!!! - THIS IS A REWRITTEN VERSION OF THE CHAPTER - 12/30/24
Disclaimer: I don't own Honkai Star Rail and any of their characters. All belonged to their rightful owners - Hoyoverse.
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Months passed like the blink of an eye.
It was like time skipped over the fence and before you know it, life was still pretty much the same.
Well, with a few differences on the way.
For starters, my life honestly felt a little bit better than before. If before it was shittier, this time it was less shittier.
I managed to have some control of my life and invest a lot of my savings. I've been promoted from my work which is great but mostly I still do the same task but with a slightly higher salary.
Though my number of friends still remained the way it was, it didn't really have much effect on me. It sounds depressing but it's better to have one true friend rather than a fake one. I hardly even manage Abraham. That guy was surely something else. A good friend but sometimes a good friend has its drawbacks.
Life was good here in the Station. It was peaceful and might be worth living. Maybe someday, I'd have enough money to go around the stars. I just hope I don't die trying though.
"Ethan, you'll be in charge of guiding the Nameless onto the Space Station"
Just like that, it was the start of something new.
I stared widely at the man named Gard who was in front of me, holding a tablet. And Yes, that was his name. It said right there in his name tag.
"Pardon?"
"I said, you're be guiding the Nameless onto the Space Station, preferably to the storage zone"
The Nameless. The word held a familiar tone in my head. They were kind of famous, after knowing their reputation on the intergalactic web. They were basically like travelers of the cosmos, going around planets to planets, sealing those things called Stellarons.
Stellarons, its other name, the cancer of worlds, basically functions like a destructive bomb with a timer; the more it spreads its effect, the more dangerous it is. Some theories suggest that Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction, Aka, the genocidal god, was related to the Stellarons. However, that was only a theory and some suggest otherwise. It was unknown yet what Stellarons really are.
"For what?" I asked.
"Your assignment is to assist the nameless on their visit."
"You mean like a tour guide?" Why is that needed?
"Yes, something like that." He confirmed with a nod.
Just why? Why is that needed?!
"I don't mean to offend, but why is a tour guide necessary?" I asked, sounding as respectful as I could.
"If the visitor has yet to visit the express five approximate visits, then the visitors will be accompanied by a guide." He answered, his dead eyes locked onto mine. "If you're asking. It is signed by Madam Herta herself."
Figures. I wonder why she made up that rule. It sounded more inconvenient to the visitors.
"How many visits do they have currently?"
"This is their final visit to meet their requirement, so accounting for today, five."
"Oh…" Well, that's good to know. "Still, One thing I don't get..Why me?" I asked genuinely confused "You know, there are researchers other than me, you know? I think they might fit better with this assignment"
Gard sighed, massaging his temples "Listen, Ethan. I'm just a manager, not a director. If it were up to me, I would have let other people do this task other than you. However, this is an assignment that Lady Asta assigned you into"
"Wait, Asta?" I was surprised at that.
"Yes, and you better do this assignment with utmost seriousness. She seems to place a lot of trust in you to be assigned for this"
"...."
"I'll take silence as you understand. For the time and date, they will be here tomorrow, 7:00 am Station Standard Time sharp, so you better not be late." He said sternly.
"Uh, can I say—" I tried to say but was firmly cut off like a piece of paper.
"That is all for today, Ethan Almiyers. Good day." Gard quickly took off like he was in a hurry. I opened my mouth to say something but it all came down to a curse..
"Well, this is certainly sometimes. Ethan, looks like your life just got a bit interesting" I mused to myself. Who knew I would be one of the… lucky ones? I doubt this meeting was gonna be considered lucky, to meet the Nameless from the Astral Express. "Still, why did Lady Asta assign me this?" That I didn't quite find a reasonable explanation. Surely, they would be better candidates than me?
As I walked towards my office, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. Curious, I picked it up and saw it to be none other than Abraham.
"Abraham, what's up?"
[You're free tonight?]
"Somewhat, but I'll be very busy tomorrow so I might get some early snooze tonight"
[Ah I see. Would you mind joining me for lunch this afternoon? I heard they're making the Fezz Pizza again. We seriously can't miss this like we did before.]
"So that's your reason for calling, color me surprised," I was not surprised, not the tiniest bit. Abraham was, well, kind of a food lover.
[Uh yeah? What else? Isn't food important to you?]
"Fine, Alright, I'll indulge it. So you pay?"
[I can't tell whether you're serious or not.]
"Maybe not, maybe I am"
[Hahaha, very funny]
"I know, I'm a future comedian after all. Anyways, I'll see you there"
[Aight, I'll reserve us some seats. See you.]
"Alright" Then the phone clicked..
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The Astral Express has never visited the Space Station, so far that's what I know of or maybe they visited but I wasn't there, physically and spiritually. Regarding my opinion of them, I can't really tell other than that my initial impression of them was a bunch of Main Characters in the story. Sort of.
