Bab 27: The Dark Side of the Space Station part 1

Continuing where we left off...

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Stelle's perspective

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Days have passed since Ritsuka cowardly escaped from the Astral Express and went straight to the Space Station to deal with some of the things that are happening there.

I had challenged him to show me his contact list, but he refused to do so and ran away, which only confirmed that he is truly a womanizer of the highest caliber.

With the train still preparing to depart, I decided to take advantage of this extra time to return to Jarilo-VI and do some tasks to help the people of Belobog.

Bronya is doing a good job as the current Supreme Guardian and Seele is helping Bronya deal with the things in the Underworld.

However, sometimes you can hear them fighting and insulting each other, especially when Ritsuka's name is mentioned.

I don't know what that idiot did, but Seele is very furious with him and promised that she will teach him a lesson when he returns to Belobog.

With Belobog's situation stable, I'm now in the main carriage having my breakfast when I receive a message from Herta.

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Herta: Here's some good news. Ruan Mei's at the Space Station.

Stelle:Ruan Mei?

Herta:Genius Society #81,Ruan Mei. I called her and Screwllum here to talk about some important matters.

Herta:Come back when you're free and introduce yourself to her. That way she will know who the person who tested the Simulated Universe is other than my Dear Assistant.

Herta: Remember to show Ruan Mei some respect. You don't usually get many chances to meet her.

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💭Ruan Mei.....a name that's both new...and familiar. Well, I have some free time, and I don't think Himeko will mind if we stop by the station.

I tell Himeko about Herta's message about Ruan Mei's visit, and Himeko says we can stop by the space station to see how things are there in person.

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Space Station

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Since this is a personal request, Dan Hang and March 7 didn't go with me to the station and decided to stay on the train.

💭I wonder what Ritsuka is doing that's taking him so long to come back? He's an Emanator of Equilibrium,isn't he? Doesn't he have enough power to solve most problems?

Stelle: I miss my trash cans...

I say this with a sigh, being in a place that doesn't have any trash cans nearby, and it makes me very sad.

Heartbroken and sad I head towards the central control zone and I see Asta and Herta together talking.

Herta:I thought member 4,Polka Kakamond,had gotten rid of most of the Society members. I didn't have a lot of hope for this... Oh? Look who's here.

Herta looks at me approaching them with the same expression of disinterest as always and Asta looks at her with the bright smile she always wears.

Asta: It's good that you're back, Stelle.

Stelle: There's quite the crowd here today...

I say this mentioning that the station was quite busy when I arrived here.

Herta: Of course. This is a summit between three geniuses.

Asta: It's a special time. All departments are preparing to welcome a distinguished guest from the Genius Society. Madam Ruan Mei doesn't like fanfere and probably wouldn't appreciate a crowd to welcome her,so I asked the researchers to keep things simple.

Herta:I took her to see the portaits of the Society members a few days ago. I wanted to have the researchers make one for her as well,but she declined the offer. I don't get It. Whatever. As long as she's happy.

💭So Ruan Mei seems to be a person who is not very fond of other people's attention....

Asta:I heard Miss Ruan Mei likes snacks and pastries,so I asked Ritsuka to prepare some traditional desserts from the Blue. All of them seemed to tickle her fancy.

💭 Did Ritsuka make desserts for someone important like Ruan Mei? Didn't he tell me he's just an amateur in the kitchen?

Stelle: Speaking of Ritsuka. Where is he now? Is he in his office?

Herta: My assistant is kind of busy at the moment. After a certain incident that happened in the Simulated Universe, he's spending his time sorting out things for the security department, as well as receiving reports and requests from researchers. However, I'll need him around soon, so don't worry, you'll see him again.

💭 Hmmm... Good to know.

Stelle: Is Ruan Mei a great person?

Herta: That's like asking "Is Herta a great person?" The answer is obvious!

Herta said this with a light laugh, showing how big her ego is.

💭 Judging by the way Ritsuka talks about you, I highly doubt it.

Asta tells me about the deeds that Ruan Mei did in the past. Apparently, Ruan Mei visited a desert planet and the moment she left, she made the desert planet become a planet full of ecology.

Herta said that Ruan Mei is very intelligent and talented, but she rarely interacts with anyone and that she lives like a hermit.

Herta:Anyway. What more needs to be said for someone smart enough to become Herta's research partner, Hmm? Hurry up and head out, Stelle. See If you can find her.

Stelle:Where is Ruan Mei right now?

