The Junk Guild and The Professor

"I have already negotiated with the Junk Guild. Their leader, who calls herself 'the Professor,' requested to board the ship for a visit, and I have agreed. If you have nothing else to attend to, would you like to return to the bridge and join us?"

"'The Professor,' huh... Understood, we'll be right back."

After ending the internal comms call with Tessa, Luther turned to ask Cima.

"By the way, Cima, where is Monica? Why don't I see her?"

"Monica went straight back to the bridge as soon as she returned. Why do you think that is?"

Luther had a clear answer to Cima's rhetorical question. It seemed Monica had successfully obtained the 'evidence' needed for Luther's plan in the port and management sectors, so she had returned to the bridge to process and archive it.

"In that case, Haman and I will head back to the bridge. Cima, are you coming with us?"

"No thanks. As the head of the mobile weapon unit, I still have work to do in the hangar, but I'll definitely be back in time for the draw tonight!"

Although she was quite 'noobish' when it came to nightlife, Cima remained tireless in her pursuit of it.

Luther naturally had no complaints about this; after all, it was an important part of his work to maintain team stability.

After a brief parting kiss with Cima, Luther and Haman returned to the bridge together, though they both needed to tidy themselves up a bit before entering.

Yet, even after a thorough cleanup, the two were still greeted by Monica's dissatisfied, sharp cry and a scrutinizing gaze as they entered the bridge.

"You're too slow! Luther, you have no self-control!"

Luther felt a bit guilty and stayed silent, but Haman was not afraid of Monica.

"Lady Monica, since you say that, could you perhaps stop liking to be on top and clinging so tightly to Brother Luther's waist?"

"I don't want to hear that from you, Haman, who is glued to him all day and supposedly insists on maintaining Newtype contact at all times!"

Faced with this drama, which had escalated rapidly since their transit to the CE World, the crew members who were already 'well-traveled' from the UC World managed to hold back their laughter. A few middle-aged veterans even cast sympathetic glances toward Luther.

Fortunately, the communications officer's report brought the scene to a temporary halt.

"The Junk Guild's shuttle has landed on the flight deck."

"Understood. Please escort 'the Professor' to the reception room."

After Tessa responded to the communications officer, she turned to confirm with Monica and Haman, who were still glaring at each other.

"Monica, Haman, will you be joining the meeting?"

"You've already verified the data, so I won't attend. I'm going to go prepare for the upcoming press release."

"I'll pass as well. You can safely leave the bridge to me for the time being."

To Tessa's inquiry, Monica and Haman, still 'killing each other with their eyes,' both gave negative answers.

Tessa nodded to them respectively, then took Luther's hand and stood up from the command chair.

"Then, Luther, let's go. Since she is a 'guest,' it wouldn't be right to keep her waiting."

"As you wish, my Captain. Please hold my hand firmly, and be careful not to trip on flat ground."

Though a bit embarrassed, Tessa didn't pull her hand away. Under the envious gazes of Monica and Haman, and the gentle looks of the crew, the two walked hand-in-hand off the bridge toward the reception room.

Although nothing happened on the way, Luther and Tessa, who briefly discussed fleet matters, were both quite satisfied with this moment of solitude.

Shortly after Luther and Tessa arrived at the reception room and had just calmed their nerves, an officer came to the door to report.

"Lord Luther, Captain Tessa, the representative from the Junk Guild has arrived."

"Let her in."

Exchanging a nod with Tessa, Luther responded, then stood up alongside her.

Following the sound of the door opening, a mature and intellectual woman in her thirties or forties stepped into the room, led by the officer.

Although she had wine-red hair similar to Monica and Kurisu, the three women had completely different hairstyles and temperaments. 'The Professor' truly lived up to her name, giving off the distinct air of an academic.

"Welcome to the Gwameir, 'Professor'."

"I am deeply honored to receive a personal reception from you both despite my intrusive visit, Lord Luther, Captain Tessa."

Hearing the Professor's polite reply, Luther looked curiously at Tessa and received a slight nod in return. It seemed Tessa had already informed 'the Professor' of how to address Luther and herself during their previous communication.

Of course, the fact that she could correctly address Luther—whom she had never met—without needing an introduction at least spoke to the Professor's intelligence and diligence.

At Luther's gesture, the three sat at one corner of the square conference table.

After the officer served tea and left, closing the door behind him, Luther gestured for the 'Professor' to drink. After taking a sip of black tea himself, he chose to get straight to the point.

"Given that we have already permitted the Junk Guild to salvage the wreckage of Heliopolis and rescue the civilians in the escape pods, I wonder what important matter prompted the 'Professor' to request a face-to-face meeting?"

To Luther's question, the 'Professor' responded without hesitation.

"Aside from the Earth Alliance and Zaft, a third party that is clearly a regular military force has suddenly appeared. It would be strange not to ask questions about an event that could determine the future fate of the Junk Guild, or even the entire Earth Sphere, wouldn't it? Of course, I am also deeply honored that you accepted my request for a meeting."

Luther chuckled. After checking Tessa's expression and receiving her silent support, he cut straight to the core.

"Then, if I may be so bold, who exactly are you representing with this visit, 'Professor'?"

Facing Luther's playful expression, the 'Professor' gave a gentle, 'earnest,' and 'interesting' 'correct' answer.

"You jest, Lord Luther."

The Junk Guild is just the Junk Guild; as long as there is profit to be made, hyenas and vultures like us simply scavenge for the scraps left behind by the big shots.

As for me, this so-called leader, I only possess a modicum of fairness and a thin shred of reputation. I cannot even fully represent the Junk Guild, so who else could I possibly represent?

Luther was naturally unsurprised by the Professor's "self-deprecation" and "evasiveness," patiently pressing him step by step.

"The Junk Guild during wartime is capable of getting its hands on even military-grade mobile weapons.

So, rather than calling you hyenas, wouldn't it be more accurate to call you unleashed hunting dogs?

What's more, this is the remote L3, yet the Junk Guild managed to arrive just as the sudden battle concluded... Heh.

If that were truly all there was to it, Professor, your instincts are far too sharp; it's a waste for you to be in the Junk Guild. Why not join us instead?

I can take the initiative and offer you the rank and treatment of a major right away."