Chapter Text
Herta Space Station - 2157 AE
In the vast empty space above the Blue where stars are observed by geniuses from all over the universe, a small glitter of visible light turns into a train as it soars through space towards the station. The space station crew have already cleared the railway in preparation for the train's arrival. The Astral Express decelerates and its imaginary tracks seamlessly merge onto the rails in the station’s supply zone. "We have arrived at Herta Space Station!" Pom Pom announces. "All Astral Express passengers must help pack up all the supplies we need from the supply zone, we're about to have a big journey ahead of us after this!".
"Very well." says Himeko, putting down her home-brewed cup of coffee. "I must first deliver a special item to Herta. If any of you would like to follow me to the main control room, you may."
"Oh I'll go!" says March 7th, "Anything is better than lugging those massive supply crates."
"Stop slacking! Supplies are important!" Pom Pom said angrily.
"I'll go too." A young man with black hair and a calm composure walks into the main carriage.
"Dan Heng! I can't believe you're slacking off as well!!" Pom Pom becomes doubly angry.
"No, it's just… security seems a bit tighter than usual, something doesn't feel quite right." Dan Heng explained partly out of concern and partly as his excuse to Pom Pom.
Welt assures the party, "Don't worry, I'll stay behind with Pom Pom to look after the express, you three go on ahead.".
Arlan, the head of the station's security, is outside waiting for the crew. "Hello, welcome back to the space station. I'll be in charge of escorting you guys to the main control room."
Himeko teases Arlan a little."Many thanks, but we've been here many many times, does Madam Herta really not trust us to go through the station ourselves?"
"Oh umm… I was just ordered by Lady Asta to escort you because of recent malfunctions in our security system."
"Oh so that explains the number of security personnel around here." Himeko picks up her suitcase and walks ahead. "Well if you insist, we shall follow you."
Upon arrival at the main control station Asta goes to greet the crew right before her dog Peppy comes running at them.
"Awww hi Peppy!! Haven't seen you in a while!" March kneels down to pet the synthetic dog. "Heyy stop licking my camera!"
Arlan quickly grabs Peppy by his arms. "Oh, I'm sorry about that, uhm… Peppy's just excited is all."
Himeko places down her suitcase and looks around *sigh* " Let me guess Madam Herta is too busy to say hi to me again isn't she."
"Well y'know that's Madam Herta." says Asta. "If you wouldn't mind waiting, I'm sure Madam Herta would give ample compensation for your trouble."
An explosion is heard in the supply zone. Within seconds alarms sound throughout the station and panic ensues. Asta immediately orders a full evacuation of all research personnel to the main control room. "Quickly, get everyone to safety now! Ugh why now? Right when our security system malfunctions we get attacked by the Antimatter Legion!"
Dan Heng and Arlan immediately run towards the main elevator.
"W-Wait Dan Heng! I'm helping too!" March followed hurriedly.
Himeko decides to stay behind in the main control room to monitor the situation. "Oh well, looks like Madam Herta's delivery will have to wait a little longer."
March finally caught up with Dan Heng in the storage zone. "Dan Heng, wait up you can't just go by yourself!"
"We need to evacuate as many people as possible. Leave no room unchecked!" Dan Heng quickly stabs a Voidranger approaching a group of researchers. "Get to the main control room quickly!"
After some time Dan Heng and March manage to clear almost everyone in the storage room. They both received a message from the main control room.
_
Himeko: Dan Heng? March? How are things over there for you two?
March: Good I think we managed to clear everyone :D
Himeko: Not everyone, the main control seems to detect someone who isn't a station personnel in the rare storage section.
Dan Heng: We will investigate that immediately.
Himeko: I will send you the coords now, do be careful, they seem to also be right where there is high Stellaron activity…
_
Dan Heng and March both search the empty halls of the curio storage. "Hey Dan Heng, look at this bat! Do you think you could wack some Voidrangers with it?"
"March, try not to fiddle with Madam Herta's things, we have a mission to do." It was at this moment that Dan Heng found a man lying unconscious against the wall. His grey ruffled hair reminded him of a raccoon sleeping in a garbage bin. Dan Heng lightly lifts the man's wrists to feel his pulse. It was weak. "March you'd better do CPR.".
"Huh? Hehe…I-I've never done it before. Dan Heng! You do it!"
-to be continued, or just play the game its free