Recaps

Xiao Ran learned from Mina Lund that the War of Freedom was a vast operation aimed at killing AmbriO, with Orb serving as its bridgehead and supply base. He planned to unite the strength of three worlds, purge the Federation’s influence, and eliminate AmbriO, while Mina stayed in Orb to protect it and recruit allies.

• Xiao Ran coordinated with his allies as they pursued missions involving Yajenar, Nouvel Tokyo City, Kati Manikin, the Yamato, and DRAGON.
• Xiao Ran asked Mina Lund about the War of Freedom, and she explained its membership, purpose, history, and Orb’s role in supporting it.
• Xiao Ran told Mina that he would bring together military strength from three worlds, purge the Federation, and isolate AmbriO before attacking him.
• Mina agreed to remain in Orb, guard it, and contact potential allies, while Xiao Ran asked her to keep Cagalli uninformed.

Xiao Ran strengthened Orb and prepared the Burning Legion for its next mission as his allies coordinated plans around Yajenar and Nouvel Tokyo City. With the Yamato due to finish repairs in ten days, Xiao Ran departed Orb for Nouvel Tokyo City to join the effort to rescue it.

• Xiao Ran sent technicians and supplies to Yajenar to study PM technology, and gave Orb reserve units and half of the Burning Legion's drones.
• The Burning Legion replenished supplies and selected roughly two hundred Orb military personnel to join its crew.
• El-Elf told Xiao Ran that the Mars Successors had taken control of the damaged Yamato and expected to finish repairs in about ten days, prompting plans for a coordinated rescue at Amaterasu.
• Danaan and Ptolemaios established contact with the DRAGONs at Yajenar, while Cruze stayed behind to continue communication.
• Ruri Hoshino deduced that the chaos in Nouvel Tokyo City was a Mars Successors diversion and asked to take the Nadeshiko into space; Xiao Ran approved, and Danaan headed to NERGAL's dockyard for modifications.
• On the eighth day, Xiao Ran and the Burning Legion departed Orb for Nouvel Tokyo City.

Xiao Ran reunited his forces aboard the Burning Legion and agreed to lead an attack on Amaterasu to confront the Mars Successors and rescue the Yamato. The operation was planned for roughly two days later, with the forces tasked with defeating the enemy while protecting the spaceport colony.

• The Burning Legion arrived off Nouvel Tokyo City, drawing crowds of curious citizens along the coast.
• The Ptolemaios and Nadeshiko joined the Burning Legion, and Ruri Hoshino and Miss Huang brought a large group aboard.
• Xiao Ran arranged a tour for the visitors while a smaller group gathered in the conference room.
• Miss Huang and Ruri Hoshino briefed Xiao Ran on recent events in Nouvel Tokyo City and Yajenar.
• Xiao Ran agreed to take the initiative in space and attack Amaterasu after the Yamato's repairs were expected to finish in about two days.
• Xiao Ran outlined the operation's goals: defeat the Mars Successors, protect Amaterasu, and rescue the Yamato.

Ruri Hoshino and Miss Huang laid out a plan to rescue the Yamato from Amaterasu by drawing away the Mars Successors’ forces and sending an infiltration team into the station. Xiao Ran approved the plan, assigned support forces, and prepared to upgrade the team’s machines after the Yamato returned.

• Ruri Hoshino explained that she and Miss Huang had planned a surprise attack on Amaterasu using intelligence from Pilot Wang Qiao and information about the Yamato.
• Xiao Ran told Graham to capture or gather more intelligence from Pilot Wang Qiao if they encountered him again.
• Ruri Hoshino described a plan for the Ptolemaios to draw away enemy forces while the Nadeshiko jumped to Amaterasu and sent in the Landing Force to secure the station and rescue the Yamato.
• Xiao Ran assigned Graham, Renard, Naluo, and Basak to support the infiltration led by Sousuke Sagara, Melissa Mao, and Cruz.
• Miss Huang said the operation would begin after Danner's Son was refitted within thirty hours and the Yajenar First Squadron’s machines were made space-capable within thirty-six hours.
• Xiao Ran ordered that combatants be kept safe and said Athrun and Kira would receive new machines before he upgraded the rest of the force after the Yamato returned.