They had that kind of vibe that isn't really hard to distinguish between saving worlds and such. It is just my luck to be the one who will greet them in person. Supposedly, my main task for this assignment is to accompany the Nameless at the Space Station and be there for their assistance. I don't know why they chose me for this job specifically but knowing I have an increased pay for this, I cannot pretty much argue. Looking at the digital time on the holographic screen, it was 6:43 am Standard Time. I was now relocated to the railway platform where the Express would dock.
This part of the space station was one of the things I hated going to. It was large and dangerously open. Of course, you had the shields to protect you from falling into the void of space, but that didn't mean you were necessarily okay falling a hundred feet down.
I was waiting very patiently and quietly.
"Ethan! It's good to see you"
I turned around at the mention of my name and saw Asta walking towards me.
"Lady Asta? What are you doing here?" I asked, not as nervous as I had since I first met her. This wasn't our second time meeting each other, like I said, I had some interactions with her, rarely that is, if the situations called for it. Mostly our conversations were formal and sometimes it would be a friendly chat.
She was a nice person, that was my impression of her. Knowing she was a lead researcher, it took me a great surprise how humble she was, not the arrogant person I was expecting.
"You're quite early, aren't you?" Her eyes then widened "Don't tell you've been here–"
"Uh no, I just got here about five minutes ago" I cut her off then realized how rude it sounded. Before I could mutter an apology, she spoke first
"No need to apologize" She chuckled
"How did you.."
"I can tell from your expression"
"Ah, that..okay." I coughed. "So, ahem my question earlier, is there any reason you came to approach me, Lady Asta? Cause It doesn't seem like you're the one to approach without any purpose."
"I suppose" She nodded "While I could let Gard contact you for this but since I'm here and you're here. I might as well tell you in person."
I began listening closely, seeing that, she continued "So, the situation somewhat changed…they're transporting a relic."
"A relic? Isn't that–"
"Yes, it's going to be transferred to Madam Herta's collection." Asta confirmed with a nod "Miss Himeko will be with me. You will be in charge of handling the rest of the nameless in escorting the relic at the Special Purpose Lab first. After that, please escort them towards the Gallery of Shadows. However, if you compare it to the old assignment, it is still the same with a few additions. Also, you're from the storage sector which in turn aligns you with your expertise. Talk about coincidence, am I right?"
"I suppose so," I said with a bit of hesitation. "However Lady Asta, I might have some concerns regarding that. Shouldn't we, you know? Add some security? I don't think it's my area of expertise to be the one who'll accompany them with this big of a job"
"Ethan, this isn't a recon mission or a combat mission" She stated with a raised eyebrow "You're just guiding them, Ethan. Even still, I'm pretty sure the Nameless are capable themselves if such a situation were to occur."
"I suppose you're right." I scratched my cheek "So you're waiting here as well?"
"Mhm," Asta nodded. "I had to realign my schedule for this one. Miss Himeko was a bit late in announcing they were transporting a brand-new relic. You should have seen the look on Arlan's face when he found it." A tiny laugh escaped from her lips
"I'm pretty sure he's gonna get a bit busy from what I'm seeing." I mused. It took me by surprise that Lady Asta and Sir Arlan, the head of the security department had a close relationship. However, I had a gut feeling that somehow everyone knew about that except me.
"Well I guess, I'll have to apologize to him somehow." Her eyes stared intently at mine "What do you think I should do?"
"Why are you asking me?" I raised a brow. I saw her expression turned embarrassed, a slight hue of pink was visible on her cheeks.
"Well, you two are boys so I thought…"
Hmm? Somehow I had an inkling feeling that there was more than meets the eye in their relationship.
"How about…Take him to dinner?" I suggested.
She blinked, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Dinner? Can't I just buy him food?"
"Uh, well, going out together to eat is a different experience altogether" I replied. That's when she gave me a sly smile.
"Oho? Speaking from experience?"
"Uh no, Ma'am" I denied. "I'm not even the type of person that ladies are interested"
"Hmm? Maybe you should reevaluate yourself one more time, Ethan."
"What do you mean, Lady Asta?"
Her brows furrowed. "Ethan, I told you. Just call me Asta, no need for that formal stuff. It's getting annoying, honestly."
"Of course, Ma'am"
"Ethan.." Her eyes narrowed down at me. I let out a cheeky grin and turned my attention back in front. There, I caught a glimpse of something bright, flashing up ahead.
"Is that?" There was something hurtling towards the Space Station. I squinted my eyes which confirmed my suspicions of what it was.
"They're here" Asta double confirmed, taking some small steps forward while I followed her.
