Chapter Summaries

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.

Xiao Ran, Kira, and Cagalli entered a ZAFT-controlled city to buy supplies for the refugees and encountered Andrew at a restaurant. As Andrew questioned them, he suddenly kicked over the table and Xiao Ran shielded Kira and Cagalli from an imminent attack.

• Four days after Tashu burned down, Dawn Desert and the Archangel struggled to shelter the refugees and decided to secretly buy supplies in ZAFT-controlled cities.
• Xiao Ran accompanied Kira and Cagalli into a city, where Cagalli showed Kira a crater and a ZAFT land battleship as signs of the city's true rulers.
• The three bought supplies in small amounts across the city while Xiao Ran noticed that someone was watching them.
• At a restaurant, Andrew argued with Cagalli over the proper sauce for kebabs and asked Xiao Ran why they were buying so much food.
• Andrew suddenly kicked the table away as Kira lunged toward Cagalli, and Xiao Ran pressed both of them down while shouting a warning.

Xiao Ran, Kira, and Cagalli survived a Blue Cosmos attack and accepted Andrew Waltfeld’s invitation to his mansion. As Andrew studied his guests over coffee, Xiao Ran compared him to Lacus Clyne, prompting Andrew to ask whether he knew her.

• Blue Cosmos attackers ambushed Andrew Waltfeld, but Kira fought back and ZAFT soldiers killed the attackers.
• Andrew introduced himself as the Tiger and invited Xiao Ran, Kira, and Cagalli to his mansion; Xiao Ran accepted for their safety.
• Cagalli sulked during the ride, while Kira understood why Xiao Ran had accepted the invitation.
• At the mansion, Aisha took Cagalli to clean up, and Andrew prepared coffee for Xiao Ran and Kira.
• Xiao Ran praised Andrew as friendlier than the rumors suggested and compared him to Lacus Clyne, leading Andrew to ask whether Xiao Ran knew her.

Xiao Ran and Andrew Waltfeld built a friendly rapport while carefully avoiding an open discussion of their opposing identities and duties. Their conversation ended when Andrew's adjutant announced the arrival of eight reinforcements from PLANT, and Xiao Ran warned Andrew to watch out for those who had gone from Orb to PLANT.

• Xiao Ran used their shared connection to Lacus to reassure Andrew that he and Kira did not consider him an enemy.
• Xiao Ran and Andrew discussed the war, their duties, and the possibility of working with Lacus to bring the fighting to an end.
• Kira became embarrassed by their conversation and left for a walk, while Xiao Ran and Andrew laughed together.
• The red-haired adjutant reported that eight reinforcements and their MS units and BuCUEs had arrived from PLANT.
• As Xiao Ran departed with Kira and Cagalli, he hugged Andrew and warned him to watch out for those who had gone from Orb to PLANT.

Xiao Ran learned that ZAFT had gathered overwhelming reinforcements against the Archangel and asked Luo to help improve its chances of survival. Luo revealed that he could not fight under his Junk Guild affiliation, but offered Xiao Ran a gift that would let him fight himself.

• After leaving Andrew, Xiao Ran worried that ZAFT's reinforcements included participants and that the Archangel could not escape with its current forces.
• Xiao Ran told Mwu that eight ZAFT mobile suits had arrived, warned that the coming battle could sink the Archangel, and asked her to prepare the crew.
• Xiao Ran found Luo working on the Strike Gundam and urged him to finish its modifications quickly because at least fifteen enemy machines were expected.
• Xiao Ran asked Luo for help protecting the Archangel and the people aboard it, including the person he loved.
• Luo said he could not fight because his mobile suit was registered to a junk dealer, then offered Xiao Ran a gift that would let him fight himself.

Xiao Ran visited Luo’s crashed spaceship and discovered the Astray Red Frame, which Luo had recovered from the wreckage. Luo dug a second, black machine out of the scrap, leaving Xiao Ran stunned by its resemblance to the Red Frame.

• Xiao Ran and Luo reached the spaceship that had crashed into a desert pit, and Xiao Ran saw that its hangar had survived.
• Xiao Ran recognized Luo’s red machine as a Gundam, and Luo named it the Astray Gundam Red Frame.
• Yamakiburi Juri defended Luo’s efforts to recover the Red Frame and argued with him about their damaged ship and lack of money.
• Xiao Ran offered Luo his Ginn as payment for modifying the Strike Gundam, and Luo accepted.
• Luo used the Red Frame to clear away scrap and uncovered a black MS nearly identical to the Red Frame, shocking Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran received a black Gundam Astray from Luo, who agreed to assemble and adjust it to suit Xiao Ran’s abilities. The Archangel crew prepared to receive the new machine, and Kira recognized the arriving Gundams as Gundam.