Asta: I'm not sure, but she doesn't seem like someone who wanders around much. She spends most of her time between the master control zone and the railway platform. Maybe you can start your search there?

Stelle: Okay. I'll do that. See you later.

I say that and decide to head to the rail platform.

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Supply Zone

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I'm walking past the people on the way and I see someone with a completely different style of clothing than the other researchers.

💭 There's someone next to the railway platform. Could she be...?

I see the woman with a plate of sweets in her hand and the moment she feels me approaching, just as I was going to talk to her, the woman puts two fingers on my neck and chin.

💭Huh? What is she doing?

Soon after she stops touching me and she has a thoughtful expression until soon after she starts talking to me.

(Photo)

Ruan Mei:Hello. I hope I didn't startle you.

💭This is definitely the Ruan Mei I'm looking for. Ritsuka said that all members of the Genius Society have a screw loose in their heads and have a very different personality from other researchers.

Ruan Mei:This is a work habit of mine. Using touch to open my senses and letting the details of your biological existence flood into my brain helps me understand your construction as a living organism.

💭What? I don't quite understand what she's trying to say. Where is Ritsuka to translate complicated things into a few words?

I decide not to show that I'm confused so I let Ruan Mei talk as much as she wants and I pretend that I understand everything.

Ruan Mei:Such is the basis of deconstruction and reconstruction. Do not be concerned. You are very healthy. In fact,impeccably so. A perfect experimental specimen. I like perfect experimental specimens.

Ruan Mei said this making me feel a little strange by the way she said it and it just confirmed what Ritsuka said about the geniuses of the genius society.

Stelle:There's a bit of cake on the corner of your mouth...

I say this while mentioning the rest of the cake near Ruan Mei's mouth.

Ruan Mei:Oh? Really?

💭She doesn't seem to know how to express herself very well....

Ruan Mei starts talking about the fact that she doesn't walk around the space station and that she really likes to admire the view of the blue planet that is clearly visible. After that, Ruan Mei offers me a piece of her cake.

💭Why did she offer me this all of a sudden?

Not seeing anything wrong with it even if it is a little strange, I eat the piece that Ruan Mei offered me.

Ruan Mei: So, what do you think? I can certainly prepare more for you. It's become somewhat of a tradition to bring strawberry pastries when I visit Stephen Lloyd. His attendance seems quite dependent on them.

Ruan Mei starts describing how to make an ideal dessert and it seems that she is quite a fan and quite picky about desserts.

Ruan Mei: Unfortunately, there are still too many people on the space station. The clamor is not fiting for desserts. By the way... Stelle,do you remember what my "research" is about?

Stelle:No. My research area is short stories about toilets.

The moment I finished saying that, I immediately realized that something strange had happened and I saw a slight smile coming from Ruan Mei.

💭What? That's not what I wanted to say. What's going on?

Ruan Mei:I see. What a cute hobby. But remember,the next time something like this happens It's crucial to mask your expression until you've ascertained the situation. If not...you'll be full of weaknesses that others can see through.

💭Ok, this is definitely something she did to me, it can only be the cake she offered me!

Ruan Mei: Let's try again. Now, Stelle,what else would you like to ask?

Stelle:The dessert was tasty. I would like more.

Once again my mouth says something when in my head I wanted to talk about what she put in that cake.

💭Again?! Why can't I say what I want to say?!

Ruan Mei:You have quite the appetite. Alright,I'll give you the recipe. Come and have a walk with me. A stroll is the most appropriate post-dessert activity.

I walked alongside Ruan Mei, following her on the path. She started talking about her past with her mother, and the two of them were doing research together, discovering new things around the universe.

Ruan Mei:My apologies,It appears my words have left you perplexed. Please don't be on edge. I bear no ill will. I haven't interfered with your linguisctic faculties. Such an act would be impolite.... I merely made a minor adjustmet. A few days ago,I made my interest in you known to Herta. My intention is for you to serve as an "assistant". I firnly believe you fit the bill. At first I asked Herta if she could lend me her assistant, but to my surprise Herta refused my request, which was a shame.

Ruan Mei said this in a somewhat disappointed tone, it seemed like she wanted to ask Ritsuka for help, but Herta wouldn't let her.

Ruan Mei:I find extending trust beyond myself is challenging. A single error in detailed research can generate issues,and I despise matters that escape my control. Therefore,I added Anti-Truth Serum to this dessert. It will not harm you. However,you will be unable to say what you truly think answering questions related to me.

