Recaps

Xiao Ran examined the GN-BIT blueprint and found it contained designs for nearly every GN-BIT type from Gundam 00, then opened four treasure chests. He planned to give the chest rewards that best suited Naluo to her, leaving the group better equipped for future battles.

• Xiao Ran discovered that the GN-BIT blueprint covered numerous configurations, including the complete 00Q Gundam sword-type set, and celebrated his choice.
• Xiao Ran opened three Golden Treasure Chests and one Silver Treasure Chest, receiving two skills, a GN Rocket Cannon, a Trans-Am System, a GN Particle Thruster, a Regeneration Treatment Pod, and other rewards.
• Xiao Ran assessed the rewards and found that Targeting Mark, Rapid Fire, and the GN Rocket Cannon were most suitable for Naluo, who had Sniper Specialization.
• Xiao Ran decided to give Naluo the useful equipment and skills, then left the study feeling satisfied despite receiving little for himself.

Graham inspected Black Astray and planned modifications while Mao contributed Merit Points and learned two sniper skills. Xiao Ran brought the group to Luo’s shop to assess their newly acquired blueprints and equipment, and Luo advised him to postpone building the costly production lines rather than sell their blueprints.

• Graham studied Black Astray, decided to replace its shoulder cannons with Missile Launchers, and hoped to add a Solar Furnace and more thrusters.
• Mao chose to keep and modify her MK-II Gundam, transferred fifty thousand Merit Points to the shared funds, and learned Rapid Fire and Targeting Mark from Xiao Ran.
• Xiao Ran led Sheryl, Mao, and Graham to Luo’s shop, where Luo welcomed Graham and Mao with pilot suits and weapons.
• Xiao Ran displayed his newly acquired mechas, weapons, blueprints, and production-line blueprints for Luo to inspect.
• Luo estimated that manufacturing both production lines would cost about one and a half million Merit Points and advised Xiao Ran to keep their blueprints and use them to manufacture MS units separately if needed.

Xiao Ran and Luo planned extensive overhauls and new GN-BIT armaments for the Black Astray, Gundam Mk-II, Black Hawk, and Lightning Aegis. The chapter ended with the machines’ revised designs laid out, including a major transformation of the Lightning Aegis’s weapon modules.

• Xiao Ran told Luo to overhaul the machines and approved a Solar Furnace, weapons, and propulsion changes for the Black Astray and Gundam Mk-II.
• Luo redesigned the Gundam Mk-II for sniping and fire support, and Xiao Ran approved adding PS Armor.
• Xiao Ran ordered Black Hawk inspected and fitted with a Green Solar Furnace, while Luo assessed the Lightning Aegis and proposed replacing its Arm Thrusters with GN-BITs.
• Luo explained that Xiao Ran’s unsolidified GN-BIT components could become valuable A-rank sword-type weapons, and Xiao Ran decided to save them for a suitable machine.
• Xiao Ran ordered shield-type GN-BITs for Graham’s Black Astray and additional shield and gunport units for the Gundam Mk-II.
• Luo redesigned the Lightning Aegis around large GN-BITs, and the three machines’ updated configurations appeared on the console.

Xiao Ran spent heavily on mecha modifications, then learned that Luo’s newly built VF-27 had unexpectedly reached B--class after being fitted with Gundanium Alloy and PS Armor. He left with the VF-27 while preparing to strengthen Graham, whose detailed information he checked in the Trading Zone.

• Xiao Ran spent over two hundred thousand Merit Points on mecha modifications and custom maintenance machines for Haro, while Nalo reconsidered her decision to join his side.
• Luo revealed that the VF-27’s Gundanium Alloy frame and armor, PS Armor, and four engines had brought it to B--class; adding a Solar Furnace might raise it further.
• Xiao Ran marveled at owning a B-class mecha, while Luo cautioned that he lacked B-Class Piloting Skill and that arming the VF-27 would be costly.
• Luo sent the VF-27 back with Xiao Ran and said he would finish modifying the other mechas within a week.
• After arriving at the Trading Zone, Xiao Ran checked Graham Aker’s attributes, title, awakened skill, and piloting skills.

