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

Chapter 118

The trail the Queen Bee was chasing was the distinctive kind formed by the space tuna swarms they had encountered so far.

The Queen Bee flew along the trail's signal. They could have teleported, but Kait, who didn't want to sever coordination with the Federation, avoided the momentary gap that teleportation would cause. A report came in that the pursuit team centered around Terapolapaneshio had reached the space region Kait had arrived at earlier.

Before he could give instructions, Emotion was already transmitting data. The enemy's teleportation signal was registered. That set the stage for pursuit. The only remaining concern was how many Fulgadonga copies would be contaminated before they caught up to the original source of contamination.

"Emotion"

'Yes'

"Coordinate with the Fulgadonga copies in the Corporation"

'Is that really okay?'

"The enemy is likely developing a method to detect the location of their own kind. If we don't prepare the same type of unit, we'll be stuck in a perpetual game of tag."

'True. That's necessary to preserve the Aguares as well.'

"Exactly. I'm counting on you."

'Understood'

While Emotion focused on contacting the Corporation, Kait communicated with Terapolapaneshio from the pursuit team.

"I'm currently requesting the Corporation to develop a search device for Aguares. Once completed, we'll provide it, so please increase the number of Aguares fleets you can secure."

'Understood. I wonder how intense the pursuit will get.'

"In that case, the ones who will suffer damage are not us, but the Aguares onboard. If we don't dry them out, the damage will only increase."

'Exactly. For now, we've secured the Aguares that were in this space region. The chance of revival is low, but we'll do everything we can.'

"Thank you."

'May fortune favor you, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif)'

Kait ended the communication.

Once Emotion finished her preparations, they would accelerate.

Neither damage to the planet nor military buildup would go as the enemy wished.

***

The target Aguares fleet—no, since the Aguares were likely no longer aboard, perhaps it was better to call it a contaminated fleet—had closed in to the point of entering visual range.

'Shall we launch an assault?'

"No. Let's try talking first."

'They're the enemy. Is there any point in doing that?'

"There is."

At the very least, they could gauge the enemy's intentions.

Whether they'd attack without warning, pretend to be transporting Aguares, or retreat immediately until their forces were ready—any of those were possibilities.

Doing nothing wasn't even considered. They had already confirmed there was no Aguares signal inside the ship. Even if they offered no resistance, they would be crushed.

"To the Aguares transport ship ahead. Your fleet is violating Federation territory. Cease all movement immediately and submit to inspection."

There was no response. Only two ships at the rear charged toward them. They were likely aiming for a direct collision to cause massive damage. That meant the first prediction had been correct. It was the simplest and most foolish decision.

Kait didn't bother intercepting and took the hit directly. Naturally, with the barrier deployed, the Queen Bee suffered no damage.

"Attack confirmed. Determining that negotiation is not possible, we will now annihilate your fleet."

Despite the direct hit, there was no sign of pain or damage. The enemy seemed at least somewhat surprised. They sent more ships charging again, but this time Kait intercepted them with the Worker Bees.

Kait leapt out of the ship. He planted his feet firmly on the platform and leaned his upper body slightly forward. A torrent of purple electricity surged from his hair.

'What the hell? Are you insane?'

They had ignored Kait's questions, yet had no problem hurling their own. How ridiculous.

Kait didn't respond and scattered the Worker Bees around. While accelerating the Queen Bee, he shot down the pursuing ships one after another.

The difference in visible combat power was staggering. The enemy had countless small ships, while Kait had only the Queen Bee. Sending a few ships toward him wasn't an illogical tactic—if the opponent weren't Kait.

In the first place, it was unnatural for the Worker Bees to remain around the Queen Bee. Given the speed, they should have been left behind instantly. However, sustained by Kait's psychic power, the Worker Bees destroyed the approaching ships with complex, erratic movements.

"No need to use the Psionic Launcher."

It would be exhilarating to sweep them all away, but there was a risk of involving the core ship as well.

There were things he wanted to confirm. Keeping the core ship at the edge of his vision, Kait methodically destroyed the incoming ships as if performing a task.

Once the number had finally dwindled, the core ship began directing all remaining ships toward him at once. Apparently, they were trying to escape amidst the chaos. Futile effort.

Dodging or deflecting with barriers the small ships charging in from all directions without regard for friendly fire, Kait accelerated further toward the core ship. The barrier, which had withstood even battleship-grade optical weapons, wouldn't be damaged by mere small ship collisions.

"If you really wanted to run, you should've made a straight dash for it without wasting time. Not that I'd let you escape anyway."

'N-No, stay away!'

The mechanical intelligence sounded terrified, but it was too late. They had struck first.

Its movements betrayed an obvious intent to escape. Kait extended a hand from the Queen Bee and firmly secured the core ship. At that moment, the scattered small ships rushed toward the Queen Bee.

He felt as if the core ship was saying, "We won." Watching the reckless suicide attacks against the barrier, Kait was genuinely glad there were no Aguares inside.

'Impossible.'

The communication device muttered that softly.

No matter how many small ships they threw, the Queen Bee's barrier showed no signs of damage. With the core ship captured and the small ships spent, it had no options left. It might self-destruct, but even that wouldn't scratch the Queen Bee.

Other Federation warships could do the same. Aside from the difficulty of catching up, there was no chance of losing in terms of ship performance. The same scenario would likely play out—futile suicide attacks against the barrier.

If it had been a fleet, they would have fled from the start. In fact, that's what they did the first time. But this time, with only one ship, they misjudged. Kait, speaking as if to the utterly despairing mechanical intelligence, gave Emotion an order.

"Emotion. Extract the information from this ship. Use any means necessary."

'!?'

'Is that really okay, Captain? If I do that, there's a risk I could be contaminated.'

Emotion knew what she was doing, and deliberately responded in a way the enemy could hear.

Kait snorted at her question.

"What are you talking about? Do you realize how vast the difference is between you and the machine intelligence in here? If there's any corruption, clean it out completely."

'Understood. As a result, I may end up erasing the personality of the onboard machine intelligence. Is that acceptable?'

'Wait, wait! I'll answer your questions! I'll tell the truth, everything, just ask anything!'

"No need."

Kait agreed neither to Emotion's malicious confirmation nor to the desperate communication that followed.

"All the Fulgadonga not secured by the Corporation are going to be eliminated anyway. It doesn't matter who or what that machine intelligence is. Begin the operation."

'Understood, Captain.'

'Wait, what are you doing... What are you going to do!?'

The difference in combat power extended even to the ship's interior. The upgraded Emotion was the Federation's most advanced system. She herself had said that contamination from such a primitive machine intelligence was impossible.

She had asked Kait deliberately, to demonstrate that there was no risk. Apparently, she was quite angry at the opponent before her. The data extraction would be extremely thorough.

It was no longer a voice, but clearly a ruinous mechanical sound coming from the other end of the communication device. Kait quietly turned down the volume.