💭So you basically drugged me? Great. Now anything I say will be thought of as crazy.

Ruan Mei: Treat this as a layer of protection. It will protect my research and your personal safety. When the problems are solved, I will give you the antidote. I can also reward you as compensation for being my assistant. I will fulfill any wish you have.

Stelle: Problems?

Ruan Mei: Yes... problems wrought by my own hand.

Ruan Mei explains to me that she started doing some experiments on "life" on the station and that she created a type of life form capable of becoming little geniuses. However, it seems that Ruan Mei's experiment did not yield the results she wanted and now the "little geniuses" are scattered throughout the station and she does not want Herta, Asta and Ritsuka to get involved in this problem.

Stelle: Why do you not want them to know about this? Especially Ritsuka, I assume he should be able to solve this better than I can.

Ruan Mei: This has nothing to do with them. Besides, the more people involved, the more problems there will be.

Ruan Mei told me to look for these "little geniuses" and take them to a safe place so they wouldn't cause any more trouble. She told me to look for the people from the ecology department to help me with this matter.

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A few minutes later...

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I have to admit that I didn't expect this life form that Ruan Mei created to be a living sweet species.

It's a bit bizarre for my taste, but I had a task to accomplish. I could use the translation device to understand what this life form is saying, but the species ends up talking too much about Ruan Mei that could put the mission at risk.

After this bizarre situation, I had to take this life form to a transporter specifically for this creation of Ruan Mei.

I just didn't expect this transporter to be a toilet! Anyway, after I convinced Ruan Mei's creation, I managed to use the transporter and took the life form to the storage zone.

After that, Ruan Mei sends a message saying that she urgently needs my help.

It seems that a meeting between her, Herta and Screwllum is about to take place. Ruan Mei wants me to be present at this meeting so that she has someone by her side in case she needs help.

The meeting is taking place inside the simulated universe and I enter with Ruan Mei.

The two of us arrive at a room where I see Herta and a humanoid robot that is probably Screwllum.

Herta:Hi,Ruan Mei, I've been waiting for you. Oh, you're here too? Looks like you two have become quite friendly.

Screwllum: It's a pleasure to meet you, Madam. Ritsuka has spoken a lot about you. My name is Screwllum.

Herta: Though you weren't invited, I welcome you to remember this historical moment, Stelle. How long has It been since three geniuses were in the same room together? And how long will we have to wait for It to happen again?

Herta said this, but her expression changed to one of irritation.

Herta:Unfortunately, my dear assistant didn't want to attend. It seems he's busy talking on the phone with a famous singer. No matter how much I insisted, he still remains stubborn and doesn't listen to my orders!

💭Oh really? A famous singer....

Herta said this, seeming to be irritated that Ritsuka didn't want to be present at this meeting.

After that, Herta starts talking about what they are going to do about the simulated universe and that they want another member to join the project.

This conversation seemed like it was going to be long and fortunately for me, Ruan Mei realizes that my presence is no longer necessary and she takes me out of the room where the meeting is taking place.

Ruan Mei is relieved that she was worried for nothing in case Herta suspected something. I tell Ruan Mei that I fulfilled my mission and she seems happy about it.

Ruan Mei:I see that you've recovered the lifeform in the master control zone. Thank you,well done.

Stelle:Is there something I shouldn't hear?

Ruan Mei:No. You misunderstand. While Herta is tied up in meetings,you might find It more convenient to roam the Space Station. There are some things that I must tell you now. If I wait for the meeting to finish...then It might be too late.

💭Seriously? Are there still more of these little ones that I have to look for?

Ruan Mei: The retrievel of my lifeforms isn't complete yet. There's more than just one, and some are stored in a sealed zone. Herta uses that place to welcome visitors from across the stars, or to welcome members of the Genius Society. However, due to the Legion's invasion, It is no longer open to the public. And now my "headache" is stored there.

💭Wait a minute. Ruan Mei's "headache" is in a sealed zone of the space station? What was she doing there?

Stelle: So Herta gave you permission to use that place?

Ruan Mei: She gave me permission and didn't say anything else. On the other hand, her assistant didn't agree, but Herta ignored his complaint and passed control of the zone to me.

💭 So Ritsuka didn't want to let Ruan Mei access a place that probably needs repairs.

