Chapter 12 A Frozen Planet

"The Astral Express is stable and ready for its jump. In ten minutes, we'll be departing. Passengers, please return to your seats and follow the example of March 7th!"

A small, mascot-like black creature is addressing the Astral Express. He's the conductor of this train—Pom Pom.

Pom Pom has big blue eyes, a serious expression, and enormous ears that almost touch the ground. His fur is smooth and soft, almost like a penguin's. Despite his small size, he wears a fancy conductor's hat adorned with red and gold lace. He walks with a cute, staggered gait.

While Himeko helped repair the train, Pom Pom is the official conductor. He handles everything from cleaning and decorating the train to playing music and serving drinks. Pom Pom is truly everywhere, a real little helper on the train.

But when Orion Astra heard what Welt Yang said, Pom Pom became really angry and scary! Orion Astra had never seen Pom Pom upset during the few days he'd been on the train.

"Okay, conductor."

Orion returned to his favorite sofa area, choosing to trust Welt Yang over Pom Pom's warning.

"Haha, Orion, there's no need to be afraid of Pom Pom. The conductor is really nice!" March 7th said as she sat next to Orion.

March 7's legs bounced slightly as she moved, showing her ease compared to Orion's nervousness and playfully revealing Pom Pom's quirks.

"Pom Pom likes to nap standing up. Pom Pom cleans every corner of the train meticulously, sometimes even dropping his own hair while doing so. Pom Pom also"

"March 7th!" Pom Pom's cheeks flushed, and steam seemed to rise from his head.

"Okay, March 7th, let's not tease Pom Pom anymore. When you want a drink, just ask, okay?" Himeko said with a smile, enjoying the lively scene.

"Ah! Yes, Pom Pom, my good Pom Pom, I'm thirsty and would like some juice!" March 7th exclaimed, hugging Pom Pom and making his eyes swirl with little swirls.

Orion Astra noticed March 7th's hands were a bit too friendly, patting Pom Pom's big ears while keeping a constant smile.

Orion Astra chuckled, enjoying March 7th's cheerful energy that brightened up the train.

When March 7th got her juice, Orion Astra ordered a glass as well. Pom Pom's juice was perfectly sweet, with a flavor that seemed like a mix of orange and grapefruit—no wonder March 7th liked it so much.

As he sipped his juice and watched Pom Pom chase March 7th around, Orion Astra felt he was getting used to life on the Astral Express.

Stelle emerged from the carriage door, looking excited. March 7th had mentioned that Stelle couldn't sleep the previous night and had ended up in her room.

Stelle was mumbling about a game.

Dan Heng was absent, which Himeko said was normal.

Pom Pom, having regained his composure, began patrolling the train, occasionally casting wary glances at March 7th.

Before long, it was time for the jump. Orion watched Welt Yang and Himeko by the window.

The two were calm, with Welt sipping coffee and Himeko holding a terminal and seeming to do calculations.

"Hey, everyone, please sit down. We're about to jump. Get ready."

March 7th was nervously chanting something, standing near the sofa with her legs together and hands clenched.

"I won't fall! I won't fall, I won't."

"5"

Himeko mentioned that the next stop was a planet called Jarilo-VI, which was supposed to be lush and beautiful according to the records.

"4"

However, from past experiences, Orion Astra knew that the climate on such planets could change dramatically over thousands of years, making old records unreliable.

"3"

Stelle sat nervously on the sofa opposite Orion, her hands resting on her legs.

She'd just asked Himeko and Welt Yang and felt a bit reassured.

"2"

"What kind of planet is Jarilo-VI?" Orion wondered, eager for the adventure ahead.

"1!"

As the countdown ended, Orion felt his vision blur and a slight dizziness as the jump began!

Outside, the train transformed into a stream of light, hurtling through space, overcoming numerous obstacles, and vanishing into the void!

His eyes focused and slowly returned to normal. Orion Astra looked at his hands and feet—they were still there.

"It's an incredible feeling."

In a short time, the Astral Express had traveled countless lightyears through a jump, following the path of the pioneering Aeon, and had arrived here.

The train crew stood up, and Stelle helped March 7, who had fallen. She seemed to be struggling to stand.

Orion Astra looked out the window. A bright white light filled his vision.

The planet Jarilo-VI looked like a giant snowball, covered in frozen blue and endless white.

Empty, lifeless.

That was the feeling Orion had when he first saw it.

"I didn't expect Jarilo-VI to end up like this after thousands of years."

Himeko stood next to Orion, sighing.

"Is this the planet we're heading to?"

March 7, who had been helped up, brushed herself off.

"The train's stability is below 10 percent, and the stop plan has changed from seven days to indefinite."

"Indefinite?" Orion asked.

Pom Pom said seriously, "Yes, indefinitely! Until the issue is fixed."

