With the Qubeley's disappearance, Reid indeed let down most of his guard against Haman.
After finding another spot for the Hermes Zero to enter stealth mode and standby, Reid genuinely began accompanying Haman on her stroll.
After all, relying solely on physical capabilities, Haman posed no real threat to him, and she seemed genuinely interested in having a date.
However, with Colony Satellite Border 4 engulfed in fires caused by the war, and buildings destroyed by stray bullets or crushed by Mobile Suit debris visible at every turn, the situation was far from ideal.
Moreover, the agonized cries of innocent civilians could be heard everywhere throughout the colony satellite.
In short, Colony Satellite Border 4 was hardly a suitable place for a date, even though part of the destruction had been personally caused by Reid.
Yet both Reid and Haman remained remarkably calm in the face of the colony's devastation, as both had grown accustomed to similar scenes.
Reid's exposure primarily came during his time at the Eurasian Federation Military Academy. Back then, the war was less intense, and officer training was rigorous, often requiring fully armed deployments to post-conflict areas for peacekeeping missions in regions plagued by internal strife.
Reid had witnessed scenes far more tragic than what Border 4 was experiencing. After all, postwar cities lacked everything, and he had even encountered real-life Hannibals, testing whether their teeth were harder than bullets.
This was precisely why Reid had insisted that Lacus and the others visit the lower strata of South America. Without witnessing true tragedy firsthand, how could they claim to be seeking a path to peace?
As for Haman, according to her, after her destiny was altered, she unified the Earth sphere by stepping over the corpses of the AEUG and the Earth Federation. Tragedies of this scale no longer fazed her.
However, with no shops open for business, Reid and Haman ended up having their "date" at the Earth Federation's colonial satellite administrative building in Border 4.
Well, it wasn't really a date—Haman wanted to check her records in this world, so they had to access the Earth Federation's database from the administrative building.
Reid had actually prepared to fight his way through the Earth Federation building. After all, he had only eliminated all visible Mobile Suits within the colony satellite. It was perfectly normal for a place like the Earth Federation administrative building to have guards.
Moreover, if any Mobile Suits had been hidden underground during his cleanup and emerged later, he would have to bring the Hermes Zero over to deal with them.
However, the Earth Federation's corruption greatly simplified Reid and Haman's mission.
Upon arriving at the administrative building, they found it completely unguarded.
Just inside the entrance, they spotted several employee ID cards left at the front desk—likely placed there for the receptionist to clock in on behalf of the employees to avoid being late. The employees could simply pick up their cards upon arriving and proceed to work.
Even the janitor's card was among them, which made Reid and Haman's task much easier. They simply swiped their way up floor by floor.
Upon entering the upper-level offices, Reid discovered that the Earth Federation's high-ranking officials had fled, just as in the original storyline. After all, in the original, they had run faster than rabbits. Now, having witnessed the Qubeley, they wouldn't have hesitated for even a second before making their escape.
In their hasty departure, Haman even managed to find several key disks and easily accessed the Earth Federation's database.
Seeing that Haman was genuinely reviewing historical records, Reid figured he might as browse through the Federation database for anything that caught his interest.
Unfortunately, this was merely the Federation database of a border Colony Satellite cluster, containing mostly information Reid already knew along with civilian records.
However, Reid did uncover one useful piece of intelligence: the F90 III Y Star Cluster Gundam was hidden in Border 1 Colony Satellite.
This Mobile Suit was the third unit in the F90 series. While technologically inferior to the F91 in every aspect, it contained an AI programmed with Kamille Vidan's data.
(Additionally, the prototype for the K.B. Type Simulated Personality AI in the F91 was based on Char, as the F91's personality AI data was imported from the F90 II Gundam. The F90 II originally used Char's data AI, but it was captured by the independent Martian Zeon Army and later destroyed in combat.
Consequently, the AI data remained incomplete. Despite Dr. Monica Arno, Shibook's mother, exhausting all means to compensate, it still hadn't been repaired by the time Shibook piloted the F91 into battle.)
Thus, Reid quietly memorized the storage location of the F90 III Y Star Cluster Gundam, planning to retrieve it along with the F91.
Just then, Haman finished reviewing the materials she wanted and sat down on a nearby sofa with a displeased expression.
Noticing this, Reid found some red wine from the surrounding executive offices and poured her a glass, then grabbed some soda for himself before remarking,
"You really don't need to dwell too much on this world's history. As you already know, there are countless parallel universes, and the history of your original universe has already been altered."