Xiao Ran arranged advanced reserve mecha for Kira and Athrun, but they declined to switch before the coming battle because they lacked time to learn the machines. After the Nadeshiko and Ptolemaios left for space with mecha for Danner's Son, the Burning Legion stayed behind to distract the Mars Successors while Xiao Ran prepared the Yamato rescue operation.

• Xiao Ran showed Kira and Athrun reserve mecha that greatly outperformed their current units, but they chose not to switch before battle.
• The Nadeshiko Unit spent time aboard the Burning Legion, and the Yajenal First Squadron received mecha modified for space combat.
• Danner's Son completed its modifications but needed NERGAL Heavy Industries' equipment to launch into space.
• The Nadeshiko and Ptolemaios departed Nouvel Tokyo City with mecha for Danner's Son, while the Burning Legion stayed behind to distract the Mars Successors.
• The Nadeshiko informed Xiao Ran that the three ships had reached space, and Xiao Ran contacted El-Elf to prepare the Yamato rescue operation.

The Danner's Son and Ptolemaios reached Amaterasu Orbital Colony and faced hundreds of Mars Successors units, far outnumbering their deployed combat team. Xiao Ran refused to send the Burning Legion into the battle, insisting the team needed to gain experience, but said reinforcements contacted by Orb would soon arrive.

• The Nadeshiko reported that it had repelled a Mars Successors Boson tactical jump, then split off to attack another important orbital colony while Danner's Son and Ptolemaios headed for Amaterasu.
• Danner's Son and Ptolemaios arrived at Amaterasu and found roughly two to three hundred Mars Successors units guarding the colony.
• The two ships deployed their combat units, while the four AS aboard the Nadeshiko were held back for the planned infiltration of Amaterasu.
• Miss Huang warned that the enemy's deployment might make Amaterasu a bridgehead for an assault into space, and Tessa insisted that the mission had to continue.
• Xiao Ran said the Burning Legion would not assist unless necessary, telling Tessa's team to face the battle themselves and grow stronger.
• Xiao Ran added that reinforcements arranged through Orb would soon arrive.

The Mars Successors launched their attack on the Ptolemaios and Danaan forces, beginning a battle that left them no chance to retreat. As the Danaan took shelter behind the Ptolemaios, Tessa coordinated the allied machines to draw enemy attention and open a route toward Amaterasu.

• The Mars Successors dispersed their formation and fired a barrage of rounds, beams, and missiles at the allied forces.
• Kira, Lockon, and Tieria used Strike Freedom Gundam, Gundam Virtue, and Arios Gundam to intercept the incoming attacks and strike back.
• Following Miss Huang's instructions, Tessa ordered the Danaan to shift behind the accelerating Ptolemaios.
• Athrun, Setsuna, Zechs, and the other pilots charged the enemy formation, with Hallelujah and Soma's Harute Gundam leading the attack.
• Tessa assigned long-range support, flank harassment, and breakthrough roles, and ordered the remaining machines to fight in pairs while avoiding damage and staying clear of Amaterasu.

Danner's Son and the Ptolemaios held off the vastly larger Mars Successors force through superior pilots, coordination, and Tessa's command, while Xiao Ran and Mwu assessed the risks. The battle's balance shifted when the Tail of the Serpent arrived with Gai Murakumo's Blue Astray and Mina's Gold Astray.

• Danner's Son and the Ptolemaios forces fought off waves of Mars Successors units while Tessa coordinated their attacks.
• Xiao Ran watched the battle and discussed with Mwu the enemy's shields, their possible assault on the warships, and how long their defenses could hold.
• A small warship attacked the Mars Successors' formation with positron cannons, destroying more than fifteen units and disrupting their attempted encirclement.
• Mwu identified the arriving reinforcements as the Tail of the Serpent, Gai Murakumo's Blue Astray, and Mina's Gold Astray.

