So you just found out that the enemy is developing a new
Super Prototype that will alter the course of the war. What are you gonna do about it?
The simplest answer seems to be to destroy it, but this more often than not ends up with some
Ordinary High School Student Falling Into The Cockpit, and then you're
really boned. You can come up with prototypes of your own to counter it, but this could just end up creating a
Sorting Algorithm Of Evil that'll lead right to your doorstep.
Better yet, why not just take it for yourself? This has a double benefit: Not only does it deny the enemy a powerful weapon, but you gain said weapon in the process. You might wanna
kidnap, steal or wipe out the project data and/or the inventor(s) while you're at it.
If this is done by the hero, the story usually focuses on their attempts to get back into friendly territory with their prize. If the story is told from the view of the inevitable pursuers, then they will be attempting to recover or destroy the new unit before it can get away.
See also
Phlebotinum Rebel, where the heroes Gundamjack
themselves. Not to be confused with the lumberjack-themed Canadian Gundam from
G Gundam
Examples:
- The Trope Namer in this case would be Gundam 0083, specifically the title of the first episode, where Anavel Gato does just that, setting off the plot of the series.
- Zeta Gundam begins with Camille helping the AEUG pull this off.
- Similarly, Gundam SEED begins with the ZAFT G-boys snatching four of the Alliance's five new Gundams. Gundam SEED Destiny begins with the Alliance stealing three of ZAFT's new Gundams.
- Zone Of The Enders starts with an attempt to steal the previously-jacked Jehuty back, until Leo complicates things by Falling Into The Cockpit.
- The sequel, The 2nd Runner, does the exact same thing, although Jehuty was in a container in Calypso rather than in a military base.
- The anime prequel Zone of the Enders: Idolo climaxes with a failed attempt at this.
- The movie Firefox is about Clint Eastwood's character making off with a Soviet prototype jet.
- Mechwarrior 2: Mercenaries did this trope once, with a faction hiring you to help steal a superheavy Clan-technology mech for their side. Possibly a double-dip of this idea, because you had the option to grab it away from them, too!
- Xenogears plot is kicked off by one of these operations. (Well, not really, the plot starts a long time before that.) The game starts with the stealing team making a stand against the pursuit team. Neither side gets it, since Fei "fell into" the cockpit.
- Megas XLR begins with the Earth forces having already stolen the enemy Super Prototype; the beginning of the first episode has the Glorff trying to take it back again.
- Getter Robo Hien has the protagonist jacking Getter-1, then having to talk the other two pilots into working with him. Given that they were in the middle of a battle at the time, they don't have too much of a choice.
- Neon Genesis Evangelion has at least two angels that hijack an Eva for their own personal use.
- Lelouch hijacks the strongest robot in the first season from Britannia.
- Metal Gear Solid 2 starts with Ocelot stealing Metal Gear RAY from The Patriots for The Patriots. It's as complicated as it sounds, this is Ocelot after all.