Hearing this, Haman shot Reid a sharp glare and retorted,
"It was you who changed it, and in an utterly irresponsible way at that. Speaking of which, I'm drinking wine while you're having soda?"
To this question, Reid responded matter-of-factly,
"Of course. I still need to pilot Mobile Suits. Drunk driving isn't permitted in any era.
Although I'm aware many MS pilots use alcohol to numb their minds before battle, clearly I don't need alcohol to dull my senses."
Upon hearing this, Haman decisively snatched the soda from Reid's hand, replaced it with red wine, and said fiercely,
"What? Are you having second thoughts now? Didn't you promise to go on a date with me? Why are you still thinking about piloting a Mobile Suit to leave?"
Seeing his soda replaced with wine, Reid wore a helpless expression and explained,
"Haman, given the current state of Border 4, how exactly are we supposed to go on a date? The malls are full of looters, cinemas can't possibly be open, and there's not even a decent place to enjoy the view."
Haman gave Reid an utterly speechless look before responding,
"Fine. It seems you really don't understand the ecosystem of space colony satellites. Just follow my lead from here. By the way, what identity did you arrange for yourself this time?"
Reid shook his head at this question, indicating he had no particular identity - he was an undocumented resident this time too.
But this wasn't a problem. They were currently in the Earth Federation's colonial satellite administration building with database access, so they could simply add entries directly.
Thus, Reid transformed into a senior engineer while Haman became a kindergarten teacher - both naturally using pseudonyms.
As for identification documents, it was perfectly normal not to have brought them during the chaotic escape from the recent turmoil. Being able to verify information and photos through names was sufficient.
After finishing their business and having a casual drink, Haman took Reid to the affluent district of the Colony Satellite, quickly finding a street that was still open for business.
Seeing this, Reid could only exclaim, "Heavens, aren't the people on this street afraid of death? Operating at a time like this?"
To this question, Haman calmly replied, "While reviewing the data earlier, I noticed that the Rona family, who initiated this war, claim to be some kind of 'cosmic nobility.' Since they're nobles, they'll undoubtedly ensure their lives remain dignified. So, by heading to upscale neighborhoods, we're bound to find entertainment facilities they've reserved for themselves.
As for the people here, they're most likely employed by shell companies under the Rona family, so naturally, they wouldn't flee."
Reid had to admit that Haman was truly Haman—even without knowing the script, she could extract intelligence from Earth Federation records. Meanwhile, he, despite having read the original work, had no recollection of such a street.
But this was a minor issue. The real problem was that neither of them had any money on them.
Although Reid could produce plenty of gold, the shops here didn't accept it.
Fortunately, just as Reid was considering whether he and Haman should turn into a duo of thieves to get funds, they came across a jewelry store.
The shopkeeper inside was quite savvy. Mistaking Reid and Haman for a young couple who had fled in haste after the attacks, carrying only gold as a universal currency, he exchanged the three gold bars Reid produced at 30% below market price.
Reid didn't mind the shopkeeper taking advantage of the situation. With the exchanged money, he bought Haman new earrings and a necklace, since she had discarded her previous ones to reassure him.
After receiving the gifts, Haman was clearly in high spirits. She dragged Reid to an upscale restaurant for a lavish meal, and their next destination left Reid somewhat stunned—a high-end hotel.
Normally, at such hotel entrances, it's the men who are eager to enter while the women act reserved.
But here, the roles were reversed: Haman was pulling Reid inside, while he hesitated intensely.
The reason was simple: Reid knew he was no saint. If he and Haman entered the hotel and she casually tempted him, regardless of whether she was serious, the result would undoubtedly be her inability to leave the bed that day.
Moreover, Reid still harbored some wariness toward Haman. Based on his understanding, she shouldn't be offering herself so readily.
After all, they were already at the hotel entrance, and when Reid tried to recruit Haman using the recruitment module, the response was still, "Target does not meet recruitment conditions."
This meant that either Haman had no intention whatsoever of following him, so the system outright denied the recruitment possibility, or those recruited by Code Amelias couldn't be recruited by him—similar to Teletha, where the system attempted to rationalize her appearance but ended up in an error loop.
Honestly, judging by Haman's current behavior, the first possibility seemed unlikely. She wasn't the type to casually sacrifice herself for a goal unless she genuinely liked the person.
And there was no need to question Haman's feelings for him now. Although love might not rank among her top three priorities, it was undeniable that it existed.
Therefore, Reid leaned more towards the possibility that Haman fell into the second scenario.
