Cause, Burning

After Luo brought the Strike Gundam back to the hangar, he excitedly pulled Kira and Maddox, who were somewhat stunned, together. He shared his understanding and insights about the mobile suit with the two of them, proposing some modifications and noting significant potential for customization in certain areas. Whether it was Luo's eagerness or his rare opportunity to see what was, at the time, the most advanced MS, he even proactively offered to help modify the Strike Gundam.

Luo's suggestions had Maddox nodding continuously, fully agreeing with them. Kira would occasionally add a remark, hoping for minor improvements to his mobile suit, such as enhanced agility during turns. The three of them gathered in front of a fixed panel in the hangar to discuss the details of the improvements.

Xiao Ran stayed by the three of them without leaving, but he didn't interject while Luo, Kira, and Maddox were talking, simply leaning against a wall nearby.

Meanwhile, Mwu, Bargyll, and Mu had also gathered, each sitting in chairs in the captain's room. Except for Mu, who wore a thoughtful expression, the other two appeared quite worried.

Seeing that neither of them intended to speak, Bargyll stood up abruptly, saluted Mwu, and said loudly, "Captain, I don't understand why you agreed to Major Xiao Ran's unreasonable request. Allowing the Archangel to visit is one thing, but why let a useless merchant test the Strike Gundam? Doesn't he know that those people not only buy scrap but also sell information? If the Strike Gundam's data is leaked, how will we explain ourselves to our superiors? I suggest we immediately arrest Major Xiao Ran and that useless merchant named Luo for leaking our military secrets."

Before Mwu could speak, Mu looked at Bargyll with a half-smile and asked, "Are you sure you want to do that? Arrest them? Do you know the consequences?"

Bargyll fell silent for a moment but then replied, "The worst consequence is the leakage of data regarding the Strike Gundam and the Archangel."

"Lieutenant Bargyll, I don't think it's as simple as you say," Mu said, shrugging and shaking his head. "I think Xiao Ran was right about one thing. ZAFT has already obtained four of the G-series mobile suits, so data leaks have already happened. What could be a more thorough leak than directly stealing the mobile suits for research?"

"Furthermore, if you arrest those two, have you considered that Xiao Ran might resist? If he gets hurt during the resistance, what will Kira think? Will he still be wholeheartedly committed to protecting the Archangel all the way to Alaska? Haven't you realized how much Xiao Ran means to Kira? It can be said that on this ship, we are powerless if Kira doesn't obey anyone's orders, but with Xiao Ran, Kira takes to heart everything Xiao Ran says. If Xiao Ran were to incite Kira to defect to ZAFT with the last mobile suit during a sortie, could you bear that consequence?"

"Moreover, I think if we were to arrest them, Xiao Ran and that useless merchant wouldn't be so easily caught. As far as I know, these merchants usually operate in teams. Do you think that merchant wouldn't have companions here? It would be difficult to arrest them. If they escape, or if they board an MS, it might not be us arresting them, but them arresting us."

"But we can't just let them run wild like this," Bargyll said stubbornly, unwilling to concede.

"The current situation is that if they want to act recklessly, there's nothing we can do," Mu said, spreading his hands towards Bargyll. "Besides, do you really want to deal with all the problems that would arise after we arrest Xiao Ran? Or, if we arrest him and nothing happens, but he has to be handed over to a military court for trial? Nataru, I believe you wouldn't want to see such a scene either. Xiao Ran has helped us so much; we should at least give him a little trust."

Bargyll fell silent. She asked herself if she truly wanted to arrest Xiao Ran. Recalling their conversations, their arguments, and Xiao Ran's eloquent discussions, remembering his confidence and resourcefulness, Bargyll already had her answer. However, having grown up in a military family, her sense of responsibility and honor as a soldier wasn't easily changed. Bargyll finally turned her gaze to Mwu, hoping she would make the decision.

Mwu understood the meaning in Bargyll's eyes. As a woman herself, Mwu also saw Bargyll's reluctance and hesitation. With a slight sigh, Mwu spoke, "Major Mu is right. Arresting Xiao Ran is impossible. Putting Kira aside for now, another reason is his significant influence on the Archangel. I don't know if you've noticed, but besides his students, even the people on the bridge greatly admire him, and the maintenance crew feels indebted to him. Arresting him would definitely destabilize the Archangel's crew and easily lead to problems."

