Pink Princess

"So, Kira attacked first under Shoran's leniency, captured the Mobile Suit and its pilot, and brought this thing back?"

On the Archangel, Mwu looked at the black Recon Ginn, missing an arm and its head, with a helpless expression. She then glanced at the silver-haired female pilot, whose hands were already cuffed, her helmet removed.

The female pilot's long, silver hair cascaded down to her waist, smooth and soft like silver satin. Her blue eyes were fixed on Kira, filled with defiance. Her beautiful face held a trace of anger, but mostly, a sense of helplessness.

In front of the black Recon Ginn, a small green escape pod rested quietly on the ground. Sergeant Maddox was using his computer to crack the pod's activation switch.

Not long ago, as Kira was capturing the Recon Ginn and its pilot, a distress signal suddenly appeared on his display. Upon seeing it was a small civilian escape pod, he unhesitatingly brought the pod and the Recon Ginn back to the Archangel. This prompted Mwu and Bargyll, who had received the news, to rush over, leading to the scene that had just unfolded.

Kira nodded slightly in response to Mwu's words, but his attention was mostly focused on the silver-haired female pilot and the escape pod.

Mwu rubbed her aching head and turned to Shoran. "Sergeant Shoran, do you have anything to explain?"

Shoran spread his hands. "First, if Kira hadn't opened fire, and given that we were discovered, anyone going for supplies could have died. Especially since the location we chose for resupply is considered an infringement by ZAFT."

"Second, in a place like this, I don't want to see any more lives lost. I imagine Kira feels the same. Since we can incapacitate the enemy and gain a new combat asset, I believe this course of action was correct."

"Third is simple: I want this Mobile Suit. And do you want us to just leave someone to die?"

Shoran spoke calmly, listing his reasons one by one and then posing a question to Mwu. While his words were well-phrased and left Mwu with little to say, the core reason was that Shoran himself had his eye on this Mobile Suit, and had for a long time.

When he recalled Lacus and Kira's first meeting, Shoran remembered how Kira had destroyed the MS that was scouting Lacus's situation in this very location. As a mecha fan, with the operational technology for mecha, how could he not acquire one for himself?

It wasn't that Shoran didn't want a better one, but after carefully recalling the entire storyline, he realized this was the fastest opportunity to obtain an MS. A lone MS, and one that was no match for Kira, was a rare chance in the entire plot. With Kira's skill and the Strike Gundam's performance, capturing it would be effortless. Shoran naturally wouldn't pass up such an opportunity.

That's why he had stayed on Junius 7, waiting for this MS to appear, not just to confirm Kira's rescue of Lacus's escape pod.

"Teacher said so much, but really, it's just because he wants his own Mobile Suit, right?" Tolle said, placing his hands behind his head, his voice filled with envy. "I wish I had my own Mobile Suit too."

Miriallia turned to Tolle, her voice rising slightly. "Tolle!"

"Heh, just kidding," Tolle quickly said, shaking his hands and chuckling.

Bargyll shot Shoran a sideways glance, but unusually, she didn't say anything critical. It seemed she also felt that the Archangel's combat strength indeed needed supplementing at this time. Mwu, seeing the obvious joy in Shoran's eyes, shook her head and said nothing more. Mu, however, was exclaiming over the Recon Ginn.

Sergeant Maddox fiddled with his computer, then suddenly looked up at Mwu. "It's linked. We can open it anytime."

Mwu nodded and waved her hand gently. Several guards with weapons aimed their firearms at the escape pod's hatch. With a soft hiss, the hatch slowly opened as Sergeant Maddox pressed a button. Before anyone inside could be seen, a pink, spherical robot flew out, emitting a mechanical voice: "Hello, hello."

The flying robot was none other than the mascot of the Gundam series, the Harow Robot. The appearance of the Harow Robot momentarily stunned the Archangel's crew. But the person who then floated out of the escape pod left them all speechless. A girl, angelic in appearance, with a smile that could disarm anyone, slowly floated out of the escape pod.

Her beauty made all the women present feel inadequate, yet the innocence on her face evoked a sense of fondness. If it was like this for humans, let alone men. The older ones could control their expressions and emotions, but the younger ones, like Kira, were already showing signs of infatuation.

Shoran, however, was prepared and had no intentions towards Lacus, so he remained clear-headed throughout, not captivated by her beauty. Instead, he thought, 'Innate charm and charisma, making it impossible to feel ill will upon first sight. No wonder she's a pearl of PLAT at such a young age.'

