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

Chapter 131

All members of the Federation Congress had been summoned—a rare occurrence. The Congress usually operated in three separate divisions, and while members rotated in and out, calling every single representative together was nearly unheard of. The last recorded instance of a full assembly had been fifty thousand cycles ago, a timescale so vast that Kait could only laugh in disbelief.

Incidentally, according to Emotion's research, one cycle in the Central Star Cluster corresponds to roughly five hundred Earth days. Whether that's accurate or not, Kait didn't feel particularly moved by the fact. Unlike Earth, their calendar wasn't governed by stellar cycles. After all, each inhabited planet had its own cycle. Using those as a standard would only cause confusion.

What surprised Kait was that nearly half of the current representatives had also attended the last full assembly. He genuinely wondered—not sarcastically—what drove someone to remain a representative for that long.

"......So, what exactly are we supposed to do here?"

"Observe."

Kait and Emotion sat alone in a specially prepared gallery, observing the representatives. Terapolapaneshio had taken charge of guarding the rescued Earthlings. Since Kait and Emotion were considered relatives of the witness, they technically weren't allowed to interfere in the matter. However, the Federation Congress, which had established that rule, had already broken it themselves.

Once it was confirmed that all representatives were present, Terapolapaneshio revealed themselves from hiding.

Seventeen individuals. That was all it would take to read the thoughts of over sixty thousand Federation representatives.

'Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone.'

'What's the meaning of this full assembly, Terapolapaneshio?'

The Speaker of the First Congress posed the question on behalf of the others. Terapolapaneshio, the representative, floated gently into the air.

'It seems some representatives are attempting to commit misconduct related to the incident in the Tsubanda system. Destroying evidence and hiding suspects.'

'Hmm. If that's true, it's a serious matter. And?'

'I'd like to read your thoughts. To identify and detain those who were complicit in the misconduct.'

'......Is it really necessary to go that far?'

Few would willingly agree to having their minds read. In fact, the First Speaker grimaced at the suggestion.

Just then, a voice rose from another direction.

'This is probably another one of those Earthling's ideas! You're all biased in favor of Earthlings!'

The tone was clearly hostile. Emotion whispered, 'That's Representative Apuluige. He's been spreading rumors that the Captain and Terapolapaneshio are colluding.' He evidently held a poor opinion of Earthlings—especially Kait.

Kait found the accusation absurd. He had rarely ever asked Terapolapaneshio for anything. If anything, it was Terapolapaneshio who kept approaching him, and Kait couldn't just ignore them.

'If by "that Earthling" you mean Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif), then I suggest you stop jumping to conclusions, Representative Apuluige.'

'Oh really! Maybe he's planning to knock one of us out of our seat and claim it for himself in the Congress! The citizens would love it if an Earthling joined, wouldn't they?'

"......What nonsense."

Kait spat the words without thinking. One needed considerable merit to be granted citizenship and the right to run for office in the Federation Congress. Yet, people with such shallow thinking still existed.

Most of the high-ranking citizens Kait had met so far had seemed uninterested in personal gain, so this was a bit unexpected.

"Representative Apuluige seems to have secured his seat through support from his own clan. He barely scraped by in the vote count."

"So basically, a local boy. Some things never change, huh?"

When people feel their position is threatened, they become aggressive toward others. Kait had thought that was a uniquely Earthling trait, but apparently even in the Federation, which had overcome issues like lifespan and scarcity, it still held true. A perfect utopia really didn't exist.

Or maybe it was precisely because lifespan and resources were no longer issues that people placed so much value on honor and status.

In any case, Apuluige's comments seemed to have annoyed the other representatives as well.

'Unfortunately, your accusation is baseless, Representative Apuluige. We've already invited Third-Rank Citizen Kait to run for office several times, and he's declined every time. He's just not interested.'

'What, Speaker......?'

The Speaker of the Third Congress refuted Apuluige's claim.

'Think about it. The annihilation of the Zanigariu Grand Fleet, the alliance with the space eel, the resolution of the Aguares incident. Which of us can claim even one comparable achievement? If he ran for office, you'd be right—he'd win by a landslide, based on his merits alone.'

'But unfortunately for you, he has no interest in power or prestige. What matters to him is Emotion, Fifth-Rank Citizen (Alto Romia), and freedom. Good news for you, Representative Apuluige—he won't be threatening your position anytime soon.'

