Devising Stratagems

Trailblaze EXP x 400, Credit x 20000, Traveler's Guide x 2, "Cumulus Formations" x 1

πŸ“ The Xianzhou Luofu Central Starskiff Haven

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Move
Emotional Man
Emotional Man
Starwatcher Avenue is a bustling sight...
Melancholic Woman
Melancholic Woman
A pity we can't get through...
Emotional Man
Emotional Man
It will get better.
Melancholic Woman
Melancholic Woman
I certainly hope so.
πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ
Move
Salary-Concerned Freight Handler
Salary-Concerned Freight Handler
The area's been sealed off... are we still going to get paid...
Livelihood-Concerned Freight Handler
Livelihood-Concerned Freight Handler
How am I going to make ends meet...
πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ
Move
Serious but Polite Cloud Knights Soldier
Serious but Polite Cloud Knights Soldier
A lockdown has been imposed up ahead! No passage will be permitted!
Worried Man
Worried Man
My daughter is waiting for me at home...
Anxious Woman
Anxious Woman
I'll lose money on this shipment!
Flustered Man
Flustered Man
Please find it in your heart to let me through...
πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ
Move
Courteous Cloud Knights Soldier
Courteous Cloud Knights Soldier
Hold! You can't go through here!

Head to the Palace of Astrum and meet with Yukong

Knowing that you came for the Stellaron, Tingyun invites everyone to the Palace of Astrum for a meeting.
Six individual commissions oversee the Xianzhou. If you wish to move freely on the Luofu during these sensitive times, you must obtain the approval of the Head of the Sky-Faring Commission, Yukong, who is in charge of transport and diplomacy.
Tingyun
Tingyun
Oh, you're here already? Sorry to keep you waiting. Madam Yukong is expecting you.
March 7th
March 7th
Are you not coming?
Tingyun
Tingyun
I've brought Madam Helm Master up to speed. It's over to you now~

πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ
Palace of Astrum

πŸ“ The Xianzhou Luofu Palace of Astrum

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Unknown
Options
Decline!?
Why!?
...
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Unknown
Options
...
The Stellaron Hunters told us to come here!
The Stellaron Hunters want to use you to take us out!
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Unknown
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Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
The Astral Express! I must confess that the train's reputation precedes it, such that it is often close to my thoughts. How delightful to come face to face with its passengers!
Options
Frightfully delightful!
Would that this occasion had come sooner!
...Are you really a general?
Welt
Welt
It's an honor to meet you, general. May I ask what the favor you spoke of is?
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
Ah, a matter that requires capable people such as yourselves. We captured a member of the Stellaron Hunters a few days ago, who goes by the name of "Blade."
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
During our investigation, the Divination Commission β€” the department in charge of intelligence processing β€” intercepted a transmission sent out by his accomplice, Kafka, who has managed to hide aboard the ship. As for where that transmission was destined...
Options
The Express.
Go on! Where!?
...
Welt
Welt
...
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
I have some knowledge of your relationship with the Stellaron Hunters. The Divination Commission is convinced that you made an alliance with them... I say that's impossible. The crew of the Astral Express are honorable people whose valiant deeds are lauded across the universe. There must have been a misunderstanding.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
As such, I came to the conclusion that the communication must have been an attempt by the Stellaron Hunters to sow dissent between us.
Options
That's right! We've been framed!
Maybe the Stellaron Hunters have other motives...
...
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
We can handle the Stellaron, but it will take time and will require the bulk of the Cloud Knights on the ship. It is this Kafka that concerns me. The longer she stays on the ship, the bigger the threat she will pose.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
Since the Stellaron Hunters lured you to our ship, we shall move with the current. You are hereby authorized to do as you deem fit on the Luofu, with the goal of bringing Kafka out of the shadows and under our control.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
Doing so would clear the misunderstanding between us, reveal the true intentions of the Stellaron Hunters, and help us understand their connection to the Stellaron burst. What say you, my Astral guests?
Welt
Welt
...{NICKNAME}, what do you think?
Options
Let's move with the current and help out.
Our expedition was focused on the Stellaron...
We don't really have a choice.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
If you are able to capture this Stellaron Hunter, the Xianzhou will be indebted to you.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
I'm afraid my hands are tied on the matter β€” this is a diplomatic affair and I have rules to follow. But if you can bring me the Stellaron Hunter and discover her motive for placing a Stellaron on the ship, it would be of great help in resolving the incident.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
Of course you do. You can be strangers and simply walk away. But I feel you wish to help the Xianzhou.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
The Luofu never fails to reward that which is given.
Welt
Welt
...Okay.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
Wonderful, it's a deal then. I shall notify Yukong that all intel is to be shared with you, and that our best personnel are to aid you in your search.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
If there's anything the Sky-Faring Commission or the Cloud Knights can do for you during your stay, don't hesitate to make it known.
System
System
The chat concluded, and Welt shot you a covert gesture. You understand that this is the Crew's own discussion time.

Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
I have heard of you, {NICKNAME}... The Alliance is very interested in the Astral Express.
Options
About Blade...
About Kafka...
Once we catch the Stellaron Hunter...
I don't have any other questions.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
Blade is wanted by both the IPC and the Alliance. I'm afraid I cannot comment on his file.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
There are five known members of the Stellaron Hunters. Elio is their leader, but always stays behind the scenes. Most of the operations are led by Kafka.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
Had the Divination Commission not intercepted her encrypted transmission, she would have remained undetected for much longer.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
Bring her to us.
Options
Kafka is good at controlling the people around her.
Kafka won't say anything.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
Hmm, ordinary means may prove futile when it comes to this individual. But the Divination Commission has ways of...
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
...Haha, don't misunderstand me. The Xianzhou does not engage in torture. Retrieving intel does not necessarily involve the use of violence.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
In any case, you can deliver her directly to us. Once we learn something, I will share every piece of information with you.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
If things go as planned, I would love to find the time to sit with all of you and hear about your experiences among the stars. My responsibilities to the Xianzhou have meant that I haven't had the chance to travel in many years.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
We had heard nothing of the Express for a long time. It is heartening to learn of its continued journey along that starward track.
Jing Yuan
Jing Yuan
I have other matters to attend to. Goodbye for now.

Discuss your conclusions with Welt

In the Palace of Astrum, the hopeful Trailblazers are unfortunately rejected by Yukong.
The Stellaron's descent on the Xianzhou involves many secrets, and Yukong does not wish to employ outsiders to solve such problems. Just as you leave empty-handed, General Jing Yuan of Luofu's Cloud Knights appears and intervenes.
This smiling general seems to be on your side and opens a convenient door, but he secretly has other ideas in mind.
Devising Stratagems
Welt
Welt
Hmm, I think we only scratched the surface of this General Jing Yuan...
Options
Do you think there's something strange about him?
He seems suspicious...
I thought he was on our side?
Welt
Welt
I don't know about "strange," but my gut tells me something is off.
Welt
Welt
...
Welt
Welt
Ah, that's it! A minor detail, but curious. He avoided talking about Blade!
Welt
Welt
Since the Cloud Knights have already captured a Stellaron Hunter, why not use him to get to Kafka? Why rely on us?
Welt
Welt
The Xianzhou is reluctant to involve outsiders in the Stellaron disaster, so why is it so keen on letting us capture a Stellaron Hunter?
Options
Could Blade have escaped?
Do you think Jing Yuan lied about the Stellaron?
He's using us as bait...
Welt
Welt
Yes. The only sensible conclusion I can draw is that Blade had already escaped when Jing Yuan spoke to us β€” provided they even captured him in the first place.
Welt
Welt
Therefore, given our connection to Kafka, we represent the only way of luring the Stellaron Hunters in.
Welt
Welt
That's why he asked for our help... He didn't want to let anyone else find out that Blade had already escaped!
Welt
Welt
Now that we've figured that out, perhaps we can get closer to the core of what's happening here.
Welt
Welt
Oh? Care to elaborate?
Options
Why would he stop us from investigating the Stellaron?
Why did he ask us to go after Kafka?
Why is he being so kind to us?
Welt
Welt
He says he doesn't want outsiders getting involved in the Xianzhou's internal affairs, which is understandable.
Welt
Welt
...
Welt
Welt
Yes! There's something about this point...
Welt
Welt
He wants us to trust him. He took advantage of Yukong's frosty reception to play the good guy.
Welt
Welt
...
Welt
Welt
Ah, that's it! A minor detail, but curious. He avoided talking about Blade!
Welt
Welt
Since the Cloud Knights have already captured a Stellaron Hunter, why not use him to get to Kafka? Why rely on us?
Welt
Welt
The Xianzhou is reluctant to involve outsiders in the Stellaron disaster, so why is it so keen on letting us capture a Stellaron Hunter?
Options
Could Blade have escaped?
Do you think Jing Yuan lied about the Stellaron?
He's using us as bait...
Welt
Welt
Theoretically, yes. But something feels off.
Welt
Welt
...
Welt
Welt
Ah, that's it! A minor detail, but curious. He avoided talking about Blade!
Welt
Welt
Since the Cloud Knights have already captured a Stellaron Hunter, why not use him to get to Kafka? Why rely on us?
Welt
Welt
The Xianzhou is reluctant to involve outsiders in the Stellaron disaster, so why is it so keen on letting us capture a Stellaron Hunter?
Options
Could Blade have escaped?
Do you think Jing Yuan lied about the Stellaron?
He's using us as bait...

