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

Chapter 120

After completing all the preparations, Kait returned to the Queen Bee and first decided to check on the status of the pursuit team.

'Hey, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen Enec Lagif. How are things on your end?'

"Preparations are complete. What about you?"

'Not so great. We've been scanning every time we move, but we've let three flocks slip away. It seems they've realized they're being pursued.'

"I see. Maybe the contaminated flocks are capable of sharing information with each other."

'Ah, that would explain it. That makes sense.'

It seemed Terapolapaneshio from the pursuit team had an idea. Perhaps one of the contaminated fleets had shown strange behavior along the way.

Based on the information sent by the pursuit team, Emotion began her analysis. Using the star map, the route the contamination core had taken, and the tracking software created by Fulgadonga copy, she was calculating where it would head next.

'We'll continue chasing the contamination core. Kait, Third-Rank Citizen, you go ahead using the information. When we can catch it in a pincer attack, that will be the time to settle this.'

"Understood. What should we do about the contaminated flocks?"

'We've already requested reinforcements from the Federation Congress. Given the circumstances, our full mobilization has also been approved until the contamination core is eliminated. So we can't afford to waste time.'

That's true, Kait nodded.

Space jellyfish are often individuals closely tied to the core of the Federation's society. Not only do they have a unique ecology in which all individuals share a single self, but they are simply capable of doing many things. Beyond their use of psychic power, their versatility is always astonishing.

If Terapolapaneshio were to be removed from Federation duties, it would mean a significant drop in the Federation's operational efficiency. It was clear they couldn't afford to take their time.

'The fleets participating as reinforcements will primarily be assigned to the protection of Aguares. Once the military fleets finish pursuing the escaped flocks, they'll act as a mobile force to monitor the surrounding space. We must assume that other contamination cores exist.'

"Agreed. Then we'll move on our own."

'I'm counting on you.'

After finishing the briefing, they activated the Queen Bee's engine.

While waiting for Eanipol's hatch to open, Emotion suddenly voiced a question.

'Captain. About the defective copy—'

"Yeah?"

'Was there never a copy that abandoned hatred and truly worked for Aguares?'

"There might have been."

'I hope we find one.'

"That's probably impossible."

Emotion seemed at least a little disappointed by Kait's words.

But that was only natural.

"If such a being existed, they would have already relocated the moment they found a habitable planet."

'!'

If hatred had been cast aside, then Fulgadonga would truly be a guardian of Aguares. It wouldn't even be strange if their descendants were among the species affiliated with the Federation.

'Yes. I hope that's the case.'

Emotion seemed to have pulled herself together. Kait was glad to see her mood improve.

As for the softly muttered "thank you" that came after, Kait pretended not to hear it.

***

Based on the prediction, the Queen Bee concealed itself in an asteroid belt close to where the first contaminated fleet had been discovered.

The contamination core had cleverly jumped around various places, but the fleets that had shaken off pursuit were all operating in space near this asteroid belt. The idea was that they were likely planning to regroup here—at least, that was the belief of Fulgadonga copy and the pursuit team.

'Will they come?'

"Well... who knows."

Kait wasn't very optimistic. It depended on how much the contamination core considered them a threat, but would they really leave such obvious traces? It seemed more likely they were devising a way to wipe out the Federation fleets gathering here.

Either way, they shouldn't act without confirmation. Kait waited quietly inside the Queen Bee.

'Transfer reaction detected... They're coming!'

Then, countless ships warped in near the asteroid belt. Contamination core signatures were among them.

'A... fleet!?'

"So they were prepared after all."

Looking at the core ship signatures, the number of core ships was oddly high compared to the number of small ships. Considering how many small ships a single core ship could operate, there were too few small ships.

Kait considered their tactics and formed a hypothesis.

"Emotion. Is there a battlefield wreckage site around here?"

'A battlefield wreckage site?'

"Yeah. Even an old pirate base that had ties with the Corporation would do."

'Please wait a moment... Found one. About 200,000 years ago, a pirate group that had been invading Federation space using a warp device was defeated. Why do you ask?'

"Most likely, the contamination core found that place. Maybe it detected the signature of a warp device it had."

'...No way!?'

Emotion must have reached the same conclusion.

At the battlefield wreckage site, they had likely found a usable warp device among the ship debris. Then, they transferred the contaminated fleet's core ship to that location. While the contamination core was drawing attention by moving around, the other core ships had been equipped with warp devices.

'B-but. There weren't many warp signatures, right?'

"If they split one core ship into two, they could use one as a decoy. After jumping with the other, the contamination core could jump again alone. That way, they could reinforce without being noticed."

The small ships they brought were probably made from the debris scattered at the battlefield site. On closer inspection, their sizes varied.

Still, if they were made from pirate ship wreckage, it wouldn't be surprising if they had usable weapons installed. If they underestimated them just because of their small numbers, there was a real risk of being wiped out.

"Emotion. Launch the Psionic Launcher."

'Aren't we waiting for our allies?'

"We have to take out all the core ships over there at least. If we wait and they charge up their warp energy, we'll lose them again. Besides—"

Now, it wasn't just one ship capable of contamination. If even more escaped, resolving the issue would become even harder.

They were within visual range. Though they were still hidden, sending a transmission would risk being discovered. Kait judged that dealing with them using just the Queen Bee might actually be more effective.

As long as there was a disparity in strength, they'd probably run if faced with a fleet. But against a single ship, they'd likely choose to eliminate it. That's exactly what the first contaminated fleet had done. The only concern was whether they'd realized the Queen Bee had taken out their allies—but even then, they'd probably still try to escape, so the situation wouldn't change.

"If they hesitate and stay even for a moment, it'll reduce the damage. Don't you think?"

'It can't be helped then. But no flashy moves, Captain.'

"Of course."

The Queen Bee's armory opened, and four Psionic Launchers were deployed.

Using low-output psychic power to pull them in, Kait equipped them on his newly grown arms. It seemed they hadn't been noticed yet.

"Alright, I'm going. Emotion, once they go into combat mode, contact the pursuit team."

'Understood!'

As soon as he leapt outside the ship, Kait propelled the Queen Bee at full power.

The contaminated fleet noticed and froze for a moment. A sense of disbelief—"Is he insane?"—seemed to emanate from the core ship. In other words, they hadn't realized the Queen Bee had eliminated the other contaminated fleets.

He'd won. The moment countless weapons were aimed at him from the enemy ships, Kait was convinced of victory.

"Let's start with... a warm-up!"

Aiming each Psionic Launcher at a targeted core ship, he fired. Four beams of light, filled with the intent to eliminate, easily pierced through the enemy ships and the asteroid belt.