"Human blood bioanalysis, blood pressure measurement..."
Ruan Mei moved with astonishing speed, performing a full-body examination on Firefly, who lay inside the biological medical chamber.
There were hundreds of examination items—nothing was overlooked.
About half a system hour later, the results came out.
Firefly. Glamoth bioengineered human genes. Originating from the now-vanished Republic of Glamoth.
Her physical condition was extremely poor. Her entire body was in a state of disintegration. Whether it was her five senses or her internal organs, all of them were in the process of breaking down.
Without external intervention, she would not last even a single stellar year.
"The fact that you've survived until now is a miracle. According to this report, you should have disappeared alongside the Republic of Glamoth. And yet, you didn't." After finishing the report, Ruan Mei looked at Firefly seriously. "A certain biological mutation related to the Path of Propagation occurred within you."
"Yes. After the death of the Empress, I fought alongside my former comrades for some time. That battle was brutal. Everyone except me died beneath the claws of the swarm... and at that very moment, I developed an unparalleled will to survive."
"That fierce, blazing desire to live sustained me as I ignited myself and completed a desperate transformation. That's how I survived."
Ruan Mei's expression did not change. She analyzed calmly, "Based on my research, the essence of the Path of Propagation is to allow genes to continue existing more effectively... I believe that your desperate transformation and survival in the past were possible because your actions perfectly aligned with the Path of Propagation. This is a research subject worthy of further study."
Ahem.
Herman cleared his throat. "Ruan Mei, now isn't the best time for research. We should be discussing whether Firefly's Entropy Loss Syndrome can be cured."
"Mm." Ruan Mei nodded slowly and glanced again at the report in her hand. "Completely resolving Entropy Loss Syndrome is difficult, because it concerns the fundamental nature of the Path of Propagation. Once separated from the swarm, a member inevitably dies..."
"However, if we temporarily suppress the disintegration—allowing you to stand on this land in your own flesh without relying on armor, to live once more as a girl—I do have some ideas."
Firefly felt her heart sink at the first half of Ruan Mei's words. But the latter half reignited hope within her. "You can really cure me?"
Ruan Mei added seriously, "Not cure. Only temporarily render the Entropy Loss Syndrome ineffective."
Firefly asked urgently, "Then what should I do?"
Ruan Mei replied, "You are a lifeform of the Path of Propagation that has left its swarm. In that case... simply give you a swarm again. Just as you saw earlier, I can create the Starcrusher Swarm King. Naturally, I can also create an Swarm Queen."
Firefly's face filled with resistance. "A swarm? But the swarm is the mortal enemy of the Glamoth Iron Cavalry. I will never integrate into a group of insects."
"That's right." Herman nodded as well. "Making a beautiful girl merge into a swarm of bugs is far too cruel."
Ruan Mei sighed softly. "What I just described is the most effective method. Once integrated into a swarm, the Entropy Loss Syndrome would be resolved."
Herman could not help but say, "But when you created the True Chrysalis Swarm Planet before, you mentioned that if I had arrived even a little later, the swarm there would have over-propagated."
"Correct. That is why my proposal for Firefly is to periodically join a swarm. When the swarm propagates to a certain extent, it will be destroyed. After destruction, a new swarm will be created."
"That's not appropriate." Herman shook his head slightly. "My dear Ruan Mei, is there any other treatment method?"
"Yes." Ruan Mei inclined her head slightly. "The other method is simple as well. Reproduce the bioengineering technology of the Republic of Glamoth. Create more bioengineered humans like Firefly—perhaps even recreate the so-called Empress. If Firefly joins that group, the Entropy Loss Syndrome would likewise be temporarily suppressed."
Herman pondered. "Then should we travel to the Republic of Glamoth to search for the remnants of its bioengineering technology?"
"That won't be necessary. I already possess mature bioengineering technology. The only issue is that I cannot manufacture a long-term, stable humanoid Swarm Queen. The Queen is a high-tier lifeform of the swarm. Creating such a being is similar to creating the Starcrusher Swarm King—the duration of stability is limited."
After saying this, Ruan Mei looked at Firefly seriously. "However, in my view, you possess the potential to become an Swarm Queen."
"Me... an Swarm Queen?"
Firefly froze.
"Yes. Your will to survive is incomparably firm and highly compatible with the Path of Propagation. All you require now is a minor biological modification surgery. Implant a pair of Butterfly Swarm Queen wings, and you can break from your cocoon and emerge as a humanoid Swarm Queen."
Ruan Mei paused before continuing, "I can perform this surgery, and I am confident in its success. The only question is whether you are willing to undergo it."
Firefly's heart remained resistant. The reason was simple. The swarm had been the mortal enemy of the Glamoth Iron Cavalry. Her entire life had been spent killing insects. She had no desire to coexist with any part of an insect's body.
