January 28, CE 71, around 11:00 standard time
With Tessa left in command on the Gwameir's bridge to oversee Cima and contact Colonel Gerard Garcia of Artemis Fortress about the "ransom," the rest of Celestial Being's senior leadership—including the two "special guests"—gathered in the lounge near the bridge to discuss the organization's next steps.
Of course, Celestial Being's next steps were already clear:
The Gwameir, serving as both flagship and main combat force, would continue pursuing the Archangel, using the pursuit as a pretext to demonstrate its strength while making first contact with the various sides and factions.
The Musai-class escorts, meanwhile, would return to Mendel, Celestial Being's base, with their holds full, where the gathered resources could be turned into further military strength.
So what they really needed to discuss was whether Celestial Being's core members and its two "special guests" would stay or leave. That was also why the two guests had been invited to attend.
On Celestial Being's side, Tessa, as fleet commander and captain of the Gwameir, and Cima, as commander of the mobile suit forces, were certain to remain aboard the Gwameir for the pursuit of the Archangel. They had therefore stayed behind to continue handling their current duties.
Haman, who had returned looking a little sulky, was now sitting to Luther's left, leaning affectionately against him while he soothed her.
To Haman's left, Monica—unusually, not squabbling with her—had left the seats on Luther's right for Aina and Ginias.
Cagalli and Flay sat two seats farther to Monica's left, diagonally across from Luther, on the side nearest the door.
As usual, a female petty officer served everyone tea, then left with the tray and closed the door behind her.
Seeing Luther still affectionately comforting Haman, Cagalli was once again the first to speak.
"Luther, you called everyone here just to show off how close the two of you are?"
Luther hadn't had a chance to respond. Haman, whose cozy moment with him had been interrupted, was naturally in no mood to be nice.
"So you're Cagalli Yula Athha, the younger sister of Kira Yamato, the Ultimate Coordinator.
"I've got some bad news for you. In the battle just now, I personally killed your brother, Kira Yamato.
"So, what do you think? Is that something you wanted to hear from me yourself, Princess of Orb?"
"You bitch!"
At Haman's "bad news," Cagalli sprang from her seat, ready to resort to violence. Flay hurriedly grabbed hold of her with all her strength.
"Cagalli!"
At the same time, Luther gave Haman a light, mildly admonishing flick on the forehead.
"Haman."
Haman rubbed her forehead and sat up straight, still sulking. Luther then turned to Cagalli, who had also come to her senses and was now sitting with her arms crossed over her chest, just as indignant.
He looked from Cagalli to Haman. Knowing both their physical stats, Luther suddenly found himself curious about where Cagalli's extra weight was compared to Haman's, given that she was slightly shorter. After all, Cagalli could strike that pose so naturally, and with such a masculine air.
Cagalli was a girl, after all, and Luther's openly amused gaze drew an angry glare from her.
To ease the awkwardness and change the subject, Luther turned to Haman with a request.
"Haman, how about giving us a brief account of your encounter with the Archangel?"
Haman had noticed where Luther had been looking before, too. First, she gave Cagalli a triumphant look, almost making her leap up again.
Then, as if rewarding Luther, she wrapped both arms around his left arm and rubbed against him twice, shifting into a more comfortable position.
Only then did she turn away and briefly describe the encounter with the Archangel—or, to put it another way, her encounter with Cagalli's brother, Kira Yamato.
After hearing Haman's account, colored by her personal feelings, everyone present had their own thoughts.
Flay, for her part, still felt that the whole matter had little to do with her. Even Kira's affection for her was something Luther had "kindly" told her about.
If Flay had to name how she felt, she supposed she now regarded Kira, her admirer, a little more seriously. He might not measure up to Sir Luther, but from the sound of it, he could be a better choice than Sai.
As for the fact that Flay had objected to Kira being a Coordinator in the original timeline, Celestial Being's statements about Newtypes and related matters had already shaken that concern.
And Kira was also the brother of her close friend and roommate, Cagalli, the Princess of Orb—a connection that helped put things in perspective.
Clearly, being a Coordinator was no longer the main issue. Besides, could the one and only Ultimate Coordinator really be compared to an ordinary Coordinator?!
Meanwhile, Cagalli had personally confirmed that Celestial Being really did have a mobile suit operating system usable by Naturals.
The Newtype-specific system in the hangar, which she couldn't activate but had watched being used in training, had also confirmed that Newtypes existed.
Naturally, Cagalli had already accepted the fact that she had a brother who was an Ultimate Coordinator.
So as she listened to Haman's account, her initial hostility toward Haman gradually faded.
What Cagalli cared most about was the debate during Haman and Kira's battle over whether people with the ability to fight should go to war.
"'Peace and justice don't just fall from the sky. They need strength to protect them'?
"Father, is that why Orb helped the Earth Alliance develop mobile suits?"
Luther gave his honest opinion on Cagalli's confusion—a question that could well change the course of the world.
"If you're only protecting the people around you, perhaps a single reversed-edge sword is enough.
"But to protect a country, an ideal, or a hope, you need strength to match them.
"You also need everyone—especially your enemies—to know that you have that strength. That may be what allows you to win peace.
"As the old saying goes, 'Strength alone isn't enough, and neither are ideals alone.'
"I don't know Uzumi very well, but he is your father. If you get the chance, you should talk to him properly."
Cagalli had no idea what example Luther was referring to, and she had never heard anything like the version of the "old saying" he'd quoted. Clearly, she didn't fully understand his words.
But she completely grasped the idea he was trying to express.
Although Luther's ideas clashed with the principles Cagalli had held to in the past, she now found what he said very convincing.
So in the end, she nodded, looking somewhat lost but very determined.
"I will. And I need to talk to him properly about Kira, too."
Having settled things with Cagalli, Luther checked with the two people on his left.
Monica shook her head, indicating that she had no questions about the topic. Haman, on the other hand, responded eagerly.
"Next time, I'll definitely beat him!"
Luther smiled, stroked Haman's hair to comfort her, then turned his gaze to Aina and Ginias.
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