Xiao Ran assessed Graham’s abilities and used their Merit Points to enhance Graham, Sheryl, and Naluo before choosing upgrades for himself. The team’s preparations continued as their reserves fell sharply, leaving Xiao Ran with only a little over 200,000 Merit Points.

• Xiao Ran reviewed Graham’s skills and judged that Graham had exceptional potential as a duelist and ace pilot.
• Graham discussed his strengths and weaknesses with Xiao Ran, who raised his Mental Power, Constitution, Agility, Reaction, and Accuracy at a cost of nearly 80,000 Merit Points.
• Xiao Ran increased Sheryl’s Mental Power, Constitution, and Reaction, spending 86,400 Merit Points.
• Naluo transferred her remaining Merit Points to Xiao Ran and chose enhancements to Accuracy, Reaction, and Mental Power; Xiao Ran spent another 34,000 Merit Points on her.
• Xiao Ran spent 93,600 Merit Points to enhance his own Constitution, Mental Power, Reaction, and Accuracy.

Xiao Ran and his companions completed their machine upgrades and training before using the Ultimate Mission Card to return to the Gundam SEED World. They arrived aboard their familiar yacht, ready to undertake the mission to destroy Genesis and annihilate the Earth Alliance’s nuclear fleet.

• Xiao Ran postponed buying a skill for Graham after spending most of their Merit Points on machine upgrades and attributes.
• Xiao Ran, Graham, Naluo, and Sheryl trained for a week, improving their combat abilities and learning to use their modified machines.
• Xiao Ran used the Ultimate Mission Card, accepting the mission to destroy Genesis and annihilate the Earth Alliance’s nuclear-equipped fleet.
• Xiao Ran selected Black Hawk, Lightning Aegis, and Black Astray before the card transported all four companions to the SEED World.
• Xiao Ran awoke aboard their familiar yacht, then met Graham, Naluo, and Sheryl as they emerged from the cabins.

Xiao Ran returned to the SEED world with Sheryl, Naluo, and Graham and discovered that the Atlantic Federation and Eurasian Federation had sent a fleet south, possibly toward Orb. After evading an Earth Force inspection and reaching Orb in the Black Hawk, he contacted Orb’s Ministry of Defense and heard a familiar voice ask if he was safe.

• Xiao Ran checked the news and learned that the war continued and a combined Atlantic Federation and Eurasian Federation fleet had headed south.
• After Naluo received a warning that the waters ahead were restricted, Xiao Ran decided the group would abandon the yacht and leave in the Black Hawk.
• Xiao Ran and Graham carried Sheryl and Naluo into the Black Hawk, and Xiao Ran activated its Solar Furnace to fly toward Orb.
• Xiao Ran landed in an uninhabited area on Orb and contacted its Ministry of Defense using an encrypted channel.
• After verifying Xiao Ran’s identity, the Ministry connected him to a familiar voice that asked where he was and whether he was safe.

Xiao Ran reunited with Sheryl after contacting Mwu, and Sheryl confronted him about their past relationship. After learning Xiao Ran wanted to bring Mwu to Prometheus for her abilities, Sheryl reluctantly agreed, and the group waited for Mwu to arrive.

• Xiao Ran contacted Mwu and gave her his location, asking her to bring an MS transport vehicle.
• Sheryl asked Xiao Ran whether he and Mwu had been lovers, and Xiao Ran apologized when he could not deny it.
• Sheryl told Xiao Ran she understood how much Mwu had helped him during his first world and reaffirmed her commitment to him.
• Xiao Ran explained that he wanted to recruit Mwu for her command, technical, and logistical skills and to help the team prepare for its next mission.
• Sheryl reluctantly agreed to Xiao Ran bringing Mwu to Prometheus, then said she wanted to see what kind of person Mwu was.

Xiao Ran reunited with Mwu, Mu, and Bargyll in Orb and brought Sheryl to Akatsuki Works. As Mwu recounted Xiao Ran’s past to Sheryl, she revealed that Earth Force had given Orb a forty-eight-hour ultimatum, leaving the story on the eve of battle.

