Asta

A fiercely inquisitive and energetic young girl. She is the Lead Researcher of the space station Herta. Whether it is managing opinionated staff, or courteously but firmly responding to the Intelligentsia Guild's devious demands, Asta handles it all effortlessly. After all... commanding a space station is much easier than taking over the family business!

Back when she was still a child but was already picking out her own telescopes, Asta would always hear the faint murmurings of elders praising her. She was quite proud of this, because she could discern the quality of a telescope's primary mirror and autoguider with a mere glance. It wasn't until she drew within earshot one day that she learned they were actually tutting and tsking at her — how could such a little girl manage to pick out such expensive items? Personal hobbies don't exist in the eyes of these people. All they chose to see is a pampered little princess. "You like stars? Oh, I get it. You're a little girl. You all like sparkly things." "Yes... I'm researching protostars at the moment. I hope to name the stars I discover after myself... Just like those famous astronomers of old." "Is that all? Shall we name this planet after you for your next birthday? How about two planets? Those are actually quite cheap." "..." "Hey, where are you going, Asta? Asta!!!"

She knows that it doesn't matter whether she and her mother are reliable volunteers. People just want to see them here. That's all. After apportioning the food, the people disperse one by one, leaving behind a little boy. His right hand is wounded, and his eyes are like that of a wolf as he stares at her in a way she doesn't like. "Are you going to ask me to borrow money?" "I don't want any money. I have to pay back the cost of this meal, but I don't have any money on me." Occasionally, "friends" she never recognizes would come and ask if they could borrow money from Asta. However, it's the first time she actually heard someone offer to pay her back. Her eyes widen in surprise. Listening in, her mother can't help but laugh. "You're still a kid. What kind of work can you do?" "Fight." "That's not a good job. How about this — I'll give you a job." To this day, in Asta's heart, the bill for Arlan's meal was settled the moment he said that he'd pay her back.

"The stars follow their own orbits, but what about humans... Can we humans ever hope to control our own destiny?" A wealthy family background grants Asta the power to explore the stars, but also become her personal shackles. As she grows older, Asta's vow to become an astronomer was viewed as increasingly radical by her family. She begins to lose count of how many times she'd argue during family meetings about this very thing. Until one day, after a family meeting, a puppet girl walks in, And one of the family members who were so domineering a moment ago suddenly changes into a yes-man. "That's the girl." "But she'd..." "No buts. I didn't come all this way to listen to your garbage academic reports. I'd rather listen to this girl debate with you." "..." "I want to see her on the space station within three days." And with that, the puppet girl walks straight out without looking back.

After becoming the Lead Researcher of the Herta space station, Asta's life is now busier than ever before. She has to manage the researchers and their differing opinions, reply to the numerous correspondence meant for Herta, constantly negotiate with the IPC, and procure equipment from various different sources... But at the same time, she's experiencing the greatest freedom she'd ever known... "Deploy the Nyul Iman telescope in the second equipment bay. Set it to 100× astronomical units, and begin observation of the pre-stellar core in front of us." "Pay close attention to particle density. If you discover any super-dense structures, commence recording of the protostar fragmentation process at once." In her spare time, Asta would sometimes consider how Madam Herta never seems to come around anymore after Asta arrived at the space station. She even made inquiries, but was told, "If there's no interesting new stuff, I won't bother coming in." "...I'd rather listen to this girl debate with you." She thought back to the words Herta had casually told her family on that day long age. The Herta of her memories seems to stand out amongst resplendent starlight, giving her the power to control the starry sky — and her own destiny.

Hi, Trailblazer! The name's Asta, I'm the lead researcher on Herta Space Station. I'll be sure to let you know if I need your help... Don't worry, I think you'll be hearing from me.

*yawn* You're here! The observation matrix we adjusted should have some results for us now. Free to take a look?

Is that the time? Time flies when you're working hard.

*sigh* Even if I never kept in touch with any of my relatives, they would find their way over here.

You heard right! If I don't work hard, I'll have to go back and inherit the family fortune... *sigh*

...I haven't written a single word yet... But it won't take long once I get started!

"The space station is merely Herta's toy box." That's by no means an inaccurate statement. But this is Herta we're talking about — her toys are pretty dangerous~

Continuously channeling funds into constructing the space station, improving employee benefits, creating a positive feedback loop... Ahem, as well as satisfying the lead researcher's — that is to say my — indispensable shopping needs.

If only Madam Herta could pay a visit to the space station more often — the researchers are clearly her followers.

When I first got to the space station, the researchers had prepared a room for me. I—I was really grateful, but it was far away from everyone else. That was a bit disheartening.

Even the monitoring room is being monitored.

Arlan's always saying stuff like, "all of you must heed Lead Researcher Asta's judgment!" Then when I remind him that that includes him, he says, "don't worry, I have my own judgment."

If there's anyone who thinks they can be as headstrong as Madam Herta, I'd recommend they consider whether or not they possess her intelligence first.

I can't solve every problem the Express Crew might have in their voyage across the galaxy, but if money's ever the solution, come find me.

The last time I spoke with Topaz, we agreed to take a holiday. We were going to charter a ship, go star-seeing, and catch up on all the IPC gossip... but we still haven't had the chance...

I asked Miss Ruan Mei where I could buy a charm like the one on her sleeve — but I was surprised to learn she'd hand-embroidered it. I was equally surprised when she gave me my own hand-embroidered charm the next time she came to the space station. Her craftsmanship, like her research papers, is superb.

Every star is a miracle!

The more I learn about it, the more I love the starry sky.

Goals are like the stars — we'll reach them eventually.

Another step closer to distant worlds.

The Express has been a lifeline — time to return the favor!

Arlan... don't carry the weight alone.

Oh! Madam Herta? We've got nothing to worry about.

Topaz, what a coincidence! Guess I should see this as a business trip!

Hm. Scared yet?

Time to get vigilant.

A guest with no manners, huh?

I don't remember inviting you.

Guess what I'm about to do~

Look out~

Who's the lucky one today?

A gift from the stars~

Ow ow ow...

No, don't...

Everything is ordained by the stars.

Oh profound secrets of the stars, give these Trailblazers your blessing!

But I want... to know more...

That didn't count, let's go again!

Saving me won't earn you any favors.

Found your weakness~

The stars will always remember us.

Do I have this already?

Hope you like them!

Definitely worth our while.

Progress~

Been a while since I worked on one of these!

Might as well beat it up before it attacks me.

Can you see the stars from here too?