Chapter 157: A Special Invitation

But he only turned halfway before looking back at Louis Grant. "Come with me."

Louis Grant glanced back at Stella Sterling. "I’ll come back and chat with you later."

With that, he followed Ethan Young out.

After the two of them had left, Basil Xavier, his face pale, turned to Stella Sterling and explained weakly, "Ethan Young... he was the instructor for Gordon Ford and me during our special training."

’I can’t believe the person in charge of this ship is Ethan Young. This must be a vessel from Meridia Base.’

’It seems I really do have some luck on my side. First, I ran into Stella Sterling, and now Ethan Young.’

’This must be destiny!’

Basil Xavier didn’t explain much, but Stella Sterling understood what he meant.

She raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you have someone to watch over you now. You seem to have a good relationship with Ethan Young. Since I saved your life, having him give me a little reward later shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

’He knows Ethan Young, so it shouldn’t be an issue for Basil Xavier to stay on this ship.’

’That way, when I get off the ship, I won’t have to take him with me.’

’Otherwise, dragging along a wounded man would be incredibly inconvenient, not to mention bad for his recovery.’

A glint appeared in Basil Xavier’s eyes. ’You’ll never hear a single kind word from her, will you? She saved me even when she thought I had no connection to Ethan Young, but now she makes it sound like she only did it for the reward.’

He shook his head with a smile. "It’s fine. Given my relationship with him, you can do whatever you want on this ship."

Stella Sterling arched an eyebrow. ’That sounds an awful lot like what Louis Grant said earlier.’

’Figures. People with connections all speak with the same kind of confidence. It sets them apart, yet makes them all sound the same.’

"I’m not asking for much. Just give me some extra supplies when I get off the ship."

To save Basil Xavier, she had used up quite a bit of her medicine—all of it rare, and she had no idea what it was worth now.

’If Basil Xavier couldn’t make it happen, she would just let it go. For the sake of their brief acquaintance, she’d consider it a freebie.’

’But now that he had these connections, it would be a waste not to use them. She might as well get something out of it for herself.’

’After all, when it came to supplies, she could never have too many.’

"The supplies are no problem, but what are you going to do when you get off the ship? Aren’t you going to Meridia Base?"

Basil Xavier was surprised, having caught the implication in her words.

’She’s on this ship... isn’t she going to join Meridia Base like everyone else?’

’Why does it sound like she’s planning to leave?’

"No. I just hitched a ride. They wouldn’t be comfortable with me staying."

She said calmly, "I was worried your unknown origins would mean they wouldn’t let you stay on the ship. But it looks like that’s not a concern anymore. You can stay here. Someone will take care of you."

Hearing this, Basil Xavier frowned. "The world outside is a mess right now," he said. "If you have nowhere else to go, I recommend you join Meridia Base."

"Most people out there are banding together to survive. Joining a base is without a doubt the best option. It will be very difficult for you on your own. As for any other concerns you might have, I can help you resolve them!"

"Exactly! I think so too. You’re her friend, right? Then you talk some sense into her. I don’t think she’s thinking clearly right now."

Just then, another voice chimed in. Louis Grant walked in, speaking to Basil Xavier but keeping his eyes fixed on Stella Sterling.

"See, Quincy Sterling? It’s not just me who thinks so."

"You went out of your way to save this guy, so he must be your friend. If even your friend is saying this, aren’t you going to change your mind?"

’Quincy Sterling?’

Basil Xavier glanced at Stella Sterling in confusion. Seeing that she didn’t react, he kept quiet. ’It must be a fake name she uses when she’s out and about,’ he figured. ’It’s good that she’s so cautious.’

’Though the name itself was... an interesting choice.’

"I’m not a good fit for Meridia Base."

Despite both of them trying to persuade her, Stella Sterling stuck to her decision.

’She had originally planned on checking out Meridia Base, but she hadn’t expected that earlier incident to draw their attention.’

’In her current situation, if she went to Meridia Base, she’d just be watched. She’d have no freedom to do anything.’

’If that’s the case, there’s no point in going.’

Just then, Ethan Young, who was bringing people in to examine Basil Xavier, overheard Stella Sterling and said, "Miss Sterling, if you’re worried because of what happened earlier, you don’t have to be. If I’d known you were a friend of this kid’s, I wouldn’t have cared about you having a gun. As long as you don’t intentionally cause trouble, we won’t restrict your freedom."

His words were, in effect, a guarantee to Stella Sterling.

At this, Stella Sterling was actually tempted.

But she was more surprised by Basil Xavier’s relationship with Meridia Base.

Ethan Young hadn’t reacted this way when he learned she was Louis Grant’s friend. But as soon as he found out she knew Basil Xavier, his entire attitude shifted.

At this, a disgruntled Louis Grant interjected from the side, "Hey, hey, that’s totally unfair! I told you the same thing before, and you shot me down."

As he spoke, Louis Grant sized up Basil Xavier again. He had already guessed from Ethan Young’s attitude that this man was no ordinary person.

But his buddy’s attitude still managed to surprise him.

"Stop being difficult,"

Ethan Young shot him a look. The usually stern man’s gaze softened considerably as he looked at Stella Sterling. "Miss Sterling, thank you for saving Xavier’s life. On behalf of Meridia Base, I would like to extend a special invitation for you to join us."

At these words, the expression on everyone’s face changed—everyone except for Basil Xavier.

The words "special invitation" immediately marked this as something different. At the very least, her treatment would not be the same as that of the other people who joined Meridia Base.

Louis Grant was once again floored by the man’s identity.

A moment ago, he had asked Ethan Young about the man’s identity, but Ethan had refused to say much, only telling him not to ask questions.

But now, this was further proof that the man’s identity was extraordinary. Ethan Young was paying him far too much deference.

’And how on earth did that woman, Quincy Sterling, know someone like him?’

Right then, Basil Xavier was being examined by the people Ethan Young had brought in. Hearing the offer, he frantically motioned with his eyes for Stella Sterling to accept. An opportunity like this was rare.

Stella Sterling saw Basil Xavier blinking frantically and found it a little amusing. She did, however, give it a moment’s thought before replying to Ethan Young, "Captain Young, I’ll think about it."

Ethan Young was surprised, not having expected such a reply.

He hadn’t paid her much mind before, but at that moment, he finally gave her a proper look, truly seeing her for the first time.