CHAPTER 1283: CHAPTER 23: PEACE AND UNDERCURRENTS WITHIN THE FEDERATION

Rose Federation, Four-leaf Crystal Star Domain.

Masha, Inor, and several other Songstresses from the Southern Star Region gathered at the headquarters of Grey Dust Crystal.

"So, Tilan is currently stranded in an unknown place, possibly due to the mech she was piloting crashing on some planet, unable to return, is that right?" Inor lightly placed one hand on the armrest of her seat and crossed the other hand in front of her, her emerald silk sleeves partially concealing her front.

"That’s correct, Miss Inor." The technical chief of Grey Dust Crystal replied, with many members in the room dressed in the same uniform.

"We know such news is somewhat unbelievable, but Miss Hexia indeed still exists somewhere in the Milky Way, and we hope to gain the assistance of the Songstresses."

The six Songstresses exhibited various expressions at that moment; they did not doubt the credibility of Grey Dust Crystal’s personnel, as their subtle connection with Hexia had not severed, indicating that she was undoubtedly still alive.

However, the fact that Hexia was lost on a solitary planet was undeniable, and without external help, it would be almost impossible for her to return to space or even escape the local Star Domain at superluminal speed. This would require rebuilding a lengthy technology and industrial chain from scratch, and even if Hexia had all the materials on her mech when she crashed, realizing each one would still take a long time.

This is considering a scenario with substantial population assistance; however, the most likely situation is that the planet Hexia is currently stranded on has no inhabitants, meaning she would not have the chance to return to the Federation even after hundreds of years in slumber on the planet.

Initially, Hexia’s strength had already won over several individuals, willing to rally the forces of various Star Domains in the south around her as the core, but now knowing the current situation, some among them began to have some shifting thoughts.

Regarding this situation, Masha was perceptive and was the first to express her stance.

"In that case, we will naturally spare no effort to support finding Miss Hexia. If you need help or cooperation, feel free to ask."

"Thank you, Miss Masha..." The chief technology officer then began to describe the encountered challenges and the need for assistance from enterprises with extensive accumulation in space technology and Aijieka Network Space technology.

"As for these issues... Please organize the specific requests, and send them to us later. We will act as intermediaries to negotiate with those enterprises." Masha thought for a moment and responded as such, given that Songstresses held substantial influence within their respective Star Domains, those enterprises usually would not refuse.

"Then, we are in your hands, Songstresses." Then, the personnel of Grey Dust Crystal handed over data chips to the six Songstresses.

Those who received the chips promised to do their best to assist, and thereafter the meeting dispersed and they each left.

The meeting room was empty once again, with some senior members of Grey Dust Crystal remaining inside for discussion.

"Although they verbally agreed, will those Songstresses indeed exert themselves in full assistance?" asked a slightly shorter committee member.

"We are not clear on what kind of alliance Miss Hexia formed with them, but based on Miss Hexia’s instructions before she left, they should be trusted, particularly Miss Masha."

"Miss Masha’s character is evident to all, but as for the others, I am not very reassured, especially Miss Yahemos who is fixated on financial interests, and Jiecalin and Muyawati’s relationships with Miss Hexia are also not that close."

"For now, this is all we can do, exert all efforts; nonetheless, there’s another piece of good news—’Time Seed Research Institute’ indicates an intention to fully assist us in finding Miss Hexia."

"Backing them are ’Alice’s Pocket Watch Maker’ and ’Lonely Ascending Star,’ two powerful enterprises with solid capabilities."

"The reason for their enthusiasm is because Miss Hexia was piloting a mech from their research institute when she disappeared; if this news spreads, the two giant enterprises cannot afford to bear such responsibility, hence their attentive involvement."

"Next week, the technicians from their research institute will arrive at the Four-leaf Crystal Star Domain, but it’s said that people from the Court of Judgment will also come along."

"Has the Court of Judgment been made aware of Miss Hexia’s disappearance?" One person showed some concern upon hearing about the Court of Judgment.

"Yes, but the Federation had too many events taking place recently, so it took them this much to allocate resources to address this."

"It can be understood; who would have foreseen that the much-underestimated Western United Fleet would repeatedly defeat the two main Federal Central Council fleets, forcing the council to dissolve, re-elect, and acknowledge their independence."

"Over the past two months, numerous analyses and discussions post-factum took place, and the conclusion was that the previous Central Council was too arrogant and greedy, thus missing various opportunities and solutions to crises."

"Had the Federal Center included Sunlit Level Songstresses to preside over the situation amid the rebellion, achieving uniformity in the council’s opinions and simultaneously exercising control over the will of the Golden Flame Grand Cathedral, the Fifth and Sixth Fleets would not have been so easily defeated, coupled with highly unified public opinion, an aligned top-down approach; even the Third and Fourth Fleets could be coordinated to command, at that time the Western United Fleet would have no chance at victory. "

"But given the current situation, who possesses the prestige to mobilize the Third Fleet, the Fourth Fleet? These two fleets with sacred missions, unless you bear the name of grand justice, or possess extremely high prestige, will they leave their stationed Star Domain. "

’Speaking of grand justice, perhaps only the rise of the Black Sun could motivate them to set sail,’ thought one of the committee members. "