"Imagine a train on land when the track suddenly disappears. Continuing would be dangerous, so stopping is necessary," Himeko explained.

March 7 looked a bit helpless. "The reason for the train's stop is..."

Welt Yang appeared just in time to continue.

"The preliminary analysis shows the problem is the stellaron."

"Stellaron?" Stelle's curiosity was piqued. Anyone with a stellaron in their body would be interested.

"Yes, it's the same as the stellaron implanted in your body," Welt said, not hesitating to mention Stelle's condition.

"What exactly is a stellaron?" Stelle asked.

"There are many mysteries about the stellaron. Even Herta hasn't fully understood it," Himeko said, then reassured, "But don't worry too much. The crew knows how to handle it if it blocks the star track."

"The stellaron can also cause a phenomenon called world splitting, which brings many dangers. Be careful," Welt added.

Himeko looked at Orion Astra and continued, "On this pioneering trip, Orion Astra, Stelle, I want you to go with Dan Heng and March 7th."

"Great!" March 7 said enthusiastically. "We get to fight together again."

Orion asked, "Isn't Himeko coming?"

Himeko smiled. "Someone has to stay behind so Pom Pom isn't lonely."

"Will I be missing out this time?" Welt asked with a hint of sadness. Although he expected it, Orion knew Uncle Yang had an adventurous spirit.

"I know you really want to come, but it's better to let the younger ones go and build their relationships," Himeko said with a comforting smile.

Orion stepped forward and patted Welt on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Uncle Yang. March 7 and I will take photos for you."

"Orion," Welt said, leading him to the window to look at the planet. He placed his hands behind his back.

"From our perspective, this planet seems intimidating."

"But once you're actually on that planet, you'll realize how small and helpless you are."

Orion understood what Welt meant. No matter how strong someone is, there are always limitations. One must avoid arrogance that comes from strength.

"I understand."

"By the way, about yesterday..."

While Orion talked with Welt, Himeko continued explaining the mission to Stelle and the others.

"The goal is clear: find the stellaron causing the disaster and space distortion, bring it back to the train, and leave the rest to us."

Himeko knew Stelle and Orion Astra, as first-time pioneers, would have their own concerns. It was their duty to ease their worries. Himeko wasn't worried about Orion Astra and Welt.

"If you don't have any objections, go talk to Dan Heng."

"He should be sorting the ecological and survey data of Jarilo-VI. It's good to have more information before we start."

Once Stelle understood, she looked at Orion Astra and Welt, and then at March 7, who was still staring at Jarilo-VI.

"Let's find Dan Heng."

Dan Heng had appeared at some point, leaning against the side of the carriage.

"Dan Heng, Himeko wants you and March 7 to go this time."

Stelle was curious to see how Dan Heng would respond.

"Himeko probably wants Orion Astra to come with us," Dan Heng replied, not falling for Stelle's trick.

"Hey."

"You and Orion Astra are pioneering for the first time. March and I are veterans, so don't worry."

"At least with March here, the trip won't be boring."

"When you're ready, find March. I still have things to investigate."

Stelle walked away, while March 7 continued to look at the planet, deep in thought.

Orion Astra looked at the others talking and thought,

"I hope this trip brings results."

He hoped for interesting adventures and to enhance his abilities.

"Jarilo-VI exploration team, let's go!"

They gathered and used Kai Destiny's realm anchor to teleport.

The feeling of weightlessness took over as the scenery changed.

"This is?"

The sound of mechanical gears and steam filled the air, and the view in front of Orion was beyond his expectations.

In the deserted city, the architecture was old-fashioned European style. Snowflakes covered the roofs, and the eerie sight made Orion Astra shiver.

"Squeaky."

Unsettling noises filled the air—roars, crackling flames, chainsaws—but there were no signs of human life, even though this was clearly a site of human civilization.

"Could humans here have become extinct?"

Dan Heng had mentioned that most of the planet's surface was no longer habitable. If there were still humans, they were likely in the few areas with suitable temperatures.

"Prepare for the worst." Orion's eyes narrowed, a fire burning in them.

Outside the snowfield on Jarilo-VI.

"Dan Heng, pinch me. Am I dreaming?"

The three stood in the snowy field, looking solemn.

Orion Astra had vanished.

The others were shocked to find that one of them had disappeared right after arriving.

"Don't panic. Contact Himeko and Mr. Welt first," Dan Heng instructed.

"I'll use my mobile phone," Stelle said.

The Interstellar Peace Company's communication, based on ultra-long-distance remote sensing technology by Elijah Salas, allowed communication across vast distances.

On this planet, contacting Orion should be possible, even though his disappearance was unusual.

"Unable to contact." Stelle shook her head.

"Mr. Welt said not to worry for now. He can sense Orion Astra is still on this planet. The most dangerous situation hasn't occurred yet, but Orion's situation is not ideal. It's very likely."