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

Chapter 161

Kait couldn't hide his confusion at the familiar letters written on the shoulder of the machine attacking Divin's ship.

"Oni, god, evil? What could that mean?"

'The characters are pretty distorted, but yes, that's how they read. Maybe a Federation citizen obsessed with Earth's culture?'

"Yeah, that's possible too."

After all, Earth's culture was wildly popular among certain circles in the Federation. Maybe there was something like that humanoid combat machine in the classic sci-fi Emotion remembered. And like Viper once did, someone actually built one and, during a test run, ended up chasing Divin outside Federation territory.

Because of that bad precedent, it's hard to completely dismiss the idea as ridiculous.

Just then, a transmission came through to Queen Bee. It was from Divin's fleeing ship.

"I really don't want to answer this... but here goes."

'F-Federation personnel! T-thank you for the rescue... wait, it's you!?'

She was panicking, then suddenly got combative upon realizing it was Kait. Since Queen Bee was a modified version of Di-Kigaia Zarmos, Divin might have thought Terapolapaneshio had come to help.

'If you're here...! Then that thing must be your doing!'

"That's a false accusation. I came to help, you know?"

'Lies! Damn it, even in death our resolve will not falter! We will return to our home planet no matter what...!'

"Oh? I'd love to hear more about that."

Apparently, the crew member in front of him knew more than any Divin he'd encountered so far.

This was a fantastic opportunity. He might as well help them and use it to his advantage.

Kait maneuvered Queen Bee between Divin and the unidentified machine.

"Well, it's annoying, but I did catch the distress signal. Just this once, I'll help you out."

'I refuse!'

"You don't really have that right."

Sending out a distress call only to reject the rescuer because you don't like them—was that sane? At this rate, even if he helped them, they'd just run off without a word of thanks. Kait quietly slapped a Worker Bee onto Divin's ship.

He cut the communication with Divin and focused on the machine in front of him.

He thought it might attack indiscriminately, but it showed no signs of aggression. In fact, it looked like it was hesitating. If it were a Federation citizen obsessed with Earth, there's no way it wouldn't recognize Kait and Queen Bee. It should've taken more direct action—like initiating communication.

Doing absolutely nothing—that was the most suspicious thing of all. Kait decided to try opening a communication channel.

"Um, this is Queen Bee. I'm Kait Crouch, an Earthling. I'd appreciate it if you could tell me your affiliation."

At times like this, having a ship that surpassed some technological limits was handy. It could bypass the other party's system and just forcefully transmit 'his words.'

The humanoid weapon in front of him lowered its raised hand. It wasn't attacking, but its hands were flailing, clearly showing that whoever was inside was in a panic.

'T-this is the Lunar Development Agency, Lieutenant Dan Carter! Mr. Kait! You survived too!?'

"Lunar Development Agency...? Sorry, Lieutenant Carter. I don't know that organization. I've got a lot of questions, like why your agency is operating such a dangerous machine."

The voice he heard was unmistakably Earth's language. But Kait had no memory whatsoever of an organization called the Lunar Development Agency. On the Earth Kait and the others lived on, the moon was turned into a strategic base by a certain country in the final days of the Common Era, then abandoned at the same time the era ended. No lunar development had occurred since.

Time travel from the past, parallel worlds—such words flashed through his mind.

'R-really? This machine was originally the humanoid machine Kissinger, developed for lunar development, but we modified it for combat. More importantly, that ship you're protecting! Do you know what it really is!?'

So it was written as Oni-God-Evil and read as Kissinger. How was anyone supposed to know that?

"You mean Divin? I know them well. They're being hunted for crimes like interfering with Earth and other planets."

'Crimes... that's right! Divin, who destroyed our Earth! Are you protecting them!?'

"Destroyed... Earth?"

Currently, the Earth Kait and the others lived on was under Terapolapaneshio's management. No matter how reckless Divin was, destroying the current Earth should be impossible.

So they really were border crossers from a parallel world?

"I don't fully understand your situation, but I want to bring them to trial. If you just go wild with emotion, that would be a problem too."

That's why, if possible, he wanted them to help capture Divin.

Kait extended Queen Bee's right hand.

***

As usual, Dan launched a surprise attack from Vengeance with Kissinger, and as usual, he tore Divin's ship apart with both hands. The recovered power core finally provided enough output to fully unleash both Vengeance and Kissinger's capabilities.

From here on, it would just be a one-sided hunt for Divin. Maybe that's why he didn't notice the approaching ship.

"What the hell is that...!?"

The design was fundamentally different from any of Divin's previous ships. Was it another ally of Divin? That question made him stop his attack.

He couldn't decide whether to destroy it or not. Dan withheld judgment and sent a transmission to Vengeance, stationed at a distance.

"Captain, is it okay to attack?"

'Ridiculous, it's too fast...!'

"Captain? Do you know what that is?"

'Huh? Oh, sorry. I don't. I just thought the backup arrived way too early. Normally, they show up after everything's over.'

"That's true. So, about the attack—"

'...Let's observe a bit longer.'

"Understood."

The incoming ship was smaller than both Divin's ship and Kissinger. Dan was confident he could repel it easily, even if it attacked.

'Um, this is Queen Bee. I'm Kait Crouch, an Earthling. I'd appreciate it if you could tell me your affiliation.'

"An Earthling!?"

The voice he heard was unmistakably Earth's language. The name Kait Crouch also sounded undeniably Earthling. He briefly suspected a trap by Divin, but only the crew of Vengeance knew they were Earth's survivors. That meant there were other survivors besides them.

There was no doubt Earth had been obliterated right before their eyes. How had he managed to survive such a miracle?

"Hey, Captain! You heard that, right!? What do we do, Captain!?"

His voice cracked in surprise. After all, there was chaos on the other end of the line too.

He could hear voices wondering if it was a trap by Divin, and others denying it. Apparently, they were all thinking the same thing.

'Let's hear them out for now. Lieutenant Carter, can I count on you?'

"T-this is the Lunar Development Agency, Lieutenant Dan Carter! Mr. Kait! You survived too!?"

He tried to sound calm, but his emotions quickly overflowed.

Ah, how would this emotion be received on the other side?

'Lunar Development Agency...? Sorry, Lieutenant Carter. I don't know that organization. I've got a lot of questions, like why your agency is operating such a dangerous machine.'

Despite Dan's passion, Kait's response remained calm and detached. Even though they'd just had such a miraculous encounter in the farthest reaches of space.

Rather than feeling angry, Dan suddenly felt embarrassed for having been so agitated.