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

Chapter 137

Now that Leen had made up his mind, the relocation of Ragav to a different star system was formally set in motion. It was approved by the Federation Congress, and if Kait's idea succeeded, the new technology of planetary migration would be announced to the world.

With that, Kait was to meet the team that would carry out the operation. Kait himself would not be involved in the actual relocation. He would only participate in an advisory capacity, as the originator of the idea.

Since the trial had not yet taken place, Kait's top priority remained the protection of the Earthlings who would serve as witnesses. With the help of Terapolapaneshio, his role had become somewhat lighter, but it was only natural to complete the task he had been assigned.

"Pleased to meet you."

'Likewise, Kait Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif).'

The number of monitors in the room had suddenly increased to about ten. Though the terminal could project into the air, perhaps it was Kait's Earthling nature that made him prefer physical monitors in the room.

After everyone had finished introducing themselves, Kait began identifying the issues at hand. Though Terapolapaneshio was supposed to be the project leader, for some reason they weren't taking the lead in the meeting. They had taken the opportunity to appoint Kait as the facilitator. What kind of opportunity was that?

Complaining wouldn't help, so Kait addressed Emarimores, the person responsible for the artificial celestial bodies used for housing.

"In the end, how many artificial celestial bodies do you expect will be needed?"

'We're planning for thirty. Since we'll be doing surface mining rather than full planetary extraction, we judged that a slightly smaller number would be sufficient.'

"I see. Are all of them currently operational?"

'No, ten will be newly constructed. After all, we have to load all the planet's flora and fauna. We plan to place the animals in hibernation within reasonable limits, but we're still struggling with how to handle the plants.'

'Why not seek the Corporation's wisdom? President Palnesbrogia is a thinking-type plant. They might have some useful insights.'

'Indeed. I'll try to schedule a meeting later.'

Knowing Palnesbrogia, they'd probably say something like, "We'll cooperate too, so let's share the manual later."

Still, it was surprising that twenty artificial celestial bodies already existed. No, from the way Emarimores phrased it, maybe the remaining ten were specially made. Was it good or bad to have surplus artificial celestial bodies?

As if reading Kait's thoughts, Emarimores gave off a vibe of wry amusement.

'Kait Third-Rank Citizen, you worry too much. The artificial celestial bodies we plan to use this time were originally used by the Federation to extract and transport resources from lifeless planets, back when resource issues hadn't yet been resolved. They're quite old models, but there are a lot of them.'

"I see."

'Some, like Zodogia, were built for planetary observation from the start. As for Traltan, which you were involved with, it was a resource-extraction artificial celestial body that was later modified.'

By the time Kait encountered them, the Federation had already overcome issues of lifespan and resources. It was easy to forget, but there had been a time when the Federation had relied on resource mining.

Most artificial celestial bodies were constructed during that era, and once their initial roles ended, they were not dismantled but stored for future use—like now, when they could be refitted as needed.

"It seems my concerns were unnecessary. Then, setting aside the artificial celestial bodies, let's move on to the selection of the relocation destination."

'We'll handle that.'

The one who raised their arm was Kororkerol, a mechanical intelligence.

They wouldn't be involved in fieldwork, but their role was to analyze data from countless star systems within Federation territory. The mechanical intelligence team consisted of five members. They would examine not only the destination for Planet Ragav's relocation but also the impact on the new star system after the move.

'From the orbital environmental data of Planet Ragav, we are currently searching for star systems where the influence of stars and planetary systems would remain within acceptable limits. The primary condition is that the star system be lifeless. The secondary is that the star itself has a long lifespan. If we cannot find one under these conditions, we will expand the search to include star systems with life.'

"Does anyone have any objections to the survey conditions?"

He asked, but there was no particular response. Kororkerol's policy seemed to be considered reasonable. Then, Kororkerol turned to Emarimores with a question.

