By the time Stella and the other two climbed down from their machines and walked over to Xiao Ran, his conversation with Murrue and the others had come to a stop. After glancing at the three childlike figures, Murrue asked, "Are they your subordinates from the Earth Force?"
The answer to that question was obvious, but to everyone present, the words carried another meaning: Could these three be trusted?
Xiao Ran smiled and nodded, then turned to face Stella and the other two. Since he had removed his mask, this was also the first time Stella, Orro, and Sting had seen the face beneath it. All three wore identical looks of stunned surprise as Xiao Ran said:
"They were my subordinates when I was with the Earth Force. Three very good children." Xiao Ran introduced them to Murrue and the others. "Stella, the only girl on the team, and the most well-behaved. Orro, an immature boy who can be a little impulsive. Sting, the big brother among the three, more composed and steady than the others. Do you remember the three people we encountered in our last battle? They were also forced to work for the Earth Force."
As Xiao Ran introduced Stella and the others to Murrue's group, Orro bumped Sting with his shoulder and whispered, "I never thought Neo looked like this under that mask. Don't you think Neo looks a lot like someone?"
"I figured it out already." Sting shot Orro a glance and whispered back, "And considering we're in Orb, it's actually pretty obvious."
"Hm?" Stella turned her head, looking confusedly at the two whispering to each other. She tilted her head, then turned back toward Xiao Ran. So this was what Neo looked like. How strange. Wasn't his mask supposed to grow on his face?