Astro (Herta version) crossed his arms, mimicking Herta's iconic tone:
"That sounds like... a somewhat interesting proposal."
"But, Herta, you should understand that excellent cooperation needs to be built on equality and sincerity."
Astro extended a small finger.
"You mentioned design optimization and performance enhancement. That's good."
"But how do I know if your optimization will include hidden agendas?"
"Or if the enhancement plan you provide is essentially just to more easily study the underlying logic of my abilities?"
"Or even an attempt to replicate or reverse-control them?"
"So, if you really want to establish a deeper cooperative relationship..."
The corner of Astro's (Herta version) mouth curled into a provocative smile that contrasted sharply with his current loli appearance.
"Why don't we start by improving the foundation of our cooperation a bit?"
"Discussing such important matters with a remotely controlled puppet feels... a bit lacking in reality."
His gaze locked tightly onto the Herta Puppet's inorganic eyes as he stated his condition word by word:
"Let me meet your true self, Herta."
"If you agree to this premise... then the cooperative research will have the value to continue."
March 7th's mouth hung open as she whispered to Dan Heng:
"Wow, Astro... he's so bold. Herta's true self... they say almost no one has ever seen her, right?"
The shota version of the Herta Puppet fell into a brief silence.
He stared at Astro for several seconds before slowly speaking, his tone betraying neither joy nor anger:
"...An interesting proposal, and... bold enough."
The Herta Puppet tilted its head.
"You seem very certain that I would be interested in your request for a meeting? Even willing to pay the price of my true self appearing for it?"
"It's a reasonable deduction."
Astro (Herta version) did not back down, responding with clear logic.
The Herta Puppet was silent for a while, seemingly engaging in a rapid thought synchronization with the true self somewhere far away.
A few seconds later, he gave a soft "Hmph."
"...Logic holds up."
The shota puppet crossed his arms, finally making a decision.
"Fine. I accept this prerequisite."
He extended a finger and swiped several times in the air, and a miniature holographic star chart projection appeared at his fingertip.
"My true self is currently in a deep-layer laboratory on the Azure Star."
"When the research is over, I will find you to discuss cooperation."
Herta (shota version) had essentially confirmed the temporary agreement with Astro.
But he clearly didn't intend to waste any more time on Astro.
His gaze turned toward Sister Caelus, who had been standing quietly nearby, looking somewhat out of the loop.
"Hey, Grey-haired one."
The Herta Puppet spoke with his characteristically impatient tone.
"Don't just stand there blankly. Do you want to meet my true self too?"
"As a Stellaron Host, although your data isn't as interesting as that magic-trick guy next to you,"
"it still has some... research value."
Sister Caelus seemed to take a beat to realize Herta was talking to her.
She looked up with a dazed expression and glanced at Herta.
Then, very directly—she shook her head.
The movement was slight, but the meaning was clear: she didn't want to.
On the Herta Puppet's exquisite little face, a crack appeared in that stylized indifferent expression.
"Huh?"
"Getting to see my true self is an opportunity many would beg for, and you actually... refuse?"
He crossed his arms, tilting his small head to one side, his tone full of questioning: "Is there something wrong with you?"
"Hmph, fine. I can't be bothered with you. Anyway..."
His gaze fell upon the seemingly ordinary baseball bat Sister Caelus was clutching tightly in her arms.
"That broken baseball bat in your hand is a registered item in my Curio collection."
The Herta Puppet pointed a small finger at the bat.
"If you want to take it with you, fine."
"But the condition is—let me study you for a while."
Sister Caelus's reaction was much faster this time.
Almost as soon as Herta finished speaking, she hugged the baseball bat even tighter.
"It's... not a broken baseball bat."
Sister Caelus's voice wasn't loud, even a bit soft, but it was firm.
She lowered her head, her cheek gently rubbing against the rough surface of the bat.
"It's... my partner."
Hearing this, March 7th's eyes lit up, and she whispered in admiration:
"Wow, Sister Caelus... she really treasures that bat."
The Herta Puppet clearly hadn't expected such a response.
He was silent for two seconds, then—
"Partner? A broken baseball bat with no consciousness, a crude design, and no use other than being hard?"
"You consider it a partner?"
"Boring anthropomorphic sentimentality, an inefficient cognitive mode!"
"It's just a Curio, a tool whose principles need to be understood!"
"Your 'partner' talk has no meaning other than interfering with rational judgment!"
Sister Caelus didn't speak again, she just held the bat tighter, expressing silent resistance through her actions.
Her posture clearly said: I won't let go no matter what you say.
Astro watched from the side, mentally facepalming.
Good grief, Herta, this logic-above-all-else person, and Sister Caelus, whose brain might still be a bit foggy but whose intuition and stubbornness were peaking,
were not communicating on the same wavelength at all.
Seeing the atmosphere about to freeze again, Ms. Welt Yang gave a timely light cough and stepped forward.
"Mr. Herta, if it's just to monitor the stability of the Stellaron inside Sister Caelus and doesn't harm her,"
"then how about she goes to your place for an examination after she's settled in?"
Ms. Welt Yang pushed up her glasses, her steady tone setting the tone for this small standoff.
Her gaze swept over Sister Caelus, who was still clutching the bat as if facing a great enemy,
and then toward the Herta Puppet, who had an expression of "you're all wasting my time."
"Suit yourselves!"
Seeing his goal achieved, Herta turned his gaze to Astro (Herta):
"The temporary agreement is established. Once I've handled a few higher-priority projects on hand, I'll contact you via the beacon."
His gaze finally flicked to Sister Caelus, or rather, the bat in her arms:
"As for you, Grey-haired one. When you're settled on the Astral Express and have nothing urgent to do,"
"remember to come to my designated research room. Don't hold it so tight, no one's going to steal your 'partner'."
With that, the light of intelligence in the shota Herta Puppet's eyes completely faded.
It was as if it had become a true model puppet, no longer showing any reaction.
Almost at the same time, a grateful male voice rang out:
"Everyone! Thank you so much! The threat to the Master Control Zone has been cleared, and Order is being restored to all sectors!"
Station Master Asta (male version) walked over quickly, his face filled with sincere relief.
He first bowed solemnly to Ms. Welt Yang and Uncle Himeko, his gaze sweeping over the Astral Express Crew, finally landing on... landing on Astro, who was still in his Herta form, arms crossed.
Astro's small face bore a subtle expression of "trouble settled" left over from the negotiation.
Station Master Asta was visibly startled.
This... petite puppet girl with brown hair and an exquisitely complex dress before him.
That familiar arm-crossing posture, that slight tilt of the chin.
Especially that cold aura of "it's done, don't bother me"... a very logical conclusion hit him instantly:
This must be a new puppet made by Master Herta!
And it's even a female version!
Has the Master recently developed a new research interest in the gender expression of puppets?