Recaps

Xiao Ran negotiated a ceasefire with Captain Rau by offering to return Lacus and the civilians, then explained his plan to Mwu. Afterward, he refused a major Ginn upgrade and checked his improving combat skills, hoping they would eventually let him pilot a Gundam.

• Xiao Ran persuaded Captain Rau to halt ZAFT's attack and withdraw by offering to return Lacus Clyne and the civilians, with Cruze expected to accompany the shuttlecraft.
• Xiao Ran told Mwu that the deal would protect the Archangel, return Lacus, and give the crew time to escape while reducing ZAFT's forces.
• Sergeant Maddox praised Xiao Ran for defeating two mobile suits and suggested reinforcing his Ginn, but Xiao Ran refused a major frame upgrade and approved only repairs to its leg joints.
• Xiao Ran activated simulated gravity in his room and checked his status, discovering that his Mental Power and endurance had fallen during battle while his piloting and space-combat proficiencies had risen.
• Xiao Ran hoped that further battles would raise his piloting proficiency enough for him to operate a Gundam.

After the battle, Xiao Ran and Mwu arranged to evacuate civilians and return Lacus and Moriya to ZAFT. The handover began with Cruze arriving aboard a Shuttlecraft, where Xiao Ran challenged him about the attack and his treatment of Lacus.

• Xiao Ran learned from Mwu that the advance fleet had suffered devastating losses, and she explained the ships’ crew sizes and the Archangel’s capacity.
• Mwu arranged for the two Drake-class battleships to depart and set a 2100 meeting with ZAFT to transfer civilians, Lacus, and Moriya.
• The civilians agreed to leave, and the two Drake-class battleships departed at around 1800.
• Xiao Ran told Kira about the handover, and Kira spent time with Lacus before the ZAFT Shuttlecraft arrived with the Aegis Gundam and a Ginn escort.
• Kira blocked the Aegis Gundam and arranged an inspection of the Shuttlecraft; Lacus comforted him as he struggled with the prospect of parting from Athrun.
• Cruze emerged from the Shuttlecraft to meet Xiao Ran, who challenged him over the attack and his apparent lack of respect for Lacus.

Xiao Ran helped return Lacus and the civilians to ZAFT, then the Archangel escaped and rendezvoused with the Eighth Fleet. As the crew awaited General Harborton's decisions, Xiao Ran realized he had fallen for Mwu, while privately doubting that he and Kira would truly be allowed to leave.

• Xiao Ran arranged for the civilians to board the Shuttlecraft and told Cruze that Lacus would be handed over to the Aegis Gundam's pilot after he left the Archangel.
• After Kira and Mu returned, the Archangel left the sector without being pursued, and Kira shut himself in his room for a day.
• Over the next three days, Kira struggled with Lacus's absence, Flay grieved and glared at Kira, and Xiao Ran trained until his piloting skills stalled.
• Mwu told Xiao Ran that the Archangel had rendezvoused with the Eighth Fleet and that General Harborton would soon announce arrangements for him.
• Mwu asked where Xiao Ran wanted to go if he could leave, and Xiao Ran said he would return to Orb as a teacher before realizing he had fallen for her.

Xiao Ran and the Archangel crew received General Harborton, who reassured the Heliopolis students that their families were safe and thanked them for helping the ship. Harborton then asked Xiao Ran to speak with him later, leaving Xiao Ran curious about the conversation to come.

• After Mwu left the bridge, Xiao Ran brooded while Tolle, Kazui, Arnold, Jackie, Rommel, and Dalida speculated about whom he had fallen for.
• Bargyll announced Harborton's arrival, and Xiao Ran went to the second hangar's isolation bay, where students and crew had gathered to receive him.
• Xiao Ran reassured Miriallia that Harborton would not make things difficult, while Kira remained worried about whether he could leave the Archangel.
• Harborton told the students that their families were safe and would soon be reunited with them, prompting their joyful celebration.
• Harborton thanked Xiao Ran and Kira for helping the Archangel survive the journey, then asked Xiao Ran to talk with him later.