Herman also noticed the reluctance on her face and spoke up. "Perhaps there's no need for physical implantation. Instead, implant it within the Dark Plane... in the form of a super gene."
Ruan Mei revealed a trace of confusion.
"The Dark Plane is an extradimensional space. You and I could collaborate to create an Swarm Queen super-gene transformation system and implant it into Firefly."
"Explain in detail."
"All right. Like this..."
Herman proceeded to explain the nature of the Dark Plane and super genes to Ruan Mei.
The more she listened, the brighter her eyes became. In the end, Ruan Mei nodded. "It is feasible. There is a possibility of success."
After finishing their discussion, the two of them turned their gazes toward Firefly inside the biological medical chamber.
"If the Swarm Queen wings are not implanted into your body but instead installed inside your transformation device—only manifesting after transformation—would you accept that?"
"A transformation device?"
Firefly hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
After all, she had already rejected two of Ruan Mei's treatment proposals. If she rejected another... she might truly incur Ruan Mei's displeasure and lose any chance of treatment altogether.
Besides, if it was not implanted into her flesh but instead modified within a transformation device, she could at least somewhat accept it.
"Very well. The Glamoth Insect... Queen modification experiment will now begin."
Ruan Mei spoke seriously to Firefly. "Next, I will administer anesthesia. After you sleep... the surgery will be complete. At that time, you will become a Queen, and I will also create your subjects for you."
Firefly listened. Soon, drowsiness overtook her. She closed her eyes and quickly fell into deep sleep.
Thus, Ruan Mei handed the biological genetic data of the Swarm Queen's wings to Herman. After obtaining the data, Herman did not hesitate in the slightest. He directly summoned Herta from the Simulated Laboratory to assist.
"Converting a segment of the Propagation Swarm Queen's genes into a super gene and implanting it into Firefly's transformation device? That's quite a creative idea—and it has a high probability of success."
After speaking, Herta wasted no time. She immediately mobilized the vast majority of the Super Herta Astral Computer's processing power, converting the swarm's biological genes into super genes...
With the overwhelming computational capabilities of the Super Herta Astral Computer 2.0, combined with her more than two thousand research points, the conversion was completed with astonishing speed.
She then handed the Super Swarm Queen gene to Herman. "The gene conversion is complete. As for the next stage of surgery, you and Ruan—"
Halfway through her sentence, Herta suddenly realized something.
"No. You can't participate in the next stage. No matter what, Firefly is a girl—and a very beautiful one. And you're a man."
Herman did not grow angry. A faint smile curved at the corner of his lips. "Herta, so you no longer treat me as an object, but as a man now?"
"Shut up. In any case, leave the surgery to Ruan Mei."
After saying this inwardly, Herta opened her eyes and handed the fully converted super genome data to Ruan Mei.
Ruan Mei glanced at it and could not help but exclaim in admiration, "Exquisite craftsmanship. If this super gene were implanted into anyone, that person would obtain the power of the Swarm Queen."
"Naturally. I am Herta." Herta placed her hands on her hips, pride written all over her face.
"Very well. Then we shall officially begin activating Firefly's transformation device, implant the super gene, and finally perform a special Dark Plane procedure on both Firefly and the device—allowing her to summon the transformation device from within her body."
Ruan Mei continued calmly, "That way, the device will never be lost."
"As long as it isn't lost, Firefly will always be the Queen."
"Good. I'll leave everything to you next. I trust you, Ruan Mei. You'll complete the surgery successfully."
"Leave it... to me?" Ruan Mei blinked and stared at the pointed-hat Herta before her. "You're not participating?"
"I have other matters to attend to," Herta replied.
Ruan Mei's brows furrowed slightly. "You said you don't dislike cruel biological experiments. Herta, you must participate in this one."
Herta opened her mouth. She wanted to say that she simply did not want Herman to see another woman's body—but in the end, she swallowed the words.
Looking up at Ruan Mei's knitted brows, she finally relented. "Fine. I'll assist you."
...
The biological modification of the Propagation Queen transformation device went extremely smoothly. One system hour later, the modification was complete.
At this moment, Firefly's transformation device was no longer emerald green. It had become a blend of red and green—symbolizing both danger and life.
At the same time, on Firefly's body—more precisely, around her waist—Ruan Mei and Herta installed a belt-shaped Dark Plane sensing device.
With this device, Firefly could instantly retrieve the Queen transformation device from the Dark Plane and insert it into the belt to complete her transformation—Queen SAM fusion.
As for Herman, he finally witnessed just how fair, how soft, and how slender Firefly's waist truly was.
'Firefly's figure really is incredible,' he thought inwardly.
