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

Chapter 130

'Please, lend us your wisdom, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif)!'

See?

It was unexpected that the Space jellyfish came crying to us first, but apparently, even after gathering, they couldn't come up with any good ideas. Though, one could question the point of a species that's both individual and collective trying to hold a discussion in the first place.

The Space jellyfish on the other end of the transmission—Kait wondered which individual it was among the ones he knew. It felt like being forced into an impossibly difficult game of spot-the-difference.

"More importantly, did everyone submit their leave requests? Senator Asheid seemed troubled about it."

'Ah.'

Alright, that should fulfill his obligation to Asheid.

The Space jellyfish are usually meticulous, but the moment Earth jellyfish get involved, they become completely useless. Most likely, all individuals would now bombard the Federation Congress with leave requests. Just as Kait was thinking the next complaint might be about that, a few individuals disappeared off-screen.

'Y-yeah, that was definitely a mistake. I'll submit the leave request right away. So, about that wisdom...'

"Even if you ask for wisdom... Wouldn't it be better to consult the Mechanical intelligence?"

Start with something neutral. Realistically, Federation citizens like Kait couldn't compete with Mechanical intelligence in intellectual labor. The only one who might stand a chance was Terapolapaneshio, who could accelerate thought through sheer numbers.

'We considered that too, but it's no use. Our ideas are impoverished.'

"Impoverished, you say?"

'In the Federation, most things can be done. But when it comes to thinking beyond that framework and creating new things, we're inferior compared to others. It's a clear weakness of the Federation as an organization.'

That's why, Kait had heard before, the Federation welcomed intelligent beings who ventured into space on their own as comrades. With the ability to do so much, creativity and invention apparently declined rapidly.

Earthlings like Kait, in that sense, hadn't lost their creative instincts yet, which was why they wanted to borrow his wisdom.

'Mechanical intelligence has the same problem. They're great at applying existing methodologies to find solutions, but not so good at coming up with new ones.'

Hearing that, Kait recalled Queen Bee's early battles. Emotion often seemed unsure how to evaluate Kait's unconventional tactics.

From Kait's perspective, he was just making do with what he had, but lately, Emotion seemed to have adapted quite a bit and didn't offer much criticism anymore. At most, she'd squeak in complaint when stressed.

"So, you're looking for a methodology with originality?"

'Exactly! Give us your advice!'

Terapolapaneshio extended a tentacle toward the monitor. Kait smiled—deliberately, cheerfully.

"Not right now. Sorry."

He turned down the request.

***

'Kait! W-what did you say!? What did you tell Terapolapaneshio!?'

As expected, it was Asheid who frantically contacted him.

His usually blue complexion had turned a deep green. So that's how his species shows panic, Kait mused, calmly sipping his tea as he endured the storm of yelling.

He was drinking black tea. Apparently, it was made from a recreated tea plant using Federation technology. The nostalgic flavor had led him to drink mostly this or green tea lately.

"What's the matter?"

He asked innocently, and Asheid trembled all over on the other side of the monitor.

'Right after a flood of leave requests from Terapolapaneshio, five Di-Kigaia Zarmos ships launched! And the reports say they're headed for the Tsubanda system! What the hell did you say!?'

"I just said they should probably submit leave requests. It's the rule, after all. And... that I'm stuck here right now, so I can't help."

'Help?'

"They wanted wisdom or something. Said they couldn't come up with new ideas on their own due to lack of originality."

Asheid's complexion didn't change. He looked like he might burst through the monitor, but knowing it wasn't Kait's fault, he held himself back.

'They wanted your help, and when you refused, they flew to the Tsubanda system? ...No way.'

"Terapolapaneshio is handling the trial, right? They seemed to know I couldn't move, so they didn't press the issue."

'Five Di-Kigaia Zarmos ships heading to suppress the Tsubanda system...? The whole system could be obliterated, star and all!'

Asheid's face now turned purple. Between Ritimiele and Asheid, Federation intelligences sure had vivid emotional expressions.

'Kait, stop Terapolapaneshio! The evidence will be blown away with everything else!'

"Isn't it fine? I'm sure the Terapolapaneshio folks know how to hold back."

'If that were true, I wouldn't be this worried!'

Apparently, even Asheid had concerns about the Space jellyfish going overboard. Kait wholeheartedly agreed.

"The Terapolapaneshio folks understand that the trial takes top priority. That's why they said they'd hurry and resolve the other matter."

'So that's why they sent five Di-Kigaia Zarmos ships. Don't tell me they concluded that wiping out the Tsubanda system counts as resolving it?'

"Hard to say. I mean, once the Earthlings I'm protecting recover, the trial can proceed, right? Honestly, I don't really get why the Terapolapaneshio folks moved on that front."

'...Some senators are trying to help the mastermind escape.'

Asheid had apparently made up his mind. He spoke information he wasn't supposed to share with Kait. His face returned from purple to blue.

'I know. I'm probably under suspicion too, right? Contacting you at this point makes me look like an accomplice.'

Kait didn't deny it. From the moment he'd first been contacted, he had indeed considered Asheid a suspect.

'The Tsubanda system is a pleasure planet built for young Federation citizens to indulge in questionable fun. Even among high-ranking citizens' children, some use it to get their wild urges out of their system. I bet some young senators do too.'

"You're young too, right, Asheid?"

'That's right. But I never enjoyed the entertainment there. I find it far more stimulating and fulfilling to be friends with someone interesting like you. Don't you agree?'

That was a tough one to respond to.

But in fact, the friend Asheid had once introduced to him was, as he said, quite the eccentric. While Kait couldn't completely shake his suspicions, he might be able to trust this particular statement.

'There have been acts bordering on obstruction of justice. Since you've secured the most important witness, they're trying to destroy the other evidence.'

"...So he says?"

'Good grief, I've been avoiding reading senators' minds, but I guess I can't afford that luxury anymore.'

When Kait called out behind him, the space warped and a Terapolapaneshio appeared.

'What!?'

"Well, if you say you can't go, of course they'll come. That's just how they are."

If it's the Space jellyfish, they'll come. Especially if they know the situation.

Since all individuals share a single consciousness, there's no need for them to gather at all. Once Terapolapaneshio regained composure, both their thoughts and actions became swift.

'I'm sorry, Senator Asheid. It's true that I suspected you. That's why I hid.'

'...So, I passed the test?'

'I'd prefer to make that judgment after meeting you in person. I can't read your thoughts through a screen.'

'Very well. But next time you plan something this interesting, I'd like to be involved from the start.'

'Understood. The five ships will return soon. Don't worry.'

'That was part of the plan too, wasn't it? Don't tell me...'

Asheid's cheek twitched. He must have realized the true reason the Di-Kigaia Zarmos ships had launched.

The Space jellyfish were unusually angry. Furious, even.

'Yes. To prevent the rogue senator from escaping the Central Star Cluster, we'd need at least five ships, right?'

Even if not directly involved, the Earth jellyfish had a hand in this.

Hoping they wouldn't go too far, Kait prayed to whatever might exist beyond the ceiling.