Tail of the Serpent arrived to reinforce the battle, using its modified transport ship to strike Mars Successors units before making repeated hit-and-run escapes. As the enemy turned its attention toward the remaining forces, Xiao Ran ordered the Burning Legion to prepare to launch and jump.

• Xiao Ran recognized the Blue Astray, Gold Astray, and modified transport ship as reinforcements from Tail of the Serpent.
• Miss Huang thanked Tail of the Serpent for its support, but the bearded mercenary leader refused to join the coming battle.
• Tail of the Serpent's transport ship attacked Mars Successors units, fled while scattering bombs that destroyed its pursuers, then returned ten minutes later to strike and escape again.
• Xiao Ran and Mwu judged that the Burning Legion needed to act before the Mars Successors surrounded their forces.
• Mwu ordered the Burning Legion to lift off, charge its Space Jump device, and prepare to jump on her command.

The Mars Successors’ battle around Amaterasu remained stalled until Akihito Tenkawa’s Black Lily disrupted the plan by charging toward the colony alone. The Nadeshiko arrived above Amaterasu’s core and struck the reinforcements, while Xiao Ran ordered El-Elf to begin the operation and Saki to sortie.

• Gido and the other ace pilots held back while the Ptolemaios and Danner's Son fought to rescue the Yamato and draw out Amaterasu’s defenders.
• Akihito Tenkawa’s Black Lily attacked from behind the Mars Successors’ line, drawing enemy units away but disrupting Miss Huang and Tessa’s plan.
• Miss Huang ordered the allied forces to stop holding back and break through toward Amaterasu, with Kira, Athrun, Zechs, Setsuna, Ryoma, and Banjo leading the assault.
• Sixty or seventy Gekishin reinforcements appeared and surrounded Black Lily near Amaterasu.
• The Nadeshiko emerged above Amaterasu’s core and fired its main cannon at the reinforcements.
• Xiao Ran ordered a jump, told Mwu to notify El-Elf to begin the operation, and ordered Saki to sortie.

The Burning Legion arrived at Amaterasu Orbital Colony and helped turn the battle against the Mars Successors, while Saki deployed the upgraded Camilla. After the colony’s systems shut down and a transport ship escaped, Xiao Ran spotted the unexpected RX-93 ν Gundam among the departing units.

• The Burning Legion jumped to Amaterasu, where the Nadeshiko and its mobile suits were already fighting the Mars Successors.
• The Burning Legion’s arrival unsettled the enemy, and Miss Huang and Tessa ordered their forces to attack without restraint as Kira, Athrun, and the Super Robots opened a path to the Nadeshiko.
• Saki deployed the prototype Camilla, which used its four Rings of Fire to destroy Gekishin units before taking position behind the Nadeshiko.
• After about fifteen minutes, Amaterasu’s systems shut down, and units escorted a transport ship away from the colony.
• Xiao Ran recognized an RX-93 ν Gundam among the departing units and wondered why Amuro was there.

After Amaterasu was reclaimed, the Burning Legion and the allied ships gathered to plan their next move. The Mars Successors’ Shuttlecraft escaped with help from the Golden Alliance’s machines, while the Yamato returned and joined the fleet.

• Saki Maski and Amuro pursued the fleeing Shuttlecraft, but the Golden Alliance’s purple Mecha attacked and the Shuttlecraft vanished in black light.
• Xiao Ran learned that the purple Mecha had been created by the Golden Alliance’s mad doctor, revealing its connection to the Mars Successors.
• The Yamato reappeared, and Juzo Okita thanked Xiao Ran’s forces and announced that the ship would join the main fleet.
• The allied pilots defeated the Mars Successors at Amaterasu and reclaimed the area.
• The Burning Legion took aboard the pilots and allies from the other ships, including the returning Luo.
• Xiao Ran, Juzo Okita, Ruri Hoshino, Miss Huang, Tessa, and others gathered aboard the Burning Legion to discuss their next plan.

