Harborton

The author was very excited by the readers' enthusiasm in the comment section. While "Yizui" was thrilled, he also felt a deep sense of helplessness. It wasn't that Yizui didn't want to update more often; his baby was too young and completely unable to care for himself, requiring constant attention. Previously, the baby's mother stayed home with the baby while Yizui worked. He had more time then, but because the baby's mother felt stifled and exhausted staying home every day, they switched roles. Yizui quit his job to stay home with the baby, and the baby's mother went to work. Therefore, Yizui only had a short window of time every night to write. The baby woke up early, around eight or nine o'clock, meaning Yizui had to wake up too, start changing diapers, cleaning bottoms, changing clothes, and making breakfast... Friends who are full-time dads should understand this! (┬＿┬)

After Mwu left, Xiao Ran sat silently in the captain's seat for a long time, his mind a jumble of relevant and irrelevant thoughts. Occasionally, he'd let out a silly chuckle or a self-pitying sigh, making the other crew members on duty on the bridge feel a bit unsettled.

"What do you think Teacher's doing?" Kazui quietly walked over to Tolle, who was also on duty, and asked softly, looking at Xiao Ran, whose face was a mixture of expressions, clearly lost in his own world.

Tolle scratched his head and replied with some difficulty, "Probably... uh... that."

Kazui nudged Tolle, a look of dissatisfaction on his face. "What do you mean?"

"Geez, it's written all over Teacher's face, and you still don't get it? He's definitely fallen for someone." Tolle gave Kazui an exasperated look, acting like an experienced person. "When Miriallia and I weren't together yet, I was just like this. It's obvious you've never been in love."

"I think it's the Captain. The Captain always asks Lieutenant Xiao about things. When they talk, their voices are so soft, as if they're afraid others will hear."

"I think it's Second Lieutenant Natarle. The way they argue, they really look like a couple."

"Could it be Captain Mu? I see Lieutenant Xiao often pulling Captain Mu away to do things."

"Yeah, yeah, they all make sense. But I still think Lieutenant Xiao and the Captain, and Second Lieutenant Natarle and Captain Mu, would be a more reasonable pairing."

Tolle and Kazui nodded in agreement, but where were those voices coming from when neither of them had spoken? Suddenly, Tolle and Kazui realized what was happening and instantly turned their heads towards the source of the voices. Seeing the four people who had suddenly appeared, their faces went blank.

Arnold, the purple-haired youth, the strongest helmsman in SEED, responsible for steering; Jackie, the brown-haired youth, the control officer; Rommel, the fatty, responsible for firing command; and finally, Dalida, the curly-haired man with glasses. The four men were standing behind Tolle and Kazui, looking thoughtful and occasionally offering their opinions.

Kazui pointed at the four men, opening his mouth to shout, but in the next second, he was covered by the mouths of the four meddlers and pressed to the ground. "Shh, keep it down!"

"Yes, yes, yes." Tolle sighed and lowered his head helplessly.

Xiao Ran, still lost in his own world, didn't notice the commotion beside him, nor did he know that after the commotion, six people had gathered in a huddle, gossiping more than women. If General Harborton's shuttle hadn't been about to arrive at the Archangel, perhaps these bored six would have continued indefinitely.

"Bridge, General Harborton's shuttle is about to arrive. Prepare to receive it in Hangar 2. Duty personnel, remain at your posts and maintain vigilance. Lieutenant Xiao Ran, upon hearing this, please proceed immediately to the isolation bay in Hangar 2."

Bargyll's voice on the broadcast seemed to possess a magical quality, instantly transforming the bridge from a leisurely atmosphere to a tense one. The few people who had been idly gossiping scattered, returning to their positions and immediately getting to work. Xiao Ran, too, was jolted out of his chaotic thoughts by Bargyll's voice. He stood up, sighed slightly, and left the bridge.

It was a few minutes later when he arrived at the destination. Kira, Miriallia, and Sai, the students who weren't on duty, were also standing in a line behind Mwu, Bargyll, and Mu. However, what Xiao Ran hadn't expected was that there were over a dozen young people in maintenance uniforms here as well.

Frowning, Xiao Ran lightly scratched the tip of his nose, finally remembering what was going on with these young people. "I didn't even realize so many students from the Industrial College were among the people Kira saved. Was it because they didn't have discharge papers or something that they stayed on the ship?"

The sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet space, causing almost everyone waiting there to turn their heads. Instantly, nearly twenty pairs of eyes fixed on Xiao Ran, making him feel a bit awkward. He smiled and said, "Sorry, I'm a little late. The elevator down seemed very busy."

