Suspicion

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Xiao Ran and Mu stood on opposite sides of the captain's room. Xiao Ran took the opportunity to check his two skills. Unknowingly, the proficiency of both skills had increased by 10 and 7 points respectively. The proficiency of D-Class General Mecha Piloting Skill became 17, and the proficiency of Space Combat Proficiency became 11, making Xiao Ran beam with joy.

Xiao Ran thought to himself, "As expected, the proficiency gained from fighting against people is much faster than fighting against computers. I didn't expect piloting a work ship would also increase proficiency. It seems I need to drag Mu along more often in the future. Gaining 3 to 5 points every day, it won't take long to reach 100. This feeling is awesome!"

Mu, who had been lost in thought, suddenly felt a shiver for no reason. He looked around but only saw a few people lost in their own thoughts. He shook his head strangely and dismissed the matter.

Mwu sat opposite Lacus. After glancing at Lacus and the silver-haired female pilot guarding her closely, she also felt that Kira had brought back some trouble. She couldn't help but ponder and asked, "Miss Lacus, may I ask why you are here?"

Lacus hugged the pink Haro with both hands and replied with a hint of sadness, "Because it's the first anniversary of the Bloody Valentine incident. As a representative, I departed from PLANT ahead of the memorial group to conduct preliminary investigations at Junius 7. I didn't expect to encounter an Earth Forces inspection team here. We kindly allowed them to board for inspection, but for some reason, an argument broke out with the people on board, and I was shoved into a life boat... I don't know what happened to the people on board. I just hope those people from the Earth Forces can calm down."

After hearing Lacus's words, the silver-haired female pilot's eyes blazed with anger. She said in a suppressed voice, "Miss Lacus, the investigation team's ship has sunk, and I haven't found any surviving compatriots."

"Ah, how could this happen?" Lacus covered her mouth in surprise, a look of sorrow appearing on her face. "We represent PLANT, which is different from ZAFT. This is not a war, and they are civilians. Why would those people from the Earth Forces..."

Mwu looked at Lacus, opened her mouth but said nothing, just shook her head gently. She really didn't know how to speak. After leaving Heliopolis, she had witnessed the greed of Artemis. Although they were allies, they had imprisoned people for the sake of Gundams. Upon arriving at the Debris Belt, Xiao Ran's words reminded her of the innocent over 200,000 lives lost. Now, she had heard about the Earth Forces attacking civilian ships and slaughtering at least one ship full of civilians.

Although Mwu knew that there were many factions within the Earth Forces, she didn't know when the Earth Forces had become like this, capable of killing innocent people. Recalling Xiao Ran's words, she wondered what the will that they, as soldiers, were so proud of truly was, and Mwu fell into confusion for a moment.

Mu, as a man who had experienced many battles, was much calmer than Mwu. However, upon hearing Lacus's words, he also showed a hint of anger, but then he shook his head helplessly.

Bargyll was a soldier, a true soldier, upright, brave, with firm beliefs and a conviction to strive for. Although she disdained the scum who attacked civilians as Lacus had said, she wouldn't say much. As a competent soldier, she only needed to manage her own responsibilities.

However, Xiao Ran was different. Although he was currently classified as part of the Earth Forces, he had never had any good feelings towards them and only considered himself a member of the Archangel. Therefore, facing the group who would eventually walk together and confront the Earth Forces, Xiao Ran sneered and said directly:

"Well said, Earth Forces, what a bunch of bandits and robbers. Like master, like soldier. Soldiers who can attack civilian ships must have superiors who are no good either. In the end, the entire Earth Forces, from top to bottom, has become corrupt. For profit and power, they can do any dirty and despicable thing. I really don't know how many people in the Earth Forces today are still true soldiers. And I don't understand if you know who you are fighting for."

Xiao Ran's words were quite straightforward, but they made the eyes of those listening widen. Even Lacus, who had always maintained a calm demeanor, couldn't help but open her mouth wide and look at Xiao Ran with disbelief, as if to say, "Big brother, aren't you also Earth Forces?"

Seeing Bargyll's face turn red with anger and Mwu looking ashamed and unsure what to say, Mu quickly coughed forcefully to prevent Bargyll and Xiao Ran from arguing in front of outsiders: "Cough, cough."

"I'm not talking about you. The Archangel might be an exception," Xiao Ran pouted, paused, and said, "Of course, there's also Commodore Halberton of the Eighth Fleet. He's considered one of the rare clear-headed people in the Earth Forces, but he's alone, weak, and in a low position. He might not have much say among the Earth Forces' high command and can't influence the decisions of the higher-ups at all."

"Lieutenant Commander Xiao Ran!" Bargyll finally couldn't help but stand up and roared at Xiao Ran, "Enough! Please don't say such things in front of the enemy!"

