“It’s just a squad from the Antimatter Legion, the Space Station’s security forces are more than enough to handle it.” Welt pushed up his glasses and returned to the lounge with Dan Heng.
The alarm had stopped, and the Space Station’s defense system had clearly taken control of the situation.
Himeko stood up gracefully, her red hair swaying gently with the movement: “Let’s go take a look. It’s pretty boring just staying here anyway.”
A calm smile hung on the corners of her lips, as if the alarm just now was nothing more than a small interlude.
Everyone walked out of the lounge, strolling along the annular corridor of the Space Station.
Surprisingly, the researchers were still tending to their respective duties, as if the alarm had never sounded.
Inside the laboratory, researchers were intently operating instruments; in the corridor, logistics personnel hurried past pushing equipment carts.
“It seems everyone is used to it.” Welt observed his surroundings with a hint of admiration in his tone, “As expected of the Herta Space Station.”
Turning a corner, Asta suddenly walked up from ahead.
Seeing the group, the pink-haired girl visibly breathed a sigh of relief: “Everyone! That’s wonderful, I happened to run into you.”
She adjusted her slightly crooked director’s badge, “Ms. Herta has already returned just now, and easily took care of those Antimatter Legion members.”
She looked at Kal’tsit and said respectfully: “Ms. Herta asked me to take Ms. Kaltsit to her office.”
Kal’tsit’s silver-white cat ears twitched slightly, and she gave a brief nod.
Mon3tr’s dark shadow wriggled uneasily beside her, seeming somewhat unwilling to let Doctor Kal’tsit go alone.
Kal’tsit gently patted the shadow: “Go back.”
Mon3tr let out an aggrieved “mm” sound, but still obediently transformed back into its memory spirit form and disappeared into Kal’tsit’s shadow.
Asta made a “please” gesture: “This way. Ms. Herta’s office is in the Master Control Zone.”
She turned to the others, “You can wait in the lounge area, or go check out the observation deck, the view there is fantastic.”
Himeko nodded gracefully: “Then we won’t intrude.”
A trace of curiosity flashed through the eyes beneath her red hair, “Hope your ‘transaction’ goes smoothly.”
Kal’tsit followed Asta through several security doors; with each door they passed, the surrounding technological sense intensified by a fraction.
Finally, they came before a large door engraved with complex runes.
Herta is waiting for you inside.” She hesitated for a moment, and added in a low voice, “Um…
Doctor Kal’tsit, Ms.
Herta’s mood today seems…
uh…
exceptionally ‘lively’.”
The corners of Kal’tsit’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly: “Thanks for the reminder.”
The door slid open silently, revealing a futuristic circular office.
Suspended in the center of the room were dozens of holographic projections, displaying various complex formulas and design blueprints.
Herta—this time her actual body—was with her back to the door, her long purple hair spreading out like a galaxy in the zero-gravity environment.
“Ah, you’re here.” Herta turned around, her eyes flashing with a light of inhuman wisdom, “Let’s start making a Light Cone, Emanator of Remembrance.”
She waved her hand gently, and a strangely shaped seat rose from the ground: “By the way, that little follower of yours…” Herta’s lips curved into a playful arc, “Although she’s hiding in the shadow, I can still detect her energy fluctuations oh~”
Kal’tsit walked toward the seat without changing expression: “She’s just worried about my safety.”
Her silver-white cat ears appeared particularly striking under the blue light of the office, “But since she’s been discovered…” She lightly patted the shadow, “Mon3tr, come out.”
The dark shadow surged out like flowing water, condensing into a human shape.
Mon3tr looked around vigilantly, its emerald-green eyes filled with guard: “Doctor Kal’tsit, there are monitoring devices everywhere here…”
Herta suddenly burst into laughter, her laughter echoing within the circular office: “Interesting! Too interesting!”
Her long hair fluttered without wind: “Then, let’s begin this transaction—using this genius’s memories to forge a unique Light Cone!”
Light-green Remembrance energy flowed between Kal’tsit’s fingers, outlining complex patterns in the air like stardust.
She used Herta’s trivial daily memories as the shell—those mundane fragments of drinking tea, reading newspapers, and organizing data were skillfully woven into the base of the Light Cone.
“Using insignificant memories as the shell…” Herta floated to the side, her purple long hair drifting in zero gravity, excitement flashing in her golden eyes, “That idea is really interesting.”
The antimatter engine successfully started for the first time in the lab, the theoretical calculations broken through late at night, the trembling of fingertips when standing on the podium…
These precious fragments were perfectly sealed in the center of the Light Cone.
A picture gradually emerged on the surface of the Light Cone: a young Herta standing in front of a crude experimental workbench, holding the first self-made telescope of her life.
The image froze at the moment she turned back to reveal a proud smile, and below it appeared the name of the Light Cone—[The First Step Towards Genius].
“It’s done.” Kal’tsit’s voice remained calm, but fine beads of sweat were faintly visible on her temples.
She handed the glowing Light Cone to Herta: “Does it meet expectations?”
The moment Herta took the Light Cone, her usually cynical expression froze rarely.
Her mechanical fingers gently brushed across the surface of the Light Cone, her golden pupils reflecting that younger self.
“Heh…” The corners of Herta’s mouth curled up uncontrollably, finally blooming into a sincere smile, “Of course it meets them, this even exceeds my expectations.”
She carefully stored the Light Cone into a special container, “This will be one of my most perfect collection pieces.”
Mon3tr poked its head out from the shadow, its emerald-green eyes curiously examining the container: “Just this little thing, is it worth trading for permanent supply rights and a favor?”
Herta suddenly leaned close to Mon3tr, startling it into instantly shrinking back behind Kal’tsit: “Little memory spirit, you’ll understand when you reach my age.”
She turned and floated toward the display cabinet: “Some memories… are more precious than any invention.”
Kal’tsit straightened her lab coat: “The transaction is complete, we should head back to the Astral Express.”
“Wait.” Herta suddenly called out to her, tossing over an exquisite pocket watch, “Giving you a small gift. When time meets Remembrance… something interesting might happen.”
She winked mysteriously: “Consider it extra compensation.”
Mon3tr checked the pocket watch vigilantly: “Doctor Kal’tsit, won’t there be a problem with this?”
Kal’tsit put the pocket watch into her pocket: “Thanks.
But…” She looked at Herta, “For the next transaction, I will still charge the corresponding compensation.”
Herta burst into laughter, her laughter echoing within the office: “Hahahaha… As expected of the Emanator who managed to interest me! Let’s go, let’s go, Asta will send you back to the Astral Express.”