January 18, CE 71, Second Lagrange Point (L2), Second Space Domain
The large red Gwazine-class battleship Gwameir, still bearing the golden crest of the Principality of Zeon, appeared out of nowhere in this region of space, accompanied by several Musai-class light cruisers.
On the bridge, Luther caught A-Qiu as she collapsed limply into his arms. A moment earlier, she had been floating in midair in a peculiar pose.
"You worked hard, A-Qiu."
A-Qiu nodded in response. Meanwhile, Monica impatiently got straight to the point.
"So we really crossed over? It doesn't look like anything special!"
Luther gave a faint, helpless smile, then turned to Tessa, seated in the captain's chair.
"Tessa, how are things? How are the escort ships?"
"Gwameir's internal reports all look good, and communications with the escort ships are normal. The only slight interference comes from the low concentration of Minovsky Particles we're continuously dispersing as a precaution."
After answering Luther, Tessa turned to Monica and revealed a fact that left her "stunned."
"Actually, our physical coordinates haven't changed at all from before the transfer. But look."
As she spoke, Tessa had the main screen project a 360-degree view of the "scenery" around Gwameir.
"There's nothing there. What are you asking us to look at, Tessa?"
Unlike Monica, who hadn't caught on yet, Aina, standing beside Ginias, understood first.
"The Principality of Zeon... Side 3 is gone!"
Many on the bridge had already noticed, but Aina's words brought the fact out into the open.
Everyone gasped. Monica, at a loss for words, clung tightly to her younger brother, Elwin, making him wince a little.
"Can we confirm the current date and time?"
At Luther's clear question, the well-trained crew returned to their duties. A short while later, the communications officer reported to those at the command seats.
"We've received a full-band microwave time signal bearing the designation 'D.S.S.D.' One of the codes has been identified as a variant of a standard code from the Old Calendar era, and has been automatically decoded.
"The current date is January 18, CE (Cosmic Era) 71, at approximately 11:00 standard time."
The response stirred another round of discussion on the bridge. Kurisu, standing beside Luther, offered a philosophical remark that perhaps reflected how some of them felt.
"The calendar changed from UC (Universal Century) to CE, but the date and time stayed the same.
"Our physical location hasn't changed, but Side 3 behind us is gone.
"Even Luther Sahalin has become Luther Deikun.
"It seems everything changes, and only death is eternal..."
Kurisu was rarely so literary, but Mika, another of Luther's contracted partners from another world, changed the bridge's thoughtful mood with a single remark.
"Kurisu, if that's the case, then you and I have both come back from the dead."
"That's right, Assistant. Christina. Miss Resurrection."
Mika's words prompted Luther to reflexively pile on, earning an automatic retort from Kurisu.
"I'm not your assistant, and there's no 'Tina'! I was only on the verge of death!"
The familiar back-and-forth they had shared at the New Technology Research Bureau drew laughter from everyone present, easing the tension on the bridge.
Haman, the girl who had come aboard of her own accord, spoke with a boldness that, for her, amounted to a love confession. Her words also struck a chord with the others.
"Even though I'm sad to be separated from my sister and parents, being here with you, Luther, makes me feel safe."
Unlike Haman, who had boarded alone, many crew members had managed to bring their families from Zum City aboard as well, which naturally reassured them all the more.
By then, things had settled down enough for Norris, standing behind Ginias, to prompt Luther.
"Young Master Luther, please give the order for our next move."
Drawing on the familiar basic geography of the Earth-Moon system from the UC era, Luther only needed to recall a little about the Cosmic Era to make his decision.
"Keep the Minovsky Particles at a low concentration. We only need enough to conceal our movements at long range.
"As for our destination:
"Although Loum (Side 5) has become the World Tree, L1 is still an important traffic route.
"With Side 3 gone, L2 is empty, so there's nowhere suitable for us to stop temporarily.
"L3 is too far away, while L5 is this world's 'Principality of Zeon'—that is, the home base of Plant, one side in the war.
"We'll go to L4. The Solomon fortress and Sides 1 and 4 are gone, but Mendel and Nova should both be ruins at this point in time, making them suitable places to hide and settle in. We should get our families settled before taking any further action."
Even setting aside Luther's status as a "leader" or a "transmigrator," his analysis was well-reasoned. It went without saying that Earth and the Moon, which he hadn't even mentioned, had been ruled out first.
After waiting a moment to make sure everyone agreed, Tessa gave the order as captain.
"Maintain a low concentration of Minovsky Particles. Proceed to L4 at cruising speed!"
January 21, CE 71, L4, Fourth Space Domain
The long-abandoned research colony Mendel was bustling with life once more. For the Luther Fleet, with its neither large nor small population, it was a perfect place to settle.
Under cover of the Minovsky Particles, the Luther Fleet had reached the long-neglected Mendel without incident and began restoring its functions. For those who had come from Side 3, this was no difficult task; quite a few of the older family members had taken part in building or renovating Side 3 themselves.
Although the work had only just begun, news reports about the "Battle of Kaohsiung" that they'd picked up along the way had helped Luther recall some more specific dates. Now he had to hurry off to make an appearance.
"Honestly, we've already switched to a different timeline, and I still have to go to L3 (Luna II and Side 7—Artemis and Heliopolis). What was the point of switching timelines, then? Tessa, how are the preparations coming along?"
Tessa had long known Luther inside and out, so she ignored the first half of his complaint and answered the second half seriously.
"Although we're in a hurry, overall things are going smoothly.
"Kurisu and Ginias are restoring the laboratories and workshops. They expect to get production capacity back up to around 70 percent of the New Technology Research Bureau's.
"Mika and Monica are helping Elwin settle the families. We have enough supplies for now, since Gwameir's combat reserves have always been sufficient for a one-way trip to the asteroid belt. Still, if possible, we should secure a stable supply channel or at least gather more supplies.
"As for combat preparations, under Cima's supervision, the hangar space that had been temporarily repurposed has been restored to normal use.
"Haman insisted on joining the fight, and we've found suitable pilots for all the mobile suits and other carrier-based mobile weapons."
At the mention of Haman, both Luther and Tessa softened. In just a few days, Haman, who now had "only Luther left," had grown so much. She was a grown young woman now.
Shaking his head, Luther refocused on the situation at hand and made his decision.
"Then let's not waste time. We're heading out!
"We have to get to L3, and time is tight. I hope we don't miss the opening act.
"As for our own entrance lines, we can decide on the way."
Tessa nodded in agreement with Luther's decision, then issued her orders to the crew, already at their stations.
"Prepare for departure. Everyone, take your positions quickly. This time, we're going to be the stars of the show!"
Before you continue