After the fierce battle with the Creuset Team, on his way back to the Gwamel, Luther had already observed some of his own mobile weapon units returning one after another, as well as mobile weapons, small boats, and work pods still busy with search and rescue and supply transport.
Additionally, at the extreme observation range of the 'Time Observer', some seemingly non-hostile, unarmed ships had appeared.
And when Luther piloted the 'Time Observer' back to the Gwamel's mobile weapon hangar bay, he was greeted by an unusually lively scene:
Besides his own mobile weapons, none of which were missing, undergoing normal storage and maintenance procedures;
Some maintenance crews were busy securing the mostly intact red and blue Astray Gundams in their hangar berths;
The Golden Astray, with a gaping hole in its chest cockpit where the pilot had undoubtedly been vaporized, was temporarily piled in a corner of the hangar bay along with parts from two other colored Astray Gundam series units besides the red, blue, and gold ones, waiting to be dismantled for the spare parts warehouse or reassembled for use when time permitted;
Haman's Newtype-use Bigro Custom had several rescued Heliopolis shelter life pods lined up 'under its claws'. Most of the Orb civilians from Heliopolis were being guided by soldiers in Principality of Zeon uniforms to leave the hangar bay for the residential area, but a few people were still gathered around Haman's Newtype-use Bigro Custom, watching the commotion;
As for part of the 'commotion', Haman, who had poked her head out of the cockpit to speak with someone below, already had an expression on her face that looked ready to explode.
However, upon noticing Luther piloting his machine into the hangar bay, Haman unhesitatingly abandoned the 'commotion' and happily floated over.
After confirming his unit was being hoisted and secured, Luther opened the 'Time Observer's' cockpit door and firmly caught the pouncing Haman in his arms.
Holding the pouting Haman, Luther gently stroked her hair, resonating with her slightly while soothing her with his words.
"You've worked hard, Haman. You did a great job. So, what's the situation over there?"
Before Haman could even complain, Luther himself had already understood. After all, once Haman left, the meaning expressed by the female voice from the 'commotion' was crystal clear.
"My father is the Atlantic Federation's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Allster! Get the person in charge out here!"
Although Luther had assigned Haman to the search and rescue mission because of the original timeline event where Kira rescued the malfunctioning shelter life pod carrying Flay.
After all, if there was one malfunctioning pod, there were bound to be more. For Luther, saving one was saving one, and it would always be a net gain later on.
He just hadn't expected Heliopolis to collapse after all, but the shelter life pod with Flay wasn't taken away by the Archangel.
This, however, did alleviate some of Luther's frustration at failing to kill Creuset. After all, he had witnessed a change in the world's timeline with his own eyes.
As these thoughts ran through his mind, Luther, holding Haman and stroking her reddish-pink long hair, suddenly noticed some interesting details.
In a way, Flay and Haman actually shared similar 'attributes' from certain angles. Both were young ladies with red-toned hair, and their personalities had quite a few similarities. So, could the fact that they caused a scene that drew a crowd be the so-called 'like poles repel'?
As his train of thought began to stray, Luther suddenly felt a pain on his cheek. He came back to his senses to see Haman pinching his cheek. It seemed his wandering thoughts had been detected by his lover beside him. He just didn't know to what extent—a Newtype girlfriend who could directly check his brainwaves was terrifying.
Faced with Luther's lack of remorse, Haman naturally pinched harder. Luther had no choice but to beg for mercy, placating and reassuring Haman with words, kisses, and caresses.
"Alright, I'll go deal with that red-haired young lady, my Lady Haman."
After soothing Haman until her face was flushed and her gaze was distant, Luther saw that Flay was still diligently making noise over there. Since it wasn't appropriate to take things further with Haman here, he decided to go divert his attention.
As Luther floated out of the 'Time Observer's' cockpit and towards Flay, Haman's voice echoed in his mind.
'I hate that girl. If you dare add her to your harem, I will never let you off lightly!'
To be honest, Luther really had no such plans at the moment. He had probably just habitually considered Flay's 'positioning'...
Sensing Haman's mood souring behind him again, Luther decided not to overthink it and to quickly resolve the problem Flay was causing.
On the other side, seeing the soldiers maintaining order in their unfamiliar uniforms all salute Luther, Flay could understand that the man in charge had arrived.
Towards Luther, who was clearly a person of high status, Flay displayed the good upbringing befitting her 'setting'.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Flay Allster. My father, George Allster, is highly regarded by the President and currently serves as the Atlantic Federation's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. Thank you for rescuing us. May I ask which division your ship belongs to, and if you could escort us to a safe zone? Once I contact my father, I will surely have him commend your ship for its service."
Evidently, Flay had been making a scene earlier because she wanted to 'command' the Gwamel to give her VIP treatment and escort her to a safe zone. However, the Gwamel, which was currently an 'unregistered' entity, was obviously unable to go to what Flay considered a 'safe zone'.
Luther looked at his own people beside him, and then at the crowd of onlookers, and made a rather wicked joke that wasn't entirely a joke.
"There's no need for commendations, Miss Flay. After all, if we had to define our current status, we'd probably be considered a non-governmental independent military organization, wouldn't you say? I'm sure your father, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, will do everything in his power for you. Everyone, you must live on."
After replying to Flay's request in this manner, Luther turned to the leading non-commissioned officer and gave an order.
"Take them below. Remember to be gentle!"
"Yes, Lord Luther! Long live Daiken!"
Hearing Luther's beautified description of a 'non-governmental independent military organization', Flay, who wasn't so foolish as to not understand the implication, turned pale.
When Luther added his wicked insinuation, the crowd of onlookers fell silent.
As the soldiers, who knew Luther was joking, burst into laughter and cooperatively shouted the newly revised slogan while tightening their grip on their guns, the previously somewhat chaotic order was instantly restored—if one ignored the fact that many people's legs went weak with fear, and they even recoiled or screamed when soldiers went to help them up.