I keep my grip tight around Herta's mouth, my other hand steady as I press the plasma pistol against my chest. The cold metal bites into my skin through the thin fabric of my shirt.

"Let's make one thing clear," I whisper, my breath hot against Herta's ear. "I know this isn't the real you. The great Herta wouldn't be caught dead in such a compromising position."

I can feel her stiffen in my arms, her body going rigid with a mixture of surprise and indignation.

"I know about your little dolls," I continue, my voice low and dangerous. "Dozens of them, scattered across the universe, allowing you to be in multiple places at once. But here's the thing, Herta. If you try to send out a warning for help, I'll know. If you attempt to use your emanator powers, I'll know. And if you dare to go against anything I ask and refuse to listen to my request..."

I let the words hang in the air, heavy with the promise of consequences.

"I'll blow myself up," I finish, my voice cold and matter-of-fact. "And the moment I do, the Stellaron within me will activate. Without a host to keep it stable, it'll trigger a collapse, and your entire space station will be gone."

I can feel Herta's mechanical pulse racing beneath my fingers, what seems like a fake heart pounding against my chest. But she doesn't struggle, doesn't try to break free from my grasp.

Smart girl.

Removing my hand away from her mouth, I point towards a giant artifact, a portal in the form of a three-petal flower sitting at the back of the office. The blue light emanating from it pulses with a hum. "I know all about your Simulated Universe," I whisper, my lips brushing against her ear. "What a packed conjoint project, am I right? Screwllum. Stephen Lloyd. Even Ruan Mei. You must be oh so curious, trying to find the truth about Aeons, how they were created, why they were created, and what they were created for."

Herta's eyes widen, a flicker of surprise dancing in their depths.

I can see the moment realization hits her, the moment she understands that I'm not just another nobody making empty threats. A flicker of genuine fear begins to dance in their depths as the gravity of the situation sinks in.

"How do you know about the Simulated Universe?" she whispers, her voice barely audible over the hum of the machinery around us. "That information is highly classified. Only a handful of people even know it exists, let alone the names of those involved."

"Let's just say I have my sources," I reply, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "But that's not what's important right now. What matters is that I know, and I'm not afraid to use that knowledge to get what I want."

Herta swallows hard, her mechanical body trembling slightly in my grasp. "What do you want?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I lean in closer, my lips brushing against her ear. "I want you to listen," I murmur, my voice low and dangerous. "I want you to hear me out. Because if you don't..."

I let my silence speak for itself.

"I have a proposal," I continue, my voice taking on a sweeter tone. "Unlike you'd be led to believe, I want your project to succeed. I'll help you, in fact."

"Help me?" She asks, skeptical.

"You need a guinea pig, don't you? To enter the Simulated Universe and interact with the Aeons? Turns out, Herta, that I'm your golden ticket to the chocolate factory. I'll enter it and gain their favor for you."

She laughs, incredulous, her body relaxing just the tiniest bit. "And how do you expect to do that? You're just a twerp, after all."

Just a twerp, says the doll…

I press the plasma gun tighter against my chest, making Herta's body stiffen again. "Remind me, what is the Aeons' modus operandi when interacting with your day-to-day sentient species?" I ask, my voice dripping with false sweetness. "They ignore them, don't they? Do you think you'll have any luck attracting their gaze here? If I know you as well as I do, I bet neither you nor Scrollum made any compromises when it comes to coding the underlying logic and behavior of the universe. Your simulated Aeons are meant to behave just like the real ones."

That's how the Simulated Universe was supposed to operate. It's a streamlined and customized version of how the world of Honkai: Star Rail worked, but it functioned just like the real thing. According to the game's lore, Aeons had no concept of free will and would usually ignore everyone and only care about their destined Path. Who says they'll act any differently in the simulation?

"But what would happen if, say… a hypothetical person, hosting a hypothetical seed that could be traced back to Nanook, entered the Simulated Universe? What if their identity within the simulation was set to that of the Aeon of Trailblaze, Akivili? What are the chances the rest of the Aeons interact with said person then? Hypothetically speaking, of course."

Herta's eyes narrow, a spark of understanding flickering in their depths.

