Dan Heng took the lead as we made our way toward the Defense Section of the space station, where Aslan was last reported to be. Along the way, we encountered several scattered researchers and staff, some injured, others simply terrified. Together, we helped them back to their feet treating wounds, offering reassurance, and guiding them toward safety before pressing on deeper into the chaotic corridors.
"We've cleared most of the enemies on our way here. It's best if you immediately retreat to the Master Control Zone," Dan Heng explained to a group of researchers we'd come across in one of the corridors. The tension that had gripped them began to fade, replaced by visible relief as they realized they were finally safe.
We continued forward, the metallic halls echoing with distant alarms and the faint hum of damaged machinery, until we ran into another group of staff.
"Your injuries aren't too serious," I said, kneeling beside one of the researchers and quickly examining their leg. "But walking will be difficult for now. It's safer to stay put until things settle down. We've already cleared this area, so there shouldn't be any more enemies nearby."
They nodded, relief washing over their faces as they slumped against the wall to catch their breath.
And then, just a few turns later and moments later, we came across yet another group, this one visibly panicked, their eyes darting toward every sound.
"Don't worry!" March said brightly, stepping forward with her usual energy. "We're from the Astral Express! Asta sent us to help the trapped staff!"
Her cheerful tone managed to pierce through the fear that hung in the air. The scientists looked at each other, visibly relaxing as hope finally reached them.
Having encountered many injured and trap staff of the Herta Space Station, my frustration only grew more as the inability to help Little March and Dan Heng in their fight against the Antimatter Legion.
Yet, despite everything I remain silent doing everything I can to help. In my ever-growing frustration I kept feeling something inside me, it was a sense of familiarity and an energy inside my body boiling.
Elena pushed her thoughts aside for now and focused on helping the people right in front of her, she can worry about everything else later when she has the time.
Meanwhile in Earth.
A different streamer who goes by the name "Mona" was streaming Honkai: Star Rail, her love for Astrology and lore led her to the game. She had been waiting and now that it is out, she wasn't going to miss out, especially with how much hype it had been getting in the gacha and gaming communities.
With the game now finally out, she had turned on her stream and was now currently playing Honkai: Star Rail for her viewers.
"Wah! she's so mature!"
["MOMMY KAFKA!!"]
["Kafka is much more mature than the streamer, lol"]
[*** User has been banned for 30 Minutes]
"Hey, why are you attacking me?!"
"I just read the stars, and the stars say you're banned buddy!"
["Ooohhh Kafka!"]
["Kafka's model is just so mmmm!"]
["The chatters are crazy, lusting over their own mom, lol!"]
["MOM IS HERE!!"]
The viewers and the streamer were watching the intro sequence of the game, where Kafka dances and plays with an imaginary violin just before the Astral Express and Elena arrived at the space station.
Had Elena checked her system, she would have realized the game had already started the moment she had met with Asta and left to find Aslan and Rescue operation for other staffs.
On the stream they were now on the part where an elevator exploded as Dan Heng, March and an unseen third person not fully in view of the CGI cinematic of the starting scene.
Kafka chuckles as she felt the explosion. "Seems like I came at a bad time."
"No, no. I think you couldn't have timed it better." a voice rang out as a screen appeared in the air.
and the game finally started, the streamer Mona playing through the tutorial and the viewers lusting over Kafka and Silver Wolf.
Back with Dan Heng, March and Elena.
Due to the explosion, they had to go towards a different location or rather they had to detour, still it wasn't an issue. The issue was how the surge of Antimatter Legion was concerning; they were encountering more and more of them.
"We'll go through the Storage Zone for now and get to the Defense Section." Dan Heng said to the group the plan he had come up with thanks to the detour.
"Okay, no problem!" March 7th responded energetically and I gave Dan Heng a nod as I said.
"That's a wise choice Dan Heng, we need to conserve our strength as much as we can in case of emergency."
Seeing how there was no protest, we moved towards the Storage Zone of the Space Station. Helping the trapped and Injured staff, taking out the Antimatter Legion in the vicinity as much as we could, and kept an eye out for Aslan as we moved deeper in the Storage Zone.
Moving deeper into the Storage Zone, I had a sudden thought.
How did they encounter the main character in the Stellaron Area?
But, with how we were checking each room and cabins in the area, I didn't need to worry about it much, we were bound to encounter them at some point.
On Kafka's side.
Due to how the vast majority of the players were choosing Stelle as their Main Character, it resulted in Kafka picking Stelle and installing the Stellaron inside her, pushing it into her chest.
"How much does she remember?" Kafka
"...They'll remember you" Silver Wolf
"Time to get up" Kafka