Major

Bargyll arrived at the captain's office and reported to General Harborton, requesting orders. This indicated that Bargyll must have discovered something. The most likely scenario was that Sergeant Maddox had retrieved the video log, which seemed unimportant in the unit's data, from the Strike Gundam. In less than half a month, and considering the Strike Gundam hadn't been deployed many times, the quantum computer's storage capacity meant there was no way the record could have been erased.

Xiao Ran figured Bargyll must have noticed the participants' superhuman reflexes and speed in the video log, and also seen the bald man's body, riddled with bullet holes but virtually unharmed. This would have led her to initially believe Xiao Ran's words and report to General Harborton.

In reality, Bargyll hadn't just reviewed the recording; she had also questioned Kira, Tolle, Miriallia, and others about the situation at the time. She had also investigated Xiao Ran with the students in the maintenance crew, reconfirming Xiao Ran's identity. Although Xiao Ran and the student soldiers, except for Kira, didn't know each other, due to the system, the students in the maintenance crew had the impression that Xiao Ran was a teacher at the academy, even if they didn't recognize him personally. After her investigation, Bargyll confirmed that Xiao Ran was indeed a teacher at the industrial academy, but it also made her suspect that Xiao Ran might have other identities besides that of a teacher.

However, so far, regardless of whether Xiao Ran had other identities, he hadn't done anything harmful to the Archangel. In fact, he had helped multiple times when the Archangel was in danger. Therefore, Bargyll temporarily deemed Xiao Ran not a threat, at least not compared to the four participants who were originally supposed to be transferred to the Archangel.

Bargyll had also investigated the identities of those four participants by communicating with the Eighth Fleet's flagship. Their identities appeared to be no different from ordinary people, but their records since joining the military were like those of two completely different individuals. In every aspect, they were nothing like ordinary people, which made Bargyll harbor even more suspicion and wariness than she did towards Xiao Ran.

More critically, no one could currently verify the identities of those four participants, so it couldn't be determined whether their current identities were real or fabricated.

Just as Bargyll was preparing to leave to carry out her orders, she glanced sharply at Xiao Ran, her eyes seeming to convey, "You still owe me an explanation." Or perhaps, "You'd better be careful and not do anything that I discover."

Seeing Bargyll's eyes, full of deep meaning, Xiao Ran simply smiled calmly. He had no intention of harming the Archangel. At most, he had thrown some mud at those four participants for self-preservation. In that sense, he felt he had a clear conscience and didn't care about the warning in Bargyll's gaze.

After Bargyll left, General Harborton, who had been silent for a moment, suddenly sighed softly and muttered to himself, "Has it really degenerated to this point within the Earth Forces? They can't even trust their own comrades. What are they trying to do? We develop G, and they create Enhanced Humans. Are they trying to say that we can't do without them? Fine, fine. If that's what they want, then give it to them."

After sighing a few times, Harborton turned to Mwu and asked, "Were the development data for the G-series saved?"

Mwu shook her head. "Because the attack was so sudden, there was no time to save the data. So, currently, only the data for the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam is complete. As for the other units..."

Mwu didn't finish her sentence, but Harborton could understand everything from her expression.

Harborton chuckled and waved his hand dismissively, comforting her, "Lamias, you don't need to dwell on it too much. You've made a significant contribution by bringing the last G and the Archangel here. If there's only one, then so be it. I believe with the technology of the entire Earth Forces, it won't be difficult to deduce more data from the Strike Gundam's data. Don't worry about it too much."

"Yes, Admiral," Mwu replied, standing up straight.

"Mm," Harborton smiled, though it was a forced smile. At least his previous dejected expression was no longer visible. "Organize the data and send it to the Menelaus. I'll personally take this data back to the moon. I want to see what those people are up to."

After speaking, Harborton paused for a moment, then turned to Xiao Ran. "I will investigate the Enhanced Human base you mentioned. Such a base should not exist. Compared to genetic modification, it's more infuriating. If handled improperly, it could lead to a public relations war with no winners."

"And of course, ZAFT mustn't find out," Xiao Ran added mentally for Harborton. If ZAFT were to learn that the Earth Alliance had created something as universally condemned as Enhanced Humans, they would surely publicize it extensively, which would undoubtedly cause a massive upheaval for the Earth Forces.

