Recaps

Xiao Ran learned that Lanka carried benign symbiotic bacteria that could explain her ability to attract the Vajra, then gathered evidence that Leon Mishima had granted Grace access to Fleet 25's network. As the Miss MACROSS finals began, he brought Sheryl to the venue and warned her about Grace, but Sheryl said she did not believe Grace was the person he suspected.

• Xiao Ran confirmed that Grace had requested access to Fleet 25's network while Sheryl was missing, and he told Billy to watch Leon Mishima.
• Xiao Ran and Ozma discussed Lanka's benign symbiotic bacteria, which Xiao Ran believed made the Vajra recognize her as one of their own.
• Billy's surveillance team discovered that Leon Mishima had used his authority to grant someone access to Fleet 25's primary network, and Xiao Ran told Ozma while keeping the evidence secret.
• Xiao Ran and Ozma's people protected Lanka during the days leading up to the Miss MACROSS finals, while Leon Mishima's agents secretly monitored her.
• Xiao Ran picked up Sheryl for the finals and explained that Grace's network access had made it unsafe to call or visit her.
• Sheryl told Xiao Ran that she did not believe Grace was the person he suspected.

Xiao Ran judged the Miss MACROSS finals while spending the day with Sheryl, and the two grew closer during a quiet wait in the car. After Sheryl kissed him, Xiao Ran kissed her back, and they ended the evening sharing dinner in the city.

• Xiao Ran greeted Catherine, Leon Shima, and the military representative, then switched his seat to sit beside Sheryl at the finals.
• Xiao Ran and Sheryl judged the contestants, gave Lanka high scores, and noticed Leon Shima deliberately gave her a low score; Lanka did not win.
• The S.M.S. Skull Squadron and Fairy Squad launched for training, killed a red bug, and saw Glaine's aircraft hit while Alto damaged his own aircraft taking the bug down.
• Sheryl fell asleep in the car, and Xiao Ran held her for several hours until she woke and kissed him to thank him.
• Xiao Ran kissed Sheryl, then took her to an upscale restaurant, where she made him eat most of the food.

Xiao Ran learned that the Galaxy Fleet had been attacked and agreed to join a possible rescue operation, while privately suspecting the attack was a conspiracy. At LAI, he found his unit unready and arranged to sortie in an upgraded VF-25S instead.

• The night before Sheryl's concert, Sheryl gave Xiao Ran a ticket and made him promise to attend.
• Leon Shima told Xiao Ran that the Vajra had attacked the Galaxy Fleet and asked his opinion on sending a rescue force.
• President Glass decided Xiao Ran should prepare to join S.M.S if support was dispatched, and Xiao Ran urged him to rescue the fleet.
• Xiao Ran told Moses and Billy that he suspected Grey and Leon had staged the attack, but said they had to wait before arresting them.
• Angelo told Xiao Ran that his own unit could not be readied in time, so Xiao Ran inspected an armed VF-25S and asked LAI to install his unit's Beam Sabers on it.

Xiao Ran prepared to join Fleet 25’s rescue mission to Galaxy after comforting Sheryl, who was devastated by the attack and Grey’s betrayal. Fleet 25 deployed with Xiao Ran’s VF-25 equipped with Beam Sabers, while he arranged to hide his identity as an investigator.

• Xiao Ran collected the Lightning Aegis’s Beam Sabers from LAI and told Billy and Moses to take his pilot suit and mask to S.M.S.
• Xiao Ran visited Sheryl at the concert venue, comforted her over Galaxy’s attack and Grey’s betrayal, and exchanged matching earring necklaces with her before promising to return.
• Xiao Ran reached S.M.S., informed Ozma that the Great President had ordered a rescue mission, and had Moses and Billy arrange a concealed identity and erase records identifying him as an investigator.
• The Great President announced the Vajra threat and ordered Fleet 25 to rescue Galaxy, while LAI delivered Xiao Ran’s VF-25 with Beam Sabers installed at the cost of disabling its Pinpoint Defense System during use.
• Fleet 25 deployed more than thirty battleships and five transport warships, with Xiao Ran’s machine designated Skull Squadron Five.

Xiao Ran led Skull Squadron into a battle against the Vajra and accepted a mission to rescue two besieged Galaxy Fleet warships. After destroying several Bugs and a Boss-class Bug, he raced toward the damaged ships while Ozma protected Alto and followed.