"Think about it," I whisper, my breath hot against her skin. "With me as your test subject, you could gain invaluable insights into the nature of Aeons. You could learn things that no one else has ever discovered before, while also exploring the capabilities of a person hosting a stable Stellaron within them."

Herta remains silent for a long moment, her body tense with thought. I can feel the conflict raging within her, the desire for knowledge warring with her pride and indignation at being held at gunpoint.

But in the end, her curiosity wins out. She nods once, a sharp, jerky motion that speaks volumes.

I release my grip on her, stepping back, not lowering the plasma pistol yet. "I'm glad we could come to an understanding," I say, my voice smooth and confident. "Now, let's discuss the details of our little arrangement, shall we?"

Herta turns to face me, her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and excitement. "You're playing a dangerous game, boy," she hisses, her voice low and venomous. "But I'll admit, your proposal intrigues me. If you can deliver on your promises, then perhaps we can come to an agreement."

I smile, a slow, predatory grin that spreads across my face like a knife. "Oh, I can deliver," I say, my voice dripping with confidence. "And when I do, you'll be the one thanking me, Herta. Mark my words."

She narrows her eyes, her hands going to her hips. "Spill it out. What is it you want? I expect it to be something more interesting than just credits," Herta says, her voice laced with disdain. "It would be a disappointment to hear you're only looking for money after you had the balls to do as you just did."

I can't help but laugh at her words, the sound echoing through the office. "You'll be disappointed to know that I do indeed want money. But that will come as a byproduct of what I'm actually looking for you to give me."

Herta raises an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "And what might that be?" she asks, her voice full of impatience.

I step closer, my eyes locked on hers. "I want you, Herta," I say, my voice low and intense. "More specifically, I want you to be my fixer."

One of Herta's eyebrows raises in surprise, her mouth falling open slightly. "Your… fixer?" she repeats, her voice tinged with confusion. "And what, pray tell, would that entail?"

"I want access to you," I explain. "I want to gain resources and information about the universe through you. I've decided to travel with the Astral Express. You can't expect me to pass up the chance to have Madame Herta herself helping me on my journey across the stars."

Herta's eyes narrow. "And what makes you think I would agree to such an arrangement?"

I hold up my free hand, my expression turning serious. "I vow to be reasonable. I won't go on a spending spree and break your wallet. Even though, let's be honest, that would be impossible. You're so rich it would take me centuries to spend everything you have."

Herta scoffs, rolling her eyes at my words.

"I know you're able to be my fixer because there are so many of your dolls out there. Any one of them can communicate with me at any moment should I require your time. Plus, I'm willing to set conditions to ensure we don't go behind each other's backs."

She leans forward, her eyes locked on mine. "And what conditions might those be?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to propose. "I'll return to the station using your personal Space Anchor every week without exception. I'll enter your Simulated Universe and face all of its hordes of enemies head-on, again and again. This way, you can gather valuable data not only on me but also on the nature of the Aeons based on my interactions with them."

I stop talking, giving her a chance to think about what I've said. "There's more. While I'm here, I'll work as your assistant too, helping Asta and Arlan with anything they need. I'll be your go-to errand boy, ready to do whatever jobs you give me. Both can report to you on what I'm up to and keep you posted. Think of it as another way for you to track my actions and make sure I'm keeping my end of our deal."

Herta's eyes widen, a flicker of surprise dancing in their depths. "You're willing to go that far?" she asks, her voice tinged with disbelief.

I nod, my expression serious. "As long as you continue to help me, I'll stay true to my word."

Herta leans back, her eyes narrowed in thought. I can see the gears turning in her mind, the calculations and possibilities racing through her head.

"There's just one thing. While that sounds all well and good, why would I need you to be my errand boy, as you so eloquently put it? You've just said yourself—I have hundreds of dolls that can do my bidding."

There we go. Objection handling! My favorite part of sealing deals. Let's see…

Scoffing, I present my case. "Don't take me for stupid, Herta. We both know you're above menial tasks, you and all of your dolls included. Every single one of them is currently working on separate innovative research projects, pushing the boundaries of known science, all while managing the schemes and politics of IPC agents. I could raise the same argument for both Asta and Aslan. One's keeping this station afloat while the other is safekeeping it to the best of his abilities. Neither should be dealing with the things I'm proposing to take on for you. And if it's my credibility that is being questioned, then how about a trial run? You don't lose anything by giving me a shot."