"Is my figure not good enough?" Herta snorted coldly after capturing Herman's inner thoughts.
Herman immediately coaxed her. "Good, good, of course it is... the best in the world, in fact."
"That's more like it."
Midway through her thought, Herta suddenly realized something. "Wait... Herman, you're just my pet. Why do I care about your evaluation?"
"Tsundere Herta."
"Shut up."
While Herman and Herta bantered mentally, the anesthesia effect on Firefly wore off. She slowly opened her eyes and immediately felt a peculiar butterfly-shaped pattern around her waist.
She touched her slender waist in confusion and looked up at Herta and Ruan Mei. "What is this?"
"A Dark Plane sensing device. With it, a single thought is all you need to retrieve the transformation device," Ruan Mei explained.
After a brief pause, she added, "Also, inside Ruanruan, I have created a group of bioengineered beings. Once you retrieve the transformation device and become the Queen, you may claim them as your subordinates."
"All right. I'll try."
Firefly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Raising her hand, she focused her thoughts.
Come!
In an instant, a red-and-green butterfly spread its wings and flew into her hand. Naturally, she assumed a particular pose before inserting the transformation device into her waist.
Brilliant light erupted inside the biological medical chamber. Moments later, SAM appeared.
But this time, upon completing the transformation, SAM immediately entered a full combustion state. The color scheme was no longer white and green.
Instead, it was a dark crimson armor. The radiant wings behind it were no longer jade green, but black and red. When they spread outward, they resembled a Queen's cloak—majestic and imposing.
At the same time, Firefly sensed that the machine's capabilities had increased severalfold. She had also gained the authority to command her subordinates.
Furthermore, the machine's instincts informed her that within this very ship existed a group she could control.
Presumably, they were the bioengineered beings Ruan Mei had created.
With that thought, Firefly immediately released the Queen's authority and seized control of the sensed presences.
Then she discovered that her new subordinates were not bioengineered humans at all—but a group of small cat cakes?!
As Firefly's expression turned strange, she heard their voices.
"Miss Ruan Mei was telling the truth! Our Queen has been born!"
"Fire the cannons in celebration of Queen Firefly's birth!"
"For Her Majesty the Queen!"
"Meow meow meow meow..."
Listening to their excited cries, Firefly felt even more conflicted. Soon, she heard Ruan Mei's voice.
"How do you find the Cat Cake swarm I prepared for you?"
"I like them very much. Thank you, Miss Ruan Mei."
"No need for courtesy. You may now release—"
Ruan Mei corrected herself smoothly. "You may now cancel your transformation and step out of the biological medical chamber in your human form. If nothing unexpected occurs, you should be able to walk freely outside."
Firefly quickly ended her transformation and cautiously stepped out of the chamber.
She discovered that she truly could move freely outside—and the sensation of her body continuously disintegrating from Entropy Loss Syndrome had vanished.
She was free.
No longer did she need to lie within a medical chamber at all times, nor constantly maintain the SAM state.
At that moment, Firefly was overwhelmed with emotion.
Then her legs suddenly weakened, and she nearly fell.
Herman reacted swiftly and supported her. "You've just regained the ability to walk freely in your own body. It's simply that your body hasn't adapted after being inactive for so long. Take it slowly."
"Thank you, Miss Herta."
"No need."
Herman waved it off lightly.
At that moment, Ruan Mei's voice sounded again.
"One more thing. Your Entropy Loss Syndrome—more precisely, the inherent flaw of the Path of Propagation—has not been truly cured or repaired."
"I merely created a Cat Cake swarm for you. If this swarm disappears, your Entropy Loss Syndrome will still flare up. In other words, you now possess a weakness."
Leaning lightly against Herman's shoulder, Firefly wore a faint smile. "It's all right. I believe Elio will take good care of my Cat Cake subordinates."
At that moment, Herman added, "Also, the true Queen is not you—but your transformation device. So you must not lose it. If the device is lost, your Entropy Loss Syndrome will rapidly resurface."
Firefly's voice was firm. "I understand. I have always carried the transformation device carefully with me in the past... and now that Miss Herta has placed it into the Dark Plane, I will protect it even more diligently."
"Good. In that case, let's go outside and let your companions see your current condition."
"Mm. Miss Herta, please support me a bit longer. I'm still somewhat unsteady."
"All right. Leave it to me."
Herman lifted one of Firefly's arms over his shoulder and supported her weakened body as they exited Ruanruan.
Along the way, Herman could clearly feel Firefly's softness.
Unfortunately, he was currently in Herta's body—there was simply no way for him to become excited.
At that moment, the group stepped out of Ruanruan and appeared before the Stellaron Hunters, causing their eyes to widen in shock.