Chapter Summaries

Xiao Ran revealed his former identity as Colonel Neo and invited Sven and Emilio to join Orb, where they could find purpose and live with greater freedom. Emilio agreed, though he wanted revenge on the Earth Force and the Goufs, while Sven remained undecided.

• Emilio recognized Xiao Ran as Colonel Neo, and Sven realized that the former Earth Force officer was Orb's Prime Minister.
• Xiao Ran explained that Neo had been an identity imposed on him after his memories were altered, and described how he had returned to Orb and helped it achieve victory.
• Xiao Ran offered Sven and Emilio a chance to leave the Earth Force and find meaning in Orb, promising that Orb would fight to protect rather than target innocents.
• Emilio agreed to join Orb but demanded the means to take revenge on the Earth Force and the Goufs.
• Xiao Ran warned Emilio against letting hatred guide him, encouraged him to experience ordinary life in Orb, and asked Sven whether he would join.

Sven and Emilio began settling into civilian life in Orb while Xiao Ran ordered the Second Archangel to intervene in the Minerva’s battle with Earth Force. The Second Archangel forced its way through the battlefield, leaving Earth Force’s commander unsure how to respond.

• Xiao Ran offered Sven a place in Orb, and Sven agreed while promising to persuade his teammates to join as well.
• Xiao Ran arranged accommodations for Sven and Emilio and ordered Orb’s officials to gather intelligence from them about the Goufs.
• Sven and Emilio experienced Orb’s peaceful coexistence between Coordinators and Naturals as they began living there under discreet observation.
• The Second Archangel reported that the Minerva was trapped in battle near Crete, and Xiao Ran ordered it to cross the battlefield, feigning restraint toward the Minerva while striking back hard if Earth Force attacked.
• Bargyll prepared the Second Archangel and launched its mobile suits as Mu joined the operation.
• The Second Archangel pushed into the center of the battle, Shinn awakened SEED and destroyed several Windams, and Earth Force’s commander struggled to decide whether to attack.

The Second Archangel intervened in the Earth Force’s assault on the Minerva, disrupting its attacks while Orb’s crew tried to avoid openly joining the war. The Minerva remained trapped and damaged, but its defenses repelled a rear attack as Talia prepared to retreat.

• Mu and Bargyll recognized that the Second Archangel had slowed the Earth Force’s attack, but agreed Orb could not openly attack without provocation; Bargyll told the Minerva to retreat while the Second Archangel held position.
• Earth Force mobile suits continued attacking around the Second Archangel, keeping Shinn, Athrun, and Heine’s units engaged while the Minerva suffered damage and fires.
• Talia ordered Arthur to recall Shinn, Athrun, and Heine and prepare the Minerva to withdraw, but the surrounding enemies made an immediate escape difficult.
• Radar Control reported three Windams approaching the Minerva’s rear, and Talia ordered the automatic turrets, anti-beam flares, and missiles to engage them.
• The Minerva’s defenses destroyed one Windam and crippled another, while the third escaped intact.

After the Minerva was crippled by a falling Windam, Natarle Bargyll intervened and ordered the Earth Force and ZAFT to cease fighting. The Earth Force ignored her warning and resumed its attack, leaving the Second Archangel preparing to defend the Minerva.

• A burning Windam crashed onto the Minerva's observation deck, triggering an explosion that destroyed a starboard engine thruster and sent the ship plunging into the sea.
• Captain Talia ordered an emergency landing and evacuation, then learned that Lunamaria's Zaku Warrior had fallen into the sea and could not be contacted.
• Bargyll announced that the Second Archangel would attack both sides if they continued fighting, and Ray went into the sea to search for Lunamaria.
• Athrun broke free from the Earth Force's encirclement and urged Shinn to withdraw; Shinn escaped with Athrun and Heine as ZAFT began pulling back.
• The Earth Force commander ignored Bargyll's warning and renewed the assault, so Bargyll ordered the Second Archangel's Gundam units to engage and prepare for battle.