Meet with Tingyun

πŸ“ The Xianzhou Luofu Seat of Divine Foresight

In the Palace of Astrum, the hopeful Trailblazers are rejected by Yukong.
Fortunately, General Jing Yuan of Luofu's Cloud Knights appears and intervenes. However, he does not entrust you with the task of searching for the Stellaron, instead instructing you to locate Kafka's unpredictable whereabouts.
After leaving the Palace of Astrum, you have a short rest before commencing with your game of cat and mouse.
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Unknown

πŸ“ The Xianzhou Luofu Palace of Astrum

Leave
πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ
Seat of Divine Foresight
Devising Stratagems
Welt
Welt
This Jing Yuan... how much does he know, and how much is he hiding from us?

πŸ“ The Xianzhou Luofu Seat of Divine Foresight

πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ
Central Starskiff Haven

πŸ“ The Xianzhou Luofu Central Starskiff Haven


πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ
Move
Tingyun
Tingyun
*sigh* Madam Yukong has asked me to look after you.
Tingyun
Tingyun
Seems like we were destined to be in each other's company...
Tingyun
Tingyun
The Sky-Faring Commission has reserved rooms for you at the Petrichor Inn. When you finish your business here, how about some tea together?
Options
Thank you so much...
You seem reluctant...
A hotel? Again?
Tingyun
Tingyun
Not at all, though I'd appreciate it if you mention to Madam Yukong that you got a warm reception from me when you next see her. *sigh* Better to be busy than idle, I suppose.
Tingyun
Tingyun
No, no, though I'd appreciate it if you mention to Madam Yukong that you got a warm reception from me when you next see her. *sigh* Better to be busy than idle, I suppose.
Welt
Welt
Easy, I know this probably brings back bad memories.

Go with Tingyun to the Petrichor Inn

πŸƒβ€β™‚οΈ
Move
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The sun hasn't gone down yet.
Ready for a nap? That's not like you, March...
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Old girl?
Reasonable? Are we thinking of the same person?
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Unknown
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Say thanks to Madam Yukong for us!
The commission will cover the cost!
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Unknown
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Is there anything special about what she said?
Coordinates? Converge?
I heard something in the background.
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Chat with Welt and March 7th

In the Palace of Astrum, the hopeful Trailblazers are rejected by Yukong.
Fortunately, General Jing Yuan of Luofu's Cloud Knights appears and intervenes. However, he does not entrust you with the task of searching for the Stellaron, instead instructing you to locate Kafka's unpredictable whereabouts.
You have a short rest after leaving the Palace of Astrum, and you wonder what Dan Heng might be doing right now.
Welt
Welt
Let's take advantage of the rest. It won't be easy to track down Kafka the Stellaron Hunter.
March 7th
March 7th
Oh, let's let the Express know how we're doing~
March 7th
March 7th
More importantly, let's see how Dan Heng's doing! Hee-hee, ask him what he's up to β€” then tell him we're having loads of fun!
Options
(Text Dan Heng)
(Maybe later)

March 7th
March 7th
Message not sent? Why not?
Options
I don't know.
Bad signal?
Maybe they demolished the base stations?
Welt
Welt
Long-range communication technology is still improving. Perhaps the presence of the Stellaron is affecting signal transmission.
March 7th
March 7th
Doesn't seem like it, everything else is working fine β€” see?
Welt
Welt
In that case, it looks like someone wants to make things difficult for us. Since Kafka's here, I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to be that Stellaron Hunter hacker girl's handiwork.

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