• Xiao Ran greeted Mwu, Mu, and Bargyll, then apologized to them for the pressure they had endured while he was away.
• Xiao Ran introduced Sheryl, Graham, and Nalo to the others, then sent Sheryl and Mwu ahead to Akatsuki Works in Black Hawk.
• Sheryl asked Mwu about her history with Xiao Ran, and Mwu recounted the dangers and events they had faced together.
• Mwu told Sheryl that Earth Force had demanded Representative Asaha be stripped of authority, Orb’s military and parliament be dissolved, and Xiao Ran be handed over within forty-eight hours, or Earth Force would attack.

Xiao Ran brought three modified mobile suits to Akatsuki Works, where their energy disrupted conventional communications. On the drive to the Asaha residence, he told Mwu that Sheryl was also his woman and asked her to leave with him for a distant, dangerous place; Mwu agreed to trust him.

• Sheryl urged Mwu not to hand Xiao Ran over and warned Akatsuki Works that mobile suits would arrive.
• Xiao Ran and the others landed three modified units at Akatsuki Works, and the units disrupted ordinary communications.
• Xiao Ran left Graham, Nalo, and Sheryl at Akatsuki Works while he drove toward the Asaha residence with Mwu.
• Xiao Ran told Mwu that Sheryl was his woman and explained that he had experienced a much longer time apart from her than she knew.
• Xiao Ran asked Mwu to leave with him for a dangerous place far beyond Jupiter, and Mwu agreed.

Xiao Ran returned to the Asaha residence with Mwu and promised to explain his plans after peace was achieved. He proposed destroying the Earth Force leadership to protect Orb, but Representative Asaha insisted Orb had to sacrifice itself and be reborn because the Sahaq Family had betrayed it.

• Xiao Ran learned that Mwu’s follower mission required him to protect the former Archangel crew, end the war, and bring peace, and he told Mwu he would explain everything after the war.
• Xiao Ran told Mu that he planned to leave Earth with Mwu once the war ended, heading somewhere farther away than PLANT.
• Representative Asaha warned Xiao Ran that Orb lacked the strength to withstand repeated Earth Force attacks and could not sustain a long war.
• Xiao Ran suggested attacking Earth Force bases and using nuclear weapons to eliminate its leadership and prevent Orb’s destruction.
• Representative Asaha rejected Xiao Ran’s plan, arguing that it would violate Orb’s neutrality and provoke further nuclear threats.
• Representative Asaha revealed that the Sahaq Family had agreed with the Earth Force and that Orb needed to be destroyed and reborn from the flames.

Xiao Ran accepted Representative Asaha’s plan for Orb’s evacuation and took command of the Third Fleet as war with the Earth Force approached. He ordered Orb’s elite pilots to hold the defensive line for one day while Director Simmons prepared Akatsuki Works’ equipment for evacuation.

• Representative Asaha ordered the Kusanagi to join the Third Fleet and directed Orb’s forces to prepare to evacuate into space when war began.
• Xiao Ran returned to Akatsuki Works and gathered the pilots, Sheryl, Graham, Nalu, Mwu, and Director Simmons for a meeting.
• Xiao Ran learned that the Earth Force had two reinforced fleets while the Third Fleet had only twenty operational mobile suits.
• Xiao Ran assigned the elite pilots to defend Orb’s first line and protect the civilian evacuation until the Earth Force retreated.
• Xiao Ran told Director Simmons to gather Akatsuki Works’ best technicians and dismantle equipment for shipment out of Orb.

Xiao Ran took command of Orb’s defenses and ordered a plan focused on evacuating civilians and moving the battle away from the island. He left the Command Center preparing to strike the Earth Force first, despite Cagalli’s objections.

• Xiao Ran briefed the pilots on the strengths and weaknesses of the Earth Force’s Calamity, Forbidden, and Raider Gundams, then asked Sheryl to pilot Black Hawk and support the coming battle.
• Xiao Ran visited the Ministry of Defense and found Cagalli directing Orb’s defensive preparations in the Command Center.
• Kisaka revealed that Lord Asaha had granted Xiao Ran the highest command authority over Orb’s Defense Force, and Xiao Ran ordered Kisaka to protect Cagalli.
• Xiao Ran concentrated the Third Fleet’s mobile suits around Archangel and Akatsuki Works, ordered warships to evacuate civilians, and repositioned Orb’s defenses for an immediate attack.
• Cagalli argued that Xiao Ran’s orders would leave Orb unable to withstand the Earth Force’s first assault, but Xiao Ran insisted that protecting civilians and defending Orb’s ideals mattered more than winning the battle.

