(It's already the second chapter. If I keep going with the third, it'll be exhausting, so I can only update during the day. The two chapters on the 30th are expected to be updated between 3 and 4 PM for the first chapter, while the second will be later.)
In the Archangel's Captain's Room, Xiao Ran's new appointment had already been sent through the Archangel to the flagship Menelaus. The flagship would then forward the information to Moon Base. Before long, Xiao Ran would become an officially recognized major in the Earth Force.
For the multi-faction Earth Alliance, internal unity and stability were hardly guaranteed. The Eurasian Federation had always been at odds with the Atlantic Federation, usually contributing little while even seeming to hold things back. Although the East Asian Republic was also part of the Earth Alliance, no one could match its ability to sit on the sidelines. It had also maintained plenty of secret contact with PLANT, leaving it less than enthusiastic about Alliance affairs. As a result, the Atlantic Federation held an extremely dominant position within the Alliance.
The Eighth Fleet originally belonged to the Atlantic Federation, so it was hardly difficult for a fleet admiral to arrange a major's post. Even if there were some complications, they amounted to nothing after the string of moves Xiao Ran had made before he had even boarded the Archangel.
Although this major's rank carried somewhat less weight, unlike Mwu, who was at least a captain commanding dozens of people, it was more than enough for Xiao Ran. It did not matter how much authority the rank truly held; having the rank itself was enough. A sufficiently high rank would surely earn him an extremely high hidden evaluation after completing missions, and that hidden evaluation was closely tied to mission rewards. To Xiao Ran, things like authority had therefore become secondary.
After speaking with Mwu and Xiao Ran, Harborton was urged by the flagship to leave. Xiao Ran watched him walk out of the Captain's Room without saying a single word to stop him, simply watching as his back was completely hidden behind the steel door.
When Harborton's figure vanished entirely from his sight, Xiao Ran clenched his teeth and shut his eyes. He knew that once Harborton left, he would be gone for good, leaving behind nothing but memories in this world. Though they had known each other only briefly, Harborton's magnanimity had benefited Xiao Ran greatly. He had directly advanced two ranks, gained every advantage possible, and even confined those four Participants aboard the Menelaus, ensuring Xiao Ran's safety.
Even after Harborton had done all that, Xiao Ran had still hardened his heart and let him leave as though he knew nothing. He had not tried to keep him because Harborton had already done everything he needed to do—and more. Even if Xiao Ran had tried to persuade him, there would have been neither reason nor meaning in it. If Harborton truly remained aboard the Archangel and survived, that would be a disaster for Xiao Ran.
If Harborton survived, then after descending to Earth, the Archangel could not possibly have traveled alone without reinforcements through enemy-occupied territory to Alaska. Nor could it have been used as bait and prepared for sacrifice in Alaska. Even if it did not receive special favor from Earth Force high command, becoming the flagship of the Eighth Fleet under Harborton would at least not have been a problem. Without everything that happened to the Archangel in the original plot, Xiao Ran's knowledge of the story would become completely useless. The world's future course would turn into endless uncertainty. Xiao Ran did not dare allow that to happen. For someone as weak as he currently was, it would be an even bigger joke than gambling with his own life.
As Harborton walked out the door, Xiao Ran had struggled. He had considered that if Harborton survived, he might gain even more benefits. But he knew clearly that he did not even have the right to take risks now. So those meant to die still had to die, and only those meant to live could continue living.
Not long after Harborton left, Xiao Ran left as well. Watching someone go to their death was not a pleasant feeling. When he had previously ignored Flay's father even though he could have saved him, he had not had any contact with the people from the advance fleet, so Xiao Ran had been able to disregard it. That was the mental resilience required to survive in this kind of world. But to gain benefits after making contact and still stand by without caring truly made Xiao Ran feel uncomfortable.
Xiao Ran returned to his room, lay on his bed with his head in his hands, and pretended to sleep. "This is fate. I can't change it. My world isn't here anymore—it's Prometheus. That must be an even crueler place. I have to get used to watching others go to their deaths, because he was fated to die. Only by letting him follow his destined path can I survive."
Xiao Ran did not know when it had begun, but whenever he wanted to escape or felt down, he would return to his room, close his eyes, and drift off to sleep without realizing it as he thought. When he woke up, he would act as though nothing had happened and return to normal. This was Xiao Ran's way of regulating himself, adjusting himself to better adapt to this world.
No one knew whether Xiao Ran had actually fallen asleep, but the instant the Archangel's alarm sounded, he sprang up and hurried toward the ready room.