Xiao Ran received an Earth Force Discharge Notice that let him leave his faction without penalty, then learned that unfamiliar Participants were being sent to the Archangel to pilot newly manufactured mobile suits. He decided to stay aboard and urged Bargyll to prevent them from boarding, leaving his plan to confront the threat unresolved.

• Xiao Ran received the Earth Force Discharge Notice and stored it, realizing he could avoid being assigned to the Eighth Fleet.
• Miriallia and Tolle told Xiao Ran that they, Kazui, and Sai planned to stay aboard the Archangel, and Xiao Ran advised them to tell Kira before deciding to remain.
• Xiao Ran overheard Harborton, Mwu, Mu, and Bargyll discuss sending unfamiliar pilots to join the G mission and head to Alaska.
• Xiao Ran suspected the new pilots were Participants and feared they would threaten his plans for the Strike Gundam and the Archangel.
• Xiao Ran told Bargyll he had decided to stay aboard and asked her to keep the unfamiliar pilots from boarding until he could explain what he knew.

Xiao Ran persuaded Bargyll to investigate the extraordinary attackers from Heliopolis and try to keep them off the Archangel. Meanwhile, four Participants waited aboard the Menelaus, planning to take over units on the Archangel and carry out their missions.

• Bargyll confronted Xiao Ran about overhearing military secrets and demanded to know why he had come aboard the Archangel.
• Xiao Ran described the superhuman attackers at the Heliopolis Spaceport and warned that the people seeking to board the Archangel might threaten everyone aboard.
• Xiao Ran told Bargyll he would leave with his students if the newcomers had already boarded, and Bargyll agreed to investigate.
• Xiao Ran entered the Captain's Room, while four Participants waited in a shuttle aboard the Menelaus.
• The woman and Sman planned to take over the two units aboard the Archangel first, while Harvey and Barnes would assist with their missions and claim later units.

Xiao Ran told Harborton that Blue Cosmos had infiltrated the Earth Force and warned him that the Heliopolis attackers might be Enhanced Humans connected to the Gundams. Harborton ordered the four suspects restricted and watched while Bargyll investigated their ties to an extremist criminal organization.

• Harborton praised Xiao Ran and offered him a position in the Earth Force, but Xiao Ran explained why he feared its leadership and Blue Cosmos.
• Harborton confirmed that Blue Cosmos had powerful allies in the Earth Force and revealed that the G Project had also been used to expand his faction’s influence.
• Xiao Ran described a secret Earth Force base developing Enhanced Humans and recounted how attackers at the Heliopolis Spaceport killed civilians and displayed superhuman abilities.
• Xiao Ran suggested the attackers had come to Heliopolis because of the Gundams, and Harborton recognized that they might be able to pilot MS units.
• Bargyll reported that the Heliopolis attackers might be linked to an extremist criminal organization, and Harborton ordered the four people transferred to the Archangel restricted and monitored.

Bargyll investigated Xiao Ran and the four suspicious participants, while General Harborton agreed to keep the participants off the Archangel and investigate the Enhanced Human base. Xiao Ran stayed with the Archangel and was appointed a major in the Earth Force Special Intelligence Department under the Eighth Fleet.

• Bargyll reviewed the Strike Gundam records and investigated Xiao Ran and the four participants, deciding that the participants were more suspicious than Xiao Ran.
• Harborton learned that only the Strike Gundam's development data had survived and ordered Mwu to send it to the Menelaus.
• Harborton agreed to investigate the Enhanced Human base and recognized that the four participants could threaten Kira if they boarded the Archangel.
• Xiao Ran offered to stay aboard the Archangel, and Harborton officially assigned him to the ship and promoted him to captain.
• Harborton offered Xiao Ran a major's rank and a Special Intelligence Department assignment in exchange for useful intelligence, and Xiao Ran accepted.

Xiao Ran received an official major's appointment and struggled with his decision to let Harborton leave to meet his destined death. When ZAFT attacked the Eighth Fleet, Harborton ordered the Archangel to flee toward Earth, and Xiao Ran was assigned to pilot the Strike Gundam in Kira's absence.

