Chapter Summaries

Xiao Ran explained Celestial Being’s investigation into the Vajra, the Galaxy Fleet, and the survivors of Investigation Team 117, revealing Lanka’s past and her lost brother’s possible survival. He ended by identifying Leon Mishima as the person monitoring Lanka and working closely with Grace.

• Xiao Ran described how Celestial Being formed after the attack on Investigation Team 117 and explained its findings about the Vajra, space crystals, and the Galaxy Fleet’s cyborg network.
• Xiao Ran told Sheryl that she was a descendant of Mao Nome, that her parents had been killed because of her heritage and earrings, and that Grace was also tied to Fleet 117.
• Xiao Ran connected Lanka’s singing to the Vajra, and Ozma revealed that Lanka had survived the Investigation Team 117 attack and that he was not her biological brother.
• Xiao Ran revealed that Lanka’s biological brother survived, lost his memories, became a cyborg, and now served as a Galaxy Fleet Defense Unified Army major under Grace.
• Xiao Ran told Ozma that Leon Mishima had monitored Lanka and the Great President, approached Catherine for his own purposes, and secretly exchanged intelligence with Grace.

Xiao Ran outlined his suspicions about Grace, the Vajra, and Lanka, then assigned S.M.S. to investigate while asking Sheryl to help awaken Lanka’s power. After the meeting, Xiao Ran found Sheryl waiting alone beneath a streetlamp.

• Xiao Ran told Captain Jeffrey and the others that Grace might be trying to control the Vajra through Lanka and Sheryl, and that the 25th Fleet’s route could lead Grace to her goal.
• Xiao Ran asked S.M.S. to examine Lanka, monitor Leon Mishima, and investigate him through Ozma, while urging Sheryl to use her singing to awaken Lanka’s power.
• Sheryl refused to join the investigation but agreed not to tell Grace what had been discussed, and the others promised to keep the meeting confidential.
• Alto joined S.M.S. and was assigned to Michel for training, while Xiao Ran asked Luca to tell LAI that he would discuss Lightning Aegis with them.
• That night, Xiao Ran saw Sheryl waiting beneath a streetlamp and asked why she had not gone home.

Xiao Ran and Sheryl spent the evening eating, shopping, and growing closer, and he gave her ruby earrings before walking her back to her hotel. After she left, Xiao Ran questioned whether he was selfishly treating the seventeen-year-old Sheryl as a mission target, but decided to go through with his plan to bring her to Prometheus.

• Sheryl and Xiao Ran wandered the district together, sharing food and holding hands as Xiao Ran decided to improve her favorability before the mission ended.
• Xiao Ran bought Sheryl heart-shaped ruby earrings and gave them to her while they sat together.
• Sheryl kissed Xiao Ran on the cheek, and they walked hand in hand to her hotel.
• Xiao Ran embraced Sheryl and hinted that he wanted to return her gift before she went inside.
• After Sheryl left, Xiao Ran questioned his motives and whether Prometheus was right for her, then resolved not to second-guess his decision.

Xiao Ran accepted LAI’s invitation to tour its headquarters, where Luca Angelo asked to study Xiao Ran’s advanced machine. Xiao Ran agreed to lend it to LAI in exchange for conditions he had yet to name.

• Moses told Xiao Ran that LAI had invited him to visit and that the Presidential Palace wanted him as a military judge for the Miss MACROSS competition.
• Xiao Ran ordered Moses and Billy to have Lanka enter the competition so she could gain confidence singing publicly and so he could observe Leon Mishima’s reaction.
• Xiao Ran put Sheryl’s earring on the necklace she had given him and wore it around his neck.
• Xiao Ran and Moses visited LAI headquarters, where Luca Angelo showed Xiao Ran the company’s departments and products.
• Luca Angelo asked to borrow Xiao Ran’s machine for research, and Xiao Ran agreed on the condition that LAI accept several requests.

Xiao Ran arranged for LAI Company to research the Lightning Aegis while preserving it and sharing copies of the research data with him. He later met Sheryl for dinner and a stroll, and the two continued their warm, ambiguous closeness.

• Xiao Ran secured Angelo's promise that LAI would keep the Lightning Aegis intact, copy its research findings for him, and return the technical materials he lent them.
• Xiao Ran asked LAI to investigate replacing the Lightning Aegis's power source, improving its thrusters, and adding Micro Missile launchers without impairing its transformation.
• Angelo offered Xiao Ran a customized VF-25 and other hospitality, and Xiao Ran accepted a specially made card as a token of gratitude.
• Xiao Ran delivered the Lightning Aegis to LAI and permitted them to access its main computer, while forbidding alterations and combat tests.
• Xiao Ran met Sheryl for dinner, then strolled with her as they chatted and held hands.

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.