Bargyll and Orb’s forces joined the battle to relieve pressure on the Minerva and disrupt the Earth Force fleet, while Shinn and Athrun fought at full strength. The reinforcements improved ZAFT and Orb’s position, but the battle remained unresolved because they lacked a super ace able to turn the tide.

• Bargyll sent the Midnight Gundam, Black Strike, and Strike Gundam to support the Minerva, and their surprise attack destroyed several Earth Force mobile suits.
• Mu led the Crimson Aegis and Chaos Gundam with Orb squadrons against the forces pursuing the Impulse Gundam, Savior Gundam, and Blazing Tiger, breaking the Earth Force’s formation.
• Bargyll turned the Second Archangel under fire and swept its Positron Cannons across the Combined Fleet, heavily damaging its first echelon but overheating the ship’s engines.
• Mu, Billy, and Orro attacked the fleet, with Orro using the Abyss Gundam underwater to target Earth Force warship engines.
• With the Minerva no longer burdened by its attackers, Shinn destroyed at least six enemy mobile suits in quick succession, while the larger battle remained undecided.

The Orb Army and ZAFT forces turned the battle against the Earth Force fleet, but the sudden arrival of the Freedom Gundam devastated machines on both sides. Cagalli Yula Athha arrived beside the Freedom as the battlefield reeled from its attack.

• Shinn unleashed his SEED power and destroyed Earth Force machines while Athrun and the Orb Army joined the fight.
• The Minerva withdrew, and the Second Archangel and Orb's Silver Hand fought the Earth Force fleet, destroying dozens of enemy machines and warships.
• Two red beams disrupted the Earth Force fleet, and a descending machine attacked Billy's Crimson Forbidden before cutting through the battlefield.
• The machine revealed itself as the Freedom Gundam and unleashed a barrage that damaged or disabled many Orb and Earth Force machines.
• A second Archangel watched from the fleet's flank as Cagalli Yula Athha arrived beside the Freedom Gundam and spoke across the battlefield.

Cagalli declared herself Orb’s rightful Prime Minister and ordered the Orb Army to withdraw, while Kira and Cagalli’s intervention angered Athrun and Shinn. As Athrun fought Kira and Shinn turned against the Earth Force fleet, Bargyll asked Mu if he had a particular item with him.

• Cagalli announced that she remained Orb’s rightful Prime Minister and ordered the Orb Army to stop fighting and return home.
• Athrun and Shinn reacted furiously to Kira and Cagalli’s intervention, and Shinn charged Freedom Gundam and Crimson Strike in Impulse Gundam.
• Impulse Gundam and Freedom Gundam fought to a standstill until Athrun’s Savior Gundam intervened and engaged Kira.
• Athrun told Shinn to leave the fight to him and attack the Earth Force fleet, so Shinn and Midnight Gundam turned toward the fleet.
• Bargyll told Mu that they could not let Cagalli and the others continue and asked whether he had a certain item with him.

Mu and Bargyll decided to reveal a prepared secret to prevent Cagalli’s words from creating a political crisis for Orb. Meanwhile, Athrun and Kira fought fiercely in their Gundams, and the chapter ended with both machines firing at each other at close range.

• Mu agreed to send Bargyll the card containing the prepared secret after recognizing the danger Cagalli’s defiance posed to Orb.
• Kira joined Cagalli because he doubted Xiao Ran’s motives and feared Orb and ZAFT were conspiring against the Earth Force.
• Athrun, furious that Kira and Cagalli were disrupting Xiao Ran’s plans and endangering Orb, activated his SEED ability and attacked Kira.
• The Savior Gundam and Freedom Gundam exchanged fierce close-range attacks, damaging each other as Cagalli pleaded with them to stop.
• After both machines dodged and struck back during another clash, the Savior Gundam and Freedom Gundam fired their cannons at each other.