• Xiao Ran watched Harborton leave, knowing that keeping him alive could alter the events he relied on to survive.
• Xiao Ran returned to his room to steady himself, then rushed to the ready room when the Archangel sounded the combat alarm.
• The Eighth Fleet detected ZAFT warships carrying more than twenty mobile suits, including the Aegis, Buster, Duel, and Blitz Gundams.
• Harborton ordered the Eighth Fleet to hold off ZAFT while the Archangel descended toward Alaska, and Mwu relayed the order to the crew.
• Bargyll ordered Xiao Ran to pilot the Strike Gundam because Kira was absent, and Xiao Ran agreed.
• Kira arrived and volunteered to launch in the Strike Gundam.

Kira returned to the Archangel and chose to pilot the Strike Gundam, while Xiao Ran sortied in the Lightning Ginn to defend the ship with the Strike's pulse cannon. As the Duel and Buster Gundams attacked the Archangel and a battle erupted within the Eighth Fleet, Xiao Ran continued firing despite accidentally destroying a friendly Moebius.

• Kira returned to the Archangel and told Xiao Ran he wanted to help protect everyone.
• Xiao Ran launched in the Lightning Ginn, connected its cannon to the Archangel, and used it to fire at the approaching Duel and Buster Gundams.
• Yzak split the Duel and Buster Gundams to approach from different directions, and Kira launched in the Strike Gundam to engage the Duel.
• Xiao Ran accidentally hit a friendly Moebius while targeting a Ginn, losing 500 Merit Points, then resumed firing at ZAFT's forces.
• A battle began aboard the Eighth Fleet's flagship as the fighting continued.

Xiao Ran’s erratic fire from Lightning Ginn battered ZAFT’s forces while Harborton’s suspicions led to four participants being arrested aboard the Menelaus. After learning that Harborton planned to shield the Archangel, the four received missions to protect the Eighth Fleet and Harborton, then broke out and headed for the bridge.

• Xiao Ran operated Lightning Ginn, firing powerful beams haphazardly and forcing both ZAFT pilots and Earth Force MA pilots to avoid its line of fire.
• After Harborton ordered surveillance, a major had military police surround the Transport Aircraft and take Harvey, Sman, Eshe, and Barnes into custody for questioning.
• Eshe calmed Harvey and persuaded the First Sergeant to escort the group peacefully, but separate interrogations exposed serious flaws in their fabricated identities.
• With ZAFT’s forces approaching, Harborton announced that the Menelaus would serve as bait and shield the Archangel during its descent.
• The four received missions to protect the Eighth Fleet and Harborton, then broke out of their cells, subdued the military police, seized weapons, and advanced toward the bridge.

Eshe and her companions fought their way toward the bridge after abandoning their space-combat mission and deciding to capture Harborton for C-class mecha data. As they tried to explain why Harborton had turned against them, Eshe suspected their actions in Heliopolis had exposed their connection to other participants.

• Eshe ordered the group to abandon the first mission, capture Harborton, and escape after securing the C-class mecha data; she sent Barnes to ready the Shuttlecraft and seize control of the warship systems.
• Harvey complained about Harborton, while Sman rebuked him for attacking too recklessly; Eshe silenced their argument and the group continued toward the bridge.
• Sman and Eshe wondered why Harborton had arrested them after their return from the Archangel, and Eshe suspected someone aboard the ship had started investigating their identities.
• Eshe considered that their conspicuous abilities in Heliopolis had made others associate them with the participants who caused trouble there, prompting Sman and Harvey to threaten revenge on the survivors.

After mutiny erupted aboard the Menelaus, Mwu reluctantly ordered the Archangel to flee toward Earth while the ship blocked attacks. Xiao Ran accepted a mission to protect Harborton, then drove off the Buster Gundam and returned to the Archangel as it prepared to descend.

