At the entrance to the Herta Space Station platform, Asta, Arlan, and a host of other key figures from the station stood in waiting. Everyone was impeccably dressed, their gazes frequently darting toward the platform entrance as if anticipating the arrival of a very important person.
Clack, clack, clack, clack...
At the sound of crisp, rhythmic footsteps, Asta and the others immediately stood ramrod straight, their hands clasped in front of them as they respectfully bowed to the figure walking in from the entrance.
"My apologies. I have arrived four minutes and thirteen seconds earlier than the appointed time. I hope this does not inconvenience you, Ms. Asta."
A robot, clad in a formal suit and exuding an air of elegance, stepped out of the shadows and into the light.
Asta gave a slight curtsy, gathering the hem of her skirt with her hands.
"Not at all, Mr. Screwllum. Welcome to Herta Space Station."
"The pronoun 'you' will suffice. Herta Space Station is a nexus of knowledge. Here, we celebrate the equality of thought."
"Of course, Mr. Screwllum."
Asta gestured to the side, extending her hand in a welcoming motion. "Please, Mr. Screwllum. Come and rest for a moment. Madam Herta is currently making preparations and will require a little more time."
"It is of no concern. Haste makes waste."
As Screwllum took a few steps forward, he noticed with some surprise that his guide was not Asta, but another unfamiliar staff member from the station.
It was not a matter of ego, but in all his previous visits, Asta herself had always been his guide. As the lead researcher of the space station, she was well-versed in how to properly host a guest of his stature.
Yet now, Asta and Arlan remained where they were, leading the majority of the station's personnel as if they were waiting to welcome another, even more important guest.
Curiosity piqued about this unknown individual, Screwllum paused his advance and walked back to Asta's side.
This took Asta by surprise, and she couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Screwllum, why don't you go and rest for a bit?"
Screwllum shook his head, his gaze turning to the path from which he had just come, the same direction everyone else was watching.
"It is unnecessary. As I am not a physical being, 'rest' is merely an opportunity for me to focus my calculations on the collaborative project with Madam Herta. However, I now find myself curious about the person for whom you are all waiting. To my knowledge, Madam Herta's invitations for this occasion were extended only to myself, Ruan Mei, and Stephen. Ruan Mei has already arrived ahead of me, and Stephen has never been fond of public appearances. So, who could this person be, to warrant you, the station's lead researcher, personally leading a welcoming party?"
"Well..."
Asta, knowing she couldn't persuade Screwllum otherwise, could only stand by his side anxiously and continue the wait.
The rest of the staff, who had been somewhat relaxed, instantly tensed up upon seeing that even Screwllum had stopped to wait with them for the other, yet-to-arrive guest. They all straightened their postures, afraid that any improper bearing might leave a bad impression.
Arlan was so nervous he kept glancing at the watch on his wrist, confirming that time was, indeed, ticking by second by second.
Screwllum took in the collective unease, raised a hand, and rested his balled fist against his chin in thought.
Half a system hour passed, and the platform entrance remained empty. Some of the people in the crowd were already beginning to sweat.
Even Asta couldn't resist pulling out her phone to check the time. Seeing that they were now eighteen minutes past the scheduled arrival, she spoke in a low voice to Screwllum. "Mr. Screwllum, please excuse me for a moment."
"Of course. Please, go ahead."
Asta took a few small steps to the side, took out her phone, and dialed a number. The call connected after a few moments, and she hurriedly but quietly asked the person on the other end.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, where are you?"
"Huh? I'm already at the space station. Where did you guys go? I can't find any of you."
"You've already arrived?"
Asta paused, then it hit her. Fu Zhu was one of the Nameless, and the Nameless had placed Space Anchors all over the Herta Space Station. To get from the Luofu to the station, besides taking the Astral Express, he could of course just teleport directly using an anchor.
Oh no, I completely forgot about that! And I made Mr. Screwllum wait here with us for half an hour!
At that thought, Asta's face flushed red with embarrassment.
"Hello? Asta, where are you? You didn't all go on a company-wide vacation, did you?"
Fu Zhu's voice came through the phone again, snapping Asta out of her spiraling thoughts. She quickly replied.
"We're still waiting for you at the platform entrance!"
"Got it. I'll be right there."
Fu Zhu hung up immediately.
Just as the call ended, his voice came from behind Asta and the others.
"Hey, Asta, Arlan."
Everyone spun around in unison to see Fu Zhu, one hand in his pocket, the other raised in a wave.
Screwllum also saw Fu Zhu's face at that moment. His mechanical eyes narrowed slightly as his mind instantly pulled up all available data on Fu Zhu.
The information was, however, just a single, brief line.
Fu Zhu, a new member of the Astral Express's Nameless, often mentioned by Herta.
Beyond that, there was no other intelligence on him.
Seeing Fu Zhu appear, Asta immediately walked over, unable to stop herself from complaining just a little.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, you could have at least told me clearly whether you were taking the Astral Express or teleporting! We've been waiting here for half an age!"
"Sorry, sorry, I thought you guys knew."
Screwllum listened to their exchange with some surprise. Judging from their earlier behavior, Asta and her team should have held Fu Zhu in extremely high regard; otherwise, they wouldn't have orchestrated such a grand welcoming party.
But now, Asta's interaction with Fu Zhu wasn't like her interaction with him. It was less about reverence and more like the friendly grumbling between friends.
This "peculiar" relationship made Screwllum all the more curious.
After chatting with Asta, Fu Zhu finally noticed the "odd one out" in the crowd—Screwllum. He subconsciously opened his minimap to check the other party's name and disposition.
[Lord of Planet Screwllum · Member of the Genius Society · Screwllum]
What a big shot!
Fu Zhu also noted that he was a green, friendly unit. Having confirmed this, Fu Zhu proactively walked over and extended his right hand.
"Hello, Screwllum."