"Combat stations, Level One! Combat stations, Level One! Major Xiao Ran... and Major Mu, report to the ready room immediately and prepare for launch at any time."
At the same time, the Eighth Fleet, which had been stationary in low Earth orbit, also prepared for battle in full after a ZAFT fleet appeared. One MA after another launched from various parts of the warships under the control of new recruits. Before long, a dense swarm of MAs was circling in front of the Eighth Fleet.
According to the Archangel's radar, there were no fewer than four ZAFT warships more than five hundred units away. Even more astonishingly, every one of those warships carried a full complement of MS units and had already launched them. Among the more than twenty mobile suits were four Gundams that should have been the Earth Force's newest weapons: the Aegis Gundam, Buster Gundam, Duel Gundam, and Blitz Gundam.
The entire Eighth Fleet had fewer than twenty warships at the moment, more than four times the number on ZAFT's side. Its MA forces also outnumbered ZAFT's MS units by five to one. On the surface, its firepower looked overwhelming and immensely powerful. But everyone in the Eighth Fleet knew that more than fifty percent of the personnel aboard the fleet's warships were recruits, while over eighty percent of the MA force consisted of recruits. Against more than twenty MS units, that seemingly powerful exterior was actually utterly fragile. Especially against those four Gundams, all armed with beam weapons, they were like paper—easily pierced through.
By the time Xiao Ran reached the ready room, Mwu was arguing with Harborton aboard the Menelaus over communications from the bridge. The moment Harborton learned of the enemy's formation, he understood one thing. These enemies had followed the Archangel, and their target was the Archangel itself. If they fought, the Archangel would be subjected to concentrated fire from the ZAFT forces and would have almost no chance of escaping alive. Of course, the Archangel's sinking could also give the Eighth Fleet a chance at a costly victory.
But if they did not fight, then the entire Eighth Fleet, including the Archangel, would be pursued by the enemy. Aside from the Archangel and a few High Speed Ships in the Eighth Fleet that might escape, the remaining warships and the MAs already deployed could only become live targets for the enemy.
In an instant, Harborton made his decision. The entire Eighth Fleet would serve as a shield to hold back the enemy while the Archangel descended to Earth ahead of schedule. In Harborton's view, perhaps once the Archangel left, the enemy would have no reason to continue fighting. The Eighth Fleet's losses might be greater, but those losses would be completely worthwhile compared with the Archangel being sunk.
Harborton's idea was good, but he could never have imagined that this very decision would lead to the complete destruction of the Eighth Fleet and his own death. The Archangel would consequently become rootless driftwood, eventually used as bait by the Atlantic Federation and left to rampage through enemy-held territory, buying countless amounts of time. Even after the Archangel successfully reached Alaska, it would once again be used as bait and nearly die at the hands of its own side.
"Descend to Earth immediately. That is an order." Harborton's tall figure appeared on the bridge screen, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "Their target is you. If you leave, they will have no reason to continue attacking us. Do not betray our hopes and sacrifices."
"Yes." Mwu and Bargyll lowered their heads at the same time, concealing their expressions. Yet their fingers snapped straight to their temples, and their faintly trembling bodies revealed their emotions.
The moment the screen went dark, Mwu raised her head and shouted at everyone on the bridge, "Start the engines! Break away from combat at maximum speed and descend directly to Earth! Destination: Alaska! Once we enter the descent trajectory, launch the Shuttlecraft!"
After issuing the orders, Mwu slumped weakly into her chair. Looking at the flagship Menelaus outside the window as its thrusters ignited, she silently offered her blessings.
Bargyll stood and shouted toward Miriallia at the CIC station, "What is the Strike Gundam's readiness status? Since Kira isn't here, have Major Xiao Ran pilot it and launch! At the very least, he needs to do his part before we descend!"
"Me, pilot the Strike Gundam?" Sitting in the ready room, Xiao Ran pointed at himself with a stunned expression as he faced Mu. Mu sat in front of Xiao Ran, the usual ease gone from his face. He nodded seriously at Xiao Ran. "The brat isn't here. I can't pilot that thing, but you've used the training simulator so many times. You should be fine."
Xiao Ran's eyes widened at once. Although he knew Kira would return, he could not be certain when. But this was not the time to directly disobey a bridge order. Xiao Ran could only take a deep breath, then grit his teeth and nod. "All right. I'll go."
Just as he was changing clothes, a figure stumbled through the door. "Teacher, I heard everything just now. I'll go!"
"The brat!" Mu's astonished cry was accompanied by the relief that filled Xiao Ran's heart.