Major

(Chapter One, there would be another update later.)

Bargyll arrived at the Captain's Room and reported to General Harborton, requesting orders. This showed that Bargyll had definitely uncovered something. The most likely possibility was that she had asked Sergeant Maddox to pull out the seemingly unimportant video records from the Strike Gundam's system data. It had only been a little over half a month, and the Strike Gundam had not deployed many times. Given the Quantum Computer's storage capacity, there was no chance the records had been erased.

Xiao Ran believed that Bargyll must have noticed the participants' superhuman reactions and speed from the footage. She must also have seen the bald man's body, riddled with bullet marks yet almost completely unharmed. That was why she had initially believed Xiao Ran and come to report to General Harborton.

But in truth, Bargyll had not merely reviewed the records. She had also questioned Kira, Tolle, Miriallia, and the others about what had happened, and investigated Xiao Ran through the student soldiers in the maintenance crew, confirming his identity once again. Although Xiao Ran did not know the student soldiers aside from Kira, because of the system, those student soldiers in the maintenance crew retained the impression that Xiao Ran was an academy teacher even if they did not know him. After investigating, Bargyll confirmed that Xiao Ran truly was a teacher at the Industrial Academy. But it also made her wonder whether he possessed another identity beneath that of a teacher.

Still, regardless of whether Xiao Ran had another identity, he had done nothing harmful to the Archangel so far. On the contrary, he had helped it several times when it was in danger. Thus, Bargyll temporarily concluded that Xiao Ran was not a threat. Of course, that was only in comparison to the four participants originally meant to be transferred to the Archangel.

As for those four participants, Bargyll had also investigated their identities through communications with the Eighth Fleet flagship. On paper, the four were no different from ordinary people, but their records after enlistment made them seem like entirely different individuals from the identities they claimed. In every respect, they were nothing like ordinary people. This made Bargyll far more suspicious and wary of them than she was of Xiao Ran.

More crucially, no one could currently verify the identities of those four participants. Therefore, it was impossible to determine whether their current identities were genuine or forged.

Just as Bargyll was about to leave and carry out her orders, she shot Xiao Ran a sharp look. The meaning in her eyes seemed to say, "You still owe me an explanation." Or perhaps, "You'd better watch yourself and not let me catch you doing anything."

Seeing the profound look in Bargyll's eyes, Xiao Ran merely smiled calmly. He had never intended to harm the Archangel. At most, he had smeared those four participants to protect himself. He had a clear conscience, so he did not care about the warning in Bargyll's gaze.

After Bargyll left, General Harborton, who had been silent for some time, suddenly let out a soft sigh and muttered to himself, "Has the Earth Force fallen this far? They don't even trust their own comrades anymore. What exactly are they trying to do? We develop the G Series, and they create Enhanced Humans. Are they trying to say that people like us cannot do without them? Fine, fine. If they want it, then let them have it."

After sighing several times, Harborton turned to Mwu. "Were the G Series development files preserved?"

Mwu shook her head. "The attack came too suddenly. There was no time to save the files, so only the data for the preserved GAT-X105 Strike Gundam remains intact. As for the other units..."

Mwu did not finish her sentence, but Harborton understood everything from her expression.

Harborton chuckled and waved it off indifferently, comforting her. "Lamias, don't take it too much to heart. You deserve great credit for bringing the last G and the Archangel here. If there is only one, then one will do. With the technology of the entire Earth Force, it should not be difficult to derive more data from the Strike Gundam's information. Don't dwell on it."

"Yes, Admiral," Mwu replied loudly, straightening up.

"Mm." Harborton smiled. Though it was somewhat forced, the earlier gloom was no longer visible on his face. "Organize the data and send it to the Menelaus. I will personally take it back to the Moon. I want to see what those people are really planning."

After speaking, Harborton fell silent for a moment before turning to Xiao Ran. "I will investigate the Enhanced Human base you mentioned. Such a facility should never exist. Compared to genetic modification, it is even more infuriating. If mishandled, it could turn into a public opinion war that cannot be won."

And ZAFT must never find out, Xiao Ran silently added for Harborton. If ZAFT learned that the Earth Alliance had created something as universally condemned as Enhanced Humans, they would surely publicize it everywhere. Once exposed, it would cause a massive upheaval for the Earth Force.

