The Great Train Robbery

The Great Train Robbery is the first part of the Trailblaze Mission chapter In Our Time. It automatically begins after completing A Walk Among the Tombstones.
==Steps==
# Continue the story from the designated Express location
==Dialogue==
===Continue the story from the designated Express location===
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: Male Voice: Newsflash: Penacony's Charmony Festival has entered its countdown phase. Accompanied by Clockie's tick-tocks, after 12 system hours, this grand celebration will commence with much fanfare...
: Pom-Pom: I already told you! We can talk things out!
: ???: I'm sorry, fluffy. I really have something urgent to attend to, so I had no choice but to resort to asking this favor of you all.
: Dan Heng: Since you already know what you're doing, I'll also have to remind you of its risks.
: ???: Hey partner, what's with the hostility? I thought pulling this thing out was just a way of saying hello?
: Dan Heng: For the last time, state your identity and purpose.
: ???: My name's Boothill, and I'm a Galaxy Ranger.
: Dan Heng: A Galaxy Ranger?
: Boothill: You look like you've seen a ghost. Did you think we all went extinct? Haha! Well, that's the price you pay for being off-grid for too long.
: Dan Heng: The righteous heroes of The Hunt would never hijack the Astral Express.
: Boothill: I ain't hijacked anything! What, chatting with someone while holding a gun is considered a hijacking?
: Pom-Pom: It probably is...
: Dan Heng: Pardon my frankness, but there are plenty of rumors in the cosmos regarding the Galaxy Rangers' current status, and none of them are pretty stories. I have a hard time believing you.
: Boothill: This is hilarious. The tale that this bunch of fools spin is getting out of hand — there's even a bit about the Galaxy Rangers being turned into gibbons by Dr. Primitive, and they're in some valley screwing around on swings.
: Boothill: Of course, I know you won't believe me. Which is also why, similarly, I have a hard time believing that you're the real Nameless.
: Boothill: See the bullets in this gun? 9-millimeter, an eternal classic. I may need the Astral Express' help right now, but if you're an imposter just like that one... Tsk, then this bullet might just end up in my head.
: Boothill: I can't allow myself to be exposed to danger. That's just the way it goes. So, you all have to first prove yourselves... Huh, where are you going?
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: Dan Heng: Recognize this?
: Boothill: Hah? It's a... muddle-fudger... the Jade Abacus of Allying Oath!? The Xianzhou really gave this to you guys!?
: Pom-Pom: *confused* M—Muddle-fudger?
: Dan Heng: This is the jade abacus gifted to the Express by the Xianzhou Luofu's General Jing Yuan. Its presence onboard serves as the Xianzhou Alliance's official recognition of the Express.
: Dan Heng: Is that enough?
: Boothill: ...Not bad, kiddo.
: Boothill: And across these sprawlin' stars, a gentle squeeze is all it takes to rustle up a whole legion of Cloud Knights. Now I reckon that'd be one fudgin' sight to behold.
: Dan Heng: Now, it's your turn.
: Boothill: Been ages since the Galaxy Rangers had the spotlight shone on 'em, and we ain't equipped with such fancy gadgets. But I've been around the block enough to know the way to handle these types of situations is easy as pie...
: Boothill: Alright then, feel free to toss any question my way, and let's see if my answers can't earn your trust. If your gut tells you otherwise, it still ain't too late to show me the door.
: Dan Heng: And why would I play along?
: Boothill: If I truly am a real Galaxy Ranger, you stand to lose nothing.
: Dan Heng: ...
: Dan Heng: Alright then. Tell me, what kind of organization are the Galaxy Rangers?
: Boothill: Ha, my friend, this question is a hard one. Don't think I can even consider us an "organization" to begin with.
: Boothill: Everyone's on their own fated path along The Hunt, with their own resolute sense of righteousness, and not so... welcome among such so-called universal values.
: Dan Heng: This reply does not instill trust, and only makes your predicament more precarious.
: Boothill: I'm guessing you're gonna ask about some form of shared faith, right? But us Galaxy Rangers don't need that sort of thing. What brings us together is a shared bottom line.
: Boothill: Never bully the weak, never kill the innocent... These oaths aren't some lofty beliefs, but the fundamental bottom line that one must never cross as a person.
: Boothill: As Galaxy Rangers, we strictly adhere to the bottom line — when someone crosses them, The Hunt's vengeance will surely come knockin'.
: Boothill: And in this moment, the other crucial meaning of "bottom line" comes into play — as long as you don't cross it, you're free to do whatever you please. You catch my drift?
: Dan Heng: Second question: Why do you seek trouble with the Astral Express?
: Boothill: I already said that I seek no trouble. I must go to Penacony for a matter, but I don't have an invite, and I can't even enter The Family's hotel doors. If only... I could borrow the Nameless' identity. The entire cosmos knows you're guests of The Family.
: Pom-Pom: Aren't the Galaxy Rangers also esteemed guests?
: Boothill: Oh! You've hit the nail on the head... This is why I'm here! It's fine if I tell you — the Rangers are pursuing an imposter, a son of a nice lady posing as one of us. She's on Penacony right now.
: Boothill: My informant is a Memokeeper. She's the same as all memetic organisms — appearing one moment, and gone the next. She scares the fudge outta me. Still, she gave me some vital info.
: Dan Heng: That Galaxy Ranger imposter... Who is it?
: Boothill: Is that the third question?
: Dan Heng: Is it a hard question?
: Boothill: It isn't, just that you might not believe me. That person calls herself Acheron, and according to our informant, she could be... an Emanator of Nihility.