After the fleets assembled and the Yamato’s crew learned about the threats facing their new world, Xiao Ran agreed to lead an assault on the Mars Successors’ headquarters. Akihito Tenkawa prepared to rescue Yurika Mitotsudaira, while Xiao Ran warned him to follow orders.

• Xiao Ran gathered the commanders and pilots aboard the Burning Legion, introduced the Yamato’s crew to the other ships, and dismissed most of the group to rest and maintain their machines.
• Miss Huang briefed Juzo Okita, Kodai Susumu, Sanada Shiro, Amuro, and Akihito Tenkawa on the three worlds, DRAGON, the hidden mastermind, and the Mars Successors.
• Juzo Okita rejected the hidden force as a demon and supported confronting the Mars Successors, while Xiao Ran stressed that saving the Yamato’s Earth remained their first duty.
• Ruri Hoshino and Miss Huang proposed attacking the Mars Successors’ headquarters to prevent a threat to Earth and uncover links to the mastermind behind the Nouvel Tokyo City attack.
• Xiao Ran approved the assault, and Akihito Tenkawa thanked him for supporting his effort to rescue Yurika Mitotsudaira but was told not to act recklessly.

After rescuing Amuro and retaking Amaterasu, Xiao Ran’s fleet prepared to attack the Mars Successors’ headquarters. He left the battle planning to the other commanders and assigned Luo to upgrade the fleet’s mecha before departure.

• Amuro told Xiao Ran that the Mars Successors had captured him and forced him to help use the ν Gundam’s Mental Power Frame for Boson communication.
• Xiao Ran told the commanders to plan the Mars assault without relying on the Burning Legion or his combat strength unless the fleet faced danger.
• Miss Huang argued that the limited forces should concentrate on a frontal attack, while Ruri Hoshino proposed using the Nadeshiko’s Boson Jump System to transport the fleet to Mars after resupply and maintenance.
• Xiao Ran ordered Luo, Renard, and Nine to improve the pilots’ mecha and other units before the fleet departed.
• Luo realized Xiao Ran had already arranged additional technicians and support personnel to help him prepare the mecha.

As the fleet prepared to attack Mars, Xiao Ran urged Juzo Okita to undergo treatment for his radiation sickness, but Okita postponed his decision until after the battle. Meanwhile, Luo organized the Burning Legion’s crew to assemble four units during the twelve-hour preparation period.

• The ship commanders left the conference room to prepare their vessels and crews for the battle against Mars.
• Xiao Ran warned Juzo Okita that his condition could worsen and explained the risks and timelines of two treatment options.
• Juzo Okita asked to consider treatment and promised to give Xiao Ran an answer after the Mars battle, once he had made arrangements for the Yamato.
• Luo gathered pilots, Orb Technicians, and other crew aboard the Burning Legion and assigned them to assemble four units from available parts within twelve hours.

Luo and Renard led their teams in rebuilding two mecha into customized machines for Kira Yamato and Athrun in far less than the allotted twelve hours. After Luo supplied newly made armor and equipment, the two completed mecha stood ready in the hangar, leaving the technicians cheering in disbelief.

• Luo and Renard brought two new mecha into the Third Hangar and divided the technicians into teams to dismantle them.
• Luo assigned Kira's mecha a lightweight, mobility-focused design and instructed his team to reroute its wiring and replace its head.
• Luo left the hangar and used Mechanist Equipment from Prometheus to make custom armor, backpacks, and components for both mecha.
• Luo returned as the teams rewired and reassembled the mecha, resetting their OS systems and fitting their new armor and equipment.
• Luo announced the two completed mecha could rest after the work took just over four hours, and the technicians cheered.

Luo and Renard used the Mechanist Equipment to finish the remaining modifications on four Gundam units, then began teaching Nine to operate it. Renard proposed that she start by making a small robot.