• Xiao Ran accepted a mission to secure two Galaxy Fleet warships and launched with Ozma and Skull Squadron.
• Xiao Ran warned the squad to avoid humanoid mecha that might belong to the Unified Army investigation team, then accelerated ahead toward the battle.
• A group of Bugs broke away from the two besieged warships to attack Xiao Ran's team, easing pressure on the ships as they withdrew toward the 25th Fleet.
• Xiao Ran destroyed several Bugs with his VF-25, then shot a red Boss-class Bug and transformed back into fighter form.
• Ozma saw Alto falter, shielded him from the Bugs, and then followed Xiao Ran toward the warships.

Xiao Ran’s Black VF-25 broke through the bugs’ blockade and unleashed a massive barrage to relieve the besieged warships. As S.M.S and the other pilots pressed the attack, Kanaria arrived with a heavy bomber and fired shells powerful enough to engulf the battlefield in light.

• Xiao Ran led the Black Fighter, a red and gray fighter, and three Geradi battle pods into the bug swarm, drawing the bugs’ attacks away from the two warships.
• Xiao Ran transformed the VF-25, used Quick Lock to fire eighty Micro Missiles, and fought his way toward the warships while dodging attacks and killing three Yellow Bugs.
• Xiao Ran activated Spirit Burst and used Quick Lock to unleash his weapons and another eighty missiles, devastating the swarm around the warships.
• The Skygrasper Gundam pilot, Alto, Ozma, and the other participants reacted with shock to Xiao Ran’s barrage, then attacked the crippled bugs.
• Ozma called for Kanaria, whose heavy bomber landed on a warship and fired shells that engulfed the surrounding battlefield in intense light.

Xiao Ran returned to the S.M.S. warship after destroying the Vajra attackers and rescuing two Galaxy Unified Defense Force ships, earning substantial Merit Points and a promotion. When a new Vajra warship appeared and fired its main cannon, Xiao Ran rushed to protect Luca, who had disobeyed his order to retreat.

• Xiao Ran returned to the S.M.S. warship to replenish ammunition after ordering the rescued ships to withdraw from the combat zone.
• Xiao Ran received 12,500 Merit Points for the battle and rescue, was promoted to Second Lieutenant, and gained expanded authority.
• Xiao Ran noticed his Mental Power had fallen to 12 and thought about how Sheryl’s singing might restore it.
• Catherine warned that a massive Space Jump signature had appeared, and Xiao Ran launched again after replacing his damaged sniper rifle with two Gatling guns.
• Xiao Ran ordered Luca to retreat from the Vajra warship, but Luca continued approaching it to gather data.
• The Vajra warship fired its main cannon, destroying a 25th Fleet battleship, while Xiao Ran evaded the beam and rushed toward Luca.

Xiao Ran fought through the Bugs to rescue Luca after a mandatory mission threatened severe penalties for failure. As Xiao Ran neared the Bug Warship and called for Sheryl’s song, Sheryl sensed his plea and prepared to sing.

• The Bug Warship survived the fleet’s barrage by using its swarm and FOLD Field, then released more Bugs to attack the fighters and warships.
• Xiao Ran fought off the Bugs, destroyed six Minion-class Bugs, and earned nearly twenty thousand Merit Points.
• Luca was caught by a Boss-class Red Bug’s energy claw and dragged toward the Bug Warship, triggering a mission for Xiao Ran to rescue him safely.
• Xiao Ran pushed toward Luca through heavy fire and used Spirit Burst when missiles blocked his way.
• Xiao Ran called for Sheryl’s song, and Sheryl stopped her concert, sensed his voice, and raised her microphone to sing.

Xiao Ran rescued Luca and captured the pilot of a purple VF-27 after fighting his way into the Bug Warship, then escaped with both Mechas as the S.M.S warship destroyed the enemy ship. Sheryl collapsed after lending her strength to Xiao Ran, who remained unaware of her condition while questioning the captured pilot.

