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

Chapter 128

Now that he had decided to help, he needed to talk to the space jellyfish. Given the nature of the conversation, he would normally have to go to them in person, but Kait couldn't leave this place at the moment. The Earthlings he had rescued were acting as witnesses in proving the crimes of the Federation citizens. Since there was no list of clients, they had no idea where or how many people were involved.

Given the type of crime, the only ones he could truly trust were the mechanical intelligence and the space jellyfish, and perhaps a few acquaintances. He briefly considered taking them along, but quickly dismissed the idea. Not only had they fled all the way here, but they were simply exhausted from overwork.

They had been forced to work in the Federation citizens' underground social circles, but they held no rights as Federation citizens themselves. In other words, at this point, there was no backup for their lives.

With no other option, Kait decided to rent a room and make contact. It was somewhat rude, but the space jellyfish were broad-minded enough to forgive him once they understood the situation.

'Hello, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif). Seems like you were in the thick of it again. I've heard some reports. I'm sorry that some unruly Federation citizens caused trouble.'

"No, please don't worry about it. I do feel some regret, but it's not enough to make me hate the Federation."

'Is that so? That's good to hear. So, what brings you here today...?'

As the space jellyfish senator who had answered the call—Terapolapaneshio—noticed Leen sitting beside Kait, the previously cheerful atmosphere took on a tension never seen before. It was shocking. Kait had always thought of Terapolapaneshio as affable, but now she was visibly displeased.

'Leen, Fourth-Rank Citizen (Darda Elra)! Your presence means you've told Kait, the Third-Rank Citizen, about that matter, haven't you!?'

"Oh?"

The reaction was far more intense than expected. Even Kait hadn't anticipated this. He didn't know space jellyfish could raise their voices like that.

That said, while the intensity was unexpected, the reaction itself was within expectations. Space jellyfish didn't like having matters decided by the council brought up again and again—especially when they were currently causing trouble to others. Considering how highly they regarded Kait, this response might still be considered moderate.

"I-I'm sorry! But—"

'No buts! While there is room for sympathy regarding Ragav's situation, saving every life there is not the Federation's duty. I believe I made that clear as an official decision of the council!'

Leen shrank back at the space jellyfish's angry voice. His earlier arrogance had completely vanished.

Well, there was no point in letting Leen cower like this. Kait raised his hand lightly and stepped in to mediate.

"Now, now. I heard the story and thought it was necessary to help, which is why I contacted you."

'Kait, Third-Rank Citizen. I admire your compassion, but this matter isn't so simple.'

Realizing that Kait had joined of his own volition, the space jellyfish calmed slightly. However, now a pained expression appeared, as if they wanted to meet Kait's expectations but couldn't. Kait didn't want to pressure them, so he decided to get to the point.

"Yes, I understand that. Actually, I'm more worried about all of you."

'All of us... meaning, us?'

"Yes."

He nodded. The space jellyfish senator seemed completely baffled about what Kait was worried about. After twisting midair in a spiral, they asked,

'I don't quite follow.'

"Under Federation law, only beings with a certain level of intelligence are eligible for rescue. For all other life forms, whether they live or die is left up to them, right?"

Kait wanted to confirm this before continuing, even though he already had a rough idea. He needed the space jellyfish to state it clearly.

'That's correct. Except for you, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen, the other Earthlings fell under that regulation. And they wouldn't have been selected if you hadn't made contact with us.'

"So essentially, the Federation believes that the management of a planet should be left to that planet's own discretion?"

'You're quick to understand, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen. Of course, like the other Earthlings, we can prepare residential areas on Federation artificial celestial bodies. As long as we have the genetic data, we can revive even non-intelligent life forms there. Many inhabitants of other planets have endured the sorrow and pain of losing their worlds. Ragav's life forms cannot be treated as an exception.'

Just as he thought. While they were talking, the space jellyfish senator's anger seemed to reignite, and she emitted something like lightning from her body. Apparently, space jellyfish could literally produce lightning when angry.

As Kait watched in astonishment, the space jellyfish shyly wiggled her tentacles.

'Oh dear, sorry. I got a bit excited. What do you think, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen? We've recently adopted this trick of releasing electricity around us like you do.'

What a completely unnecessary skill. And why did she have to add "like you"? Emotion wasn't here, but Kait feared how she'd react if she found out.

"Y-Yes. I think it looks cool."

'Really! That's good to hear. ...Now then.'

"Yes. What I'm worried about is—"

Time to get back on track. Kait cleared his throat and posed a question to Senator Terapolapaneshio.

"By that logic, if another star were to pass close to the solar system in the future, would you abandon the Earth jellyfish?"

'Fuh-huh?'

A strange sound came from the space jellyfish.

In the end, the only reason the space jellyfish showed such concern for Earth was because jellyfish existed there. Kait liked to think a small part of it was due to their fondness for him, but the biggest factor was the jellyfish.

However, the real issue now was the nature of the Earth jellyfish as a species.

"I don't know the details, but I remember reading that another star once passed very close to the solar system when I was on Earth. The next near miss is supposed to be tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of years from now. So, when that happens, will you all abandon the Earth jellyfish?"

'...Why would you say something so cruel, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen?'

Her intelligence seemed to plummet all at once. Her voice sounded like she was about to cry, despite being synthetic. It was oddly feeble.

To Terapolapaneshio, the Earth jellyfish were irreplaceably important. But to other Federation citizens, they were just "non-intelligent native species of a planet."

Would they abandon them under Federation law, or try to find a way to save them?

Depending on how you looked at it, that was what this whole issue was really about.

"As long as the possibility isn't zero, we need to prepare, right? So, what will you do? Abandon the Earth jellyfish?"

'Impossible. I could never do that.'

"I thought so. Then, will you save only the Earth jellyfish? Earth has other animals and plants too, you know."

'That's not allowed either. Such special treatment is unacceptable.'

Terapolapaneshio belonged to an extremely rational species. It was precisely because they followed Federation law more sincerely than anyone else that the law held any value.

They wouldn't bend the law just for the Earth jellyfish. But the loneliness they had endured made it impossible for them to forget their fellow jellyfish.

"Exactly. That's why I decided to help Leen. If we can resolve their situation, we'll be able to respond similarly on other planets if the same thing happens. And if Earth ends up in the same situation—"

'We can save the Earth jellyfish too...?'

"Yes. Isn't reducing that kind of sorrow something meaningful?"

Crack! A bolt of lightning flashed behind the space jellyfish senator. And it wasn't an exaggeration.

Then, behind the senator, more beings of the same kind started appearing one after another. They must have teleported in from somewhere.

'I understand well now, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen.'

'This is a grave matter.'

'We deem it worthy of our full strength.'

'I'm sorry, Leen, Fourth-Rank Citizen.'

'If we had overlooked this, it would have been more than just regret.'

'Thank you for giving us such a wonderful insight.'

Was this really going to turn into a full-blown space jellyfish grand assembly?

Ignoring Kait, whose cheek twitched in disbelief, the space jellyfish senator solemnly declared,

'From now on, we have decided to devote all our energy to resolving this matter. Pray for a good outcome, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen.'

"Huh? Uh... yes."

And with that, the transmission was cut.

For now, it was safe to say things had gone well.

"W-Well, it looks like we've got their cooperation. Leen... Leen?"

Leen gave no response. When Kait turned to look, he found him unconscious, mouth agape. Apparently, a swarm of space jellyfish was too much even for a born-and-bred Federation citizen.

***

Shortly afterward, Kait would receive a complaint from another senator saying that Terapolapaneshio had completely stopped working.