• Mwu ordered the Archangel to leave the combat zone after learning that mutineers had taken control of the Menelaus and were advancing toward Harborton's bridge.
• Miriallia informed Xiao Ran that the Archangel was heading for Earth and warned him to stay close; Xiao Ran recognized the Participants' attempt to seize Harborton.
• Xiao Ran accepted the mission to protect Harborton, risking expulsion and pursuit by both factions if he failed.
• Xiao Ran unleashed a rapid barrage on Dearka's Buster Gundam, forcing it away from the battle, then requested permission to return.
• The Archangel granted Xiao Ran permission to land, and its crew rushed to secure the Lightning Ginn before beginning Earth descent.

Mu questioned whether serving in the Earth Force still had meaning after learning about the Menelaus mutiny, while Xiao Ran concealed what he knew. As the Archangel began its descent, the Menelaus faced destruction, but its crew unexpectedly signaled surrender to the Aegis Gundam.

• Mu told Xiao Ran that the Enhanced Humans’ mutiny aboard the Menelaus had left him doubting the purpose of fighting for the Earth Force, and Xiao Ran let him vent without revealing the truth.
• Xiao Ran and Mu learned that Kira was still pinned down by the Duel Gundam and Buster Gundam, while Bargyll warned that Xiao Ran could not safely sortie during the Archangel’s descent.
• The Archangel launched a Shuttlecraft carrying some Industrial Academy students, and Xiao Ran worried that they remained in danger near the battle.
• Xiao Ran and Mu watched the Strike Gundam struggle to escape as the Archangel descended, while Xiao Ran hoped events would still lead the ship to the desert.
• The Menelaus stopped moving, and the Aegis Gundam transformed and charged its cannon to attack the helpless warship.
• The Menelaus crew signaled surrender, causing Xiao Ran and Mu to stare in disbelief as the Aegis Gundam’s cannon powered down.

The Archangel began its descent while the Menelaus was seized by the four Participants, and Xiao Ran worried that the altered battle would change events. The Archangel landed in ZAFT-controlled North Africa, and Xiao Ran went to check on the unresponsive Kira and bring the Strike Gundam aboard.

• Harborton’s men sealed the bridge, so Eshe ordered Barnes to take control of the Menelaus and broadcast a surrender order.
• The Archangel began descending, and Xiao Ran endured the unfamiliar pull of gravity as Mu tried to reassure him.
• After the descent, Miriallia reported that Kira was not responding, while the bridge confirmed the Strike Gundam was above the Archangel.
• Dalida determined that the Archangel would land in ZAFT-controlled North Africa, and Xiao Ran warned that Harborton might have sent the Strike Gundam’s data to the Moon.
• Xiao Ran left the bridge to check on Kira and bring the Strike Gundam into the hangar.

Xiao Ran assessed the Archangel’s perilous landing in ZAFT territory and warned its officers that the Earth Force might have abandoned them to buy time. The crew faced an uncertain escape through enemy territory as they repaired the damaged Strike Gundam and prepared to hold out.

• After the Archangel landed, Xiao Ran and the maintenance crew found Kira unconscious in the heat-damaged Strike Gundam and took him to the infirmary.
• Xiao Ran warned Sergeant Maddock that ZAFT could attack soon and discussed the Ginn’s damage and plans to modify a captured enemy mobile suit.
• In the Captain's Room, Bargyll asked Xiao Ran to explain his remarks on the bridge, and he described how the Archangel’s route to Alaska would force it through enemy blockades.
• Xiao Ran suggested that the Earth Force might have sent the Archangel into ZAFT territory as a discarded pawn, prompting Bargyll to accuse him of undermining morale.
• Xiao Ran dismissed his claim as speculation and said that escaping and keeping the Archangel alive mattered most.

The Archangel prepared to continue toward Alaska while Xiao Ran considered how to use his incomplete Strike Gundam data in a deal with Orb. A pre-dawn attack began before the crew could fully rest, and Mu struggled to get the unarmed Skygrasper ready to sortie.