"Hmph." Bargyll turned her head away and then back, her gaze fixed on the small shuttle slowly docking behind the isolation bay.

Mu beckoned Xiao Ran over. However, looking at the white military uniforms of the three standing together, and then at his own completely different attire, Xiao Ran finally pointed towards Kira and stood beside him.

Seeing Xiao Ran's action, Mu shrugged and smiled, then nodded and turned away. Mwu, watching Xiao Ran move, also nodded slightly and smiled.

Standing beside Kira, Miriallia quietly opened her mouth. "Teacher, do you think we'll ever be able to leave here? It's been so long since I've seen Mom and Dad. I don't know how they're doing."

Xiao Ran smiled and replied, "It should be fine. General Harborton is one of the rare clear-headed and easy-to-talk-to people in the Earth Forces. He won't make things difficult for us, don't worry."

"I feel relieved if Teacher says so." Miriallia patted her chest and smiled. Sai, standing beside them, also smiled with relief. Only Kira looked preoccupied from beginning to end.

Seeing Kira's expression, Xiao Ran understood that Kira was worried the Earth Forces wouldn't let him leave, and perhaps he was also a bit lost, unsure whether to continue piloting a Gundam.

Knowing this, Xiao Ran didn't say anything. In Xiao Ran's opinion, everything Kira was thinking about was pointless because there was no chance of disembarking. Frey would definitely stay on the Archangel, Sai would accompany Frey, and as friends, Miriallia, Tolle, and Kazui would naturally not leave. When combat occurred, Kira wasn't the type to abandon his friends.

In short, as long as Xiao Ran didn't change the plot, the story would inevitably unfold in its destined direction.

When the isolation bay doors opened, General Balhatton, dressed in a crisp military uniform, slowly stepped out of the shuttle. Seeing his old subordinate and the students safe and sound, he couldn't help but show a hint of a smile. He nodded and walked up to Mwu, Bargyll, and Mu.

Mwu, looking at Harborton, who was both her superior and elder, couldn't help but show some emotion. "Salute!"

Harborton returned the salute with a smile. After everyone lowered their hands, he began to converse with Mwu and the other two. Their voices were neither too loud nor too soft, especially in such a quiet environment, allowing Xiao Ran and the others standing behind them to hear everything clearly. Although he could hear, Xiao Ran's eyes were completely unfocused as he stared ahead.

Suddenly, Xiao Ran, who was unusually clear-headed and staring blankly ahead, felt a shadow fall before him. When he came to his senses, he saw General Harborton standing in front of them, hands behind his back, with a smile.

"You are the students from Heliopolis, and you are the academy's teacher?" General Harborton looked at the students and then at Xiao Ran with a kind smile. Before anyone could speak, he continued, "Regarding your families, we have confirmed their whereabouts. They are all safe. We have also conveyed your news to your families, and I believe you will be able to leave here and meet them soon."

"That's great!" The students in maintenance uniforms standing behind Xiao Ran couldn't help but exclaim. They jumped for joy, hugged each other, and everyone had a happy smile on their faces. Kira, who had been preoccupied, also relaxed considerably, unconsciously smiling.

Xiao Ran also smiled, turning to look at the student soldiers behind him, as if happy for everyone. But beneath the smile, his gentle eyes slowly swept over everyone, especially the expressions on the students' faces.

Seeing that the smiles on the students' faces were indeed not feigned or acted, Xiao Ran breathed a slight sigh of relief.

After the students finished cheering, Harborton, who had not interrupted them, spoke again. "Thank you all for helping the Archangel get here despite such terrible circumstances. Thank you for everything you've done for the Archangel, thank you."

Harborton's words immediately caused most of the students present to look a bit stunned, but then they turned to excitement and fervor. They hadn't expected a general, an admiral, to be so kind to them, to thank them so solemnly. This left them flustered, but more so, deeply moved.

Harborton smiled and turned to look at Xiao Ran and Kira. "Xiao Ran, Kira Yamato, I've read Mwu's report, and I thank you for your help. Without you, it might not have been possible, no, it definitely wouldn't have been possible to get here."

"Not at all, you're too kind. We were also helping ourselves," Xiao Ran said with a polite smile. "Besides, I didn't play much of a role. If you want to thank someone, thank Kira."

"Kira, huh?" Harborton nodded thoughtfully and looked at Kira sincerely. "Thank you for your help."

Kira, clearly lacking in experience, appeared somewhat flustered. "N-no problem."

"Mm." Harborton nodded and then said to Xiao Ran, "Can we talk for a bit when you have time?"

Xiao Ran blinked and quickly replied, "Of course, it would be my honor, General."