Harborton shook his head, then seemed to think of something. He asked Xiao Ran, "Lieutenant Xiao Ran, did you tell Ensign Bargyll what you just said? And did you overhear our conversation earlier?"

Xiao Ran nodded and answered honestly, "When I arrived, I happened to hear you discussing those people outside the door. What you said reminded me of Heliopolis, so I only asked Ensign Bargyll to make sure the people you mentioned did not board the Archangel before I left the Captain's Room."

"Is that so?" Harborton gave a meaningful smile as he looked at Xiao Ran. "Then what if those people boarded the Archangel?"

Xiao Ran shrugged. "Then, for the safety of myself and my students, I could only borrow a Shuttlecraft from you, General, and leave with my Ginn. In my view, being on the same ship as people like that is more dangerous than piloting a Ginn in battle. Especially for Kira, who originally piloted the Strike Gundam. Who can guarantee that one day he will not choke to death on something he eats or drown on something he drinks?"

Xiao Ran's slightly sarcastic words made Mwu laugh despite herself. General Harborton was briefly stunned before bursting into laughter as well. But after laughing a few times, his expression grew serious. "You are right. If those four truly are some kind of Enhanced Humans created by Blue Cosmos's faction, then they must have come here with a mission. The most likely target is the G Series. If they board the Archangel, then that child named Kira Yamato might indeed choke on his food or drown on his drink. Your concerns are justified."

Harborton did not need to spell it out. After her involuntary laugh, Mwu also realized the severity of the issue. According to certain hidden regulations, the Strike Gundam essentially already belonged to Kira. Anyone who wanted to pilot it would need Kira's consent. Thus, Kira could very well become an obstacle in those people's way. Once she understood this, Mwu's expression grew grave as well.

Harborton lightly tapped the desk with a finger and said to Xiao Ran, "I can promise not to let those four come to the Archangel, but the Archangel cannot be without pilots. How do we resolve that problem?"

Xiao Ran pondered for a moment. "I can guarantee that I will remain aboard the Archangel. I believe Kira will be fine with it as well."

"Is that so?" Harborton nodded slightly. "It seems you want to stay with your students. Very well. From today onward, you will officially be assigned to the Archangel under the Eighth Fleet. Your timing is excellent as well. I was preparing to promote every member of the Archangel by one rank, so you are now a captain."

After Harborton spoke, Mwu walked over to Xiao Ran and extended her hand, looking at him with a warm smile. "Congratulations, Captain Xiao Ran."

Xiao Ran hurriedly stood and took Mwu's hand. When their eyes met, both felt their hearts tremble, and he quickly looked away. With an awkward laugh, he said, "Haha, congratulations, Major Mwu Lamias. I thought I might manage to become a major, but I only went up one rank."

"Speaking of that..." Harborton nodded as though it were a serious matter. "You did protect three warships, after all. That is a valuable asset to the Eighth Fleet. Your methods were not ideal, but considering that you were not officially a soldier at the time, that can be overlooked. Furthermore, in your first battle, you destroyed several Ginns and had previously ensured the safety of the G Series. Those are all solid accomplishments. Promoting you to major would not be unreasonable, but..."

At Harborton's words, Xiao Ran's eyes immediately lit up. The higher his rank, the higher his mission completion rating. There was no reason not to strive for it. He quickly said, "General Harborton, please go on."

Harborton smiled. "Major Xiao Ran, if you can contact your friends and obtain more valuable intelligence, I believe you will be able to keep that position securely."

"Intelligence?" Xiao Ran was initially stunned, but he instantly understood the order of Harborton's words. Joy immediately appeared on his face. Still, he remained clear-headed and did not recklessly say anything. He only replied, "General Harborton, thank you very much for thinking so highly of me. If I receive any information, I will notify you immediately."

"Mm." Harborton nodded with a smile, then thought for a moment. "Perfect. I have an idea for your assignment. Major of the Earth Force Special Intelligence Department, temporarily under the Eighth Fleet's command and assigned to the Archangel. I believe this arrangement will satisfy you."

"Of course. Thank you, General Harborton." Xiao Ran could hardly contain his delight, though he restrained the joy on his face somewhat. There really are benefits to following the plot. I started as a sergeant, became a lieutenant after piloting a mobile suit, and now I'm a major. Awesome!