• As Xiao Ran’s Mental Power ran low, Sheryl and Lanka’s song restored his strength and enhanced his attributes.
• Xiao Ran broke into the Bug Warship, destroyed two Yellow Minion-class Bugs, freed Luca’s Mecha, and disabled the purple VF-27.
• Xiao Ran captured the purple Mecha’s pilot and escaped with him and Luca’s Mecha as the S.M.S warship forced open the Bug Warship’s mouth and destroyed it with the Quantum Reflection Cannon.
• Sheryl heard Xiao Ran thank her, then collapsed onstage after coughing up blood, while Lanka watched in shock.
• Xiao Ran returned to the S.M.S warship with Luca’s Mecha and the captured pilot, then questioned the pilot with Ozma without knowing Sheryl had collapsed.

Xiao Ran learned that Sheryl had collapsed after exhausting her Mental Power while supporting him in battle, and he prepared to move against Grace and Leon. The chapter ended with him demanding an immediate meeting with President Glass.

• Xiao Ran and Ozma questioned Brera Sterne, whom Xiao Ran recognized as Lanka’s biological older brother, and decided to keep him confined while investigating his connection to Grace.
• Xiao Ran and Ozma returned to Fleet 25 after the rescue fleet completed its mission and made the Space Jump back.
• Moses told Xiao Ran that Sheryl had lost consciousness after coughing up blood at her concert, and Xiao Ran realized her singing had helped sustain his Spirit Burst.
• Xiao Ran ordered Ozma to restrain Brera and ready S.M.S forces to target Galaxy’s two warships, while asking Moses to obtain signal-interception equipment and a body-paralyzing weapon.
• Xiao Ran went to the Administration Building and demanded that the receptionist summon President Glass.

Xiao Ran persuaded President Glass to authorize an operation against Leon Mishima, Grace, and the Galaxy warships after revealing their alleged threat to the fleet. He waited for the operation to begin and received the first Army officer assigned to follow his orders.

• Xiao Ran demanded an urgent meeting with President Glass and requested full control of S.M.S and the Defense Unified Army's fighter units.
• Xiao Ran told President Glass to arrest Leon Mishima and Grace and detain the two Galaxy warships, citing evidence and Grace's surveillance of the President.
• President Glass agreed to support Xiao Ran's operation, arranged to have Leon arrested, and prepared to move to Defense Unified Army headquarters.
• Xiao Ran contacted Billy, Moses, and Ozma to prepare surveillance arrests, equipment, and forces for an operation scheduled to begin in two hours.
• Moses brought Xiao Ran a bag of electric shock and tranquilizer weapons, and Xiao Ran waited outside the administrative building.
• Major Gynes arrived and reported that he would obey Xiao Ran's orders unconditionally.

Xiao Ran visited the unconscious Sheryl at Central Hospital and learned that her old illness had returned. After Grey left the ward, Xiao Ran exposed her as the enemy behind the Galaxy Fleet attack and subdued her, then learned she had infected Sheryl with V-type bacteria.

• Xiao Ran arrived at Central Hospital and spoke with Grey about Sheryl's unexplained coma and relapsed illness.
• Xiao Ran asked Grey to leave him alone with Sheryl, then attacked her in the corridor after the ward door closed.
• Xiao Ran restrained Grey with Moses's help and accused her of using Sheryl's singing, Lanka, and Brera to carry out her scheme.
• Grey admitted she had infected Sheryl with V-type bacteria and claimed Sheryl would die without her special medicine.
• Xiao Ran ordered Moses to bring him a knife so he could remove the dimensional crystal from Grey's head and kill her.

Xiao Ran killed Grey, but her body exploded and left him badly injured while Sheryl survived. As the military arrested Leon Shima’s associates and secured Brera, Xiao Ran confronted Brera and triggered memories of his sister Lanka.

• Xiao Ran stabbed Grey after she refused to reveal her spatial crystal, and Grey’s body exploded; Xiao Ran shielded Moses and was injured by the blast.
• Moses found Sheryl safe, and she hurried to Xiao Ran’s side after learning he had been hurt.
• Soldiers captured Brera at S.M.S. and removed his controller, while President Glass had Leon Shima and his surveillance network arrested.
• Ozma, Angelo, and the Great President visited Xiao Ran as he recovered in the hospital.
• Xiao Ran visited Brera with Ozma and asked whether he was still controlled; when Xiao Ran mentioned Lanka, Brera remembered her as his sister and asked where she was.