Ruan Mei: I'm giving you my access card. Give me your hand, and I'll input your fingerprint into it. Stay vigilant, assistant. If you encounter any threat that you can't handle, just alert me. I'll come to your support no matter what. Remember, there's a... giant... incubator... in the middle of the zone. That's where my "headache" is stored. Once you're back,come find me on the railway platform. Then you'll understand everything.

With that, I leave the simulated universe and head towards the storage zone to take the elevator and go to the sealed zone that Ruan Mei wants me to be in.

However, before I can access the elevator, I hear a very familiar voice behind me.

Ritsuka:Stelle?

Stelle: Ritsuka? What are you doing here?

I turn around and see the person I was wanting to meet again with a different style of clothing.

(Photo)

Ritsuka: I should be asking you that.

Stelle: What is this outfit? Is it one of your mystic codes?

Ritsuka:No. It's one of the uniforms I wear at the station. Back to the topic. Where are you taking the elevator to?

Ritsuka asks this question with his arms crossed and a neutral expression as he is interrogating me.

Stelle: I'm going to the sealed zone.

The moment I said that, Ritsuka had a thoughtful expression.

Ritsuka: The sealed zone? What are you going to do in there? Did Ruan Mei give you permission to enter there because only she has access there.

Stelle: I'm here to solve problems and create jokes along the way!

💭 Damn! That's not what I wanted to say!

Because of what Ruan Mei did to me, I can't tell Ritsuka the truth, but when he heard what I just said, he had a suspicious expression.

Ritsuka: Okay, that was weird. Herta told me that you were at the station and that you went to talk to Ruan Mei. After that, Herta told me to attend the meeting between her, Screwllum, and Ruan Mei, but I refused because I was busy talking to a friend of mine at the time. Coincidentally, I'm also going to Ruan Mei's sealed zone.

Ritsuka said this and I was surprised to hear that he was also going to the sealed zone.

Stelle: And why do you want to go to that zone?

Ritsuka: I have two reasons. The first is that I received a report from someone anonymous that something is out of the ordinary and that it poses a danger to the station. The second reason is that HooH itself ordered me to investigate that zone.

Ritsuka said this with a serious expression looking at me and I started to sweat coldly, feeling a bad premonition about what might happen.

💭 This can't be good. If the Aeon of Equilibrium sent their Emanator to the Ruan Mei Zone, then something very strange is happening there.

Ritsuka: Stelle. Did Ruan Mei send you to the sealed zone?

Stelle: I like trash cans!

💭 That's not what I wanted to say! Even though it's the truth!

Once again I say something I didn't mean and Ritsuka just stares at me until after a few seconds he answers.

Ritsuka: Hmm... Judging by your expression, something's wrong with you. Stelle don't answer anything just move your head to answer my question. Did Ruan Mei done something to affect you.

This time I don't answer with my mouth and I just nod and see Ritsuka frowning, implying that he didn't like my answer.

Ritsuka: Tch! As always, it had to be Herta's problematic friends. Now why she drugged you is beyond me, but that doesn't eliminate the fact that there's a big problem going on and Ruan Mei is the prime suspect for this.

Ritsuka said this in an irritated tone and he accessed the elevator to go to the sealed zone.

Stelle:How did you...

Ritsuka: I hacked the elevator. I didn't stay working at the space station without learning a few new tricks. Now let's go to that zone and find out what's going on.

With that, Ritsuka and I went down in the elevator heading towards Ruan Mei's sealed zone.

To be continued...

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Criticism and opinions about the story are very welcome.

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A/N: Ok, I'm aware of the big F/GO update and my reaction can be summed up in one simple sentence:What? How?Why? I have so many questions!!!

What the hell is Nasu cooking to change the entire Ordeal Call plan?!

My head is exploding with the amount of information!

Hakuno Kishinami and Kazuradrop are in the main story!

Ordeal Call 3 merged with the summer event which ended up killing my idea of adding Space Ereshkigal to my story!

Instead of addressing the Ruler class they changed it to Mooncancer implying that we will have an Ordeal Call 4 and possibly a fifth since the Foreigner class still needs a more detailed explanation.

I was planning on writing a DXD AU story with F/GO in the future, but after this bombshell that Nasu gave me I now have to wait for the summer event and the new Ordeal Call to be translated so as not to miss any important information.

Something crazy is going to happen in this story to have BB, Hakuno, Arcueid, Ciel, Kazuradrop and Space Ereshkigal in the same place! It's a crossover between Tsukihime and CCC and it's impossible to imagine that there will be a normal conclusion after all this!