Asaha agreed to Xiao Ran’s plan to demonstrate Orb’s strength, and Orb’s forces prepared for the Earth Force’s deadline. At eight fifty-nine, Xiao Ran, Naluo, Graham, and Haro’s Black Hawk launched a surprise attack on the Earth Force fleet, leaving thirteen vessels destroyed or sinking in the first volley.

• Asaha told Orb’s officials to follow Xiao Ran’s plan and said they would go to the Command Center before the war began.
• Xiao Ran met Asaha and Orb’s leaders, then departed for Akatsuki Works as Orb’s forces prepared to sortie.
• The Archangel launched with Rage Gundam, Buster Gundam, Freedom Gundam, Strike Gundam, and Orb’s MS Unit, while four machines rose undetected from Akatsuki Works.
• At eight fifty-nine, Xiao Ran ordered Graham, Naluo, and Haro’s Black Hawk to attack the Earth Force fleet and disrupt its communications.
• Xiao Ran’s Lightning Aegis destroyed or crippled thirteen Earth Force vessels, while Naluo’s MK-II Gundam and Haro’s Black Hawk attacked the fleet and Graham’s Black Astray cut through a warship.

Xiao Ran’s four units crippled the Earth Force fleet before Orb’s coastal missiles devastated it. Asaha ordered Orb’s forces to defend the civilians during evacuation, while Cagalli struggled to understand how Orb’s ideals could coexist with war.

• Xiao Ran’s four units destroyed a quarter of the Earth Force warships, disrupted their radar and communications, then withdrew as Orb’s missiles closed in.
• Orb’s coastal missiles struck the disorganized Earth Force fleet, leaving more than half its ships ablaze.
• Asaha ordered Orb’s second defensive line and MS units to prepare as surviving Earth Force ships launched missiles and deployed MS.
• Cagalli questioned why Orb had attacked first, and Asaha showed her a news broadcast that portrayed Earth Force as the aggressor while hiding Orb’s missile strike.
• Asaha told Cagalli that ideals required strength and action, then ordered Orb’s forces to hold the defensive lines until civilians were evacuated, vowing to remain with them.

Xiao Ran led the Lightning Aegis units in stopping Earth Force’s missile assault and tore through the enemy MS formation. His concentrated attack crippled the Gold Astray and both Sword Battle Type Calamity units, leaving the battle still underway.

• The Lightning Aegis units spread GN Particles across the battlefield and caused Earth Force’s radar-guided missiles to collide and explode.
• Xiao Ran spotted the Earth Force MS formation, including Calamity, Raider, Forbidden, the Gold Astray, and two Sword Battle Type Calamity units.
• Xiao Ran assigned Graham to the scythe-carrying machine, Naluo to Calamity Gundam, and Black Hawk to Raider Gundam, then attacked the formation himself.
• Xiao Ran destroyed more than thirty Earth Force MS with the Lightning Aegis and its GN weapons.
• Xiao Ran locked onto the Gold Astray and two Sword Battle Type Calamity units and fired a dense barrage that wrecked their flying craft and left all three machines badly damaged.

Xiao Ran and Kira led Orb’s defense in a battle that drove the Earth Force to retreat, but Asaha feared the victory had only postponed Orb’s defeat. The chapter left Orb preparing for a stronger follow-up assault.

• Xiao Ran stopped attacking the damaged Gold Astray after realizing Orb and its civilians needed Mina’s protection.
• Kira’s Freedom Gundam and Nicol’s Rage Gundam helped hold the coastline as the Earth Force attacked Orb’s defenses.
• Xiao Ran activated Quick Lock and unleashed the Lightning Aegis’s weapons, raining beams across the Earth Force MS and devastating a section of the battlefield.
• The Earth Force retreated after an hour, and Orb’s defenders celebrated their victory.
• Asaha recognized that the Earth Force’s next assault would bring greater forces and could breach Orb’s defenses.

