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Over the next two days, Xiao Ran continued to stay in the Archangel's hangar whenever he had nothing else to do, watching the Ginn be dismantled and modified bit by bit, gradually taking on the form he had envisioned. He could not help but feel waves of excitement, but even with the entire maintenance crew working together, two days was not enough to accomplish much.
At present, the Ginn's arms had only just been repaired, and they had been fitted with spare hands from the Strike Gundam. The shoulder armor on both sides had been installed, barely allowing it to sortie into battle. The Ginn's original right shoulder armor had been moved to the left side, while the right side used spare parts from the Strike Gundam. Though those modifications looked simple enough, they were actually quite troublesome.
The energy wiring, interface integration, and other such matters all required a great deal of time for adjustment, not to mention the issue of the machine's balance.
Fortunately, Kira would also come to the hangar to help whenever he had free time. With the Strongest Coordinator involved, although modifying the Ginn was troublesome and slow, the overall progress was fairly good, and no major problems had arisen. In particular, he had saved the maintenance crew a great deal of trouble with the machine's parameters and systems.
Xiao Ran also noticed that Kira always took too long whenever he brought meals to Lacus, and he would disappear for a while at night as well, usually for somewhere between half an hour and an hour. Of course, it was not that Kira and Lacus had any improper relationship; as fellow Newtypes, they were merely confiding in each other. Xiao Ran found it rather amusing.
If it had been him, Xiao Ran, heh heh—so long as the hoe was good enough, there was no corner he could not dig up. He would have made his move long ago.
When news of the Eighth Fleet's advance force reached the Archangel, everyone aboard except Xiao Ran, who had already seen through everything, erupted into cheers and laughter, delighted by the safety that was soon to come. The civilians aboard the Archangel in particular would probably already have been drinking themselves senseless if there had been any alcohol on board.
Amid such lively celebrations, Xiao Ran merely remained calm, even carrying a trace of urgency as he pressed the maintenance crew to continue modifying the Ginn. But to most of the crew, who were about to rendezvous with the Eighth Fleet, there was no need to waste time continuing work on the Ginn. In the end, only Sergeant Maddox's orders made them continue, albeit without much enthusiasm.
Seeing the maintenance personnel listlessly modifying the Ginn with no motivation whatsoever, Xiao Ran could only feel helpless. He did not know what he could say. He could hardly tell them that the Eighth Fleet would soon be wiped out and that the Archangel would ultimately have to rely on itself. If Xiao Ran dared say that, everyone aboard would surely think he was insane.
On the way to rendezvous with the Eighth Fleet's advance force, Kira came looking for Xiao Ran. Xiao Ran did not know what Kira had heard from Tolle and Sai, but the moment he found him, Kira launched into a rapid stream of words, anxiously asking Xiao Ran to help send Lacus and the green-uniformed pilot Moriya away.
Seeing Kira's worried expression, Xiao Ran rubbed his forehead with a headache. He patiently reassured Kira and promised that he would find a way to send Lacus and the others away as soon as the opportunity arose. Only then did Kira leave, still somewhat uneasy.
After Kira left, Xiao Ran stood and paced back and forth through the room, his expression constantly changing. "There isn't much time until we rendezvous with the advance fleet. Saving Flay's father would definitely trigger a Side Mission, but if I save him, Flay's fate will certainly change because of it, and that would affect the fate of the entire Archangel."
"Should I do it or not?"
"Kira is stronger now than he was in the original plot. Once Flay's fate changes, without those unspeakable little matters between Flay and Kira, the plot could undergo massive changes. I can't take that risk. Besides, I can't just watch Cagalli stop hiding her feelings for Kira because Flay never joins them. I can't do something like that. It would be downright sinful."
"But I've been on the Archangel for so long, and I haven't even triggered a single side plot, much less one that doesn't affect the main plot. No mission means no rewards, and without rewards, when will I ever catch up to those aliens whose innate attributes are stronger than mine?"
"Of the skills I have now, only Space Combat Proficiency can increase my combat power. My other two skills are completely useless in battle. Even though my attributes have been enhanced, they still do not reach the average level of those alien participants. My only advantage is that I'm on the protagonist's side of the plot. If I just follow along steadily, I'll gain something sooner or later, but it's too slow, and I don't have much room to choose."
"Either I give up control over the plot and recklessly trigger Side Missions, then face all kinds of dangers, living or dying..."
"Tch." Xiao Ran gritted his teeth and slammed his clenched right fist into his left palm with a smack. "Why am I thinking so much? The plot should proceed as it should. My advantage is my knowledge of the plot, and I absolutely cannot give that up. But I can't give up Side Missions either. I can try any side plot that won't affect the story."
"This world is a beginner world. Other than physical qualities, everyone starts from the same line. It's impossible for them to become involved in the plot in such a short time. If I hadn't known the plot and joined the Archangel, it would have been the same for me. The further things go, the more likely it is that other participants will acquire machines and even status, allowing them to take part in the plot. By then, the plot will change anyway. Right now, during this period when the plot has not changed and I have entered it, is precisely my own golden period."
"I should make the most of this time, follow the plot, and fight for more benefits and advantages for myself. Even the plot characters themselves are a major advantage I can use. With their help, even if the plot is changed by the participants, would I, Xiao Ran, still lack the strength to fight them?"
After thinking this through, Xiao Ran felt as though he had finally let out a breath. He was no longer so conflicted. "I'll see what happens then. If I save him, then I save him. The reward would be mine by right. If I can't save him, then that's Flay's father's fate. If he was destined to die, he has no one to blame."
Ever since Xiao Ran received the mission reward and gained the D-rank General Mecha Piloting skill, and after Kira captured the Ginn and brought Lacus back, Xiao Ran had inexplicably been filled with a sense of urgency. He always felt that he was not strong enough, that he was still in danger. He wanted to become stronger, become someone no one could stop. He also wanted to pilot an MS like Kira and Athrun, wreaking havoc across the battlefield in this world.
That was why Xiao Ran spent all his free time in the hangar and in virtual combat training. After acquiring the Ginn, he became even more impatient for its modifications to be completed so it could immediately become part of his fighting strength, allowing him to grow stronger in battle and gain more benefits. But the maintenance crew's lack of drive made Xiao Ran, who knew a fierce battle was coming soon, grow increasingly anxious. Yet he could not say too much, leaving him deeply helpless.
Kira's hurried appearance when he came looking for Xiao Ran especially struck the nerves Xiao Ran had kept taut ever since arriving in this world. It instantly made him restless, prompting him to seek other ways to gain more rewards—namely, saving Flay's father to trigger a Side Mission.
The method of saving him was naturally the same as in the original plot: bring Lacus to the bridge. If he simply did so a little earlier, the battle could be stopped and the target saved. But the more Xiao Ran thought about it, the more he felt that he could not do it. Gradually, he calmed himself down.
He reminded himself not to attempt to change the plot so early, and not to leave the protection of the plot characters while he was still so weak just to recklessly trigger a Side Mission.
At some point, Xiao Ran had already lain down on the bed. He rubbed his aching head, closed his eyes without realizing it, and fell into a deep sleep.
Several hours later, a piercing alarm sounded. Xiao Ran's eyes snapped open, filled with intense irritation.
"Woo... woo..."
"All personnel, second battle stations! All personnel, second battle stations! Ensign Kira, prepare to sortie immediately. Lieutenant Xiao Ran, proceed to the bridge at once..."
"I repeat, all personnel, second battle stations! All personnel, second battle stations..."