'Celestial Being' Plans to Split into Two Teams

Luther's confirmation about the Archangel and Kira had piqued Aina's and Ginias's curiosity, each in their own way.

"Luther, Haman, does that mean Kira Yamato is definitely a Newtype? What about Cagalli?"

Luther didn't answer Aina directly. Instead, he looked toward Haman, who had actually fought Kira and resonated with him.

Haman hesitated briefly before giving her answer.

"Though he feels a little different, Kira really should be a Newtype. Right now, he's probably at level two or three—the same level Char was at when we left, that embarrassing loser.

"As for Cagalli, well, she can try wearing the Special Bio-Sensor Helmet in Kurisu's lab."

Haman's contempt for her own abilities was one thing, but Cagalli had definitely felt the insult directed at her.

Luther let Haman and Cagalli keep hissing at each other. He looked at Aina, and when she nodded to show she had no more questions, he turned to Ginias.

Rather than a question, Ginias's words were more like a request for confirmation.

"I noticed those Astray mobile suits have weapon-pack designs, too. The CE approach is an interesting one. Can I experiment freely with those Astray units?"

"Of course, Ginias.

"Before you return to Mendel, we'll settle on a rough framework for the modifications and decide who'll pilot each unit. After that, you can experiment according to each pilot's strengths."

Ginias nodded repeatedly at Luther's answer.

"Right, right. Good idea.

"The red one goes to Aina; the blue one to Norris.

"The gold one has lost its cockpit, so it'll need major repairs anyway. We might as well install the Newtype System.

"As for the parts in the other two colors, we can use them to upgrade the existing units..."

Luther let Ginias start scribbling furiously on his terminal. Then, with a helpless smile, he moved the meeting on to the next topic, while Cagalli and Haman were still hissing at each other.

"Ahem.

"In short, although Celestial Being only finished regrouping yesterday, we'll soon be splitting into two teams again.

"Tessa, Cima, and I will continue pursuing the Archangel aboard the Gwameir. Our next destination should be the Debris Belt, where we may run into the Creuset Team and the 8th Fleet's advance force.

"Ginias will lead the others back to Mendel and process the spoils we gained from the 'Heliopolis Collapse' and the 'Artemis Fortress Assault.'"

After briefly outlining the two main directions they would take, Luther began checking with everyone in turn.

First, he turned to Aina, seated between him and Ginias.

"Aina, what are you thinking?"

Aina had clearly given it some thought already. After only a brief hesitation, she made her decision.

"It's a shame, but I'll go back to Mendel with Ginias.

"I'm too weak as a pilot to be of more help to you, Luther. I'm sorry."

At Aina's somewhat self-deprecating words, Luther cupped her face and gave her a passionate kiss. Only then did he reply to the blushing Aina.

"You've already helped me so much, Aina. Besides, Celestial Being has no shortage of excellent pilots.

"Even though we'll be parting again after such a brief reunion, we'll be together again soon.

"But before then, tonight I'll make sure to comfort my lovely little sister Aina properly."

"Luther..."

Ginias wore a knowing, delighted smile at the exchange between Luther and Aina.

The women on Luther's side already got along well with the kind-hearted Aina. And since their own turns would come later, they simply waited with smiles.

As for the two "special guests," Flay looked quite excited, though for some reason she also seemed a little shy now and then.

Cagalli, meanwhile, looked thoroughly fed up with all the public displays of affection, but at least she managed to restrain herself from doing anything rash.

Of course, with everyone watching, Luther and Aina didn't get too carried away, and their affectionate moment didn't last long.

After confirming Aina's decision, Luther continued down the list and turned to Haman.

"Haman, what do you think?"

Haman's quick response didn't surprise Luther.

"Being thoroughly comforted tonight does sound tempting, but I'll stay aboard the Gwameir."

Even though Haman didn't say much, no one was surprised by her decision. As Luther had said on the Gwameir's bridge earlier, Haman now had only him.

"Haman, why don't you let me share some of my time with you tonight..."

"No need, Aina. I'll have plenty of chances after tomorrow. You enjoy yourself tonight."

Ignoring the exchange between Haman and Aina—which they'd kept quiet, but which Luther could obviously hear just fine—Luther shamelessly turned to Monica.

"Monica, what about you?"

Monica shot Luther a glare, then quickly answered. Her choice took him and the others a little by surprise.

"I'll go back. That way, Mika can take my place."

Luther responded to Monica's selflessness in kind.

"Understood. Thanks for all your hard work, Monica.

"That means there'll be one more person for me to comfort tonight."

Monica responded to Luther's teasing with her usual haughty defiance.

"I don't need comforting!"

"Then I won't hold back!"

Haman's interruption clearly got under Monica's skin.

"Even if I'm too exhausted to do anything but lie there and talk with Luther, I won't share my time with you!"

"Tch, stingy. You're weak in battle anyway. 'Eat too much and hog too much, and watch out for the dog!'"

Luther watched the strange quarrel between the two women on his left with a helpless smile, then turned to the two "special guests."

As before, he followed the order and asked Flay first, since she was sitting closer to him.

"Flay, do you want to stay aboard the Gwameir, or go to the safer Mendel?"

Unlike the women of Celestial Being, who all had their own ideas, Flay was clearly at a loss.

"Even if you put it that way, Lord Luther, I don't know..."

Flay was now so docile that she seemed like the version of herself from the original timeline after she'd given herself to Kira. Luther couldn't tell whether her attitude had changed because of something Cagalli had said, or whether he'd given her "Stockholm Syndrome." Either way, he didn't know what to do with her, so he could only explain the options in detail.