"I've already negotiated with the 'Junk Guild.' Their leader, who calls himself 'Professor,' wants to come aboard for a visit. I've agreed. If you don't have anything else going on, come back to the bridge and join us."
"'Professor,' huh... Understood. We'll head back now."
After ending the internal call with Tessa, Luther turned to Cima.
"Speaking of which, Cima, where's Monica? I don't see her."
"She went straight back to the bridge as soon as she returned. What do you think the reason is?"
In response to Cima's question, Luther had a clear answer in mind. It seemed Monica had successfully found the 'evidence' needed for Luther's plan in the port and administrative areas, so she had returned directly to the bridge to process and preserve it.
"In that case, Haman and I will head back to the bridge. Cima, are you coming with us?"
"No, as the head of the mobile weapon unit, I still have work to do in the hangar bay. But I'll definitely make it back in time before the evening draw!"
Although she was actually quite 'inexperienced' in nightlife, Cima still enjoyed it immensely.
Luther naturally had no complaints about this, as it was part of his important work in maintaining team stability.
After a brief kiss goodbye with Cima, Luther and Haman made their way back to the bridge. However, before entering, both of them needed to tidy up a bit.
Even after thorough adjustments, the two were met with Monica's dissatisfied scolding and scrutinizing gaze as soon as they stepped onto the bridge.
"You're too slow! Luther, you really need to show some restraint!"
Luther felt a bit guilty and stayed silent, but Haman wasn't afraid of Monica.
"Miss Monica, maybe you shouldn't always insist on being on top and clinging tightly to Brother Luther's waist!"
"I don't want to hear that from you, Haman, who's always sticking to him and supposedly maintaining Newtype ability contact all the time!"
Faced with this escalating drama since arriving in the Cosmic Era world, the bridge crew, who had 'seen it all' back in the Universal Century world, managed to hold back their laughter. A few of the older crew members even gave Luther sympathetic looks.
Fortunately, the communications officer's report brought a temporary end to the scene.
"The shuttle belonging to the 'Junk Guild' has landed on the shuttle deck."
"Understood. Please escort the 'Professor' to the reception room."
After responding to the communications officer, Tessa turned to Monica and Haman, who were still glaring at each other, to confirm their attendance.
"Monica, Haman, will you be joining the meeting?"
"You've already reviewed the materials, so I won't attend. I'll go prepare for the upcoming press conference instead."
"I won't either. You can leave the bridge to me for now."
In response to Tessa's inquiry, Monica and Haman, still engaged in their silent 'death glare' battle, both declined.
Tessa nodded to each of them in turn, then took Luther's outstretched hand and rose from the command seat.
"Alright, Luther, let's go. Since it's a 'guest,' we shouldn't keep her waiting."
"Yes, my Captain. Please hold my hand tightly and be careful not to trip on flat ground."
Though slightly embarrassed, Tessa didn't pull her hand away from Luther's. Under the envious gazes of Monica and Haman, as well as the gentle looks from the bridge crew, the two floated hand in hand away from the bridge toward the reception room.
Although nothing eventful happened along the way, Luther and Tessa simply exchanged a few words about fleet matters, both feeling quite content with this brief moment of solitude.
Shortly after Luther and Tessa arrived at the reception room and had just settled their emotions, an officer announced from the doorway.
"Lord Luther, Captain Tessa, the representative from the 'Junk Guild' has arrived."
"Let her in."
Exchanging a nod with Tessa, Luther responded and stood up alongside her.
Led in by the officer, the woman who entered the reception room appeared to be in her thirties or forties—mature and intellectual.
Though she shared the same wine-red hair color as Monica and Kurisu, their hairstyles and temperaments were distinctly different. True to her name, 'Professor' gave off an academic air.
"Welcome to the Gwamel, 'Professor.'"
"I am deeply honored to receive a personal reception from both of you despite my unannounced visit, Lord Luther, Captain Tessa."
Hearing the Professor's polite reply, Luther glanced curiously at Tessa, who responded with a slight nod. It seemed Tessa had already informed the Professor of their titles in prior communications.
Of course, the Professor's ability to correctly address Luther without needing an introduction at least demonstrated her intelligence or attentiveness.
At Luther's gesture, the three of them took their seats 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 enjoy her tea, took a sip of his own black tea, and then got straight to the point.
"Given that we have already permitted the 'Junk Guild' to salvage the Heliopolis wreckage and assist civilians in the escape pods of the shelter, may I ask what important matter has prompted you to request this face-to-face meeting, 'Professor'?"
In response to Luther's question, the Professor answered without hesitation.
"Isn't it strange to ignore the sudden appearance of a clearly organized third-party force besides the Earth Alliance and ZAFT—an event that could determine the fate of the 'Junk Guild' and even the entire Earth sphere?
Of course, I am deeply honored that you have agreed to this meeting."
Luther chuckled lightly, glanced at Tessa's expression, and with her support, pressed further to the heart of the matter.
"Then, if I may be so bold, I wonder whom you represent with this visit, 'Professor'?"
Facing Luther's somewhat playful expression, the Professor responded warmly and 'seriously,' giving an 'interesting' and 'correct' answer.
"You jest, Lord Luther.
The 'Junk Guild' is just the 'Junk Guild.' As long as there's profit to be made, we hyenas and vultures scavenge for the scraps left behind by the powerful.
As the so-called leader, I merely have a bit of credibility for being fair in handling matters. I can't even fully represent the 'Junk Guild,' so who else could I possibly represent?"
Luther was naturally not surprised by the Professor's "modesty" and "evasiveness," pressing forward patiently step by step.
"During wartime, the Junk Guild could even get their hands on military mobile weapons.
So rather than hyenas, wouldn't it be more accurate to call them hunting dogs set loose?
Moreover, this is the remote L3, and the sudden battle has only just ended—yet the Junk Guild arrived just in time... Hah.
If that's truly all there is to it, Professor, with such sharp instincts, you're truly wasted in the Junk Guild. Why not join us instead?
I can make the decision to offer you treatment equivalent to a major right away."