Chapter 8 To: Dim Star (Part 1)
The cosmic wind was gentle, gravity was normal, and it was another nice day.
"Yawn."
Orion stretched on his hospital bed, hearing his spine crackle. After a night's rest, he felt healthy again.
Bored, he decided to walk around the space station. With the help of a nurse, he changed out of his hospital gown.
He put on a dry and comfortable staff uniform, with some "small modifications" to fit his abilities. The uniform had a tall collar, deep black color, double-row buttons, dark blue lining, and a black and white belt, which made him look quite different.
Dressed in the unique uniform, Orion stood out and attracted attention wherever he went.
"He's the one who saved the space station. He looks good and has a unique temperament," someone said.
"There was so much noise on the platform that day. I heard it from next door," another added.
The actions of the Astral Express group had become well-known in the space station, and Orion was seen favorably. However, the older staff showed no signs of tension or fear. They had faced many dangers before, and this was just another one.
The person who gave them confidence and hope was Herta, the person in charge of the space station.
From the information Orion had looked up, Ms. Herta, a member of the Genius Club, had many achievements. Ranked 83rd in the club, she must have had extraordinary predecessors. Orion couldn't imagine what kind of geniuses were ahead of her.
Orion walked around the space station, feeling the strong scientific research atmosphere. About 30% of the people were talking about post-disaster reconstruction, and 50% were discussing scientific topics Orion couldn't understand, making him dizzy. The remaining 20% were too abstract and difficult to translate.
A familiar figure with gray hair caught his eye. It was Stelle, looking energetic and in good condition.
"Orion, long time no see!" Orion waved his hand. Stelle was surprised to see him recover so quickly.
"Orion!"
Stelle quickly came over and circled around him, looking pleased.
"Okay, okay, you're very healthy," Orion patted Stelle's shoulder. "We both just recovered. How about taking a walk around the space station?"
Stelle agreed happily. "Good idea! Let me tell you about the strange things I saw yesterday."
Stelle showed Orion a message on her phone.
**Rocky:**
Lily, Are you okay? Why haven't you replied to my message yet?
**Star:**
Who is Lily?
**Rocky:**
Sorry—but no matter who you are, if you meet Lily, tell her that Rocky will be waiting for you in the "Black Tower."
**Star:**
So who is Lily?
**Star:**
???
"Weird..." Orion frowned, thinking.
"He should be a staff member of the space station," Orion said.
"I was just about to go find him. Let's go together." Stelle suggested.
"Let's go," Orion agreed.
After asking several staff members, they found themselves in a corner of the space station. The sign indicated it was the [Herta: Universe and Earth Science] department.
"Destroy customs! Destroy academics!"
An old man with white hair was yelling at a young man with gray-purple hair. The young man held a tissue, ignoring the old man's scolding.
Seeing Orion and Stelle approach, the old man snorted and turned away.
Orion whispered to Stelle, "Go and talk to that old gentleman."
Stelle nudged Orion with her elbow. "Why don't you go? Are you scared?"
Orion widened his eyes. "Just go and treat me to dinner later."
Stelle blinked, neither agreeing nor denying.
Orion took a deep breath and approached the old man. "Hello, you must be Mr. Bernard," he said politely, glancing at the old man's ID.
Bernard looked at Orion. Even though he was angry, he communicated with patience.
"Boy, you're here to see my student Rocky, aren't you?"
Orion couldn't deny it. He signaled Stelle to find Rocky.
Stelle smiled and stepped further away.
"I'm new here and want to learn about the various departments. I guess the geography department is important," Orion said.
Bernard sighed. "This space station has the stupidest rule: dividing talents and knowledge into rigid departments."
"The second stupid rule is dividing departments into high and low ranks!"
Orion was surprised. He thought the space station was a place of reason and wisdom. He didn't expect these hidden rules.
Bernard continued, "Many people in other departments look down on basic subjects. Those who are good at talking and doing things are respected, while those who do deep research are ignored."
Orion was deep in thought. Utilitarianism hadn't been eradicated even in the space age.
Bernard sighed. "I'm old and can't make changes. It's up to young people like you to work hard."
"Yes, sir," Orion replied politely.
"If you have time, persuade my silly apprentice," Bernard added. "Romance and beauty are obstacles to scientific research!"
Orion bowed lightly and quickly returned to Stelle's side. Although he respected the old man, he wasn't sure how to handle the situation.
Stelle stood next to Rocky, holding a piece of paper and admiring it.
Orion Astra picked up another one and saw it was a love letter Rocky wrote to someone named "Lily." Rocky asked Stelle what she thought about it.
Here's what Rocky wrote:
---
**Space Station Love Poetry Part 3:**
Besides the giant rings and stars, there's a woman in the Milky Way who makes me question everything. The time for questioning is my whole life.