Herta looks at me, assessing my response in silence for a minute. "You drive a hard bargain, boy," she says finally, her voice laced with a hint of grudging respect. "We'll see if you can deliver on your commitments."

I offer my hand to Herta. "So, do we have a deal?"

Herta eyes my hand for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh of resignation, she reaches out and grasps it firmly, sealing our agreement with a single shake.

I can't help but laugh, the sound echoing through the office as I finally lower the plasma pistol. The tension doesn't fully dissipate—I imagine it won't for a while.

But it's enough for us to lower most of our guard. Most.

"Now, on the topic of resources," I begin, my voice casual as if we were discussing the weather. Herta raises an eyebrow, her interest piqued once more.

I grin, my eyes sparkling with mischief. "If I'm going to be your errand boy and guinea pig, I'll be needing a suit. Something sleek, stylish, and able to withstand the rigors of inter-dimensional travel and combat. After all, we wouldn't want your precious test subject getting hurt, now would we?"

Dan Heng stands outside the station's platform, the Astral Express looming behind him, ready to depart. Himeko, Welt, and March 7th are by his side. It's been some hours since the three of them spoke to Xander.

The docking platform around them is crowded with activity. Ships of all sizes, from small shuttles to large cargo ships, are lined up at the edges of the platform, their metal hulls shining in the light. People hurry about, some carrying bags or equipment, others talking to one another, the sound of engines and hydraulics permeating the air.

March 7th's eyes shine with hope as she speaks. "I really hope he comes with us. He seemed so alone, like he could use some friends."

Himeko sighs, her expression thoughtful. "I don't think he will, March. But I understand where you're coming from. You must empathize a lot with him and his current situation."

Welt adjusts his glasses, a frown on his face. "I must confess, I don't entirely trust his story. Some things just don't add up. Why would the Stellaron Hunters implant the Stellaron in him and then leave unannounced? Moreover, who is this person he referred to with silver hair? Why are the Stellaron Hunters looking for them? Why would he bring up this particular fact after I mentioned he hosted a Stellaron within him?"

Himeko turns to Welt, her brow furrowed. "Do you think he was lying?"

Welt nods slowly. "I believe he did lie about some things. However, I did not get the feeling he was being dishonest about not knowing how he got here or why he was in the station."

Dan clears his throat, drawing their attention. "From what I remember of our interaction while rescuing the researchers, he seemed genuinely confused about his whereabouts and how he ended up here."

March chimes in, her voice filled with empathy. "Isn't it natural for him to lie about something if he doesn't feel he can trust those around him? He said it himself, we're all strangers to him. We should help him feel like he can actually open up to us."

Dan thinks to himself that March's perspective might be a bit naive, but at the same time, he takes comfort in her being such a genuinely good person, always considering others' feelings. He decides to address Himeko directly. "Given that you think he won't join us, would you be against it if he did?"

She shakes her head. "No, I wouldn't be against it."

Dan raises an eyebrow, pressing further. "Wouldn't you be afraid of having a stranger, a potential enemy, within the Express?"

Himeko meets his gaze, her expression confident. "No, because I know that even if that were the case, he wouldn't be able to do anything. Xander can't take command of the Astral Express without me, as I'm the train's navigator. Only I have the know-how for operating it alongside Pom-Pom. Moreover, if he were somehow able to overpower March, you, and me, he still wouldn't be able to move a finger with Welt inside the Express."

Dan nods, acknowledging her point. Mr. Yang is tremendously powerful. The fact that he alone was able to safeguard the rest of the space station while the Legion attacked, all while they were occupied with the Doomsday Beast, speaks volumes about how true that is.

Welt's eyes twinkle with mischief, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Well, if our esteemed hypothetical new member tries anything suspicious, I could always conjure a black hole inside the Express to deal with the problem."

March's eyes widen in shock, her mouth dropping open. "Mr. Yang, that's so mean!" she exclaims, her voice a mixture of disbelief and amusement.

The group bursts into laughter, the tension in the air dissipating with Welt's dark humor. Even Dan can't help but chuckle, shaking his head at the absurdity of the idea.