Xiao Ran learned from Brera that Grey planned to manipulate the Vajra and humanity through a thought network, and that Gallia 4 was her next target. The system issued Main Mission Two, sending Xiao Ran and his allies to stop Grey and prevent an attack on Fleet 25.

• Ozma convinced Brera to protect Lanka and treat him as family, and Brera agreed to reveal what he knew about Galaxy.
• Brera explained that Grey had created a thought network using Vajra crystals, planned to use Sheryl and Lanka to provoke the Vajra, and sought to control the Vajra Queen and humanity.
• Brera revealed that Grey planned to lure a Vajra fleet from Gallia 4 and that Leon Mishima had secretly aided her in exchange for help becoming Great President.
• The system rewarded Xiao Ran for completing two side missions and issued Main Mission Two, requiring him to reach Gallia 4 within three days and stop Grey and the Vajra.
• Xiao Ran ordered Ozma to prepare S.M.S. for a dangerous mission and asked him to arrange for Lanka and Sheryl to sing to the Vajra; Brera agreed to fight for Lanka.

Xiao Ran learned that Grey planned to use the Dimension Devourer on Gallia 4 and turn the bug fleet against humanity, so he urged President Glass to launch an immediate operation. President Glass gave Xiao Ran full command authority and ordered the Defense Unified Army to prepare for battle.

• Xiao Ran asked Sheryl to lend her strength, and she resolved to sing for him again.
• Xiao Ran told Angelo to prepare his unit and deploy LAI's reserves, including a Space Jump Engine that could reach Gallia 4 in two hours.
• Xiao Ran informed President Glass that Grey planned to destroy Gallia 4 and redirect the bugs' hatred toward humanity.
• Xiao Ran explained that Sheryl and Lanka Lee could communicate with the bugs through song, prompting the senior officers to request permission to fight.
• President Glass ordered the Defense Unified Army to prepare for battle and temporarily promoted Xiao Ran to brigadier general with full command authority.
• President Glass assigned Brigadier General Perry to cooperate with Xiao Ran and ordered him to take a MACROSS-class Battleship into the operation.

Xiao Ran rushed to prepare Fleet 25 for the mission to Gallo 4 while learning how the other factions’ objectives could lead to a three-way battle. After twenty hours, he inspected the Lightning Aegis’s rushed upgrades and climbed into its cockpit.

• Xiao Ran and Brigadier General Perry coordinated the deployment, and Xiao Ran used a medical First Aid Robot to treat his injuries.
• President Glass detained several suspicious participants, while more than a dozen others volunteered for the Gallo 4 mission and received replacement machines or missile launchers from Xiao Ran.
• Xiao Ran learned that the Galaxy Faction had been ordered to destroy Gallo 4 and the Vajra Faction had been ordered to retrieve Sheryl Nome and Lanka Lee, while his own faction had to stop both groups and protect Fleet 25.
• Angelo explained that LAI had added two thermonuclear engines, charging devices, and Micro Missile launchers to Xiao Ran’s Lightning Aegis.
• Xiao Ran thanked Angelo, told him to repair the wrecked VF-27, and climbed into the Lightning Aegis’s cockpit.

After the fleet reached Gallia 4, Xiao Ran prepared to handle the standoff with the advance fleet peacefully while investigating the region. Meanwhile, Roger and Lucy directed the other participants to gather intelligence and privately suspected Xiao Ran, and Xiao Ran received an unopened storage device from another ship.

• Xiao Ran slept beside Sheryl during the journey through the Jump Channel, while participants aboard a transport ship debated how to complete Main Mission Two.
• Roger dismissed a plan to seize Command Authority, and Lucy urged the participants to learn the fleet's objectives and reveal the Dimension Devourer if necessary.
• After the others left, Roger and Lucy discussed forming a team and suspected that Xiao Ran was the pilot of the black Variable Fighter that had rescued them.
• The fleet arrived at Gallia 4, where Brigadier General Perry reported a standoff between the advance fleet and the Geradi.
• Xiao Ran ordered reconnaissance of the surrounding region and proposed sending the songstress to the advance fleet in hopes of resolving the standoff peacefully.
• An adjutant delivered Xiao Ran an unopened storage device from another ship, and Xiao Ran accepted it without letting anyone view its contents.