• Luo and the others completed four units in just over ten hours and delivered them to the First Hangar, though the units were only about eighty percent finished.
• Luo and Renard sent the exhausted Technicians away, then used the Mechanist Equipment to scan and refine the new Strike Freedom and Infinite Justice.
• Nine discovered the Mechanist Equipment, and Renard explained that it was special equipment from their ship and asked her to keep it secret.
• Renard invited Nine to learn to use the equipment, and Luo agreed to teach her after they finished modifying all four units.
• Renard suggested that Nine begin by making a small robot.

Renard used Nain’s work with the Mechanist Equipment to pursue Super AI technology and chips while Luo prepared upgraded units for the pilots. As the group departed for battle, they received their new machines and were told to familiarize themselves with them.

• Renard sought to learn Super AI technology or make compatible chips by recording Nain’s work with the Mechanist Equipment.
• Luo arranged for the four units to be returned to the Third Hangar, fitted the Destiny Gundam with a Gundam head, and transferred the Impulse Gundam’s OS data for Lunamaria.
• Kira, Athrun, Shin, and the other pilots arrived in the Third Hangar and were shocked to see their upgraded units.
• Luo revealed the units’ names as Eternal Freedom, Immortal Justice, Shining Destiny, and Hi-ν Gundam, and assigned the original Destiny Gundam to Lunamaria.
• Luo told the pilots to test their new Full-Cycle Cockpits, report problems, and retreat if anything felt wrong during battle.
• Athrun stopped Shin from arguing over the name Shining Destiny and urged him to focus on the upcoming battle.

Xiao Ran’s fleet completed its preparations and began an operation against the Mars Successors, with Ruri Hoshino taking tactical command. The five battleships jumped to Mars and emerged surrounded by enemy forces and a massive structure, prompting the fleets to deploy their units and defenses.

• Mwu reported that Federation delays had failed to prevent the ships from completing resupply, and that Amaterasu had been handed over to Utamono Kōichirō’s forces.
• After the preparation period ended, Xiao Ran confirmed that the Yamato, Ptolemaios, Danner’s Son, and Nadeshiko were ready for battle.
• Xiao Ran transferred tactical command to Ruri Hoshino and ordered the Burning Legion to remain out of direct combat as a deterrent.
• Mwu arranged the Burning Legion’s unit deployment, with Saki and Zechs allowed to act freely while the others were assigned to protect the ships.
• The Nadeshiko led the five battleships in a Boson Jump to Mars, where they arrived surrounded by enemy forces and a massive structure.
• The ship captains ordered their defenses activated and their units launched.

Xiao Ran’s fleet fought the Mars Successors’ vastly larger forces while its strongest units struggled to advance. As the battle threatened to overwhelm the weaker machines, Xiao Ran ordered reinforcements and protective support to be deployed.

• The five warships deployed their units and began attacking the Mars Successors’ forces around the headquarters.
• Xiao Ran and Mwu observed that the enemy had gathered far more combat power than expected, including openly supportive Federation units.
• The fleet’s strongest machines tore through enemies, but the surrounded allied units made little progress under the heavy fire.
• Mwu and Sheryl warned Xiao Ran that the weaker units risked being overwhelmed as the battle dragged on.
• Xiao Ran ordered Graham and Basak to advance, the Drone Unit to deploy, and units to protect the warships and less capable machines.

With the Burning Legion’s drones and firepower supporting the allied fleet, the pilots tore through the Mars Successors’ forces and reached Beichen and his six subordinates. Just as their defeat seemed likely to end the battle, all five battleships detected a new development on the battlefield.

• Mwu deployed a hundred Burning Legion drones to protect the fleet and support its advance.
• Graham, Basak, Nalo, Luo, and the other pilots joined Kira, Athrun, Shin, and the front line, accelerating the assault on the Mars Successors.
• Xiao Ran assessed the pilots’ differing combat strengths and relied on drone protection rather than exposing weaker members to unnecessary danger.
• After an hour of fighting, most Mars Successors’ machines had been destroyed, while the allied fleet suffered no personnel losses and lost six drones beyond repair.
• Akihito Tenkawa, Banjo Haran, Souji Okita, and Setsuna engaged Beichen and his six subordinates as the others cleared the remaining enemy forces.
• The bridges of all five battleships detected a new development, disrupting the apparent approach of the battle’s end.

