After the spacecraft took off, the pilot shared the pre-set route with Meng Huai for his review.
"Student Meng Huai, how about this route back to Tuwang Star?"
Meng Huai glanced at it casually before handing the task of reviewing the route to Zheng Yiran. After all, she was the commander!
Zheng Yiran used her optical computer to check the route, comparing it with the one the pilot had planned for them. She inquired, "Why not take the route that passes through Afu Star?"
Zheng Yiran had determined that this route was the shortest and safest. The pilot was adhering to the principle of prioritizing Meng Huai and had casually asked for their input. He hadn't expected them to actually have questions and proceeded to explain.
"Student, you might not be aware, but star beasts are currently invading various places. Afu Star has a high concentration of star beasts nearby. It would actually be faster to take a detour."
Zheng Yiran was aware of the current star beast infestations and human riots on various stars, but as an ordinary military student who hadn't even graduated, she had no way of knowing the specifics. She wasn't insisting on following her designated route; she was simply being cautious and asking for clarification.
Seeing the pilot's explanation, she waved her hand, "I see. Then, let's proceed with your planned route."
The pilot, seeing Zheng Yiran's understanding, didn't say any more. "Then we're departing."
The spacecraft traveled at its fastest speed. The reason for choosing Tuwang Star was also due to its convenience on the route. The entire trip was planned based on danger levels and route convenience.
As they waited for the spacecraft to arrive, they passed a certain area, and Meng Huai suddenly called out to stop.
"Wait a moment!"
Meng Huai's voice, though not loud, was enough for everyone on the spacecraft to hear. The pilot was obligated to obey Meng Huai's commands. Upon hearing her voice, he stopped the spacecraft and looked back at Meng Huai. "Student Meng Huai, what is it?"
Meng Huai didn't speak, but instead looked at the area beneath the spacecraft. "Where is this? Why aren't the military suppressing the star beasts?"
The pilot found Meng Huai's question strange. He checked the map. "This place? This is Garbage Star No. 173. It's a garbage star! There aren't many high-ranking individuals here. If they encountered this situation, they probably ran first!"
What the pilot said was based on some information he had heard. It wasn't just garbage stars like this with no resources and almost no armed forces. Even in places with more capabilities, many leaders didn't care about the common people. Ultimately, some leaders only needed to protect themselves and their families, and the populace was less important than their own safety. Therefore, all armed forces were used to protect themselves. In contrast, Zheng Yiran and the others were on the Capital Star, where everyone was obligated to protect the populace. Even they, military students, were contributing their part during this crisis.
Upon hearing that such a situation existed, they found it unacceptable.
Hui Xingxiu was the first to question, "Even a garbage star should have a star lord, right? Or people from the military district? Which jurisdiction does this garbage star belong to? Is no one in charge?"
Some garbage stars were affiliated with other major stars, and simultaneously, the major stars would send troops to these garbage stars, partly for protection and partly for suppression.
The pilot looked at these military students and understood their meaning. The commander on the spacecraft also spoke, "Garbage Star No. 100-something, is it affiliated with Great Zhou Star?"
The mecha technician pondered for a moment. "Yes."
Upon confirmation, the commander continued, "Great Zhou Star can barely protect itself. This kind of garbage star would be even less likely to be managed."
Meng Huai directly said, "Let's go down and take a look!"
The pilot was stunned for a moment. Then, he looked at the commander sent from Tuwang Star, hoping the commander would intercede on his behalf. The commander naturally could not agree to Meng Huai's request and quickly said, "Student Meng Huai, this... Tuwang Star is waiting for you. Let's try not to delay, don't you think?"
Meng Huai remained silent. Hui Xingxiu quickly replied to the commander, "With star beasts rampaging and injuring people, are we just going to watch?"
The commander was at a loss for words. At this point, Meng Huai also said, "Who we save is also a rescue!" The implication was that Tuwang Star also needed her help. Meng Huai had the right to refuse them! The commander, being perceptive, understood the meaning of her words. He appeared hesitant, unsure of what to do. After all, they were asking for a favor, and they couldn't forcibly take Meng Huai back.
Meng Huai didn't want to make things difficult for him. "Let's just set up a simple formation. This garbage star isn't very big. We'll set up a small protective formation. Since we're here, we might as well help if we can!" She couldn't just let these people die right before her eyes.
The commander, resigned, said to the pilot, "Land." The commander was also frustrated. He had intended to take a detour to save time, but unexpectedly, time wouldn't be saved, and they had to return to this place.
The pilot, hearing the commander's compromise, sighed and said, "Alright."
The spacecraft landed on Garbage Star No. 173. The area was swarming with star beasts running amok, and not a single person was visible. However, on the streets and inside the houses, traces of blood and corpses could be seen. People at this time would hide in their houses rather than run outside, as the perception levels of those on garbage stars were at most B or C grade. They weren't trained individuals and had no experience with star beasts. Moreover, houses couldn't necessarily withstand star beasts. If they could hide, they would be safe; if they couldn't, they faced certain death.
Meng Huai said to Zheng Yiran, "You all clear out this area. Drive away or kill the star beasts as you can." Meng Huai then transmitted the area she had demarcated to Zheng Yiran. Zheng Yiran nodded, "No problem." Zheng Yiran shared the map with the others, and Hui Xingxiu and Jing Yuan Cheng went to action. The area Meng Huai had circled was a small town, but it was large enough to accommodate all the inhabitants of the garbage star.
Upon hearing Meng Huai's instructions, the people from Tuwang Star couldn't just stand by. So, the commander said to Meng Huai, "We'll help too." The commander thought to himself: Let's finish this quickly and leave!
Meng Huai was extremely pleased with this. She gave Zheng Yiran a look. Zheng Yiran, understanding her intentions, approached the commander and said, "Then I'll transmit the area to you." After the commander nodded, Zheng Yiran transmitted the information to him using her perception. After all, they were both commanders. If this commander were to reject it and attack with his perception, Zheng Yiran could potentially suffer damage to her senses.
Upon receiving the map, the commander from Tuwang Star relayed it to his subordinates. "You all clear out this area. Not a single star beast must remain!"