Next came the part where backup is called. The Voidranger: Trampler, having been shot twice, began to roar furiously. The powerful sound waves knocked Cloud-Piercer away, and the surrounding debris was swept up by the sonic blast.
If only I could cut its vocal cords, Tian An thought.
As the roar echoed through the space station, various Anti-Matter Legion troopers began to materialize around the Trampler, forming ranks to confront the group.
Himeko, hurry up!
Huh? Where's Himeko's drone?
Logically speaking, that whirring drone should have arrived by now. Why wasn't there any sign of it?
Just as the enemy was about to launch its second attack, Himeko's drone finally arrived late.
That massive set of chainsaws initiated a surprise attack from the rear, reaping swathes of enemies.
One had to admit, the attack style of the Erudition Path was truly effective.
"Look, it's Himeko's drone!" March 7th exclaimed happily.
"Now's our chance! Let's go!" Dan Heng checked on the others, then took the lead, charging towards the opposite side. Once the group started entering the doorway, he transitioned to the rear, covering their escape.
The path of peril came to a temporary end as the last person made it through the door.
We're safe... for now...
"It's always so thrilling, but it's good to be back." Himeko stood smiling by the cabin door. It had to be said, having a reliable figure watching your back was immensely reassuring.
Several members of the group bounded over happily, leaving only the injured Arlan and Tian An standing where they were.
"Miss... we should keep moving," Arlan nudged Tian An's shoulder, pointing towards the trio ahead.
"Mm, okay."
"Hey, Himeko, you're finally here! Let me tell you, those Anti-Matter Legion guys were like locusts, swarming everywhere! My arrows couldn't handle that many!" March 7th complained.
"My orbital weapon can indeed clear out large groups of enemies, but if I used it like that, Herta would probably send me the bill," Himeko replied.
Dan Heng, watching Tian An approach from behind, took the initiative to speak, "Speaking of enemies, Miss Theresia was attacked by an unknown... individual."
After hearing Tian An's earlier description, Dan Heng was starting to doubt if the attacker was even human.
"Yeah! It was super dangerous! Good thing Dan Heng had a trick up his sleeve, otherwise, Theresia might have been in serious trouble!" March added.
"Mm, I know about this," Himeko listened for a moment, then said with a smile.
"Huh? Big Sis Himeko, how did you know too?" March 7th was bewildered. It felt like she was the only one in the entire world who didn't know at the time.
Ah, and Star too.
"Before you left the Express, I equipped all of you with tracking devices. Miss Theresia's tracker remained stationary for a long time, then the other two suddenly rushed towards her position. I figured out roughly what happened then."
Wait... just where on my body did you hide that tracker... Tian An now seriously suspected Uncle Yang had also put trackers on them.
But wait, that's not right. The original plot never mentioned anyone getting trackers. Could the plot really have changed...?
Or maybe they were equipped, but it just wasn't mentioned in the story.
"Time is tight right now. Theresia, you should head to the medical bay first for a check-up. Once things have stabilized, I'll contact Miss Herta, and we'll decide what to do next."
Himeko remained unflustered by these events, arranging things methodically.
"Arlan, Lead Researcher Asta is very worried about you."
"Understood. Thank you all from the Express crew for your care. I'll go report to Lead Researcher Asta now." Arlan expressed his thanks and headed inside.
Star, with an intelligent look in their eyes, followed everyone else's gaze. Wherever they looked, Star looked.
"Hey, nice to meet you. I'm Himeko, the navigator of the Astral Express." Himeko snapped the still-dazed Star out of their stupor.
Nice to meet you, I'm Kia— no.
"Meaning, she's the one who decides where the Express goes," March 7th added.
"Little March, she hasn't caused you any trouble along the way, has she?" Himeko asked Star.
"Hmm? Star, you'd better think carefully before answering~" March 7th narrowed her eyes slightly threateningly at Star.
Meanwhile, Tian An, standing to the side, thought of only one word.
"If any," Star said aloud.
Did they actually think of the same thing?
"What do you mean 'if any'?!" March 7th protested indignantly.
"I've never met such a reckless young lady," Star retorted.
Their sassy streak was beginning to show.
"That's just my personality! And I didn't cause any real trouble this time! Look, Dan Heng is used to it!"
Dan Heng crossed his arms, stating flatly, "I reserve the right to remain silent."
"Then what about Theresia! The gentle Miss Theresia understands me best!"
March 7th placed her last hope on Tian An, completely unaware that Tian An was currently preoccupied, gazing up at the stars.
That's right, she was checking the starry sky for anomalies again. After experiencing those strange spaces twice, she felt like she was developing PTSD.
"Theresia?" March 7th called out.
"Hm? Ah, Little March is a very sensible girl," Tian An replied, snapping back to reality.
"See! Theresia gets me!" March 7th ran forward and linked arms with Tian An.
"Young people, they really hit it off easily," Himeko remarked wistfully.
Young people? No, no, no, there are no young people here (except maybe our Trailblazer). Only old monsters who've lived for ages without realizing it, and operational masters playing the reincarnation-age-reset game. Star is a natural talent, though.
"Let's go. Asta has been worrying about you all. And Theresia, later, tell us the details about the attack you encountered," Himeko said, seeing it was time, preparing to lead everyone to meet the Station Master.
Tian An, however, kept glancing at the stars as she walked.
"Theresia, you really like the stars, don't you," Star observed, noticing her gaze.
"The stars..."
Like the stars? No, no, no, I fear the stars.
Who knows when some black shadow might suddenly jump out of that starry sky and kill me?
Daily prayers to Teacher Xiao Te. Te-men!
The group walked quietly, almost like strangers. Only March 7th chattered away, pointing things out here and there.
"Hey, Theresia, speaking of which, I still don't know what those horns on your head are," March asked.
"The horns on my head?" Tian An touched the hard growths on her head. Her smooth, pinkish-white hair fell naturally, giving her a serene appearance.
"They're a racial trait. My people have many small sub-races, and each has different characteristics."
"Then, what's the name of Theresia's race back home?"