After learning that Topaz was the special envoy from the Corporation, Himeko tactfully declined her kind offer to tour the Express. After all, they still needed to hold another crew meeting, and it wouldn't be appropriate for an outsider to be present.
Topaz, being perceptive, naturally understood this. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Himeko, she returned to her ecological ship.
The rest of the crew, who had been waiting for some time, saw the clear look of concern on the faces of the returning Himeko and Welt, and couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.
Himeko didn't waste any time, directly sharing the details of their discussion with the Corporation.
"So, you're saying the situation on Punklorde is a complete unknown right now?"
Even Dan Heng's usually stoic face was now creased with a frown. They couldn't even observe the planet…
"Huh? Haven't we seen situations like this many times before? Wasn't it the same with Belobog last time?"
Stelle looked completely bewildered. In her eyes, wasn't the whole point of Trailblazing to explore the unknown?
"That may be true, but these two situations are completely different."
Even the usually goofy March 7th had a serious expression on her face now.
The situation in Belobog and the current situation on Punklorde were two entirely different matters; they couldn't be compared. The Astral Express had records of what had previously transpired on Belobog. The initial Stellaron outbreak there was, at least, traceable. But Punklorde…
"A complete unknown… We don't even know what the enemy is, or what they might have. We don't know if the Legion will be there…"
Dan Heng shook his head.
Although this was within a star system controlled by the Corporation, since this Stellaron had bypassed all their monitoring methods, anything was possible.
"Therefore, the purpose of this meeting is to vote on whether the Astral Express should assist the Corporation in dealing with the matter of Punklorde," Welt stated concisely.
"Hmm…"
Everyone fell into deep thought. Even Wende began to weigh the pros and cons. Jingliu and Tingyun would undoubtedly follow his choice, meaning his decision would represent three votes.
"I don't think we should go. The risk is too great. If something were to happen…"
Dan Heng didn't finish his sentence. As far as was known, the Astral Express was the last of the Nameless still actively Trailblazing…
It was clear that their current strength was not enough to face…
Hiss…
Dan Heng seemed to think of something. He tilted his head and glanced at Wende and Jingliu, then at Tingyun who had single-handedly dispelled Phantylia's power, and then considered himself and Welt…
"Tsk, I'll reserve my opinion."
Dan Heng shook his head. When had the Astral Express become this powerful? And now they were backed by the entire Xianzhou Alliance of the Hunt… If this Trailblazing journey went smoothly, the promises made by the Corporation would be enough to represent the Preservation…
No wonder the Corporation had humbled themselves to ask for help this time…
"I think… if the situation is that dangerous, then the people on Punklorde must be in great danger too, right? If even we don't go… they might really be abandoned in space, won't they? Just like Belobog was."
March was torn, but her innate kindness won out over her hesitation.
"I think March is right," Stelle said, nodding in agreement.
"Then, what about you, Wende?"
Himeko nodded and turned her gaze to Wende.
"I think we can go," Wende said with a nod, his expression serious.
"After all, our mission is to Trailblaze. If we were to halt our steps simply because of an unknown risk, we wouldn't be sitting here today."
Wende shrugged helplessly and smiled at Himeko.
"Is that so? If that's what Wende thinks, then you two…"
"I naturally have no objection," Tingyun said, indicating her agreement with Wende.
"Actually, Miss Himeko, you want to go as well, don't you?"
A smile played on Jingliu's lips as she spoke to Himeko.
The friendship between women can be just that simple. After sharing coffee just once, Jingliu and Himeko's relationship had nearly elevated to that of best friends.
"As for me… of course I want to go. But the Express is not my personal dictatorship. Matters that concern everyone's shared interests are best decided by everyone together."
Himeko smiled and shook her head, speaking her true thoughts.
"Yay! The motion passes!" March clapped her hands in celebration.
"However, according to the on-board rotation, I'll be the one leading the team this time. What do you think? Aren't you happy?"
Himeko glanced at Welt beside her, crossed her arms under her chest, and a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"Of course! I'm su~per happy!"
"March, don't be like that. You'll make Mr. Yang sad…"
"Ah… my apologies, Mr. Yang…"
"It's alright, don't worry about it. To be honest, the journey on the Luofu was quite tiring, so a chance to rest on the Express is welcome. Besides, I can be of more help to you all from up here."
Welt waved it off nonchalantly. He had let Himeko stay cooped up on the train for so long last time; it was her turn to go out and relax… even if this "relaxation" came with a certain degree of danger…
"Then it's happily decided! Dan Heng, are you in?"
"I'll go."
"Alright! Let's see, counting me… our Trailblazing team has expanded to seven people! How incredible! It used to be just me and Dan Heng wandering around miserably… Say, when we get even more people, do you think I could lead a team of my own?"
March drifted off into a pleasant daydream about the future.
"Alright, alright, if we ever manage to get an Astral Express Number Two, maybe you can even become the conductor!" Himeko chuckled, covering her mouth.
"Huh? Then I'd rather not! That job is best left to Pom-Pom~"
"Hmph~ Pom-Pom likes what Passenger March said! Don't say it again!"
---o---
"My lord, the Black Domain has been established. The star system where Punklorde resides is now unobservable."
"Yes… we were unable to block the Astral Express, just as you predicted…"
"Most of the pawns Nanook sent in have been eliminated. However, there is one consciousness… she carries the presence of [Them]… We have also detected the [Masked Fools]."
"Yes… we will find a way to strive for it. For the sake of [Equilibrium]…"
The star system containing Punklorde was now utterly silent. There were no cargo ships passing through, no foolhardy space pirates. There was only a deathly tranquility… and a pitch-black barrier, isolating it from the information of the universe at large.