Xiao Ran investigated the Participants’ recording, then led an armed escort to Gallo 4 to address the rebel-held advance fleet base. The chapter ended as Sheryl and Lanka prepared to sing while rebels aimed their weapons at the arriving fighters.

• Xiao Ran watched and destroyed the recording, realizing that Roger had suspected something was wrong with him and deciding to keep a closer eye on Roger and Lucy.
• Xiao Ran ordered Moses to wear the monitoring receiver, then arranged protection for Sheryl and Lanka and instructed the fleet to search for the 117th Survey Group’s MACROSS-class Battleship.
• Xiao Ran briefed the pilots that they were to protect the songstresses and retake the occupied armory, but not attack before receiving his orders.
• Xiao Ran, Moses, Brera, Michel, and the Unified Army pilots descended to Gallo 4, leaving the other fighter groups to circle the frontline base.
• Xiao Ran ordered Michel and Moses to activate their sound booster pods and urged Sheryl and Lanka to begin singing as rebels aimed weapons at their fighters.

Sheryl and Lanka’s singing ended a Geradi rebellion, but a space-jump reaction and violent planetary tremors forced Xiao Ran to order an evacuation. The fleet left the forward base, and Xiao Ran urged the singers to use their songs to seek understanding with the approaching bugs.

• Sheryl sang to the Geradi as Moses and Michel brought their fighters down, and Lanka overcame her fear to sing alongside her.
• The singers’ voices captivated the Geradi and disrupted the Rebel Army leader’s plan, but he charged at Xiao Ran, who shot him dead.
• Xiao Ran hid the Geradi’s body as Sheryl and Lanka landed, and the rebellion subsided while the soldiers cheered their songs.
• Luca reported a space-jump reaction and intense planetary tremors, so Xiao Ran ordered everyone to evacuate the forward base and return to the battleships.
• Moses and Michel escorted Sheryl and Lanka toward the fleet as the Geradi boarded their warships, and Xiao Ran followed them into space.
• Xiao Ran told Sheryl and Lanka not to fear the bugs and urged them to use their songs to show that humans and bugs could understand one another.

Xiao Ran returned to the fleet as the Galaxy Fleet and Bug Warships converged on Gallo 4, turning the battle into a three-way fight. After Sheryl and Lanka began singing to reach the bugs, Xiao Ran flew Lightning Aegis into the fiercest fighting and prepared a wide missile attack.

• Xiao Ran escaped Gallo 4 and returned to the New MACROSS-class Battleship, where Brigadier General Perry reported heavy fighting with Galaxy Fleet and the approaching Bug Warships.
• Xiao Ran ordered the fleet to withdraw its fighters when the bugs arrived and to broadcast beneath Sheryl and Lanka's song, while the fleet's main force used Space Jump to retreat elsewhere.
• Xiao Ran urged Sheryl and Lanka to use their song to convince the bugs that the fleet had come to help them, then left for the battlefield.
• Sheryl and Lanka began singing as the Bug Warships entered the combat zone, and the bugs attacked Galaxy Fleet while the three factions fought one another.
• Xiao Ran destroyed enemy fighters and bugs with Lightning Aegis, dodged a barrage of missiles, and used Quick Lock to expose its missile launchers in the center of the battle.

Xiao Ran fought through the Hostile Faction fleet, discovering that destroying its battleships also destroyed Dimension Devourers and advanced Main Mission Two. After Lightning Aegis took heavy damage and he repaired it with an Atomic Repair Robot, he warned his fleet that every enemy battleship carried a Dimension Devourer and urged them to keep the enemy away from Gallo 4.

• Xiao Ran used three volleys of Micro Missiles and close-range attacks to destroy enemy fighters and bugs while Sheryl and Lanka's singing strengthened the Fleet Faction participants.
• Xiao Ran told Skull Squadron to protect Sheryl and Lanka, then charged into the Galaxy Fleet cluster to support the advancing participants.
• Xiao Ran destroyed an enemy battleship with Lightning Aegis's Siren cannon and learned that 14 Dimension Devourers remained.
• Xiao Ran pierced and destroyed a transport ship, then realized that destroying enemy battleships reduced the Dimension Devourer count.
• Xiao Ran destroyed another battleship but suffered severe damage from missile attacks, so he used an Atomic Repair Robot to restore Lightning Aegis.
• Xiao Ran returned toward his fleet and warned the New MACROSS-class Battleship that every enemy battleship carried a Dimension Devourer and the enemy must be kept away from Gallo 4.

