Framing and Scapegoating

The readers' enthusiasm is overwhelming, making me feel both confident and ashamed. I admit that my update speed of one chapter a day is a bit too slow, leaving everyone unsatisfied. However, my writing speed is slow, and I've been busy taking care of the baby alone recently, so two updates a day are indeed difficult. But I won't dwell on that. While I can't achieve two updates a day for now, I believe three updates every two days should be manageable. I kindly ask all readers to bear with me for a few days. Starting from the 30th, I will add an extra chapter every other day to repay your enthusiasm. Thank you again for all your support.

On the Archangel, Xiao Ran's appearance also surprised Mwu. Previously, Mwu and Harborton, separated only by a door, hadn't heard what Xiao Ran and Bargyll had said outside, nor did they know why Xiao Ran would appear at this time. So, the moment she saw Xiao Ran, Mwu looked at him with a questioning gaze.

Harborton seemed to have anticipated Xiao Ran's arrival, nodding with a smile. "You're here. Please, sit."

"Thank you." Xiao Ran positioned himself properly, thanking Harborton like a junior before sitting on a nearby chair.

Harborton nodded with satisfaction at Xiao Ran's upright posture. In the reports he had received from Mwu, Xiao Ran's name had appeared multiple times. Not only could he pilot Mobile Suits in combat, but he also offered decisive suggestions at many critical moments. He was sharp-minded and decisive. At the very least, he had saved two warships, a contribution that couldn't be ignored.

Seeing Xiao Ran's composed demeanor now, the goodwill accumulated from his reports transformed into an excellent first impression, making Harborton feel that Xiao Ran was a promising talent.

Smiling with satisfaction, Harborton spoke to Xiao Ran in a relaxed tone. "I've read a lot about you in Mwu's reports. I think you have courage, ideas, and most importantly, ability. Do you feel your talents are being wasted as a teaching assistant at the academy? I have many positions here that would suit you well. If you're willing to join the Earth Forces, I can offer you a good position."

Harborton's words stunned Mwu for a moment, but then she looked at Xiao Ran with a hint of anticipation.

Hearing Harborton's words, it would be a lie to say Xiao Ran wasn't pleased. Being praised like this by someone was incredibly rare for him, a semi-otaku. A hint of shy joy appeared on his face. After rubbing his nose, Xiao Ran spoke, "Thank you for your regard, General Harborton. I've come precisely for this matter."

"Oh? You're already thinking of joining the Earth Forces?" Harborton laughed heartily, looking at Xiao Ran with satisfaction. "Excellent, excellent."

Xiao Ran chuckled, glanced at Mwu, and said, "Forgive my presumption, General Harborton, but you are one of the rare clear-headed individuals in the Earth Forces, so I don't wish to hide anything from you. Originally, I wasn't inclined to join the Earth Forces. I inadvertently learned some information about the Earth Forces' high command through a certain channel. From what I understand, the Earth Forces' upper echelons are not as pure as outsiders perceive. There are many internal factions, and what's even more unbelievable is that there are purists like Blue Cosmos among them. And behind Blue Cosmos, there seems to be a much larger organization pulling the strings. I find it hard to imagine joining such a force, fearing that one day we might be sacrificed for the interests of some higher-ups, dying without understanding why."

Harborton's brow furrowed as Xiao Ran spoke, eventually darkening his expression with a hint of worry. "Where did you learn all this?"

"I have some friends who are Scrap Dealers. I believe their information channels are reliable," Xiao Ran replied without hesitation.

"Scrap Dealers?" Harborton sighed softly and nodded. "If it's them, it's indeed possible to obtain information that ordinary people cannot."

"You are correct." Harborton stood up, walked back and forth with his hands behind his back, then turned to face Xiao Ran. "You are absolutely right. A portion of the Earth Forces' high command is indeed supported and aided by Blue Cosmos. These individuals have become a powerful faction within the military, a cancerous growth that cannot be eradicated. Even my like-minded comrades and I are powerless to suppress them; we can only endure and refuse to be complicit."

"The emergence of the G Project, besides closing the gap in weaponry with ZAFT, also aims to leverage the plan's success to significantly increase our influence within the Earth Forces. While we fought hard for it, it's more accurate to say that faction deliberately conceded this opportunity because they shared similar ideas with us. Otherwise, as a mere Commodore of the Eighth Fleet, how could I possibly secure so many resources to cooperate with Orb?"

"Commodore..." Mwu's mouth gaped open in disbelief. The information conveyed by Harborton and Xiao Ran was overwhelmingly vast and terrifying. Mwu felt her faith crumble, unable to accept that the army she had fought for was more than half controlled by what could be considered a terrorist organization like Blue Cosmos.

"Mwu..." Harborton looked at his long-time subordinate with a deep, helpless sigh. "Although I didn't want to tell you all this, you know it now. Regardless of what other fleets are doing, at least our Eighth Fleet is beyond reproach. We can stand before anyone and declare with confidence that we have a clear conscience!"

Mwu steadied her emotions and breathing, nodding gently. "Yes, Commodore. I apologize for my lapse."

Upon hearing Harborton's words, Xiao Ran finally understood how a Commodore of a fleet could facilitate cooperation between two major powers, especially such close technical collaboration, and even place the manufacturing base on Orb territory. It wasn't just the influence of the Hassaku family mentioned in the unofficial accounts; it seemed to be driven by the Earth Forces' high command and Blue Cosmos.

