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

Chapter 123

The people of Itae who live in the Central Star Cluster.

Having adapted to a planet called Augeni, they apparently find life underwater to be easier. A selected few live in the Central Star Cluster and return to Augeni when it's their turn.

The current representative of Itae is Madim. Among the people of Itae, Madim is one of the most exceptional—and also one of the most eccentric. Preferring life on land over life underwater, Madim insists on not rotating back until tired of it and continues working in the Central Star Cluster.

Due to their unique biology, the people of Itae are rare among the Federation's species, and although only for the sake of convenience, they have been granted citizenship as Seventh-Rank Citizens (Tetona Ilchi). Perhaps because of this, many are indifferent to expanding their citizenship, but Madim had publicly declared the goal of attaining higher citizenship in the Central Star Cluster.

"Oh my, I see. So that's why you came to me. I'm glad we share the same roots as the people of Aguares."

Madim was extremely excited about Kait's visit. To think she worked in the same office as Rebecca. He never imagined he'd feel how small the world was even after venturing into space.

When Kait turned his gaze to Rebecca sitting next to Madim, for some reason, her lips were twitching. It seemed she didn't want him to hear this.

"Did you already know about me?"

"Of course! I'm very interested in Earth's culture!"

"Oh?"

"Right now, I'm into theater! I loved Earth's classical plays, but recent original plays are wonderful too. Though the scripts are written by Federation authors."

"Original plays. Based on Earth?"

"Yes! And to think I could meet the motif of the lead role—Kait, the Third-Rank Citizen of Enec Lagif!"

That made sense—no wonder Rebecca didn't want to talk about it.

—Just how badly dramatized is that play?

—To the level of wanting to erase the memory of seeing it.

A question and answer exchanged using only eye movements and glances. A special skill developed from growing up in the same organization was now being used in such a way.

As Kait firmly resolved not to watch it, Emotion beside him, for some reason, showed interest.

"That does sound intriguing. If possible, I'd like to see it once."

"Oh my! Emotion, the Sixth-Rank Citizen of Ab Rag, you like it too?"

"No. I stored and preserved Earth's classical plays in my memory, so I wasn't particularly interested. But if it's a new play based on Earth, I'd like to see it."

"Oh goodness! Then what about you, Kait, the Third-Rank Citizen?"

"No, I'll pass. If the actual person shows up, it might interfere with the performance."

"Really? That might be true. Then, Emotion, the Sixth-Rank Citizen, we must go together sometime!"

"......Yes, let's do that when the time comes."

Emotion's tone had a hint of boredom. It seemed she had intended to amuse herself by showing Kait the dramatized version of himself.

Should he lament her gaining such strange ideas or be glad she had developed such emotions?

However, Emotion had forgotten something important. If Kait was heavily dramatized, there's no way her partner, Emotion, wasn't also dramatized. She would probably suffer major emotional damage and come back, but that would be her own fault.

"Oops, we got off track. Anyway, Lauperia, the Sixth-Rank Citizen, and everyone here might be asked to cooperate on the matter of Aguares. Could you, Madim, the Fifth-Rank Citizen of Alto Romia, relay this to the people of Itae?"

"Understood. I'll make sure to convey it and promise our cooperation with the Federation."

"Thank you."

As Kait bowed his head, Madim smiled in satisfaction, then suddenly stood up as if she had just remembered something important.

"Ah! Maybe this incident could become the subject of a new play! What should I do if this scene gets covered too!?"

Watching Madim pacing restlessly, seemingly struck by some odd idea, Kait tilted his head, unsure how to respond.

***

'The report has been received. Good work, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen.'

"Not at all. It wasn't that much trouble. However—"

'However?'

"I'd like to ask for lenient treatment regarding the people of Itae and Lauperia, the Sixth-Rank Citizen."

'That's nothing to worry about. When we invited them into the Federation, Itae was already Itae. The same applies to Lauperia, the Sixth-Rank Citizen. We won't let their origins affect how they're treated in the Federation.'

"That's a relief."

Emotion had casually assured him it would be fine, but there was no guarantee it actually would be.

Now that he had obtained a clear statement from a senator, Kait could finally speak to Lauperia and the others without lying. Still, even if he had been refused, he had intended to convince them somehow.

"When Aguares evolves again, I wonder what form it will take."

'I think it will be completely different from Itae. Over this vast period of time, they've become a species that chose a separate evolutionary path. That it was due to someone's arbitrary decision is a serious issue, but at least we were able to stop it before it became irreversible. I'm grateful to you, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen.'

"Please, give your thanks to Branch Director Nezasuriwe of the Corporation instead of me. If I hadn't been invited, I wouldn't have been involved in this matter."

'Of course. In that sense, we too are guilty for choosing to be bystanders. If we hadn't stood by, perhaps we could have saved Aguares and the people who lived on the planet it fell upon.'

Reflecting on the past, the Federation now refrains from interfering with the life of planets. Perhaps before such laws were established, there were swarms of Aguares unknowingly destroyed during planetary entries.

Through repeated regret and reflection, the present was built. The space jellyfish before them likely carry the sins of the Federation's past blunders as well. And so will they, moving forward.

Senator Terapolapaneshio gently swayed her massive body while directing her attention upward. Judging by the angle, the Corporation's facility must be in that direction.

'Itae and Aguares share the same roots, but it's fair to say they are now separate species. We have no intention of involving Itae in the matter of Aguares. They're like distant relatives with whom we can no longer communicate. I only hope Itae can wait for Aguares as a future friend they may one day meet.'

"That's true. I look forward to such a future... though it's a distant one."

'Well, you won't be that bored. Trouble always seems to find its way to Captain Kait, after all.'

"......If possible, I'd prefer they don't come one after another."

Ignoring that cruel declaration—that it was probably impossible—he too turned his gaze toward the direction of the Corporation's facility.

Even in Lauperia's memory, the original form of Aguares did not remain.

Kait could not imagine what form Aguares might take at the end of its evolution, but he hoped it wouldn't be something that made it envy Itae.

***

Now then.

"That was awful."

Some time later. Emotion, unable to resist Madim's invitation, went to see the play with her and returned utterly defeated.

As expected, Kait and Emotion's portrayal had been dramatized far beyond what they imagined. Emotion, unable to see herself in a play supposedly based on her, seemed deeply shocked.

"So, what was it actually like?"

"......I don't want to talk about it."

She was sulking.

Even Rebecca, who wasn't involved, said it was 'a level where you'd want to erase the memory of having seen it.' Kait gave up trying to ask Emotion anything further. He couldn't bear the thought of being invited to watch it together.

Better to avoid danger when you see it coming.