As the laughter dies down, Dan finds himself lost in thought, considering the possibility of another member joining the crew. He's grown accustomed to the current dynamic, the sense of familiarity and trust that he's developed with Himeko, Welt, and March. It's a feeling he cherishes, especially after being banished from his homeworld.

The thought of someone new joining their ranks, potentially disrupting the delicate balance they've achieved, makes him feel a twinge of discomfort. He's come to rely on the stability and companionship that the Astral Express provides, a safe haven in the vast expanse of the universe.

However, Dan knows he's in no position to object. After all, Himeko and Welt had every reason to deny him the chance when he first encountered them, but they didn't. They saw past his guarded exterior and recognized the good in him, offering him a place to belong.

As he stands there, surrounded by the people he's come to care for deeply, Dan knows that he'll support whatever decision Himeko and Welt make regarding Xander. If they believe that he deserves a chance, just as they gave him a chance, then he'll trust their judgment.

Dan's thoughts are interrupted by the sound of murmurs and footsteps approaching. Looking up, he observes as people on the station's platform step aside, making way for the man of the hour. He's taken aback by his new attire and fit, a stark contrast to the casual clothing he had been wearing earlier after leaving the infirmary.

Xander now dons a dark coat that falls just below his knees, black with light gold triangular patterns running across, ending in two separated coattails. Underneath, he wears a black zippered turtleneck beneath a midnight black vest with subtle zigzag patterns. A well-fitted shoulder holster contains what appears to be two heavy handguns on each side. Charcoal gray fingerless gloves, black pants, and dark combat boots covered by dark gaiters complete the ensemble. At his side, a sheath for a short-curved sword catches Dan's eye. Both the sheath and the handle of the sword are black in design, with triangular patterns and lines of white running across them. The shape reminded him of the swords back at the Xianzhou Luofu.

Xander's expression is unreadable as he stops a few feet away from the group, his gaze sweeping over each member before settling on Himeko. The silence is palpable, everyone waiting with bated breath for his next words.

"When are we leaving?" Xander asks, his voice calm and measured.

March's face lights up with excitement, her eyes sparkling. "This is wonderful! I'm so glad you're joining us, Xander! And look at you—your outfit's so cool!"

Himeko and Welt exchange a glance just before the red-haired navigator turns to Xander, her brow slightly furrowed. "Has Herta been informed of your decision?"

Xander smiles, a hint of mystery in his eyes. "She's very pleased with our new arrangement, yes."

"Arrangement?" Himeko asks, curiosity piqued. "I noticed you seemed quite uncomfortable with the idea of her running experiments on you earlier. What changed?"

Xander shrugs, his expression giving nothing away. "She drove a hard bargain. I'll be teleporting to and from the station once every week for a few hours. I hope that isn't an issue."

Himeko shakes her head, a smile on her face as she studies the man's new attire. "Not at all. It's clear Herta's fascinated with working with you, considering she gave you access to the station's Space Anchor. Plus, your new attire and weapons speak for itself." She pauses, studying Xander's face. "Any details on what she'll be working on with you?"

Xander's smile turns enigmatic. "I'm not at liberty to say. You'll have to ask her."

Dan observes the exchange, noting Xander's tight-lipped responses. It's clear he's keeping his cards close to his chest, unwilling to divulge more than necessary.

Himeko, sensing the need to lighten the mood, claps her hands together. "Well, let's put that aside for now. We haven't had the chance for formal introductions, have we? Let me do the honors."

She gestures to Welt, who steps forward with a polite nod. "This is Welt Yang, our resident expert on all things Stellaron-related. He's also our most seasoned member."

Welt adjusts his glasses, a small smile on his face. "A pleasure to have you on board, Xander."

Himeko then turns to March, who bounces on her heels with barely contained excitement. "And this is March 7th, our resident photographer and adventurer extraordinaire."

March beams, launching into a rapid-fire list of her likes and dislikes. "I love taking pictures, exploring new places, and trying new foods! I don't like sitting still for too long or being bored. I hope we can be friends, Xander, and that I can help you feel at home here!"

Himeko chuckles, gently placing a hand on March's shoulder to calm her enthusiasm. She then gestures to Dan, who steps forward with a slight incline of his head.

