CH 17.2

“Your people are not capable of giving me what I want.”

Not surprising——They were expecting this as soon as they failed to dig up anything from Jiang Yiyi’s file.

A admits as such, “but we still want to express our gratitude.”

“And?” Jiang Yiyi looks up in the darkness, and asks nonchalantly.

“And…” A gulps, and finally, asks the real question here, “can Ning Sha be cured?”

Jiang Yiyi smiles a little——Tit for tat. For Starfleet, it is a good thing that Lunatic ends up avoiding the third floor, but it is definitely insufficient for them to send someone to Jiang Yiyi directly.

Therefore, they must be sending them with a further request.

However, Jiang Yiyi does not have the slightest interest in helping.

“You do not have the means to pay the price.”

A, after some contemplation, changes his tactic, “Lunatic, or… Ning Sha, was the most excellent soldier. He has saved countless lives. No matter what happened, he should not have been transformed into who he is now; his glory has been trampled underfoot, and he can only spend his days in this sordid state…”

Jiang Yiyi cuts him off, impatient, “we have nothing further to discuss.”

The negotiation has failed without question, just as he was expecting before he came in.

Before leaving, however, A’s curiosity gets the better of him, “there is something I would like to know about.”

“Why did Doctor go against Lone Wolf in the end?”

“Because… I am a good person?” When Jiang Yiyi says that, he realises he can no longer be as certain as he used to be.

“Then, why not continue to be a good person? With this, Doctor will gain favour with Starfleet. This will be beneficial for what you would like to pursue next.” A waits for an answer patiently, “there is nothing to lose and much to gain, is it not?”

Jiang Yiyi loses his interest in continuing to discuss further, and his tone shows it, “I do not like having decisions made for me.”

What a difficult recipient to please indeed.

A mumbles in his mind. He is still thinking of something to say, when there is a sound coming from the darkness. Like metallic objects colliding.

A’s eyes subconsciously move towards the door to the confinement cell.

The door is barely lit by the lights from the corridor at all.

A crisp sound continues to play.

A stares without a word.

There is only a series of clear notes, forming some sort of song without a melody. It spreads noisily throughout the space.

“Beep——”

“Meng Jian, time out. Come back immediately.”

There is no response.

“Meng Jian. Come in if you can hear.”

The crisp metallic sounds suddenly stop.

A blinks, and his eyelids shut. The light from the corridor enters his eyes once more; the darkness fades. He gasps, and realises he is holding something. His heartbeat is elevated.

He looks.

He has the door handle to the confinement cell in his hand.

A looks up slowly, staring at the door right up in his face, and realises what has happened. He lets go, and takes quite a few steps back.

“Meng Jian, what happened? Can you hear me?” The other end of the radio sounds desperate.

“He sounds like he’s in a hurry.” Jiang Yiyi says, breaking the silence.

A pushes his radio. There is no connection. He pushes again. Nothing. He then notices, he has no strength in his hands right now.

“Meng Jian…”

“I am fine…” A is quickly hurrying outside; his words stall a little in the beginning, but it quickly returns normal, “I’m coming back out right now.”

“What happened? Did it fall through?”

A does not answer. He walks quicker and quicker, to stay away from the endless darkness.

Finally, he returns to the light. There are no more shadows. He finally gives his answer to the radio.

“Do not attempt further communication with Doctor.”

“What happened just now?”

“He’s an Extraordinary.”

“What——Are you sure?”

A is standing in the sunlight. He offers a stern warning, “do not get involved with the Doctor any longer.”

“We have to report this…”

A raises his voice, “Doctor is already in Stargaol.”

There is a few seconds of silence from the radio, “but the third floor is…”

“I repeat, do not get involved with the Doctor.” A is clutching his chest. His heartbeat is still ludicrous. Rather than a lingering fear, it feels more like… He cannot stop it.

“Unless you want to take the fall this time.”

Jiang Yiyi picks up the blade from the ground, and looks at the door to the confinement cell. The heavy door is now marred by barely noticeable dents.

His fingers twitch. He spins his blade as usual, and chuckles.

On the screen in front of him, there is a notification for once.

The level of his skill Psychology has increased from Elite to Masterful.