Kira and Athrun’s beam clash destroyed both the Freedom Gundam and Savior Gundam, and Cagalli’s impulsive actions left her overwhelmed with guilt. As the pilots were rescued, Bargyll announced that Cagalli had been stripped of her rights in Orb and began relaying Uzummi Yula Athha’s words.

• The Freedom Gundam and Savior Gundam’s beams collided at close range, and the resulting explosions severely damaged both machines and left Kira and Athrun unable to control them.
• Cagalli used the Crimson Strike to catch the falling Freedom Gundam, while the Dawn Gundam caught the wrecked Savior Gundam.
• Kira told Cagalli that her words and actions affected others, and said he trusted Athrun despite not understanding his reasons for fighting.
• Cagalli apologized and sobbed as Kira, Mwu, and Lacus reacted aboard the Archangel; the Dawn Gundam carried Athrun toward the Minerva.
• Bargyll announced that Cagalli had been removed as Orb’s Prime Minister and stripped of her rights to influence Orb, then began relaying Uzummi Yula Athha’s words.

Uzummi’s recording granted Xiao Ran authority to take over Orb, leaving Cagalli and the Archangel crew shocked and regretful. Xiao Ran then unexpectedly received a Prometheus notification that he had gained Orb’s highest authority and had twenty-four hours to choose its future.

• Uzummi and Orb’s family heads declared that Xiao Ran could take control of Orb and lead it according to their ideals.
• Cagalli wept with guilt and grief, while Kira realized he wanted to apologize to Xiao Ran and Lacus continued to trust Xiao Ran’s intentions.
• Bargyll warned the Archangel and the Earth Force that Orb could pursue the conflict and respond to further attacks.
• Xiao Ran received a notification that he had taken over an independent faction and could make Orb an Exclusive Faction, entrust it to Prometheus, or continue or cancel his mission.
• Xiao Ran was baffled by the notification because he had not known Uzummi’s final message had named him Orb’s leader.

Xiao Ran formally brought Orb under the Burning Legion's administration and oversaw the first day of testing for Akatsuki Works' advanced new unit. After the tests, he unexpectedly reunited with a grown-up Flay, who had joined Akatsuki Works.

• Xiao Ran confirmed Orb as a Burning Legion Faction Territory after Orb's former leader's testament recognized him as its successor.
• Xiao Ran and Orb's officials observed tests demonstrating the new unit's GN Particles, compact fusion engine, and SWAG Energy Conversion Armor.
• Director Symonds explained that the technologies could greatly strengthen Orb's Murasame units, though Orb lacked the reserves for large-scale production.
• After the testing ended, Xiao Ran remained at Akatsuki Works and saw Flay enter with coffee.
• Flay greeted Xiao Ran as Lord Xiao Ran and apologized for how immature she had been before.

Xiao Ran reunited with Flay and learned how she had built a peaceful life with Kira and Lacus after the war. He then discussed mass production of Orb’s new mecha with Director Symonds and laid out ways to secure the materials and labor needed to accelerate it.

• Xiao Ran praised Flay for how much she had changed, and she explained that she had joined Akatsuki Works after the war to study and contribute to Orb.
• Flay said she had been living with Kira and Lacus and helping care for orphans, while Xiao Ran inferred that she and Kira had grown close.
• Director Symonds told Xiao Ran that mass production would require redesigning the mecha, improving equipment for Thermonuclear Energy Engines, and securing scarce materials; Orb could produce at most three hundred units with current supplies.
• Xiao Ran proposed using the Scrap Merchant Guild and obtaining materials from the Alliance, PLANT, Neutral Countries, the Martian delegation, and the Hassak family to expand supplies and speed preparations.
• Xiao Ran recommended developing both of Symonds’s mecha configurations and using the Savior Gundam’s backpack transformation as a reference.