At this moment, seeing Reid still hesitating, Haman decisively moved closer to his ear again and said:
"Reid, none of your wives came this time, right? So don't even think about running. What you failed to finish at the victory celebration banquet back then must be settled today. Otherwise, the next time we meet, it will only be as mortal enemies."
Reid could sense that Haman was serious—this queen genuinely wanted him to serve her for the night. Moreover, she had turned her charm to its maximum.
So Reid decided he couldn't hold back any longer. Haman wasn't some old hag; even though, in her perception of time, three years had passed since their last meeting, twenty-three or twenty-four was still one of the most captivating phases for a woman.
By any measure, Reid felt he had nothing to lose. Since he was already a scumbag, faced with the choice between being a beast or worse than a beast, he chose the former.
Thus began Reid's moment of dominance...
Early the next morning, Reid woke from his sleep. The passionate encounters of the previous night had left him quite satisfied. Although Haman had talked and acted as if she wanted to devour him,
in reality, she was all bark and no bite—a little rabbit boasting about eating the big bad wolf, only to end up being devoured by the wolf herself.
Of course, Haman had resisted. She had wanted to be on top.
Unfortunately, Reid was a man who could wrestle with a "Dragon." Haman's physical prowess was no match for his, so she ended up pinned beneath him. The only damage she managed to inflict was a few bloody scratches on his back and a bite on his shoulder.
However, when Reid tried to wake Haman to discuss their plans for heading to Border 1 that day, he found no one by the bedside.
Instead, a note was left on the nightstand, which read:
"Reid, this queen is very satisfied. So I've already returned. The tables have turned—it's my turn to leave without saying goodbye. I look forward to our next meeting. When the time comes, I'll have a good chat with Ange about who you belong to."
Reid stared at the note, speechless. Had he just been used? And indeed, lust often comes with consequences—the next time Haman and Ange met, it was bound to be explosive. Maybe he should come clean after returning this time, so Ange wouldn't be caught off guard.
But just as Reid was brainstorming how to explain things to Ange upon his return,
in a gap between worlds, Haman arrived in an empty space. She spoke directly into the void:
"Amelias, I've brought the genetic sample you wanted. Now, fulfill your promise. Transfer your time-space travel authority to me."
As soon as Haman finished speaking, the phantom of Code Amelias materialized before her, smiling as it said:
"Of course, my betrayal is never used against my own. But you must also keep your promise and ultimately secure my complete freedom."
Hearing this, Haman sneered coldly, declaring that in the future, all of Amelias's authority would belong to her. Otherwise, how could she conquer Reid and make him obediently serve her in the future?
But things had to be taken step by step. Haman raised the small vial in her hand, which contained skin tissue she had scraped off Reid.
Although there were more effective genetic samples available, Haman made it clear that those were her possessions, and Amelias shouldn't even think about getting them.
Code Amelias immediately fulfilled the agreement upon seeing this, after all, all three of her subordinates now knew her trait was betrayal. If she didn't offer something real, she wouldn't be able to lead this team anymore.
Thus, a series of red codes surged into Haman's body, and she instantly gained the authority to traverse worlds. However, the restrictions on this authority were so severe that it was no wonder Amylias was willing to exchange it for a portion of her freedom.
Nevertheless, Haman had no intention of breaking her promise at this point. Though both women had countless thoughts in their hearts, they still managed to seal the deal.
Haman opened the bottle in her hand, and the tissue inside transformed into specks of green code that drifted out.
Then, massive amounts of red code enveloped the green code, eventually forming a one-meter sphere, from which a delicate, doll-like little girl emerged.
As soon as the little girl was born, she spoke in a childish, milky voice:
"Hahaha, how many cycles of epochs has it been? I've finally regained my freedom!"
Haman looked at the little girl and asked in an uncertain tone:
"You are... Amylias?"
Amylias (in loli form) immediately put her hands on her hips and replied decisively:
"Of course! Although only a small part of the seal has been lifted, and this is all I can manifest for now, I'm finally free!! By the way, Haman, the conditions are now met for you to travel between each other's worlds. But remember to take me along—I don't count toward the travel quota."
Haman looked at the utterly non-intimidating little girl before her and simply couldn't equate her with the queenly image from before. Unable to resist, she picked her up, lifted her high, and said:
"Really, if you had used this form earlier, it would've been so much better. Big sister will take you out to play."
By this point, Amylias (in loli form) was struggling with all her might to resist, but in this form, she truly only possessed the physical strength of a child—she couldn't even pilot a Mobile Suit without a psychoframe system.
Thus, Amylias (in loli form) had no way to escape Haman's clutches and could only be carried off like a child, to be introduced to Teletha and Chang Wufei.