Screech—
The Infinite Train finally rolled to a stop at the frontmost position of Track No. 7, awaiting orders from the Control Tower.
For the first ti in a long while, Lin Xian felt as if he had re-entered human civilization—a world with rules and order. The feeling of wandering alone through the darkness seed to fade, if only slightly.
As the train settled, Lin Xian opened the carriage door and stepped down onto the Spaceport platform.
What t his gaze was an enormous expanse of vehicles, packed together in an organized queue. With nightfall, the massive entry and exit gates of the Spaceport had been sealed shut.
The skies were pitch black, and turret towers on the high walls spewed relentless gunfire. Several 1130 CIWS turrets hovered in defense, while atop the Climbing Elevators, two rail-mounted electromagnetic cannons humd with a soft blue glow.
However, among these defenses, many systems appeared damaged or out of service—a sign that they had been hastily repaired and deployed by the Phoenix Guild in an attempt to fortify the Spaceport platform.
All across the Spaceport, long lines of survivors and their convoys waited for their turn to board the Climbing Elevators.
The plaza was filled with people—a chaotic mix of refugees, rcenaries, and military personnel.
Among them, Iron Guard soldiers moved in disciplined formations, while transport trucks shuttled back and forth, ferrying weapons and ammunition to the outer defenses.
The acrid scent of gunpowder filled the air.
Chen Sixuan scanned the scene, her expression grim.
“This situation looks bad,” she murmured. "If the defenses collapse, there’s nowhere left to run.”
At that mont, Xu Jin, Shu Qin, and Old Mo walked over, having parked their vehicles nearby.
Xu Jin exhaled, looking up at the Climbing Passage towering over them.
"Judging by the queue," he said, "we’ll be waiting until dawn."
"And with all those jellyfish coming this way, who knows if the Iron Guard can hold out," Shu Qin added.
"They’ll manage," Old Mo shrugged. "As long as it’s not that one we saw at Mount Daluo."
"Don't underestimate military firepower. The real problems are internal infections from the Dark Invasion… and those giant creatures."
Lin Xian, however, frowned.
“Didn’t we hear from the Spaceport Security Regint earlier? Where the hell are they?”
"Security Regint? Oh, those guys are too busy guarding the rich folks inside the Inner Port."
A deep, booming voice interrupted them.
They turned to see a burly middle-aged man approaching—broad shoulders, a square jaw, and a thick beard. He wore a heavy fur coat, his beer belly pressing against the fabric. Behind him, a group of people followed, their eyes lingering on the Infinite Train with undisguised curiosity.
"Weird setup," one of them muttered.
"An old gas turbine locomotive pulling a nuclear-powered train? That makes no sense."
"Gas turbines aren't great for running away. Fuel's too unreliable."
"Those armor plates look like high-quality standard parts…"
"No visible weapons, though."
"And they don’t have many people, but damn… they've built quite the beast."
"Oi! Stop staring!" The bearded man interrupted, then turned his gaze to Lin Xian. He extended a rough, calloused hand.
"Na's Shi Diyuan. Commander of the Dragon Mountain No. 1."
Lin Xian glanced toward the massive intercontinental-class Doomsday Train in the distance, imdiately recognizing the na.
He reached out and shook the man’s hand.
"Infinite Train. Lin Xian."
"Infinite Train, huh? Sounds badass." Shi Diyuan smirked.
Without hesitation, he got straight to the point.
"That massive fireball in the sky earlier—half the Spaceport saw it. The gates were already sealed, but they reopened just for you.
I take it you guys ran into sothing big?"
“A whole bunch of Sky Jellyfish!”
Shasha piped up. “You an you didn’t see them?!”
“Pfft. Big creatures show up every night.” A woman behind Shi Diyuan scoffed. "We've seen plenty of monsters in the sky."
Lin Xian, however, still had questions.
“You ntioned the Security Regint was in the Inner Port… why?"
Shi Diyuan snorted.
"They're guarding the Federal Investigation Team."
At that mont, Ding Junyi walked up, holding her laptop.
"I accessed the Spaceport’s information network," she said.
"The Investigation Team was sent from Xingcheng Headquarters to investigate the Underground City No. 9 incident. Since Dr. Zhao and I still have valid clearance, I was able to check their mission logs."
She continued:
"Aside from their investigation, they're also evacuating the high-ranking officials and wealthy First-Class Citizens who were stranded here after the Great Migration. It’s technically a rescue operation."
Lin Xian’s eyes narrowed.
Could that be why they let his train through?
Did Ding Junyi’s connection with the Federal Team get them special clearance?
“So the old Federal Governnt is still operating out of Xingcheng?” KIKI asked, frowning.
“Aren’t they worried about the Polar Night?”
Ding Junyi shook her head.
“The Federal Governnt's entire Doomsday Plan revolved around Underground Cities. That hasn’t changed."
"A bunch of stubborn old f*ers!" KIKI spat.
Ever since she learned about Underground City No. 9’s self-destruct protocol, she had nothing but contempt for the old governnt.
"Haha! That’s exactly right!" Shi Diyuan laughed.
"Those bastards showed up two days ago. Looks like they’re planning to escape on a large airship with a few hundred people."
His voice was filled with disdain.
"They've redirected the entire Spaceport Security Regint to protect their flight bay.
They’d rather waste soldiers guarding the rich, than lift a single finger to defend the periter. So now, the entire defensive line is being held by the Iron Guard Brigade."
“Yeah.”
One of his n added, “The Iron Guard was supposed to rest and recover, but now they’ve been forced to take over Spaceport defense.
They haven’t slept in days."
Everyone frowned.
It was no secret that the Iron Guard Brigade had suffered horrific losses at Mount Daluo. Hearing that they were now overburdened while the Security Regint protected the elites made everyone’s blood boil.
Lin Xian asked,
"Why is the Security Regint still following orders from the old Federal Governnt?
I thought the Phoenix Guild was in charge now?"
"It’s not that simple."
Old Mo pushed up his sunglasses and joined the conversation.
"The Phoenix Guild was only ford a few months ago.
The old governnt and the new governnt are still tangled in bureaucratic sses.
The Spaceport Security Regint is a local military force—it doesn’t follow the sa chain of command as the Interstellar Army or the Iron Guard Brigade."
Before anyone could respond,
a convoy of ard vehicles sped toward the Spaceport Plaza.
The vehicles carried heavily ard personnel—along with several Federal Officials.
Leading them was a blonde woman in a black leather coat and sunglasses, her every step sharp and commanding.
Ding Junyi’s eyes narrowed.
"That’s the Spaceport Security Regint," she murmured.
"And those must be the Federal Officials."
Lin Xian glanced back at the Infinite Train.
Inside, Zhao Yan and Xu Wen were hiding in the carriage, too afraid to co out.
"Since your people are here," Lin Xian said to Ding Junyi,
"Tell them to co out."
Ding Junyi hesitated.
“The Investigation Team will probably want to speak with you," she warned.
"Whatever they say—just refuse."
Lin Xian chuckled.
"Survivors like us were abandoned by the Federal Governnt.
From a sociological standpoint, they have no authority over .
Tell them to mind their own damn business."
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