The answer lies at the edge of a black hole.
Her eyes are like clouds, and the blue is written as my name by loneliness.
**Rocky Martinez**
---
Orion wasn't sure if it was good or bad, but he said, "Not bad."
Stelle agreed, "The writing is quite interesting."
Rocky was thrilled with their responses. "They think I'm not serious, but you two understand! Which version do you like best?"
Orion looked at the other versions. Most were too simple or too gross. He thought the first version was the best.
"But," Rocky said seriously, "it's not just about writing the poem. You need the chance to send it. So, Stelle, please fix the repeater."
Stelle nodded, took Orion's hand, and walked out.
As they walked and talked, Orion learned Rocky's story.
Rocky was an ordinary clerk in the Earth Science Department on the space station. In his hometown, he was once considered a genius, but in the Black Tower, every clerk was a "genius."
He fell in love with Leslie, a star employee in the Secret Volume Division and a rare genius in a century.
Leslie was on a mission to the Star of Fertility. That's who Rocky called "Lily."
Rocky said they talked about everything—stars, the universe, and even small topics that others found boring.
Rocky planned to confess his love to Leslie at a special moment, but communication was suddenly cut off.
The two used a galactic radio wave repeater to talk across tens of thousands of light years—a real "galactic love."
Before Rocky could confess, Leslie excitedly told him about a cosmic wonder called a **starquake**. She described how cosmic flashes and gamma rays would surround the sky due to a star's gravitational collapse.
But just then, Leslie went silent.
Rocky believed the repeater was damaged, so he asked Stelle to fix it.
Orion understood Rocky's feelings but had questions.
"Why doesn't he go himself?" Orion asked.
Stelle shrugged and replied, "His teacher, Bernard, refused the repair request for several reasons, all valid."
---
The space station just got attacked and is recovering, so repairing a repeater isn't a priority. Rocky has neglected his work since losing contact with Leslie, delaying his geology research. So Bernard didn't let him go. The repairs should be done by the engineering department, not Rocky.
---
Orion thought Bernard might be hiding something but said, "Let's check the repeater first."
Stelle agreed, and after some twists and turns, they found the control room where the repeater was.
After gathering the required parts, Orion and Stelle finally saw the information they wanted.
---
**Rocky and Leslie's conversation:**
**Leslie:**
Hello Rocky! The expedition team landed on the inner planet near the Fertile Sector. The atmosphere here is so fresh!
**Leslie:**
This isn't the territory of the Remembrance Aeon Fuli, but it's so close that this planet has high oxygen.
**Leslie:**
This is my first time seeing God's work. I was bored at the space station, but this is amazing.
**Leslie:**
The signal is fading... Sorry if I'm rambling.
**Leslie:**
Even if you stay at the Black Tower, work hard and strive to be like Jose, so you can see the stars soon.
**Rocky:**
Leslie, congrats on arriving safely! What you said is interesting, not rambling! Tell me everything you see; I'll be waiting to hear from you.
---
**Rocky:**
Leslie, Are you still carrying the star drill I gave you?
---
**Leslie:**
Oops, silly Rocky, the star drill is already an antique! Isn't the one from your department kept in the collection cabinet?
**Leslie:**
But since you gave it to me, I'll use it. I think it'll be good for finding rare earth treasures.
---
**Leslie:**
Rocky! Do you know what I'm seeing?!
The main star in the Fertile Starfield collapsed, causing a starquake!
**Leslie:**
Cosmic flashes and gamma rays everywhere. It's a once-in-a-lifetime sight, but my teammate got scared and left early... I wish you were here.
**Leslie:**
So don't be mad, okay?
---
**Rocky:**
I'm not mad... I regret arguing with you. When you said starquake, I was scared something happened to you.
**Rocky:**
But now I see the beauty and danger of earthquakes.
**Rocky:**
Next time, let's see it together. Even if it's dangerous, I'll be by your side.
**Rocky:**
Do you understand?
---
Orion Astra felt touched. This was more exciting than any love story he'd seen.
He couldn't wait to see Leslie's response.
---
**Leslie:**
Silly Rocky, of course I understand. As for my answer...
---
**Record is corrupted**
---
"The record is corrupted here." Stelle said, frustrated.
"Darn!" Orion exclaimed, "I need to know what happens next!"
---
**Galaxy Radio Repeater:**
Unrecognizable, undetectable biological mood swings.
**Galaxy Radio Repeater:**
Warning! You have entered the panoramic surveillance area. Do not act inappropriately towards the repeater.
**Galaxy Radio Repeater:**
~Electric~Wave~has~been~offline~
---
"Let's go to the monitoring room!" Orion said excitedly, dragging Stelle to find clues.
In the monitoring room, they made a surprising discovery.
A familiar figure appeared in the surveillance footage:
**Bernard!**