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

Chapter 99

While Kait and Emotion were eating, it seemed Eanipol had already begun moving toward their destination. By the time the meal was over, they were only a short distance from arriving in the Darekke system.

For now, Kait borrowed a monitor to contact the Federation's space jellyfish, hoping to learn about galactic affairs he didn't know.

'Hey, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif). I heard you were on vacation, but now you're helping the Corporation? You never stop, do you?'

"Seems like I'm the type who gets bored when time off comes up suddenly. If I plan to rest from the start, I can think of all sorts of things to do, though."

'There are quite a few like that in the Federation. So? Do you need something?'

"Yes. I wanted to ask about that astronomical phenomenon called the space tuna meteor swarm."

'Heh, isn't it great, Third-Rank Citizen Kait? Earth's language is finally going to be officially recorded in Federation history.'

Hearing the words from Councilor Terapolapaneshio, Kait slumped his shoulders in dismay. It seemed humans and space jellyfish would never truly share values.

Even so, it appeared the space jellyfish had pushed for this out of pure goodwill. Thinking it was for Kait's sake, he couldn't deny it outright. He decided to steer the topic elsewhere to avoid suspicion.

"I'm not talking about the name. I heard it's an astronomical phenomenon, but since it has 'tuna' in the name, doesn't that mean it's a living creature? That part confuses me."

'I see, that's a good observation. Let's clarify that first. The space tuna is definitely a living creature. It has a bizarre ecology, which is exactly how we realized it was alive.'

"Huh...?"

Alarmingly, it was apparently bizarre enough to be called bizarre by none other than Terapolapaneshio, the representative of bizarre creatures. He was getting scared to ask, but knew he had to hear it or he couldn't prepare any countermeasures. He braced himself and urged the explanation to continue.

"So, what exactly is this bizarre ecology?"

'Yes. The space tuna usually flies solo or in very small groups through space. How it maintains life is unknown. It zips around at considerable speeds, and since communication was impossible, no one has tried to study them.'

"Communication was impossible... even for you all?"

'If by "you all" you mean us Terapolapaneshio, then the correct answer is simply that we never tried. After all, by the time we had gained intelligence in space, they were already flying around in that form.'

"What...?"

A creature flying through space for over a billion years.

In Earth terms, you might call it a living fossil.

***

The space jellyfish's lecture on the history of the space tuna continued.

So far, there were three things he understood from the explanation.

First. The space tuna had been flying through space even earlier than the space jellyfish.

Second. The ecology of the space tuna was not well understood. Its solo flight speed exceeded that of a standard combat vessel but was slower than warp travel. Capturing one was extremely difficult.

Third. No successful communication had ever been made with the space tuna. However, Terapolapaneshio had simply never tried due to lack of interest.

"I don't get it."

'Exactly. Occasionally, individuals seem to summon others, but the conditions for that haven't been studied either.'

"Summon others...?"

'Yes. The phenomenon where grouped space tuna are pulled by a planet's gravity and fall is what we named the space tuna meteor swarm.'

The explanation was vague, but somehow it did seem a bit like tuna behavior. He had a vague memory of hearing they also formed schools during breeding season.

Some doubts were being cleared, but he still couldn't understand why the Federation classified the space tuna meteor swarm as an astronomical phenomenon. They hadn't called similar events, like space eel planetary predation, astronomical phenomena.

"So, why is it classified as an astronomical phenomenon? I don't quite understand the reasoning behind calling a biological fall onto a celestial body a phenomenon."

'Because it was judged to have limited impact.'

The space jellyfish always gave the shortest answer. It was easy to understand, but their conclusions were so abrupt it was sometimes hard to follow.

What exactly was meant by limited impact?

When he asked that, Councilor Terapolapaneshio shook what seemed to be their head. The meaning of that gesture was unclear.

'In short, unlike our interference with planets, their fall was judged to affect only the ecosystem, not the nature of the planet's living beings.'

"So even if they fall, they won't destroy civilizations?"