Gedim arrived as the battle against the Mars Successors was nearing its end, forcing Xiao Ran to redirect his forces and prepare to sortie. The chapter left Xiao Ran heading for the First Hangar because his psychic premonition warned him that Gedim's arrival posed a greater threat.

• Xiao Ran and Mwu identified the newly arrived white-and-green machines as the Drone Unit from the Dimensional Rift, while Soji Okita recognized their leader as Gedim.
• Billy told Xiao Ran that Gedim had contacted Soji Okita in Nouvel Tokyo City before the Burning Legion arrived.
• Gedim's leader attacked the Yamato after Soji Okita dismissed it, and several beams struck the ship's armor.
• Xiao Ran ordered VangRay to intercept Gedim, Graham and Zechs to support the fight against the Mars Successors, and the Drone Unit to launch an active assault.
• Xiao Ran ordered Luo to leave Gedim's piloted machine for him, prepared Darkness Sky, and left the bridge for the First Hangar after sensing danger.

Xiao Ran joined the battle as the Burning Legion’s forces finished defeating the Mars Successors and Gedim’s drones, though the prisoner they tried to capture self-destructed. After the fleet reached the Tulip and learned the base had been captured, Akihito Tenkawa headed toward it and received a mysterious warning in his mind.

• Xiao Ran piloted Darkness Sky onto the battlefield as the depleted forces began withdrawing to their ships and the remaining pilots pressed their attacks.
• Graham and the others defeated the Beichen Six, while Akihito Tenkawa chased Hokushin and the Burning Legion’s pilots wiped out Gedim’s drones.
• Basak and Luo disabled the last human-piloted Gedim mecha, but its pilot self-destructed before they could capture him.
• Akihito Tenkawa defeated Hokushin, and the fleets gathered above the Tulip after Utamono Kōichirō and NERGAL Heavy Industries reported capturing the base.
• Akihito Tenkawa piloted Black Lily toward the base, then froze when a woman’s voice warned him telepathically to stay away and leave at once.

Xiao Ran sensed Yurika’s suffering and encouraged her before AmbriO’s black PMs appeared above the fleet. Xiao Ran destroyed the machines, but AmbriO returned and multiplied into five, surrounding the fleet.

• Xiao Ran activated Darkness Sky’s Solar Furnaces, covered Mars in GN Particles, and sensed Yurika’s anguish inside the base.
• Xiao Ran sent Yurika a message of encouragement and saw black PMs emerge from a distorted opening above the fleet.
• Xiao Ran warned everyone and used Darkness Sky to attack and destroy the newly arrived black PMs, including the one piloted by AmbriO.
• Xiao Ran saw AmbriO’s machine reappear intact and realized AmbriO could return unless his original body or all his clones were destroyed.
• Mwu warned Xiao Ran of incoming attacks, and Xiao Ran found himself facing five AmbriOs encircling the fleet.

Xiao Ran and the other pilots destroyed five identical PMs piloted by AmbriO, but new copies appeared as the machines were eliminated. Xiao Ran suspected the group needed to destroy all five within ten seconds to stop them reviving, though he doubted AmbriO had revealed his full strength.

• Xiao Ran chose to attack the five PMs while holding back his strongest abilities to avoid revealing his real strength.
• Xiao Ran, Nalu, Graham, Luo, and Basak coordinated their attacks and destroyed the five PMs.
• Yurika warned Xiao Ran of danger as new PMs appeared, and Xiao Ran observed that a destroyed unit returned after about ten seconds.
• Athrun and Shin asked about the identical machines, and Xiao Ran explained that each was AmbriO, who seemed to revive after being destroyed.
• Amuro suggested the pilots destroy all five PMs within ten seconds, while Xiao Ran warned that AmbriO had likely not used his full strength.