Harborton shook his head, then suddenly thought of something and asked Xiao Ran, "Lieutenant Xiao Ran, did you say this to Lieutenant Bargyll before? And did you overhear our conversation just now?"

Xiao Ran nodded and truthfully replied, "When I arrived, I happened to be outside the door and overheard you discussing those people. What you said reminded me of Heliopolis, so I just asked Lieutenant Bargyll to make sure those people you mentioned didn't board the Archangel before I left the captain's office."

"Is that so?" Harborton smiled meaningfully and looked at Xiao Ran, saying, "Then what if those people had boarded the Archangel?"

Xiao Ran shrugged. "Then, for my own safety and that of my students, I would have to borrow a shuttle from you, General, and leave with my Ginn. Being on the same ship as people like that is more dangerous to me than fighting in my Ginn. Especially for Kira, who originally piloted the Strike Gundam, who can guarantee he won't choke to death on something he eats or something he drinks one day."

Xiao Ran's slightly sarcastic words made Mwu chuckle uncontrollably. General Harborton also laughed heartily after a moment of surprise, but after a few laughs, his expression turned serious. "You're right. If those four people are indeed Enhanced Humans created by that Blue Cosmos faction, then they must have come here with a mission. The most likely scenario is the G. If they boarded the Archangel, it's not impossible for that child, Kira Yamato, to choke to death on his food or drink. Your concerns are very valid."

Even without Harborton saying it, Mwu realized the gravity of the situation after her suppressed chuckle. According to certain hidden regulations, the Strike Gundam essentially belonged to Kira. To pilot the Strike Gundam, Kira's consent would be required, making Kira a potential obstacle for those individuals. Once she understood this, Mwu's expression also turned somber.

Harborton tapped the table lightly with his finger and said to Xiao Ran, "I can promise not to let those four people come to the Archangel, but the Archangel cannot be without a pilot. How will this problem be resolved?"

Xiao Ran pondered for a moment. "I can guarantee that I will stay on the Archangel, and I don't think Kira will have a problem with that either."

"Is that so?" Harborton nodded slightly. "It seems you want to stay with your students. Very well, from today onwards, you are officially assigned to the Archangel under the Eighth Fleet. Your timing for joining is excellent. I'm about to promote all members of the Archangel by one rank, so you are now a Captain."

After Harborton spoke, Mwu walked up to Xiao Ran, extended her hand, and looked at him with a smile, saying, "Congratulations, Captain Xiao Ran."

Xiao Ran quickly stood up, shook Mwu's outstretched hand, and their eyes met. They both felt a jolt in their hearts and quickly looked away, chuckling, "Haha, congratulations to you too, Major Mwu Lamias. I thought I might get promoted to Major, but I only moved up one rank."

"Speaking of which..." Harborton nodded as if recalling something. "You did protect three warships, which is a valuable asset to the Eighth Fleet. Although the method wasn't ideal, considering you weren't an official military personnel at the time, it can be overlooked. Furthermore, you destroyed several Ginns in your first battle and secured the G's safety beforehand. These are all concrete achievements. Considering all this, promoting you to Major wouldn't be unreasonable, but..."

Hearing Harborton's words, Xiao Ran's eyes lit up. The higher the rank, the higher the mission completion rate. There was no reason not to try his best. He quickly said, "General Harborton, please continue."

Harborton smiled and said, "Major Xiao Ran, if you can contact your friends and obtain some more valuable intelligence, I think your position will be quite secure."

"Intelligence?" Xiao Ran was taken aback for a moment, but he immediately understood the sequence of Harborton's words. His face lit up with joy, but still clear-headed, he didn't blurt out anything rashly. He simply said, "General Harborton, thank you very much for your confidence. If I have any news, I will inform you immediately."

"Mm," Harborton nodded with a smile. After thinking for a moment, he added, "That's perfect. I already have an idea for your assignment: Major in the Earth Alliance Special Intelligence Department, temporarily under the jurisdiction of the Eighth Fleet and assigned to the Archangel. I think you'll be quite satisfied with this."

"Of course, thank you, General Harborton." Xiao Ran couldn't have been happier, but he suppressed the joy on his face and thought to himself, "Following the plot really has its benefits. I started as a Sergeant, became a Lieutenant after piloting a unit, and now I'm a Major. Awesome!"