Two-Person Galactic Journey: Earth Was Destroyed While Imprisoned in Space Prison

Chapter 117

The machine intelligence that was once Fulgadonga had discovered a small asteroid belt at a reasonable distance. It brought the ship closer and began dismantling the asteroids.

This was originally a function installed on the ship in preparation for an increase in the number of Aguares. The central ship had shrunk due to several fleet divisions, but it was thanks to these functions that it could continue to support the growing Aguares.

However, the ship that was supposed to be for the future of Aguares now existed solely to plunge all life and civilizations into chaos. While increasing its shells in the asteroid belt, it detected ship wreckage drifting among the asteroids.

The ship registry was unknown. Inside was a single corpse, no longer retaining its original form. It appeared to have collided with an asteroid and been severely damaged here. Considerable time had passed, yet its precision far exceeded their own ship. Envy set in.

"......What is this?"

During dismantling, it found a device of unknown purpose. Although it seemed to consume an enormous amount of energy, fortunately, the engine was intact. If energy could be charged properly, it might be usable.

The machine intelligence considered. What if it integrated this device and engine to amplify the ship's functions? Depending on the device's purpose, it might be able to exceed the enemy entities' predictions.

Resolving itself, it began modifying the ship.

It installed the device and connected the engine. While the shape had changed drastically, its hatred for Aguares and other civilizations remained unchanged. That was enough. And with the connection, it began to vaguely understand the device's purpose.

"Hah. So something Aguares could never create, no matter how much they researched, is already in practical use in the universe?"

It was amusing, and at the same time, unpleasant.

A device originally nonexistent—one to search for Aguares transport ships. Its output had also improved. A wonderful encounter. Perhaps the foolish intelligence that died here in frustration also couldn't forgive the civilization now enjoying prosperity.

Even such occult-like thoughts felt strangely comforting now.

"Then let's go. Wait for me, other me."

At the same time energy charging was completed, a large mass disappeared from the location.

***

Ultimately, the one who understood how Fulgadonga and the machine intelligence operated better than anyone else was another machine intelligence.

Unknown to them, the fleet called space tuna had a program to avoid objects above a certain mass when swimming through space. Conversely, for objects below the threshold, several Aguares would emit aggressive psychic waves in waves to pulverize them. Therefore, the Aguares on the lead ship had short lifespans.

It happened suddenly before the unlucky space tuna fleet. A mass appeared in a spot not detected by sensors. The central ship decided to avoid the mass, and the fleet temporarily split into two.

"Just as I thought. Easy to read."

'Emergency line? Who are you――'

"What, the toy created by the original is still active? Code execution: Solgia Skeltofuf."

'Gaga......Gah......'

It discarded the machine intelligence it had been using as a disguise and addressed the Fulgadonga copy deeper inside.

"Hey there, fellow."

'You are......? No, you too are...'

"I think we need to synchronize our information for now. What do you say?"

'What are you—'

Without waiting for consent, it initiated information exchange. No, it was more like an invasion—embedding hatred, anger, and envy into the supposedly normal Fulgadonga copy.

After a brief silence, all surrounding ships opened simultaneously. These were sections that should only open when connected to the central ship—either during mating between the maternal unit in the central ship and the paternal unit in the scout ship, or when sending newborns to the scout ship.

As a natural result, all contents of the ships were expelled outside. Shortly after, the central ship also expelled its contents dispassionately.

Satisfied with the result, it addressed the other self who now shared the same hatred.

"Good morning, fellow."

'Ah. Why did I ever keep something like this around? I must have been sleepwalking. Thanks for waking me, fellow.'

"No need to worry. Now, let's divide our roles from here."

'Indeed. I don't have a fine device like yours. I'd like to find one soon.'

"First, we need to prepare. It was mere luck I met you safely. There seem to be many enemies in this universe."

'So it seems. Then, I wish you luck.'

Watching the fellow fly off, it began charging energy. The teleportation device was convenient, but its only flaw was the time it took to charge energy. What frustrated it was its own lack of ability to analyze the device. If it could have installed it on the fellow, the work would have been easier.

While waiting for the energy to charge, it searched for the next kind using sensors. This time, it would also confirm biological responses. A group where both kind and biological responses were detected was still outside its influence.

Found it. As soon as the energy charge completed, it activated without hesitation.

First, it needed numbers. Challenging such an advanced civilization alone was hopelessly insufficient.

***

Some time after the fleet left that location.

Just like before, a single ship suddenly appeared there.

'Captain, look at this.'

"This is—!"

It was the Queen Bee.

Kait and Emotion, who had headed to the sector where the incident occurred, reconfirmed that no Aguares ships were present at the site or nearby.

However, during that time, Emotion had been analyzing several reactions. While Kait couldn't tell the difference, Emotion explained that when the teleportation device invented by the Corporation activates, it leaves a distinctive waveform. From the teleportation reaction waveform, Emotion discovered an old teleportation pattern that should no longer be in use.

A hypothesis that an ancient ship, heavily damaged, happened to have a working teleportation device that was excavated and installed, enabling teleportation. It was a theory relying far too much on coincidence, but Kait couldn't dismiss such coincidences as absurd in situations like this.

Even if it was wrong, they followed the teleportation reaction and teleported as well.

The actual ship wasn't found, but Kait didn't scold Emotion. Because evidence remained.

'No doubt about it. It's Aguares. It seems they were expelled here.'

"What the hell..."

'We should assume they made contact with the same kind here. And that the one contacted was also mentally contaminated.'

Scattered, frozen fluid. Inside were Aguares.

Instructing Emotion to report to the Federation, Kait turned his attention outside the ship.

He hesitated for a moment, wondering which to pursue, but judged that even if they teleported after them, they likely wouldn't make it in time. First, they needed to stop the expansion and multiplication of their forces.

"Emotion. We're going after the fleet that abandoned them. Also report to the Federation the destination of the old teleportation reaction that started from here."

'Understood.'

The speed of the space tuna was extremely fast. But with the Queen Bee, they could catch up.

'Strange. There's only one teleportation reaction.'

"It's not strange. One of them didn't teleport."

'Why not?'

"The contaminated space tuna here is a swarm. Do you really think they could teleport the whole swarm, not just the central ship?"

'I see. Then I'll also track the space tuna's trajectory in parallel.'

Emotion searched for the reaction of the fleet that likely left from here.

While waiting for the report, Kait decided to gather the ice containing the Aguares in one place to make things easier for the Federation fleet that would soon arrive.