: Dan Heng: That's impossible.
: Boothill: That's what I said. Don't worry. When I first received the news, I had the exact same reaction as you.
: Dan Heng: IX never gives anyone so much as a first glance, and that's perfectly normal. What reason would THEY have to bequeath strength unto mortals?
: Boothill: Then you must know that Emanators can also conceal their own identities, which, for many people, is better that way. Otherwise, there'd be wanton bloodshed across the cosmos, or even... perhaps... turning their back on the Path they're supposed to follow.
: Boothill: I had the good fortune of running into an Elation Emanator — its appearance was no different than that of those clowns. If it weren't through sheer luck that I got it drunk, I would have never known of its eminent status!
: Boothill: Even in the purest Hunt, you'll find the Xianzhou Alliance under the spotlight and Galaxy Rangers lurking in the shadows. Paths are inevitably concepts created by people, and exist in planes beyond our understanding.
: Boothill: To reckon that Nihility Emanators don't exist...? Maybe we just ain't nihilistic enough.
: Dan Heng: ...
: Boothill: So do you understand now? Your companions are in danger, and it's pretty harrowing. If you don't want to believe me, you'd best send a message to 'em. But I'd advise you to move fast...
: Boothill: We don't know what's happening in the Dreamscape, or how much of what the Memokeeper said is true...
: Boothill: And that Acheron... Who knows what she intends to do.
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: Acheron: ...I don't intend to do anything.
: ???: That's not up to you.
: ???: Did you know? People who come to the land of dreams for the first time, they'll subconsciously stop to reaffirm that they're still walking on solid ground. And then, they will unanimously raise their heads to gaze at the sky.
: ???: Be it reality or dream, staring at the sky is instinctual for humanity. Since the day that the Golden Hour was completed, it's always been there, watching over every single night of decadence.
: ???: But now this night sky has been mercilessly severed, dyed with the mist of Nihility. And this whole event... happened within the course of a single slash of a blade.
: Acheron: A single slash of a blade... isn't really accurate. It was actually two blades, just that the second one was faster.
: ???: That's not the point.
: ???: Many guests who weren't supposed to be invited have gathered at this banquet. Even if the Harmony is all-embracing, I have no choice but to show some of them the door... for the sake of Penacony, and the peace.
: ???: The Planet of Festivities has no place for you, a puppet of Nihility. Those who live in the shadows do not bear the right to tread the illuminated stage.
: Acheron: Speaking of living in the shadows, there's probably not much difference between us. It's only polite to reveal your true self, at least when speaking to others...
: Acheron: Penacony's Dreammaster.
: "Dreammaster": That's just another reason that you can't stay.
: "Dreammaster": Whether you believe it or not, this is the real "me."
: "Dreammaster": We are one.
: Acheron: Is this the "United as One" that The Family espouses?
: "Dreammaster": My mortal shell has long since dissipated. The Oak Family's one hundred and seven thousand, three hundred and thirty-six offspring are now my eyes, ears and mouths, spreading joy across dreams when required, and in times of essential need... exiling evil from this haven in my stead.
: Acheron: From the sound of it, it seems like you're asking me to leave Penacony.
: "Dreammaster": I am glad that you're an understanding one. Alas, I'm not "asking."
: Acheron: If you think you can.
: "Dreammaster": Are you threatening me?
: Acheron: Hmm... I ended it with a period. It was a statement, not a threat.
: Acheron: Knowing who I am and still showing such malice, you're not the first, nor will you be the last. This scene played out many times before — and usually, when faced with my questions, most people retort "Why can't I?"
: Acheron: The result has invariably been that they "can't."
: "Dreammaster": You are confident, but be reminded: The Family is forgiving, but not weak. The chords of the Harmony extend across worlds — if you do not comply, when the blade is unsheathed for even a hair's breadth, you will never be able to escape the Eternal Centurion's wrath in all of your lifetime.
: "Dreammaster": One hundred and thirty-seven individuals: That is how many heathens I have exiled since I became Dreammaster. Among them, were those who once severed my wings, and those who immolated my body...
: "Dreammaster": And here I stand again, about to add another mark to the tally.
: Acheron: And you will die. I mean... all of you will.
: "Dreammaster": ...
: Acheron: ...
: Acheron: ...But that won't come to pass. I'll do as you ask. I'll leave.
: "Dreammaster": A wise choice.
: Acheron: I wasn't aware there was a choice.
: "Dreammaster": To you, that surely is the only option. Please bear in mind, you and Penacony are of different worlds — those born on the far bank cannot seek solace across the river.
: "Dreammaster": Leave, and never return. The radiance of the Planet of Festivities is overwhelmingly bright, luring in tricksters, wrongdoers, and criminals. But even the Harmony itself... will never welcome the Self-Annihilator of Nihility.
: "Dreammaster": And even more so, when this Self-Annihilator heralds the destruction of everything. Your strength is obviously a gift of the sleeping and shapeless, immeasurable and fathomless, like a tributary spawned from the abyss that brings death and sin to all.
: "Dreammaster": Acheron... a befitting name.
: Acheron: Take it from someone on the other side of your so-called river: You know better than I do that Penacony has already deviated from the Harmony. Whatever your intentions may be... I foresee only one outcome.
: Acheron: Its future holds nothing but Nihility, just like all the worlds that have drowned in shadow.
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:Switching to Robin's POV...?
:Penacony falls into temporary chaos due to the commotion at the Theme Park, and Robin(?) decides to use this opportunity to distribute her little gift...
==Trivia==
*The name of this mission is a reference to 's .
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