"This is Dan Heng, our mysterious lance expert, and all-around reliable guard."

Dan rolls his eyes at Himeko's words but meets Xander's gaze just the same, his expression neutral. "Welcome to the Astral Express, Xander."

Finally, Himeko places a hand on her chest. "I'll take a page out of March's book. I'm Himeko, the navigator of this fine vessel. I love tea, tinkering with robotics and machines, and exploring the boundaries of space and science. I dislike closed-mindedness, bureaucracy and red tape, and disorganization. It's a pleasure to have you join us on our journey."

Dan watches as Xander blinks, his eyes scanning the group again, but his gaze lingers on March and Himeko. The silence stretches for a moment, and Dan can't help but feel a sense of unease.

Finally, Xander speaks, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. "I'm Xander. Things I like and things I hate… I don't feel like telling you that."

March 7th comically face-plants on the floor, her legs sticking up in the air. Surprisingly, her skirt doesn't fall victim to the laws of gravity, staying upright, something which no one questions somehow. Himeko sweat-drops, her smile faltering for a moment. Dan and Welt remain muted, neither surprised by the man's response.

He continues, seemingly oblivious to the reactions around him. "My dreams for the future… never really thought about it."

March, who was just getting up again, drops back down to the floor with a thud.

"As for my hobbies…" He thinks about it for a second. "I have lots of hobbies," Xander concludes, his tone still flat.

Himeko smiles awkwardly, her eyes darting between Xander and the prone form of March. "It's, eh… nice to meet you," she manages to say, her voice strained.

Dan and Welt exchange a glance and don't miss a beat. "Same here," they say in unison, their voices equally devoid of emotion.

Dan can't help but feel a sense of déjà vu as he watches the scene unfold. Xander's guarded nature reminds him of his own when he first joined the Astral Express. He knows all too well the walls that one can build around themselves, the desire to keep others at arm's length.

There's a wariness in his eyes too, Dan thinks. That's the look of someone who has been through hardships and has learned to trust cautiously, if at all.

As the group prepares to board the Express, Dan falls into step beside Xander, a silent show of what, he hopes, feels to the man like support. He may not know his full story, but he understands the weight of the unknown and the burden of a past that cannot be easily shared.

Together, they step onto the train, ready to embark on a journey that will test their resolve and forge bonds stronger than the stars themselves.

But just before they do…

"It's insane I managed to catch that reference," Xander mutters under his breath.

Dan looks at him, confused. What reference?

Author's notes:

I was very pleased with my writing in this chapter. Aiming to keep that streak going.

On another note, I'm excited about how things will play out on Belobog. We'll get there within the next 2-3 chapters — some things need to be laid as groundwork first.

Also, this story has hit its first milestone: it has officially accumulated over 1k views. I appreciate your interest in reading along. This writing thing is just me trying to empty my mind so ideas don't ramble loudly too much. It's genuinely humbling to know there are people out there who are interested. Thank you for your support.

P.S. I've made some small grammar edits to prior chapters to enhance your reading experience. Additionally, I've included chapter notes and references to all prior chapters (except for the prologue) that provide context and insights into specific lines and sentences from the text. Feel free to explore these extras for a deeper understanding of the story and its elements.

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Chapter notes and references:

• "If you try to send out a warning for help, I'll know. If you attempt to use your emanator powers, I'll know." — Xander doesn't actually know. He's bluffing. He hopes that his threat of blowing up the space station by shooting himself will be enough to stop Herta from even thinking about calling for help or using her powers, just in case his warning is true.

• "It's insane I managed to catch that reference," Xander mutters under his breath. — The English version of Honkai: Star Rail is known for having a lot of pop culture references, taking from movies, famous quotes, anime, and more. Xander noticed that March 7th and Himeko introduced themselves the same way as Team 7 from Naruto. That's why he answers like that. He's copying Kakashi. Copying, ha!

Thicc-Chungs — While it may seem natural for someone to openly share information when lost and looking to find where they are, remember that Xander believes he's in a fictional universe, surrounded by people he doesn't view as real. Additionally, his upbringing in a harsh environment has taught him to be cautious and keep to himself unless absolutely necessary. Stay tuned for more!