After Orb became a Legion Territory, Xiao Ran set out to use outside resources to rapidly strengthen it while coordinating with ZAFT against the Librarian and LOGOS. He weighed the likely triggers for the remaining Main Missions and planned to seek intelligence and support from Heaven's Pillar and the East Asian Federation.

• Xiao Ran told Symonds not to worry about Orb's resource consumption and to accelerate Akatsuki Works' operations.
• Bargyll reported from Gibraltar that ZAFT was tense, the Minerva and Second Archangel needed about half a month of repairs, and ZAFT had sent a Librarian battle report and a captured Photocopy Person to the Second Archangel.
• Xiao Ran instructed Bargyll to gather intelligence on the Librarian, coordinate with ZAFT, and let him know if she learned anything useful.
• Xiao Ran reasoned that Durandal's exposure of LOGOS and later announcement of the Destiny Plan would likely trigger the remaining Main Missions.
• Xiao Ran planned to visit Heaven's Pillar to obtain Librarian intelligence and bring it back under Orb's influence, and to contact the East Asian Federation for support.

Xiao Ran handled Orb’s disputes and preparations for his journey while the Archangel’s crew decided to return to Orb. Lacus and Kira warned Cagalli that she no longer had the right to direct Orb’s affairs, leaving her to confront the limits of her role.

• Flay refused Xiao Ran’s offer to become his secretary and chose to keep developing mobile suits at Akatsuki Works.
• Xiao Ran settled the prisoner-exchange dispute with the Global Security Alliance and secured supplies and support for Orb.
• Lacus proposed that the Archangel return to Orb, and Kira agreed so he could speak with Xiao Ran and help Orb.
• Cagalli hesitated to return because she feared facing Xiao Ran, but agreed after Lacus and Kira encouraged her to go back and apologize.
• Lacus and Kira sternly told Cagalli she was no longer Orb’s leader and must not interfere in its decisions, prompting her to run from the bridge.
• Kira declined to follow Cagalli, saying she would have to understand that she could not return to Orb and interfere.

The Archangel returned to Orb, and Xiao Ran postponed his departure for space to meet its crew. He welcomed them back, reprimanded Cagalli, and invited them to ask him their questions before he left.

• Lacus and Kira decided to return to Orb, and Cagalli agreed to stop interfering in Orb's affairs for the time being.
• Xiao Ran learned that the Archangel had reached Orb's secret harbor and delayed his trip to space to meet the crew.
• Xiao Ran greeted Mwu, Kira, Lacus, Cagalli, and the Archangel crew, telling them not to act recklessly again.
• Kira apologized to Xiao Ran, who said he understood why Kira had left Orb and welcomed his return.
• Xiao Ran told Cagalli to stay out of Orb's political and military affairs, and she silently agreed.
• Xiao Ran invited the group to ask their questions before he departed for space.

Xiao Ran explained to Lacus, Kira, Cagalli, and the others why he had returned to Orb, why Orb was cooperating with ZAFT, and what threats it faced. He left them with the warning that the Library Librarians and LOGOS were common enemies, while Orb had not joined ZAFT’s war against the Earth Force.

• Lacus explained why she, Kira, and Cagalli had left Orb and questioned Xiao Ran about the assassination attempts and Orb’s growing ties to ZAFT.
• Xiao Ran said the suspicious timing was coincidental and explained that he had intervened when Cagalli’s wedding threatened to put Orb under the Ceran Family’s control.
• Xiao Ran criticized Cagalli’s leadership and said Orb’s cooperation with ZAFT was intended to counter the Library Librarians, not to join the war between ZAFT and the Earth Force.
• Xiao Ran revealed that the Library Librarians had obtained his genetic sample and created Photocopy Persons modeled after him, though they were not yet as strong as he was.
• Xiao Ran explained that Orb and ZAFT also shared an enemy in LOGOS and that Orb would fight these organizations without joining either side in the war.