'Emarimores, Fifth-Rank Citizen (Alto Romia). I have a question. Regarding the loading of lifeforms onto the artificial celestial bodies, how much emphasis will be placed on ecosystem preservation?'

'What do you mean by how much?'

'I'm referring to fungi and such. They may surface due to mining or face extinction. What about their conservation?'

'......That will likely require expert judgment.'

'Understood. We must also consider that changes in the environment due to mining could alter the soil properties during transit. Even if the relocation succeeds, it's meaningless if the new ecosystem doesn't take root.'

'I understand that concern. For the relocation of plants, we plan to transport surface soil separately from the deeper layers.'

'I cannot declare it reassuring, but if there is a plan to address it, then the concern was unnecessary. Understood.'

The two exchanged their technical concerns. Then, Leen, who was attending the meeting as Ragav's representative, raised his hand. He seemed to have a question.

"Leen Fourth-Rank Citizen (Darda Elra)? Is there something?"

'Yes. I have a question... Would it not be possible to transport the artificial celestial bodies with internal time frozen? That way, we wouldn't need to worry about preserving the soil environment.'

At Leen's words, the atmosphere seemed to chill. Kait had been curious about the same thing—not for the same reason as Leen, but because he wanted to see how much of what he had heard from Terapolapaneshio had permeated the Federation.

Time manipulation technology was taboo in the Federation. While Terapolapaneshio and the others could do it, there had been instances of time travel without their help. Leen seemed to have little connection to the Central Star Cluster, so perhaps the knowledge hadn't been shared with him.

Emarimores was the first to react. Their tone was notably low.

'Are you serious, Leen Fourth-Rank Citizen? Time interference has long been banned by Federation law. To mention it in an official setting...'

'Exactly. Just saying something like that could freeze the entire project. Kait Third-Rank Citizen, I hereby raise an objection to this project.'

The backlash was stronger than expected. Not only Emarimores, but the other staff also gave Leen stern looks.

Having shared the same curiosity, Kait felt a bit awkward as he responded.

"Please calm down. This project is about exploring ways to save a planet that might be destroyed by celestial phenomena. I understand the desire to mention time interference as a more precise means of preserving the planetary environment."

'However—'

'Kait Third-Rank Citizen, weren't you also a victim of time interference? To make such an irresponsible statement in front of someone like you—it's unacceptable.'

At those words, Leen seemed to shrink as if he might collapse. He probably didn't know much about Kait, nor that Earthlings were a species born through time interference.

Kait gave a wry smile and waved his hand dismissively.

"Even if I'm called a victim, without it, we wouldn't even exist here. I don't really feel like a victim."

'That may be true, but...'

"We don't consider ourselves victims. The true victims, who should have held resentment and anger, were never even born. We, who took their place, shouldn't be the ones to complain. That's how I see it."

Kait's words seemed to move the staff who had been visibly angry.

That said, it didn't mean their impression of Leen had improved. For the sake of the future, Kait decided to give him a warning.

"Leen Fourth-Rank Citizen."

'Y-yes!'

"Time interference is a technology that creates beings like us. We were born by overwriting lives that should have emerged on Earth. That's the sinful side of time interference. It's not something to speak of lightly."

'I-I understand. I'm sorry.'

Leen seemed genuinely remorseful and apologized earnestly.

Seeing that, the mood began to lighten a little. The previously cold atmosphere warmed slightly. Kait took the opportunity to relax his expression and quietly declared,

"There was a problem with the statement, but I will disregard it. I judged it necessary in the pursuit of all possible methods, including taboos. I ask you all to do the same."

'...It can't be helped, I suppose.'

'If Kait Third-Rank Citizen, the victim, says so—'

"However, Leen Fourth-Rank Citizen. A conclusion has been reached, so you are henceforth prohibited from making similar requests on this matter. Understood?"

'Of course. I won't say it again.'

"Very well."

Kait glanced at Terapolapaneshio, who was shown on the monitor.

It was hard to read what they were thinking from the way they swayed gently.