Xiao Ran coordinated the defense against the Galaxy Fleet, and Sheryl and Lanka’s song made the bugs stop attacking and join the fight. The united forces launched a devastating assault on the Galaxy Fleet, with their combined beams surging toward it.

• Xiao Ran learned that Dimension Devourers were aboard the Galaxy Fleet’s ships and warned Brigadier General Perry that the fleet had to be stopped before it reached Gallo 4.
• Xiao Ran ordered Perry to fire the Reaction Missiles, focus the available forces on the Galaxy Fleet, and broadcast messages to the bugs while Sheryl and Lanka continued singing.
• Sheryl and Lanka began singing AIMO together, and the bugs stopped attacking the human forces.
• Xiao Ran ordered the fighters to redirect their fire toward the Galaxy Fleet as the bugs gathered and joined the attack.
• Sheryl and Lanka pointed toward the Galaxy Fleet, and the bugs and human ships fired beams at it together.

Xiao Ran’s fleet destroyed the Galaxy Fleet, but the Dimension Devourers erased the battlefield and left two hostile units unaccounted for. New participants arrived with the bugs, and Xiao Ran discovered their missions aligned with his faction’s, leading him to propose an alliance.

• Xiao Ran and Brigadier General Perry ordered the fleet to retreat as two Galaxy warships activated Dimension Devourers, which merged into a black hole and erased the Galaxy Fleet.
• Xiao Ran asked Perry about Space Jump signatures, and new Bug Warships and participant machines appeared near the fleet and on Gallo 4’s dark side.
• Xiao Ran accepted a side mission to take Sheryl Nome and Ranka Lee to the Vajra Homeworld, then ordered fighters to search Gallo 4 and landing ships to be prepared.
• Xiao Ran approached the newly arrived participants, who asked about his faction, his mission, and Sheryl Nome and Ranka Lee.
• Xiao Ran learned that the participants’ mission was to rescue Sheryl Nome and Ranka Lee, recognized that their objectives aligned, and concluded that the factions had formed an alliance.

Xiao Ran formed a cooperation agreement with Sterling’s Bug Faction participants, then learned that enemy landing craft had entered Gallia 4. As both factions rushed to find them, Xiao Ran headed toward the battle between Skull Squadron and the Galaxy Faction mecha.

• Sterling agreed to cooperate with Xiao Ran, and Xiao Ran used the false name Alex while sharing what he knew about the Galaxy Faction.
• Xiao Ran returned to the fleet and warned Brigadier General Perry not to trust the Bug Faction participants, while Perry reported that five enemy landing craft had arrived on Gallia 4.
• Xiao Ran learned that Skull Squadron was fighting Turski, Gundam Heavyarms, and other enemy mecha while Luca pursued one landing craft.
• Ozma told Xiao Ran that Luca had located three landing craft, and Xiao Ran passed the coordinates to the Bug Faction participants and the fleet.
• The Bug and Fleet Factions moved to search the marked sites and find the remaining landing craft, while Xiao Ran charged toward Gundam Heavyarms.

Xiao Ran’s Lightning Aegis nearly destroyed Gundam Heavyarms, but its pilot trapped him while Draken and Turski closed in. Michel and the allied forces rescued Xiao Ran, leaving him to consider whether he should form a team with other participants.

• Xiao Ran attacked Gundam Heavyarms with the Lightning Aegis, dodging its missiles and gunfire before striking it with the Siren Phased Array Energy Cannon.
• Xiao Ran’s Beam Sabers failed to cut through Gundam Heavyarms, and an incoming beam tore through its damaged torso as the machines clashed at close range.
• Gundam Heavyarms trapped the Lightning Aegis’s right arm as its pilot escaped, while Draken and Turski targeted Xiao Ran.
• Michel freed Xiao Ran by firing three armor-piercing rounds into Gundam Heavyarms’s trapped elbow, while allied fighters attacked Turski and Draken.
• Xiao Ran kicked away the self-destructing Gundam Heavyarms and retreated, then thanked Michel and wondered whether he needed to form a team.