"It appears the Earth Forces' high command and Blue Cosmos were thoroughly prepared. Damn, the water here is truly deep," Xiao Ran realized with sudden clarity. He also recalled the three Enhanced Humans, known as Living CPUs, who appeared during the Orb offensive. The plot mentioned them being replaced like parts when they broke. In SEED-D, there was also a massive base for producing these Living CPUs, which couldn't have been completed in just a few months. Perhaps it began concurrently with the G Project.

"Once the G Project succeeds and the units are mass-produced... where will the pilots come from? Especially for the countless specialized Mobile Suits. Ordinary people can't handle them, and even those who can pilot them flexibly are few. The remaining positions would have to be filled by Enhanced Humans. It's terrifying." Xiao Ran considered this possibility, and the more he thought about it, the more he believed his suspicions were true, and the more he found the Earth Forces' high command and Blue Cosmos to be terrifying. "This is clearly them picking the fruit. No wonder they're pushing the G Project so hard."

Xiao Ran pondered for a moment, then an idea struck him. He looked up at Harborton. "General, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

"Hmm? Please, do tell." Harborton nodded. Although Xiao Ran had exposed the Earth Forces' flaws, he found himself valuing Xiao Ran even more, perhaps because Xiao Ran also detested Blue Cosmos.

Xiao Ran frowned and said, "A friend of mine told me something. Something happened in Heliopolis as well. Coupled with the appearance of the Gundam, it's quite chilling when I think about it now."

"Oh? What is it?" Harborton asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. Mwu showed a similar expression.

"I'll be direct. I hope you won't blame me if I'm wrong, General Harborton." After seeing Harborton nod, Xiao Ran continued, "My friend, the Scrap Dealer, told me that the Earth Forces are secretly building a secret base somewhere. My friend didn't tell me the exact location. He said this base looks like an ordinary military base and involves human research, but its actual purpose in secret is to develop Enhanced Humans."

"Enhanced Humans?" Both Harborton and Mwu looked confused at the mention of this term.

Seeing their expressions, Xiao Ran knew they didn't understand. He explained, "I asked him what Enhanced Humans meant. My friend said something along the lines of: the Earth Forces dislike genetic modification, so they don't mind any other means. For example, strengthening humans with drugs, erasing their fear and memories, and cultivating Living CPUs through various methods – these are Enhanced Humans."

"Living, expendable, CPUs?" Mwu instantly grasped the meaning of these words, her eyes widening as she turned to Harborton. Harborton's mouth hung open in disbelief. "Using living people as expendable parts?"

Xiao Ran stated calmly, "That's right. General Harborton, Captain Mwu, now you know why I detest the Earth Forces."

General Harborton's brow was tightly furrowed. He paced back and forth in the room, making Xiao Ran's eyes dizzy. "Do you know if they succeeded?"

"I'm not sure, but on the day Heliopolis was attacked, its spaceport was assaulted by about a dozen people, perhaps fewer. But these few individuals managed to wipe out two Orb defense units and also massacred many civilians." Xiao Ran emphasized the words "massacred civilians" and paused before continuing, "Honestly, Captain Mwu and I, along with students like Kira, directly faced those people at the time. Even bullets couldn't penetrate one of their skins. I could see bullet holes on his clothes, but there was no sign of bleeding. I can guarantee that person wasn't wearing any bulletproof vest."

"What!" Harborton exclaimed in disbelief. Mwu also looked at Xiao Ran in astonishment. "When?"

"You fainted then. Otherwise, do you think that gunshot wound on my arm came from?" Xiao Ran pointed to his now healed arm. "If Kira hadn't reacted quickly, we might not be sitting here today."

"Bullets couldn't penetrate his skin?" Harborton tapped his hand on the table and asked, "Is everyone like that, or just individuals?"

Xiao Ran replied, "Only one person. But the reaction speed, execution, and shooting accuracy of the others completely surpassed ordinary people. Perhaps even Coordinators wouldn't be their match."

Harborton's eyes sharpened, and he stared at Xiao Ran. "With such powerful abilities, they might also be able to pilot Mobile Suits. Is that what you're implying?"

Xiao Ran's eyes were clear and sharp as he met Harborton's gaze without yielding. "Exactly. The timing is too coincidental. At first, I didn't think much of it, just considering them terrorists. But today, hearing what General Harborton said, and then recalling the appearance of the Gundam, I strongly suspect that their target in Heliopolis was also the Gundam."

"Shh." Just then, the door to the captain's room suddenly opened, and Bargyll appeared before the three of them. Bargyll was holding a tablet computer, her brow deeply furrowed. As she entered, she saluted Mwu and Harborton. "Report!"

"Speak."

Bargyll glanced at Xiao Ran, her eyes filled with a complex emotion. "After investigation, I suspect the individuals from Heliopolis you mentioned earlier are connected to an extremist criminal organization. I request that you retract the order to transfer those individuals to the Archangel until the investigation results are out."

"Agreed," Harborton replied without hesitation, his brow furrowed. "Notify the flagship to restrict the movement of those four individuals and maintain 24-hour surveillance."

"Yes."

Watching their exchange, the corner of Xiao Ran's mouth curved imperceptibly before returning to normal.