After Orb repelled the Earth Force fleet, Xiao Ran explained the strategy to protect Orb and buy time for evacuation, while Asaha refused to escalate the conflict. The chapter ended when Xiao Ran learned that Rage Gundam and Buster Gundam were fighting and Freedom Gundam had joined them.

• Orb's leaders planned to end the battle quickly, evacuate civilians and Akatsuki Works' equipment, and stage the destruction of the facility to preserve Orb's ideals and reputation.
• After the Earth Force fleet retreated, Xiao Ran returned to the Command Center and ordered reconnaissance and assessments of battle losses and evacuation progress.
• Asaha thanked Xiao Ran, who offered to destroy Earth Force headquarters, but Asaha refused to risk provoking more war.
• Xiao Ran told Asaha that the Lightning Aegis's new energy and weapons came from elsewhere and that he might share the information later; Asaha agreed Orb could not protect it yet.
• A report revealed that Rage Gundam and Buster Gundam were still fighting, with Freedom Gundam joining the battle.

As Orb’s civilians evacuated and its defenses crumbled, Xiao Ran ordered the military to withdraw and preserve its forces for Orb’s future return. The warships departed preparations nearly complete, while the remaining M1 Astrays and Akatsuki Works were left to be destroyed.

• Xiao Ran learned that Athrun was confronting Kira, Nicol, and Dearka, and sent Cagalli to meet them.
• Xiao Ran and Asaha agreed to begin Orb’s preparations as the evacuation report showed civilians had suffered few casualties and the first defensive line had lost most of its gun emplacements.
• Xiao Ran ordered Orb’s forces to abandon their positions, evacuate civilians, and prepare the warships and Gundams for battle.
• Xiao Ran ordered the tanks sunk and the MS loaded onto Kusanagi, Akatsuki, and Archangel, explaining that Orb had to retreat to protect its cities and people.
• The civilians and most forces evacuated, while the remaining M1 Astrays were abandoned for destruction with Akatsuki Works.

Xiao Ran prepared Orb’s remaining forces and supplies to evacuate into space, where he hoped to protect Earth and give Orb a chance to rise again. He assigned Graham to cover the departing warships, then asked Athrun whether he had found a reason to keep fighting.

• Xiao Ran ordered civilian ships to check their passengers and search for Shinn Asuka and his family, then directed the Defense Building to evacuate.
• At Akatsuki Works, Xiao Ran arranged for the transport ships to be escorted to a hidden location and planned to move the remaining mobile suits aboard the Archangel.
• Xiao Ran told Director Symonds that Orb would go into space to escape the Earth Force and seek a chance to stop both Genesis and a genocidal attack on PLANT.
• Graham told Xiao Ran he had fought three skilled pilots and agreed to pilot Black Astray, monitor the Earth Force, and cover the warships’ departure with Freedom Gundam and Justice Gundam.
• Athrun thanked Xiao Ran for saving him and discussed his father’s Genesis plan and the destruction of Heliopolis.
• Xiao Ran asked Athrun whether he had found a reason to keep fighting.

Mu questioned whether Athrun, Dearka, and Nicol could truly fight alongside Orb, and they each affirmed their commitment to protecting peace and destroying Genesis. Xiao Ran explained that Orb would evacuate because the Earth Force had overwhelming Gundam forces, and he prepared Kira and Athrun to protect the departing battleships.

• Mu asked Athrun whether he could fight against ZAFT, and Dearka and Nicol explained why they had chosen to protect Orb and oppose Genesis.
• Athrun admitted he was still unsure what was right but said he wanted to fight for peace and protection, like Dearka and Nicol.
• Cagalli demanded to know why Orb was evacuating, and Xiao Ran explained the Earth Force had produced at least fifty Gundams and Orb could not withstand their forces.
• Cagalli ran to seek an explanation from Representative Asaha, while Xiao Ran told Graham to prepare and said the evacuation would begin if no battle started.
• Athrun volunteered to protect the departing battleships with Kira, and Xiao Ran explained that Black Astray's Destiny-00 backpack resembled Justice Gundam's but had a different internal structure.

