU research. 207 364

The revelation that he is the Strongest Natural—and one of two paths connected to the Newtype Plan—deepens his identity crisis. 242 469

Political Figure and Military Head

Noer becomes a politically significant figure in PLANT, receiving the white uniform rank through Irene Canaver’s proposal. He understands that his prestige is being used to strengthen competing political positions. 312 327

Durandal later appoints him Military Head of Capantaria Base and offers him Junius survivors, gene researchers, and a research studio in exchange for advancing the Combat Support System. 400

Later Wars and Eternal St. Covenant

Noer returns to frontline combat in the Prototype Destiny Gundam and later operates the Eternal St. Covenant. His continued fighting is complicated by worsening emotional instability, questions over Durandal’s plans, and his growing attachment to Lacus. 686 687 727

During the Genesis α crisis, he warns Lacus’s forces of the danger and reveals that Messiah contains a Genesis main cannon, attempting to locate the fortress before it can be used. 777

Notable Quotes

“Yzak, each of us has different wills and circumstances. Therefore, each of our decisions will also be different.” 190

“I want to change, but I'm afraid to change. I want to move forward, but I'm afraid to move forward.” 600

“The only thing I can offer is this unremarkable MS ability.” 538

Trivia

• Noer states that he initially wore a green uniform rather than a red one because he lacked the programming, decryption, and OS-modification skills expected of elite students, despite his strong practical combat ability. 68
• He is one of the few characters described as both a military hero and an official war criminal, with later commentary suggesting he would be regarded as a PLANT hero if he returned. 503
• He often watches sunsets, associating them with his own condition and uncertainty about the future. 471