The Express took its time to land safely on the railway. It had an authentic look from its dark brown adorned with gold linings. It didn't appear as futuristic as I thought it would be. The train was beautiful, it was undeniable, as expected from a train that could travel to space. Like seriously a train? It's absurd yet so cool.
We stood in front of the main door of the train, waiting for it to open.
"Nervous?"
"Nope," I lied.
"Oh?"
Without a moment, the door began to slowly open revealing three people. On the left side was a pink-haired girl around my age, probably judging from her youthful look. She wore a white top with gold buttons that clipped to a black choker, as well as a loose pink and blue overcoat with a skirt to top it all. She was bright and cheery at first impression.
I spared a glance to my right and it was a guy, an Asian? That was my first thought after seeing his clothes as if he was a xianxia protagonist in the flesh. That wasn't a surprise. Maybe he was exiled from his clan or something.
Not but not least, at the center lies a beautiful woman with bright long red hair, wearing a white gown that was strikingly familiar to a dress that basically gave justice to her curves and beautiful appearance. That was only an impression, I wasn't enraptured by her beauty or something. Nope, not at all.
"Hello, Miss Asta, long time no see."
"Miss Himeko, it's a pleasure to see you once more."
"The pleasure is all mine." The woman named Himeko chuckled.
"Ohhh! This place has changed since the last time I've been here" The pink-haired haired suddenly shouted out of nowhere. I saw her going around the place, a camera in hand.
"March, it's the same" The xianxia boy steps forward, shaking his head altogether.
"Hey! At least go with the flow Dan Heng."
'Dan Heng, the xianxia boy, and March the pink-haired girl.' I took note of their names, keeping my face neutral on the outside.
"Why don't we have a place to talk more comfortably, Miss Himeko." Asta offered.
"Gladly, Dan Heng, have you already secured the relic?"
"Yes"
"Great, let's get a move on, shall we?" The red-haired woman suggested with a smile.
With them taking the first step, I followed closely behind. Himeko and Asta were taking the lead upfront, leaving the two nameless with me.
"So who are you supposed to be?"
I turned around in the direction of the voice, and seeing March's face up close to mine, I somewhat recoiled back, surprised.
"March, you're being rude"
"Dan Heng! I was just asking! Geez."
"Ethan," I told them my name. It wasn't a secret to begin with.
The two turned to look at me.
"Ethan, Name's Ethan. It's a pleasure to be of service"
"Ah! Nice to meet you, Ethan! I'm March 7th, or you can call me March." The girl, March introduced herself, posing a peace sign before gesturing her hand to the guy beside her "This guy right here is Dan Heng. He's a bit, you know, kinda rude sometimes."
She doesn't really hold back at all with her words, does she?
"I heard that."
"And a party pooper" she added right after.
Yep, she doesn't
The boy in question just simply sighed.
"I see, it's good to meet you both." I maintained a friendly smile..
She nodded and was about to say something but Dan Heng quickly cut her off
"I just noticed you've started accompanying us, is there any reason for it?"
"Now that is just rude, Dan Heng. He's accompanying us all this way and you're questioning it wow, I never knew you were like that?"
"March, you know what I meant."
"Ah, do I."
"I–Forget it." He seemed quite done with it. That's what I get from his expression. The girl, March, looked smug after seeing him give up.
Still, he is quite a cautious one. "Asta, assigned to be your guide of the Space Station on transporting the relic." It would have been rude to not answer his question.
"Eh, why?" March asked, turning to me.
"It's classified."
March pouted.
I chuckled a bit at that "Just kidding. Let's say it's more in line to make sure your transportation will flow much more easily. Saves a lot of time and resources."
"That's understandable," Dan Heng nodded.
"Okay dearies, I think this is where I might be parting ways temporarily. I'll be going with Miss Asta here to attend to some important matters." Himeko suddenly announced stopping at the center at the intersection of the halls. She began pointing at the three of us. "You two, March, Dan Heng will follow this kind gentleman.." She paused, eyeing at me. Was there something on my face?
I stared at her, not knowing what that meant
"His name is Ethan," Asta spoke out on my behalf after seeing my long and awkward silence.
Oh, she was asking my name. I could have facepalmed at not noticing that earlier.
"As I said, you two will follow this gentleman, Ethan, here towards the Special Purpose Lab "
"Got It Miss Himeko!"
"Ok"
Himeko nodded, smiling "Good and please do behave March."
"Eh?"
Huh, she called her out. Looking at March, she had a stunned expression.
"That will be all then, shall we Miss Asta?"
"Of course, please this way" Asta smiled back, gesturing over. However, her eyes went up to me at the last second. "And Ethan, please do be careful"
I don't why that warning was necessary but okay
"I will," I replied with a nod.
With the two of them gone, it was now us three left standing.
"See, March? Behave."
"Don't start it, Dan Heng." March snarked at him.
Seeing the two now in each other's throats for some reason, I let out a breath. "Please follow me."