• Mwu decided that the Archangel would proceed to Alaska, despite Xiao Ran’s warning that Earth Force might treat them as disposable pawns.
• The crew spent the day locating the Archangel and preparing it for ground operations while they waited for Kira to recover from his fever.
• Xiao Ran received incomplete Strike Gundam construction data, including PS Armor technology, and saw an opportunity to trade it to Orb for support.
• An alarm sounded around four in the morning, and Xiao Ran heard Flay crying in Kira’s room as the attack began.
• At the hangar, Mu learned that the Archangel faced three BuCUEs and an aerial squadron, but Maddock said the Skygrasper lacked weapons and could not be equipped through the launch bay.

As the Archangel battled ZAFT, Mu launched in the Skygrasper while Xiao Ran watched Kira defend the ship and Dawn Desert arrive. Xiao Ran joined Mu to meet the resistance, where Cagalli unexpectedly confronted Kira as if they knew each other.

• Xiao Ran said his damaged Ginn could not sortie, so the Archangel had to rely on Kira until the Skygrasper was ready.
• Mu launched the Skygrasper despite the Archangel being hit by ZAFT fire, while Kira shot down the incoming shells.
• Xiao Ran watched from the bridge as Kira defended the ship and Dawn Desert requested negotiations.
• Mu told Xiao Ran to stay aboard and take charge of the Archangel if anything happened, but Xiao Ran chose to accompany her to meet Dawn Desert.
• Cagalli slapped Kira and demanded to know why he was there, leaving both the Archangel crew and Dawn Desert stunned.

Xiao Ran and the Archangel met Dawn Desert, where he recognized that Cagalli looked like Kira and suspected they were siblings. After exploring a nearby town, he ran into Rau Le Creuset, leaving the reason for Rau’s presence unknown.

• The Archangel entered Dawn Desert’s hidden canyon base, and Xiao Ran wondered why ZAFT had never attacked the resistance group.
• Seibu met with Xiao Ran, Mwu, Mu, and Bargyll, while Mu asked Cagalli’s name and learned that she was called their goddess of victory.
• Xiao Ran noticed Cagalli’s resemblance to Kira, and the others agreed before dismissing his suggestion that they were siblings as a joke.
• Xiao Ran borrowed a car and wandered through a nearby town, then realized he had no money to buy food.
• As Xiao Ran turned away from the food stalls, he encountered Rau Le Creuset and asked what he was doing there.

Xiao Ran met Rau Le Creuset in town and persuaded him to visit the Archangel by offering him a chance to inspect its Gundams. On the way, Xiao Ran recounted his journey and suspicions about the Earth Force, and the chapter ended as they arrived at the ship and someone ordered them to stop.

• Xiao Ran recognized Rau Le Creuset and claimed that a friend in the scrap business had told him about Rau's luck finding valuable machines.
• Rau bought Xiao Ran food, and Xiao Ran said he had come from Heliopolis and had been aboard the Archangel while ZAFT pursued them.
• Xiao Ran offered to let Rau see the Archangel's MS units, and Rau eagerly agreed.
• While driving to the ship, Xiao Ran shared his account of events since Heliopolis and speculated that Enhanced Humans had caused the Eighth Fleet's surrender.
• Xiao Ran and Rau arrived at the Archangel, where hurried footsteps approached and someone ordered them to stop.

Xiao Ran brought Luo to the Dawn Desert Resistance base and persuaded Mwu to let his friend tour the Archangel and see the Gundam. After Luo studied the ship and proved his trust in Xiao Ran, they prepared to visit the Gundam, where Xiao Ran had something else planned for him.

• Dawn Desert Resistance members challenged Xiao Ran for bringing Luo to their base, and Xiao Ran apologized and identified Luo as a Scrap Dealer.
• Xiao Ran explained to Luo that profiteers fueled conflicts, then asked Mwu for permission to bring Luo aboard the Archangel and show him the Gundam.
• Xiao Ran pledged to take responsibility if Luo leaked classified information, and Mwu allowed Luo to board.
• Xiao Ran showed Luo around the Archangel, and Luo sketched its design while promising not to ask for secret data.
• Luo asked to see the Gundam, and Xiao Ran agreed, saying he had prepared something for him.