"Enemy? Who is the enemy here?" Xiao Ran retorted. Having said so much, Xiao Ran had also become somewhat agitated. He wanted to say more but eventually restrained himself, took a deep breath, and lowered his voice considerably: "Hoo, Ensign Bargyll, there is no enemy here. At least Lacus and this pilot lady are not enemies to us right now. At critical moments, they will be our best friends and our protection."

After speaking, Xiao Ran turned to look at Lacus, "Right, Miss Lacus Klein."

"Ah, you know me?" Lacus looked at Xiao Ran with wide, surprised eyes.

"Although I don't know how many people in PLANT are named Lacus, there is only one Lacus who would be called 'Miss' by a ZAFT pilot," Xiao Ran waved his hand slightly, smiling at Lacus.

"Ah, so that's how it is," Lacus stuck out her tongue and laughed. "That's right, my father is Cigel Klein. But Mr. Xiao Ran is truly knowledgeable."

"Heh, not at all," Xiao Ran smiled. Perhaps he had been pretending for too long, but he didn't feel the slightest bit unnatural when praised by others.

Mu's lips twitched. "If I remember correctly, the current chairman of PLANT... is named Cigel Klein, isn't he? It seems Kira brought back something extraordinary."

"Oh my heavens," Mwu and Bargyll looked at Lacus's innocent expression and simultaneously buried their heads in speechlessness. "This is truly a big trouble."

"Hee hee." Lacus, perhaps seeing their amusing expressions, smiled at the female pilot beside her and Xiao Ran.

Before long, Mwu stood up and said to Lacus and the silver-haired female pilot, "Miss Lacus, due to the special circumstances of this ship and the fact that it is still in danger, although you are a civilian, given your special identity, we will protect and control you for the time being until this ship is out of danger. As for this pilot..."

"My name is Moliya, Moliya Haru."

Mwu nodded slightly and continued, "Moliya Haru, as a member of the enemy's armed forces on this ship, will be under special control. However, given that you came to investigate the situation and unintentionally became hostile to this ship, although you will not be imprisoned, your freedom will still be restricted."

Moliya, the silver-haired pilot, said, "I must stay by Miss Lacus's side."

"That won't do. It's too dangerous for you two to be together," Mu said from the side, shrugging. "But you can rest assured, Miss Lacus will absolutely not receive any unfair treatment."

Lacus took Moliya's hand. "Moliya, there's no need to worry about me. I believe everyone on this ship is a good person."

"They've already given us the 'good person' card," Mu shook his head and gave a wry smile.

Xiao Ran also smiled and said, "Alright, since there's nothing else, I'll be going."

"No, I still have something to ask you," Mwu shook her head at Xiao Ran and said to Mu and Bargyll, "Captain Mu, Ensign Bargyll, I'll leave them to you two."

Bargyll nodded, stood up, and was about to walk out. But as the captain's room door opened, she saw several heads crowded together. She immediately became angry and roared, "Are you all free? Get back to work now!"

"Yes!" Several voices answered in a jumbled mess. Xiao Ran also heard Kazui and Sai's voices from inside and couldn't help but shake his head and smile. As he turned, he saw Lacus giving a sweet smile towards the outside of the door. Following her gaze, he saw Kira standing somewhat helplessly in the corridor outside the door. He didn't know whether to go forward or stop. Finally, he gave Lacus an awkward smile and hurried away.

After Mu and Ensign Bargyll left with Lacus and pilot Moliya, Xiao Ran plopped down in front of Mwu. "What is it?"

Mwu looked at Xiao Ran deeply. "I know you don't say meaningless things. What did you mean by 'who you are fighting for' just now? I feel like every word you say has a deeper meaning, unlike an ordinary person."

Mwu's words could be summarized into two questions: What else do you know? Who exactly are you?

Xiao Ran, who was never lacking in eloquence, naturally understood the doubt in Mwu's words, but he couldn't possibly tell her the real reason. He just smiled faintly and said, "What do I mean by 'who you are fighting for'? Does that even need to be said? Are you fighting for humanity on Earth, or for the interests of those high-ranking officials in the Earth Forces, or for Blue Cosmos? I think not many people on Earth wish for war, except for those with ulterior motives. Aren't all your actions playing into the hands of those with ulterior motives?"

"Some of the things I said do have deeper meanings, but even if I say them, you won't understand. Besides, I only have suspicions and no concrete evidence, so there's no point in saying too much. Originally, as an ordinary person, I wouldn't need to think about these things that have nothing to do with me, but now I have to. Perhaps when my suspicions become reality one day, you will understand what I mean."

As Xiao Ran spoke, he reminded himself that sometimes what should be said can be said, but what shouldn't be said must never be said. Otherwise, if he got carried away and said something he shouldn't, it would be a disaster.

Xiao Ran slowly stood up and met Mwu's doubtful eyes sincerely. "If you believe me, then don't ask anything else. I'm just an ordinary person with more thoughts and considerations than others. If you don't believe me, you can have me locked up from now on, and release me when you think it's appropriate."