"Secondly, while Xiao Ran has indeed joined the Earth Force and is assigned to the Archangel, don't forget his true affiliation – he belongs to a special forces unit. Don't you know that special forces units have extreme independence? They have vast autonomy. Apart from reporting directly to their superiors, no one can interfere with them as long as they pose no threat to the Earth Force. And where is his direct superior? He's been captured by ZAFT. Even for what he's done today, as long as he provides a reasonable explanation, he won't face any trial, even if he were brought before a military court."

Saying this, Mwu sighed again and said softly, "And do you know, he placed his life on the line for me, willing to guarantee his friend's character with his life? For him to say something like that, I believe that Luo should also be a trustworthy person."

Bargyll remained silent. Perhaps she hadn't considered these things before, but after Mwu explained them, she felt helpless. Indeed, as Mwu had said, they couldn't control people from special forces units. The only person who could control them was currently beyond their reach. Unless the Archangel arrived at Alaska and Xiao Ran was transferred to another superior, but the Archangel was still stuck in the desert, and given the distance to Alaska, that possibility was gone.

If anything, if Xiao Ran truly wanted to use his special forces authority to pressure Mwu, in some situations, Mwu would indeed have to listen to him.

"Alright, Bargyll," Mwu said, resting her chin on her hands and issuing her final decision. "The events of today will be reported to the entire ship's personnel. Everyone should act as if nothing happened, because the Strike Gundam has unfixable problems, so Major Xiao Ran has worked hard to contact a friend who has come specifically to inspect the Strike Gundam and the Archangel, and to perform repairs on both. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Bargyll replied loudly, standing at attention. Although there was a slight sense of unwillingness in her heart, there was also a greater sense of relief and good fortune. That feeling of relief made her suddenly feel that such a violation of regulations wasn't so difficult to accept.

"This is the only way," Mu said, nodding. Then, as if remembering something, she asked Mwu, "Did Xiao Ran tell you why he wanted Luo to inspect the Archangel and test the Strike Gundam?"

"No, but I think Xiao Ran has been preparing for something," Mwu said, shaking her head softly. "If you think about it, it's not hard to guess. He might be preparing a fallback plan for us. From what he said before, you can tell he completely distrusts the Earth Force's high command. And now that we've landed in such an awkward and dangerous location, as he said, it's not impossible that we've been treated as disposable pawns."

As expected, Mwu was indeed perceptive, and even more so now that she had feelings for Xiao Ran. She had guessed Xiao Ran's thoughts almost perfectly, except for the part where Xiao Ran hoped Luo would prepare a mobile suit for him; that was purely a sudden coincidence.

"Heh heh, then he'll continue preparing like this until the day we truly become disposable pawns. Perhaps he's already figured out our escape route. Honestly, has he thought that far ahead? Oh my, I wonder what's growing in his head. It's truly..." Mu patted her head, stood up, and left the captain's room with a self-deprecating laugh.

Watching Mu's retreating back, Mwu simply shook her head and then looked at Bargyll. "Lieutenant Bargyll, since you're so uneasy about that useless merchant, you should pay more attention during this time and see what they're up to."

"Yes," Bargyll replied, nodding, and then left. However, once she truly understood what Luo was doing, Bargyll no longer had any intention of targeting him. Because a few days later, the Strike Gundam, almost completely renewed, once again displayed astonishing power under Kira's piloting.

In the early morning, all the off-duty personnel on the Archangel had almost entirely flocked to the Dawn Desert base. They were celebrating and relaxing with the base personnel, drinking and boasting, almost forgetting their precarious situation. It was a rare opportunity to relax, and Mwu didn't object.

However, just as everyone was enjoying themselves, the personnel on duty on the Archangel discovered a strange situation. From the display screen, it could be seen that far in the distance, a red light appeared where it shouldn't have been. As Dalida looked closely, he was stunned to realize that the area that was originally a city was now engulfed in raging flames.

Soon, this news reached everyone on the Archangel and in Dawn Desert. The people of Dawn Desert, after a moment of shocked disbelief, immediately began preparing their weapons and heading towards the burning city. Kira and Mu also received orders to cooperate with the Dawn Desert's operation, and soon they were heading in that direction, piloting the Strike Gundam and the Skygrasper.

When Luo saw the image on the display screen, he gaped in astonishment. Then, shaking his head, he shouted at Xiao Ran before leaving the Archangel, "How can we just stand by and watch a city burn? I'm borrowing a vehicle!"

Seeing everyone else leave, Xiao Ran also turned his head towards the remaining Skygrasper, shrugged, and walked towards it, shouting, "Sergeant Maddox! I'm going to sortie in the Skygrasper!"

Sergeant Maddox laughed heartily, "It's already prepared for you. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist."