The Thread says goodbye to everyone on Hoshinara. Mailen also assigns the work to all leaders of Threadia.
Star leads them to the Thread. "Goodbye, Weavers. I'll see you soon~"
Sheni also gave the Thread a parting gift. A custom vinyl with a special song, made just for the Thread.
"Next destination: Astoria. Distance from current location: 1,034.93 light years. Please stand by for wormhole warp.", spews out the console.
Everyone gets to work on the Thread. Zarya fills her room with Sheni items, being in a 'fangirl' phase.
"During the wormhole preparation, the Thread recommends you finish a total of 30 tasks you've set on your journey.", spews out the console.
Rain gets to work and starts the first task: 'Prepare rooms for Futurum, Fae, Jala'.
The hallway has 10 rooms. The left side is already fully occupied. Rain, Zarya, Mailen, Aeternum and Xita. Rain opens the rooms on the right side and starts to clean them.
"This dust is genuinely killing me, oh my."
Suddenly, Rain hears a loud noise.
"Get over here! Kill him!". The noise is coming to Zarya's room and sounds exactly like Zarya.
Rain rushes to enter the room and sees Zarya playing videogames.
"Yes! Geez, you really suck at this game.", shouts Zarya into the monitor.
Zarya notices Rain from the edge of her eye and mutes. "Oh my, wait, was I loud? I'm so sorry, this one guy is ragebaiting me in the game.", apologizes Zarya.
Rain nods that it's okay and leaves to resume cleaning the room for Futurum and Fae.
Just then, Fae walks nearby and notices Rain.
"Auntie Rain, you don't have to clean the room. Mommy and I will be with Dad!", exclaims Fae.
Rain gives Fae a pat on her head. "What if I transform it into a playground room for you and maybe some other children that will get here?"
"Yay! Thank you, Auntie Rain! I love you!", exclaims Fae and hops into Aeternum's room.
Rain smiles and keeps renovating the room with the help of Xita, who is working on Jala's room.
Mailen is in his room studying some fight techniques, and Jala is on the console of the Thread.
"Luvin. I sense your presence when I'm here. It's like you never died. It's like your death happened because of another reason. I doubt you died from a radiation error while creating the Core.", mumbles Jala.
"What happened?"
The Thread console beeps and reveals an app named 'Help'. It's mostly corrupt, but some text can be read.
"█████phone call██████Shawn███UHC████Scientists███found out████"
Jala seems confused. "Shawn. There's many Shawns you've known, Luvin."
She thinks for a second and concludes. "Do you mean him? What about Rain? She should have to find out about him, too. I did tell her the name, but not who he is."
The program closes. No reply.
"Ugh, Luvin. You've always been so mysterious. That's what I adored about you. When you visited Earth for the first time. I fell in love on first sight."
Jala leaves the control room and goes to the left hallway, seeing Rain renovate the playroom for Fae, and Xita working on Jala's room.
"You guys don't really have to do much for my room, thank you.", says Jala.
"It's just an hour's worth of things, no worries.", says Rain.
Jala goes her own way into the kitchen, where everything is automatically prepared with the help of the self-sustaining garden.
Aeternum leaves his room and checks the cosmic news.
"Welcome to the Cosmic Broadcast. We are about to show you the latest news in the cosmos. Let's start off with the recent Scientists' waging of war between them and the Astral Thread. Ever since the Andromeda War, the Solar Scientists have tried to uphold the power in the Milky Way galaxy."
"The Universal Holder Corporation is trying their best to keep them away from the public and are hiding them on the Solar System. Due to the now ongoing war, nearby star systems such as Alpha Centauri and Sirius are urged to evacuate."
"The Proxima University has been closed, and its students have moved to the Astral University in the Galactic Center."
"The first shots have been fired by the Scientists on the Kuiper Belt. Luckily, no casualties have been recorded."
"In other news, the two-thousand anniversary of the Intelligence Network is starting in a few days. The 2000th EXPO will host many Intelligence Network members, such as #1,092 Lumi Krei, the creator of the 'Maritan Equation', which proved the existence of simulated life, and #1 Samuel Koper."
"Interesting news", thinks Aeternum. "The Milky Way has not been covering any news outside the galaxy since Mayik's integration into the cosmos 15 years ago… Something is genuinely wrong."
He takes a look into the data bank and sees an article from the Sombrero Galaxy that states: "An innovative approach in the cosmos! Humans have re-created a planet that was slumbering forever and found out that it hosts life! A rogue planet that they named 'Mayik'! This comes as the final act of the Galactic Leader of the Milky Way, Mr. Shurpnam, transferring their full power to the Universal Holder Corporation, a Milky Way organization that has led the galaxy for multiple millennia, ever since the 1,000th year of the First Era!"
"The UHC… getting full control 15 years ago. Checks out, that's when the 'incorporation' of the Galactic Center started. Are they hiding the info from the Universe? Why? They're just doing the same thing the Scientists are doing, no? Just at a larger scale."
The Universal Holder Corporation is being flamed by Aeternum for holding info outside the galaxy.
"But wait. We can leave the galaxy and even contact other galaxies. What's the point in hiding news? Is it possible something bigger is happening?", thinks Aeternum.
Finally, after some time, the wormhole is created and the Thread is transported to Astoria.
The crew leaves the Thread into a landing pod, while Jala stays behind to re-learn the Thread. Suddenly, as soon as they land, officials arrive at their location.
"Mailen Kurpun. Kei wa lonarita di Astorin Streniya korimashinka. (Mailen Kurpun. You are being questioned by the Astorian Police.)", says an official.
Mailen responds in Astorian: "Aio wa lonanda? Cura? (I'm being questioned? Why?)"
"Kephar-la silansia. (The Kepharian situation.)", says the official. Mailen just nods and goes with them.
"Give me a sec. I forgot to report back to Astoria about the UHC's plan about Kephar. If you remember.", says Mailen to Rain.
"Of course I do. Neutral entity.", says Rain.
"There's a bit more which I'll explain in a second as soon as I'm back. See you in the Theatrical City.", says Mailen before leaving with the officers.
Rain and the rest of the crew are stuck with some signs in the Astorian language. It may use the Universal script, but the writings are different. Thankfully, the advertisements on the wall about the EXPO are in Universal as well as Astorian.
"Theatrical City. Let me pull up the navigation system for Astoria.", says Futurum.
"So, there's a train that will take us there. It goes as fast as 1,000km/h, and can reach the Theatrical City in 3 hours. Let's go.", adds Futurum, booking a ticket on the railway website.
"Having an interplanetary mobile network seems fun, huh..", says Rain, remembering she does have to pay extra for internet. "Futurum, could you please show me how to get something like that later?"
"Sure, I'll find a plan for you in the train. Does anyone else need one, too?", says Futurum. Zarya and Aeternum decline. They have their own plans on their own carriers.
They arrive at platform 42-C of the Astorian Central Train Station. They see a mysterious woman staring at them and on her phone. She appears to be a little older.
"Why does she look a bit familiar?", asks Zarya, having a small glance at her again.
"I have no idea.", says Rain.
She enters a train that leads to Malyxia, a country in Western Astoria, the opposite way of the Theatrical City.
The train arrives, and they enter it. There are 12 stations in between. The crew takes a room of themselves and decide to reside there for the next 3 hours.
"'Kay. When we arrive in the Theatrical City, we'll wait for Mailen. He sent me a message that we should set a waypoint for him to teleport there. He is being sent to a country named Malyxia, somewhere in the west.", says Rain. "He's going to meet his family and also talk to an official that sent him to Kephar there."
The screen on the wall plays several advertisements a minute. One of them catches Zarya's eyes: "The Thread! Cosmic superstars! Must watch!"
Apparently, the advertisement is about a documentary of the Astral Thread's saving of Almatia. That event has gotten lots of major media attention across the Milky Way, and the Universal Entertainment Industry, a part of the UHC.
The UHC department responsible for Almatia has been trying to get as much profit from this event as possible.
"I just noticed. Have we received any royalties from the event that the people are covering? These directors in Astoria are using our names because we saved Almatia months ago.", says Zarya.
"Well, it's free coverage", says Rain. "Even though the people waited for the Thread for millennia, it's free promotion for the common people from outside planets."
"Makes sense. Well, I'd still like to get some money off of this…", complains Zarya.
"So, you can buy more Sheni merch?", says Rain.
"Well, yes.", says Zarya.
She looks at the advertisement again and notices who directed the movie. "Wait a second. 'Mikey' is the director? Like, the Etrinan filmmaker? The guy who makes like insanely good movies?"
"Rain, Futurum, and everyone else, we got to check out the movie once. 'Mikey' is Etrin's best filmmaker, and one of my favorites. Trust me, if he is the one covering the movie and the event, I'd want to be there myself. Who knows, maybe we get something for being the ones covered!", says Zarya.
"Maybe. Let's just relax on the train for a bit.", says Rain. Futurum is already lying on one of the beds. Xita is in energy saving mode. And Aeternum is reading.
Meanwhile, on the way to Malyxia
"So. Mr. Kurpun. What was the situation in Pequina and Leinata?", says an officer.
"Well, Leinata's president was long dead, and a spokesperson was cursed by some local god. We got rid of them with the help of Sanydra and the UHC, and the lead of the Thread. Apparently, that's what Mr. Kael – the leader of Sanydra – wanted.", says Mailen.
"I see. Your decision to join the Thread was taken lightly in Astoria, and the UHC department for Astoria. We strongly believe that the allyship between the Thread and the UHC can get stronger because of you. You were our only neutral entity.", says the officer.
"Well, I always go for what is right. And that is ending all wars and all problems for everyone. Especially because even you, the UHC guys, know that the Scientists kept the Thread from the cosmos for millennia.", says Mailen.
"Yeah. Thanks to Mr. Usen, everything went smoothly.", says the officer.
"The UHC should not intervene in the Thread's business. I think that's all I have. I'll say the same to them as well.", says Mailen.
"Alright. We are just recapping everything. Don't want you changing your words.", says the officer.
"As if I have anything to hide."
"You do. Your love for the crew. We've monitored your activities from Almatia and Hoshinara. Even your leadership of Shingetsu, or as you now call it – Threadia.", says the officer.
"Now you're spying on us… I'll keep that noted.", says Mailen confidently.
"More like, learning more about the Thread.", says the officer. "As allies, of course."
"Well, we'll see what The Leader has to say if we ever visit the Galactic Center."
"Mrs. Voss banned you from the Center after you dealt with her in Almatia. She does want all of you.", says the officer.
"Well, we'll do anything to be independent. I do not want UHC's a**es all over us.", says Mailen.
A few hours later, the crew arrives at the Theatrical City, where the first part of the EXPO is going to happen in 6 days.
"Current day: Month of Leaves, Day 12, 2175 Second Era.", shows up on the screen.
"Only six days until the EXPO. Well, let's settle down here. There's three parts to this EXPO. The first part is here, the second part is in Colania, 2 weeks from now, and the third and final part in Malyxia, 1 month from now.", says Aeternum.
"We can't forget to place the waypoint for Mailen to arrive here.", says Rain, getting to work to place one in "Theatrical Square, Theatrical City".
"These guys have very creative names, huh.", adds Rain.
After a while, Mailen appears and goes towards the crew's room that they booked right after they created the waypoint.
"Hey guys, I'm back.", says Mailen.
"Hey, Mailen!! How was it? What happened?", asks Rain with a worried expression.
"Well, remember when in Kephar I told you I was sent by the UHC? They just needed some answers. I just said what we did and that the war is resolved."
"Couldn't they just…read the news?", asks Rain. "It was covered like several times."
"No idea. Maybe they're stupid.", says Mailen.
"Not a maybe. They are.", says Zarya. "ч****вы идиоты(f***ing idiots)"
Mailen chuckles. "They're still our allies, after all."
Finally, Zarya leaves to check out the city and have her own mini-adventure. The Vennurs decide to get Fae some Astorian items. Fae has only ever been in Proxima and Hoshinara, and is finally starting to experience the cosmos for the first time.
"I just noticed, Kira, did you not take anything from Hoshinara?", says Aeternum.
"I went to Seishun City before you guys came, and I took everything necessary. I do need to buy new things though.", says Futurum.
"Fair enough. Well, let's get things done here in Astoria. The planet is really cheap, and considering everything, we'll need supplies for when we're in the Thread.", says Aeternum.
Xita, Rain and Mailen are alone in the living room in the hotel they're in. They're playing games together, and are defeating a boss. "Just don't die.", says Rain.
Xita is just watching them play and is doing its own hobby: studying recipes.
In the city, Zarya sees a nerdy person walk around, seemingly scared. The person notices Zarya's glance and walks up to her.
"Excuse me, miss. Do you speak Universal?", asks the person, feeling very nervous, shaking, and looking around all the time.
"Uhh, yeah, I do. What's up?", says Zarya.
"My name is Lambda Oni, and I just have a question. Is there any 'private' hotels?", asks the person.
Zarya thinks and says "No, sorry. I am not native to Astoria. But, I can help and look for it on the maps."
"That would be of great help, thanks.", says Lambda.
After a few minutes of searching, Zarya finds one hotel in the Theatrical City.
"It's on Shaken Street, Number 24. From here, take a right and then a left. It's a brown skyscraper with no windows.", says Zarya
"Thank you so much! You're of great help!", says Lambda, bowing down to Zarya and leaving in a rush.
Zarya takes a glance at Lambda as she runs away. She notices a red beeping light on her back. It looks like a recording device.
"чудачка.. (weirdo..)", thinks Zarya in her head.