Xiao Ran only needed to be himself. Only that would best fit Neo's identity as arranged by Prometheus. But by his habits, even when angry, he would not directly strike a target's vital points. At the same time, he would not interfere with those two finishing off the ZAFT soldiers who had already lost the ability to fight.
After all, they were the most ruthless Goufs in the Earth Alliance. Even if he did not approve of it, there was no denying that those selected for the Goufs were all merciless people. That included Ian Lee, who absolutely trusted Xiao Ran's current identity.
After dealing with that Naska-class warship and the surrounding ZAFT MS units, Xiao Ran piloted his mech—which he had no idea where Prometheus had dug up—and headed toward Armory One. He remembered that, in the original plot, Mu had piloted an MA to hold off the pursuers after a hole appeared in Armory One, allowing the Three strong ones, who had seized the machines, to escape successfully.
Xiao Ran was preparing to do the same. As he brought his mech close to Armory One, he shut down the engines, rendering the machine completely silent. Taking advantage of the brief lull, Xiao Ran sorted through his thoughts.
The plot had now officially begun. By the plan, Stella's group should already have seized the machines, and this part should have unfolded exactly as it had in the original plot. But whether Cagalli and Athrun had come along left Xiao Ran somewhat uncertain. After all, following the end of the war two years ago, Orb had suffered far fewer losses than it had in the original plot due to Xiao Ran's advance preparations.
At the very least, very few technical personnel had been lost. Furthermore, everyone in Orb had united