The final blow came from Terapolapaneshio. Kait couldn't see their face from where he sat, but he was sure it was filled with shame and anger.

Still, that was quite the stray bullet. Kait couldn't even look at Emotion's face. She was making tiny squeaky noises, after all.

Incidentally, Emotion had just recently been granted Fifth-Rank citizenship for her role in resolving the Aguares incident. It was rare for a mechanical intelligence to be granted citizenship above the sixth rank, so she had been quietly proud for some time.

'Now then, does anyone else object? Let me make this clear—we won't mention anything we see in your memories. Even if you got up to some mischief in the Tsubanda system in your youth, we won't publicize or prosecute it.'

Terapolapaneshio's words stirred the other representatives.

Apparently, quite a few representatives had indeed engaged in questionable activities in the Tsubanda system. Kait wasn't interested in the details, but perhaps, as Asheid had said, the idea of "purging one's inner poison in youth" was a common belief in parts of the Federation.

Kait, however, would rather they not use living beings for that. In a society that could back up lives, surely there were smarter ways.

'There may be memories that must remain politically secret......'

'Of course. We won't reveal or exploit anything. What we need now is to identify and detain those directly involved in the Tsubanda system incident. It seems even Molnotina, the representative of Tsubanda, is merely being used.'

At this, Terapolapaneshio played a new card. Kait had thought that Fifth-Rank Citizen Molnotina, the superior of the Manager, was the mastermind—one of the "high-ranking officials of the Federation." But Terapolapaneshio had concluded otherwise.

Perhaps deciding no further objections would arise, Kait saw Terapolapaneshio begin to use psychic power. The other representatives hadn't noticed yet and were still noisily debating. A step too slow.

For those with nothing to hide, this wasn't a serious blow. It seemed only the actual conspirators were scrambling to redirect the discussion, but it was already too late.

'It seems Molnotina has already been secured, hasn't she, Representative Nenbetch?'

'Wh-what......!? Terapolapaneshio, don't tell me—'

'Ah, I see. The mastermind was your predecessor. Makes sense. It's often easier for a former representative to act than a current one.'

Apparently, the ringleader had already been identified. Seventeen Terapolapaneshio had read the thoughts of sixty thousand representatives in a very short time. So this is what Terapolapaneshio was capable of when serious. Chilled, Kait continued to watch events unfold.

'But the conclusion hasn't been reached yet! Isn't this unfair!?'

'Then you should have objected. You didn't, and time is precious. So we acted. Is there a problem?'

Representative Nenbetch's body floated into the air. Elsewhere, several other representatives also began to rise. They flailed helplessly—clearly not by their own will. It had to be Terapolapaneshio's telekinesis.

Seven representatives had been restrained by invisible force. Nenbetch spat out his words with a twisted face.

'The Elder has already left the Federation. It's useless to try and find them.'

'......So it seems. Still, what a foolish thing to do.'

'You monsters wouldn't understand. Many intelligent beings are drawn to decadence. They love sloth more than discipline, and freedom more than restraint. Everyone wants to drown in eternal comfort.'

'I don't understand. You infringed on others' freedom. Don't speak of seeking freedom when you've stolen it from someone else.'

Terapolapaneshio showed no mercy. Then Kait noticed something: the number of Terapolapaneshio had increased to eighteen. When did that happen? If they hadn't come from outside, then one must have split just now.

'We will pursue. We've prepared a unit for that purpose. But I doubt being hunted by Terapolapaneshio will lead to anything fruitful for him.'

'Guh......'

So it had been a split. They must have pinpointed a location from Nenbetch's memories. One of them vanished via teleportation—likely the newly created one.

'That concludes our business. As for their punishment, the rest of the Congress can decide without us.'

'Understood. And what about Master Batmute?'

'We believe we're sufficient on our own, but if needed, we'll request assistance. Also—'

Terapolapaneshio glanced briefly in their direction. What now?

'Since Third-Rank Citizen Kait raised the issue, we'll leave only the minimum number of units and return the rest to their regular duties. Apologies for the inconvenience.'

Since they had cleared the traffic for resolution, they expected Kait to contribute some wisdom in return.

Feeling that unspoken expectation, Kait reflexively drew his neck back.