• Luo gave Xiao Ran a black Gundam Astray and promised to assemble it and tune its performance to match Xiao Ran’s combat abilities.
• Xiao Ran handed Luo data about Strike Gundam’s VPS Armor, which excited Luo with ideas for upgrading the Red Mecha.
• Xiao Ran returned to the Archangel, where Sergeant Maddox was managing a hangar crowded with newly acquired supplies and repairs.
• Xiao Ran told Mwu, Mu, and Bargyll that Luo would bring a Prototype Machine from Akatsuki Works, and Mwu approved preparations to receive it.
• Luo arrived at the Archangel piloting Astray Gundam Red Frame and carrying the partially assembled black Astray, while Kira recognized the Gundams.

Xiao Ran’s crew worked to assemble the Black Astray while the Archangel and the people of Dawn Desert prepared for battle against the Tiger. Xiao Ran completed Main Mission Two and received a B-rank evaluation, but realized he could not claim the Silver Treasure Chest reward yet.

• Luo and the maintenance crew assembled the Black Astray while Kira began writing its OS.
• Xiao Ran discussed the machine and the Archangel’s plans with Mwu, Bargyll, and Mu, then helped with repairs as the Black Astray took shape.
• The people of Dawn Desert gathered intelligence, chose a battlefield, and set traps for their planned fight against the Tiger.
• Xiao Ran received notice that Main Mission Two was complete, with a B-rank evaluation and two Silver Treasure Chests awarded to his Storage Slot.
• Xiao Ran concluded that military rank and piloting skill affected the evaluation, then realized he could not claim the chests because he had already used his early-claim chance.

Xiao Ran opened the Silver Treasure Chest from Main Mission Two, received a life-saving escape pod and a rank promotion, then watched Luo and Kira finish his customized Black Astray. He entered the cockpit to begin testing the completed Gundam.

• Xiao Ran opened the Silver Treasure Chest and received 500 Merit Points, an Ejection Escape Pod, a Part Fragment, and an Attribute Point.
• Xiao Ran’s Merit Points passed 5,000, raising his rank to Private First Class, and he put the Attribute Point into Spirit.
• Xiao Ran returned to the hangar and saw the Flight Pack and modified shoulder armor installed on the Black Astray.
• Luo and Kira finished assembling the Black Astray, and Xiao Ran thanked them before asking to pilot it.
• Xiao Ran entered the cockpit, powered up the Black Astray, and placed his hands on the controls.

Xiao Ran tested Black Astray’s flight pack, movement, and OS performance before beginning a simulated combat test against Archangel. The chapter ended with Variante and eight Training Missiles attacking Black Astray as Xiao Ran charged toward the ship.

• Xiao Ran tested Black Astray’s atmospheric glide, jump height, and ground sprint speed while Maddox and Kira warned him about the pack’s limits and the machine’s wear.
• Xiao Ran followed Luo’s movement routine for nearly an hour as Luo and Kira recorded Black Astray’s performance and adjusted data around his piloting habits.
• After Archangel took off, Mwu announced the simulated combat test and assigned Lieutenant Bargyll to oversee the live-fire exercise.
• Bargyll cut communications and Archangel surprised Xiao Ran by firing Training Rounds from its Variante railguns.
• Xiao Ran evaded the shots and charged toward Archangel as eight Training Missiles launched and Variante prepared to fire again.

Xiao Ran piloted Black Astray through successive surprise attacks on Archangel, first from training missiles and then from hidden ZAFT mobile suits. After identifying the attackers, he charged a DEEN with a Beam Saber, only to find two BuCUEs advancing toward him.

• Xiao Ran used Black Astray's Beam Rifle and shield to evade the first missile attack, but explosions from a second barrage shook the machine and left him dazed.
• Mwu warned Xiao Ran about the severe desert interference, while Mu prepared to sortie and Kira reported that Strike Gundam still needed more time.
• Xiao Ran suspected an ambush, then detected attackers near Archangel and fired as Archangel engaged a missile spread and railgun shells.
• Archangel identified two BuCUEs, but two DEENs then emerged at close range and attacked Archangel and Black Astray.
• Xiao Ran evaded a DEEN's diving fire, launched Black Astray into the air with its Beam Saber drawn, and charged as the two BuCUEs advanced toward him.