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

Chapter 135

Leen's face grew increasingly stiff as he listened.

He could understand what was being said. He also realized that this was probably the only way to achieve the result he desired. And yet, he simply couldn't bring himself to accept it.

Planet Ragav would be broken down into several components and preserved using the Federation's proud artificial celestial bodies. Then, the now lifeless, exposed Ragav would be transported to a new location. After that, the components would be restored to Ragav once it had settled in the new place.

"Moving a planet," Kait had said. It really was a move. The idea of dismantling a building and relocating it entirely existed even in Ragav's culture. But doing that to a planet? How could such a thought even arise?

"Um, so..."

"What's wrong, Leen, Fourth-Rank Citizen Darda Elra? I'd like to begin the discussion toward implementation."

Though internally irritated at the clearly grinning Councilor Asheid, Leen still wondered if there was any way to change their minds. For some reason, he just couldn't bring himself to accept this method.

Asheid, clearly enjoying Leen's distress, deliberately shifted to a more serious expression and spoke.

"Don't tell me you got cold feet after hearing the plan? I told you, didn't I? Refusing after hearing it isn't allowed."

"But. But still. This is absurd—"

"That's exactly why I confirmed with you beforehand. Besides, do you even realize that your request has been unreasonable from the start?"

Asheid's words made sense. He was asking for something beyond what Federation law permitted, continuing to search for alternatives even after the Congress rejected the idea, and dragging Terapolapaneshio and Kait into the issue of his own planet. It would be fair to call it selfish.

And after relying on them, to then reject the idea just because it didn't seem likely to succeed—he understood it in his head, but he still couldn't accept it.

Then, Kait, who had proposed the idea, spoke up to Asheid in a calming tone.

"It can't be helped. I'm not particularly clever either, so I apologize that I could only come up with such a crude idea."

"Ah, no—"

"However, it's also true that no better ideas have emerged. If there is an alternative to my idea, by all means."

There wasn't one. If he had a better idea, he would've brought it up already.

He felt anxious that he might've offended Kait, but from Kait's expression, there was no trace of hostility or resentment. It was clear he truly didn't think his idea was anything special.

"An alternative... you say."

"Exactly. If you're going to oppose, then I'd like an alternative. Don't worry—we'll let Terapolapaneshio and me judge whether it's viable. I promise a fair and impartial judgment."

On the other hand, Asheid's words were filled with resentment. A clear message: stop wasting our time. To be glared at by a councilor meant that life in the Federation going forward would be extremely difficult.

With a hoarse voice, Leen barely managed to propose something.

"Wh..."

"Wh?"

"The star. Could we destroy the star that's approaching Ragav?"

"Rejected. Active destruction of a star is taboo. Besides—"

'It's meaningless. Based on calculations involving the approaching star's mass and current trajectory, destroying it would cause severe effects on the Ragav star system. Even more severe than if it merely passed by.'

Both Asheid and Terapolapaneshio rejected the idea. Leen knew that destroying a star was forbidden under Federation law, but he didn't know why. Asheid didn't seem inclined to explain either. And even if they destroyed the star, it would already be too late.

Still, Leen wouldn't give up. If destruction was impossible—

"T-Then how about altering its orbit? If we could change the orbit of the approaching star, we wouldn't need to destroy it—"

'That's a good idea. Then I'll ask you to prepare an energy source capable of altering a star's orbit, and a material that can withstand the star's surface temperature during the course correction.'

"Eh?"

"Unless you can somehow deal with the star's extreme heat, you won't even be able to touch it. If it were destruction, maybe you could fire from a distance, but for movement—"

Somehow, Leen had thought Terapolapaneshio might be able to do it. When he glanced toward Terapolapaneshio, the being seemingly read his thoughts and wobbled its tentacles unnaturally.

'We could theoretically move it remotely, but if the force applied to the star becomes too great, it might be destroyed. That would still cause severe effects on Planet Ragav.'

"The reason star destruction or movement is taboo in the Federation is precisely that. Terapolapaneshio might be able to do it, but it comes with considerable risk. If we fail, not only Planet Ragav but even Terapolapaneshio involved in the operation would be obliterated."

The opposition was stronger than expected. But considering the danger, he couldn't argue against the decision not to proceed. He couldn't say, "I don't care if Terapolapaneshio gets obliterated."

"I-If we are to move it, could we do so without separating it? Move it as-is!?"

"During the move, the planet's environment would continue to change drastically. Were the lifeforms on Planet Ragav ever that resilient to environmental change?"

"If it's the Terapolapaneshio, couldn't they move it while maintaining Ragav's environment?"

'We proposed that as well. But it was rejected because the burden on us would likely exceed acceptable limits. If we are to move it, the method proposed by Kait, Third-Rank Citizen Enec Lagif, is the most reliable.'

No good. He didn't feel like he could oppose them at all. In fact, both Kait and Asheid hadn't even flinched. It became clear that they had already considered all of this.

In other words, Leen had no more grounds to argue.

"I couldn't come up with a way to avoid the star's near-miss or collision. But it was calculated that moving the planet within it could prevent the impact."

Leen understood what Kait was trying to say. He really did.

A solution that only worked in his favor would never come, no matter how much he thought about it. He understood that, and yet his heart refused to accept this proposal.

Kait, who had been watching Leen intently, spoke as if he had reached a conclusion.

"I see. Leen, you can't stand the thought of 'Planet Ragav as it is now' being destroyed. No matter how difficult it is, you want the planet you love to remain as it is, to reach the future safely."

It struck him in the chest.

He tried to respond, but no words came. Instead, something inside his chest seemed to settle into place. He realized Kait's words had given shape to feelings he couldn't express.

It was such a childish attachment. He felt their exasperated gazes.

"Leen, Fourth-Rank Citizen... That's just too much."

'That's far too convenient a wish. Unfortunately, we can't go that far with you.'

They really were exasperated. Their words were cutting.

"I do think it's unfortunate, but it seems there's no future where Planet Ragav is completely saved without any risk. Probably, something has to be given up."

"Give up...?"

"Either give up the lives of those who live on Planet Ragav, or give up the current form of Ragav. In the end, it comes down to choosing one or the other."

Kait concluded, saying that all that remained was to prove that the resolve he'd shown earlier wasn't a lie.

Leen realized there was no longer anywhere left for him to run. If he gave the wrong answer here, they would abandon Planet Ragav. No, it would be natural for them to have already done so. They had their own reasons and were only using Ragav's situation.

Resolve. Reigniting the feelings he'd voiced earlier, Leen finally opened his mouth.