Xiao Ran weighed the available mecha and decided he needed Orb to build one suited to his piloting style, with Luo handling the modifications. He offered Luo Strike Gundam’s specification data in exchange for a promise to pass it to the Earth Force if Archangel sank and Xiao Ran died.

• Xiao Ran considered the mecha he might obtain, ruled out the available Gundams and other machines, and concluded that none suited his needs.
• Xiao Ran decided Orb would have to build a suitable mecha, relying on Luo’s expertise to modify it while preserving its potential for future upgrades.
• Luo finished examining Strike Gundam and praised its structure, then asked Xiao Ran if he could pilot it.
• Xiao Ran told Luo that General Harborton had entrusted him with Strike Gundam’s specification data and offered it on the condition that Luo give it to the Earth Force if Xiao Ran died and Archangel sank.
• Luo agreed, while Mu and Maddock watched and discussed Xiao Ran’s plans.

Luo demonstrated the Strike Gundam’s extraordinary agility, prompting Kira to reflect on combat and exposing how much his mindset had changed since landing on Earth. Xiao Ran helped Kira regain his composure and encouraged him to learn from Luo, while hoping Flay would also change soon.

• Luo piloted the Strike Gundam through agile punches, kicks, and leaps, astonishing Mu, Bargyll, Kira, and the others.
• Xiao Ran explained that Luo’s mechanical expertise and supercomputer helped him control the Strike Gundam, and he suspected Luo’s companions were nearby.
• Kira claimed he could defeat Luo and protect the Archangel, so Xiao Ran challenged him about his changed attitude and growing pressure on himself.
• Xiao Ran spoke privately with Kira about Flay, her father’s death, and the burden Kira had been placing on himself.
• Kira acknowledged that his emotions had been off and said Luo’s demonstration had given him ideas; Xiao Ran urged him to learn from Luo.

After Luo examined the Strike Gundam, Mwu decided to let him work on it despite Bargyll’s security concerns, while Mu and Mwu suspected Xiao Ran was preparing an escape route. When a distant city was found burning, the Archangel and Dawn Desert mobilized to respond.

• Luo, Kira, and Maddock discussed modifications to the Strike Gundam while Xiao Ran listened nearby.
• Bargyll urged Mwu to arrest Xiao Ran and Luo, but Mu explained the risks and Mwu ordered the crew to conceal Luo’s visit as a repair inspection.
• Mwu suspected Xiao Ran was preparing a way out because he distrusted Earth Force command and feared the Archangel would be abandoned.
• During a gathering at Dawn Desert’s base, Dalida spotted a distant city engulfed in flames, prompting Dawn Desert and the Archangel to mobilize.
• Kira and Mu departed in the Strike Gundam and Skygrasper, while Luo borrowed a vehicle and Xiao Ran prepared to take another Skygrasper out.

Xiao Ran helped refugees from the burned town while Mu investigated Dawn Desert’s pursuit of ZAFT and confirmed it had ended in casualties. As the Archangel and Luo’s group cared for survivors, Xiao Ran arranged for Luo to modify the Strike Gundam and went to rest.

• Xiao Ran and Mu landed near the burning town and handed out candy to the crying children among the refugees.
• After families reunited, many Dawn Desert Resistance members left to pursue ZAFT despite warnings from calmer members.
• Xiao Ran realized the refugees had suffered few injuries, and Mu learned that ZAFT had warned the town to evacuate before attacking.
• Mu flew after the Resistance convoy to investigate, while Xiao Ran stayed behind to help the refugees and waited for the Archangel.
• Luo arrived with Liam Jafield and Yamakiburi Juri, and they helped the Archangel crew distribute supplies and care for survivors through the night.
• Mu returned at sunrise and confirmed that some Resistance members had died; Xiao Ran greeted Luo about modifying the Strike Gundam, then went to rest.