Xiao Ran explained Orb’s position against the Librarians and LOGOS, then revealed that Orb’s strategic reserves had largely vanished under Cagalli’s leadership. He rebuked Cagalli and confined her to the Asaha residence, while Lacus comforted her and asked Xiao Ran to consider how others had restricted Cagalli’s authority.

• Xiao Ran outlined the conflict among the Alliance, ZAFT, and Orb, and said Orb needed strength to preserve peace while opposing LOGOS.
• Xiao Ran revealed that more than half of Orb’s strategic reserves had disappeared, leaving the country dangerously short of supplies.
• Cagalli rejected Xiao Ran’s claims and said she would verify the reserves herself, but Xiao Ran ordered her to sit down.
• Xiao Ran blamed Cagalli’s impulsiveness and weak leadership for Orb’s condition, then ordered her to remain in the Asaha residence under guard.
• Lacus embraced the crying Cagalli and asked Xiao Ran to calm down, explaining that the Ceran Family and cabinet members had restricted Cagalli’s authority.

Xiao Ran arranged for Cagalli to remain under guard in Orb while he took Lacus and Andrew into space. He left with orders to visit the Sahak Family at Heaven’s Pillar and then travel to the D.S.S.D. satellite, while Lacus accepted that Xiao Ran was currently Orb’s best hope.

• Xiao Ran told Lacus that Orb was already caught up in a wider war and ordered Cagalli to stay at the Asaha residence without his permission.
• Xiao Ran assigned Kira an unmanned unit until his exclusive machine was ready and asked him to watch over Cagalli.
• Lacus asked to accompany Xiao Ran into space, and Xiao Ran agreed to take her and Andrew.
• Xiao Ran instructed his secretary officer to place Cagalli under guard, incorporate the Archangel into Orb’s military order, and give the Savior Gundam to Kira.
• Xiao Ran, Lacus, and Andrew boarded a Shuttlecraft and joined an Orb fleet bound for Heaven’s Pillar.
• As the fleet departed, Lacus considered whether Xiao Ran had arranged their earlier departure and decided that trusting him was the only choice for now.

Xiao Ran explained his suspicions about Durandal and his plans for Orb to Lacus, then warned her not to betray his trust. After she promised to stand with him for peace, they traveled to Heaven’s Pillar, where Mina welcomed them.

• Xiao Ran told Lacus that he suspected Durandal had orchestrated the Junius 7 incident and planned to reveal his intentions after LOGOS fell.
• Xiao Ran explained that he intended to strengthen Orb, share in the Alliance’s power, and keep Cagalli from regaining control of Orb after the war.
• Lacus said she wanted peace and promised to stand with Xiao Ran if Orb acted for the world’s peace.
• Xiao Ran revealed that Lacus had come to space to prepare new machines for Kira and Athrun, and offered to take her to D.S.S.D. for technology.
• Xiao Ran and Lacus traveled to Heaven’s Pillar, where Mina and other officials welcomed them.

Xiao Ran secured Mina’s agreement to bring Heaven’s Pillar back into Orb and arranged for its people and resources to join Orb. He then traveled to D.S.S.D, where he negotiated technology sharing and protection, leaving D.S.S.D poised to become dependent on Orb while discussions continued.

• Xiao Ran told Mina he would make her Orb’s prime minister, and she agreed to return Heaven’s Pillar to Orb.
• Heaven’s Pillar began preparing to transfer its technicians and strategic materials to Orb, while Xiao Ran offered Murrue Ramius a paid contract to keep Tail of the Serpent tied to Orb.
• Xiao Ran traveled to D.S.S.D with Lacus and Luo, met Selene McGriff and Sol Rune Langi, and inspected D.S.S.D’s technologies and the Stargazer Gundam.
• Xiao Ran proposed joint development, technology sharing, and Orb protection for D.S.S.D, offering an island for its headquarters.
• After Luo presented Solar Furnace and thermal nuclear Energy Source Engine technologies, D.S.S.D became receptive to Xiao Ran’s exchange proposal, and he stayed at the station to settle further matters.