"Thank you for your trouble," Lacus said, flying out of the near-zero gravity hangar. Her first words, spoken in a pleasant voice, were to express her gratitude to everyone. Shoran couldn't tell if Lacus genuinely didn't understand the situation or if it was all an act, but he had to admit that Lacus exuded an aura of innocence and purity that made it impossible to harbor any ill thoughts.

Lacus seemed to lose her balance in mid-air. Before Shoran could nudge Kira forward, Kira quickly pushed off the ground and reached out to grab Lacus. As their eyes met, Shoran clearly saw Kira's cheeks flush bright red, and then Lacus broke into a smile.

"Miss Lacus!" Before Lacus could introduce herself, the captured Ginn pilot cried out in alarm. She seemed to try to break free from her guards and rush towards Lacus.

The guards were startled by the pilot's sudden action and reflexively raised their weapons to fire. But at that moment, Shoran's shout made the guards freeze. "Stop!"

The Ginn pilot successfully broke through the guards and, still handcuffed, flew towards Lacus. When Lacus caught her, especially seeing the handcuffs on her hands, she tilted her head in surprise and covered her mouth with her hand. "Ah, isn't this ZAFT's ship?"

Upon hearing Lacus's question, Mwu lowered her head in exasperation. Even Bargyll, who usually maintained a stern demeanor, covered her forehead with her hand in speechlessness. Mu, standing nearby, blinked in surprise, then spread his hands in a wry smile. "Kid, you've really brought back something incredible."

Mwu sighed softly, then looked up at Lacus. "Miss, can we talk?"

"Of course," Lacus replied, clasping her hands in front of her. After nodding, she smiled at Mwu. "Can you release her? I believe it's because of me that she's here. I promise she won't pose any threat to you, as it looks quite uncomfortable."

Before Mwu could respond, Bargyll interjected, "No! Enemy personnel are not allowed to move freely on the Archangel."

"That's a bit much," Shoran said, stopping Kira from retorting. He stepped forward and addressed Bargyll. "Second Lieutenant Bargyll, simply removing the handcuffs doesn't mean she can move freely. And I believe with Miss Lacus here, this female pilot won't make any threatening moves."

Shoran glanced at Mwu, then pulled Kira to his side and said with a smile, "Captain Mwu, Kira and I will vouch for her. If anything happens, we'll take responsibility. What do you say?"

Mwu was too tired to argue and didn't want Bargyll to continue bickering with Shoran. Mwu knew Shoran's eloquence; even if they argued, Bargyll wouldn't win. So, she waved her hand. "Remove her handcuffs."

Bargyll's eyes widened. "Captain!"

Mwu's single sentence forced Bargyll to glare hatefully at Shoran. "That's an order!"

After the female pilot's handcuffs were removed, she twisted her slightly sore hand and instinctively shielded Lacus. Lacus, however, smiled and gently shook her head. "Thank you, but it's not necessary now. The Earth Forces won't hurt us."

"Yes, Miss Lacus," the female pilot replied, a hint of hesitation in her voice. But under the circumstances, she could only obey Lacus and stepped back slightly.

"Then, Miss, please proceed to the captain's quarters with your bodyguard," Mwu said to Lacus. She then turned to Shoran. "You will pilot this Mobile Suit from now on. According to wartime regulations, you can be directly promoted to Second Lieutenant, but considering your other duties, you will be temporarily promoted to Lieutenant. You come with us as well."

"Lieutenant. Jumping so many ranks... it feels a bit strange, thinking about it," Shoran said with a smile, but he was incredibly happy inside. Acquiring an MS was part of the plan, and being promoted to Second Lieutenant after obtaining it was also part of the plan, directly impacting the evaluation of the Main Mission. How could Shoran not be pleased?

Mwu looked at the others and said loudly, "Everyone else, continue with the resupply. Don't waste time here."

"Yes!" Following Mwu's command, the people in the hangar dispersed. Shoran quickly went to Sergeant Maddox. "Sergeant Maddox, the parts for that Mobile Suit are up to you. Don't forget the weapons. Just use Kira's spare parts."

"Oh dear, oh dear, you've really given me a lot of trouble," Sergeant Maddox said, rubbing his forehead in distress as he looked at the Ginn lying on the ground. He nodded helplessly. "We'll do our best."

"Thank you for your trouble," Shoran said with a smile to Sergeant Maddox, then turned and followed Mwu and the others who had already departed.