As Orb prepared to evacuate while Earth Force attacked again, Xiao Ran brought the Asuka family into a factory and explained Orb’s plans and Shinn’s potential. He asked Shinn to join ZAFT and become a pilot so he could someday protect Orb, but Shinn had not yet answered.

• Graham reported that Black Hawk detected Earth Force deploying mobile suits, and Xiao Ran ordered the remaining personnel evacuated and the pilots to sortie to keep the battle away from the main island.
• Xiao Ran met the Asuka family and led them into the factory, where Shinn and Mayu saw the mobile suits preparing to launch.
• Xiao Ran explained that Orb was drawing the attack toward the island while its forces prepared to leave for space, and said Representative Asaha would remain to defend Orb’s ideals and vital facilities.
• Xiao Ran told the Asuka family that Shinn and Mayu had a rare power that could shape the world’s future, and identified Kira, Athrun, Lacus, and Cagalli as others who possessed it.
• Xiao Ran asked Shinn to go to PLANT, join ZAFT, and become a pilot who could protect Orb in the future, but Mrs. Asuka objected and Xiao Ran asked Shinn whether he was willing.

Xiao Ran persuaded Shinn to join ZAFT for two years in exchange for protecting and supporting his family, then arranged for Shinn to leave Orb under a false identity. He also planned to entrust advanced technology to Lacus, preparing for a possible return to this world.

• Shinn agreed to join ZAFT after Xiao Ran promised his family support and allowed him to choose his path after two years.
• Shinn told his mother he wanted to help Orb, and Xiao Ran arranged for the family to go to the Archangel.
• Xiao Ran showed Shinn the battle and explained the sacrifices Orb's forces made to protect civilians and the country's ideals.
• Xiao Ran told Shinn he would be declared a war orphan, cut off from his family, and sent to ZAFT through refugee channels.
• Shinn returned to say goodbye to his family, while Xiao Ran planned to leave Solar Furnace data and other technology with Lacus.

Xiao Ran returned from space with Black Hawk’s new missile backpack and unleashed its thirteen GHOST Drones against Earth Force’s attack formation, helping Orb hold the line. As Earth Force began withdrawing and Orb prepared to evacuate, Xiao Ran targeted the three enemy Gundams for one last attack.

• Xiao Ran flew Black Hawk into space, replaced its heavy armor backpack with a missile-loaded one, released the thirteen GHOST Drones, and returned to the battlefield.
• Xiao Ran ordered Haro to remove the drones’ attack restrictions and target Earth Force’s mobile suits, and their strafing runs tore through the enemy formation.
• Mu, Kira, Athrun, Dearka, and Nicol watched in shock as Black Hawk transformed and Naluo’s MK-II Gundam used its GN-BITs and GN Rocket Cannon to destroy and suppress enemy units.
• Earth Force began withdrawing, and Archangel ordered several units to return for evacuation while Freedom Gundam, Justice Gundam, and Black Astray covered them.
• Xiao Ran fought Forbidden Gundam and, as Kusanagi prepared to depart, ordered the drones to target Calamity Gundam, Raider Gundam, and Forbidden Gundam.

Xiao Ran and the allied mobile suits drove back the Earth Force attack, allowing the Orb warships to escape into space before Orb’s main island self-destructed. The survivors mourned the island’s destruction, while Shinn Asuka’s helicopter was caught in the resulting shockwave.

• Xiao Ran used Black Hawk and the thirteen drones to defeat the three enemy Gundams, cutting away Forbidden Gundam’s Beam Energy-diverting Armor and crippling the enemy force.
• Xiao Ran ordered the drones to escort the departing ships, then concealed two freighters with GN Particles as Kusanagi, another warship, and Archangel launched into space.
• The Earth Force fleet headed for Orb’s main island, where a massive explosion destroyed the island and devastated the approaching flank fleet.
• Athrun, Graham, Mwu, Cagalli, and others mourned Orb’s destruction, while Shinn Asuka questioned the sacrifice and then struggled as the shockwave threw his helicopter out of control.
• Xiao Ran watched the island’s light fade and promised Representative Asaha that he would fulfill his promise.