[Master Control Zone · Herta Space Station Standard Time 18:27] The usually stable console suddenly erupted with a blinding crimson alarm.
The highest priority exclusive communication channel was forcibly intercepted, and Ms.
Herta’s voice instantly blasted through the broadcast system of the entire Master Control Zone— It was not the usual tone of her puppet, but instructions belonging to her own self, laced with genuine urgency, every word carrying an indisputable decisiveness.
“Asta!
Immediately take all staff on the Herta Space Station and evacuate!
A Star-Crushing Swarm King has awakened in the Seclusion Zone!
The Propagation pollution is spreading!” Asta, who had been resting her chin on her hand and scrolling through her phone just a second ago, saw her pupils suddenly constrict.
Her previously curved, smiling eyes instantly tightened.
The stylus in her hand hit the console with a “clatter,” but she didn’t even have time to bend down to pick it up; her body had already lunged toward the main control panel.
Her fingertips moved so fast they left afterimages, and in the blink of an eye, she unlocked the highest authority for the station-wide emergency broadcast.
The shrill alarm buzz was almost enough to flip the ceiling, yet the voice she spoke with had not a shred of panic.
It was clear and firm, every word cutting through all the noise: “This is station master Asta!
The entire station is initiating Level 1 Emergency Response!
All staff, immediately stop all current work and proceed to the docking bay according to the predetermined evacuation route!
Repeat!
All personnel, evacuate immediately!
All Defense Department personnel, get into position; prioritize ensuring the evacuation of researchers!” The moment the order fell, she had simultaneously locked the seventeen isolation gates leading from the Seclusion Zone to the living and master control areas.
Her fingertips danced rapidly across the panel, pulling the warning threshold for The Propagation pollution directly to the maximum.
Not until all emergency procedures were fully initiated did she suddenly turn her head to look at the person beside her.
Arlan was already standing sideways in front of her, one hand pressed tightly against the sidearm at his waist, the other quickly pulling up the real-time surveillance of the Seclusion Zone.
In the footage, there were only churning insect eggs, violently vibrating isolation shields, and energy values soaring at a terrifying speed, looking like they were about to break through the peak of the monitoring panel.
His eyes, usually gentle and downcast, were now covered with a layer of cold, hard ice.
Without a word of unnecessary nonsense, he just tilted his head and spoke to Asta in a low voice, his tone carrying an indisputable firmness: “Miss, I will lead the Defense Department to set up a perimeter outside the Seclusion Zone.
You evacuate first.” “No!” Asta immediately widened her eyes, anxiety climbing onto her brows, yet she didn’t loosen her stance at all.
“Ms.
Herta is inside controlling the situation!
Your injuries haven’t healed yet; if you get touched by The Propagation pollution, you’re done for.
If you go there now, you’re just throwing your life away!” She raised her hand to press down on Arlan’s wrist as he reached for his greatsword, her fingertips trembling imperceptibly, but her tone remained that of an unquestionable station master: “I have already locked all passages.
The Defense Department will guard the gates on each level to receive the evacuating personnel.
Arlan, you guard the Master Control Zone and ensure everyone can safely board the transport ships.
This is an order.” Arlan looked at the stubbornness in her eyes, finally just nodding heavily.
He turned and stood at the entrance of the Master Control Zone, his back firmly shielding the main control console behind him.
At the same time, the crimson alarm lights swept across every corridor of the Herta Space Station.
A young researcher who had just finished recording star rail data shook his hand, and the tablet in his hand fell directly to the ground.
He looked at the “The Propagation pollution warning” flashing red on the panel, and his face instantly turned deathly pale—everyone knew the terror of The Propagation; he didn’t want to turn into a bug.
“Don’t just stand there!
Follow the predetermined route!” The senior researcher leading the group grabbed him, shoved the emergency protection kit into his arms, his voice trembling uncontrollably, yet he still gritted his teeth and stabilized the rhythm, “Put on your protective mask!
Do not touch any unknown attachments on the cabin walls!
Follow the people in front, don’t get separated!” In the corridors, researchers in white coats moved toward the docking bay quickly but in an orderly fashion.
Some clutched hard drives containing their life’s work tightly to their chests; some supported frightened interns; others couldn’t help but look back toward the Seclusion Zone, their eyes full of fear, yet not a single person lost their composure.
Members of the Defense Department guarded every corner with weapons in hand, urging everyone to speed up while staring intensely at the passage behind them, their fingers locked on the triggers.
Meanwhile, in the Support Zone of the Herta Space Station, the Astral Express Crew were also halted by the suddenly blaring alarm.
A second ago, March 7th was still holding her camera, chattering beside Stelle, showing her the photos she had just taken; Himeko was leaning against the table, holding half a cup of coffee, chatting with a researcher about recent star rail anomalies; Welt was adjusting his glasses, reviewing the latest research report from the Intelligentsia Guild;