'Exactly. In fact, fossils showing mass space tuna falls have been excavated on several planets that later developed civilizations and joined the Federation. And there's no continuity between space tuna observation data and their ecological data.'

"So it's not like a life-replacement phenomenon occurred."

'Right. Of course, there's the issue that the fall can alter the environment of the planet. But isn't that something that could happen on any planet?'

"...That's true."

In Earth's case (though it wasn't clear if Divin had intervened), there were species that went extinct due to meteor impacts. Humanity survived and became the dominant species afterward, so it was hard to outright deny the ecology of the space tuna meteor swarm.

Perhaps satisfied with Kait's understanding, the councilor gave a conclusion.

'That's why the Federation decided to classify them as living astronomical phenomena. We believed their fall should be respected as an act of biological freedom.'

"I see."

He now understood the Federation's stance and the outline of the space tuna meteor swarm phenomenon. However, that only made the Corporation's stance more confusing.

Perhaps thinking the same thing as Kait, the councilor turned to ask Branch Director Nezasuriwe, who had been listening from behind.

'If the Corporation is paying attention to the space tuna meteor swarm, does that mean some rare lifeform is appearing there?'

"No. We haven't discovered any lifeforms requiring protection. The Corporation also supports the Federation's judgment and classifies the space tuna meteor swarm as an astronomical phenomenon."

'Then why?'

"Because if they are intelligent lifeforms who've established a way to survive in space, then the question arises—do they have a reason for creating the meteor swarm? If there's no reason, then maybe we should consider preventing it."

'Hmm. True, for underdeveloped planets, it could have effects severe enough to be called a massacre. The Corporation probably couldn't just sit by and watch species go extinct just because it's a natural phenomenon.'

The councilor seemed convinced by Branch Director Nezasuriwe's words. But a small sense of discomfort stirred in Kait's mind. It wasn't quite a question—just a tiny thorn.

Before he could confirm it, Branch Director Nezasuriwe bowed toward the councilor.

"If anything, this time it's our selfishness. We're grateful for your permission to conduct experiments within the Federation's sphere of influence."

'The Darekke system contains a pristine planet where no clearly intelligent life has emerged yet. Since you're not invading the planet and only want to stop the space tuna meteor swarm, we have no objection.'

"Of course. On that point, we've always been in agreement. And of course, so has the President."

'Palnesbrogia and Third-Rank Citizen Tuna seem to be having a great time.'

"Oh yes, absolutely. We receive pictures from them now and then."

A peaceful conversation flowed. Before Kait's discomfort could take shape, the councilor turned to him and asked if they could wrap up.

Hoping it was just needless worry, Kait nodded.

"Thank you, Councilor. I understand a lot better now."

'I'm glad to hear that.'

"So, about that—"

'Yes?'

"Could you stop using Earth-origin words when naming things in the Federation from now on?"

'Why!?'

That was the loudest sound in the whole communication. Was it really such a big deal, space jellyfish?

Kait sighed deeply, deeply, deeply, deeply inside, and launched his argument with makeshift logic.

"I understand the resemblance. But honestly, the image of the space tuna meteor swarm stuck in my head is still just a school of fish swimming through space."

'A-And is that a problem?'

"If I have a preconceived image, the awe I feel when I actually encounter them will be lessened."

'Wha!?'

That seemed to deal a critical blow. The councilor actually leaned backward in shock.

After all, their goodwill had started from the emotional impact Kait had when connecting Earth jellyfish to them.

"It's too late to change it now, so I don't mind this time. But I'd prefer not to have my sense of wonder dulled in future encounters."

'U-Understood! We won't do it again! S-Sorry, Third-Rank Citizen Kait! We must now consult the council again, so we'll take our leave!'

The communication ended in a flustered rush.

Victory. For once, he had completely defeated that glitched form of goodwill. Emotion, who had been watching beside him, spoke.

"That was a clever excuse, Captain."

"It was the truth."

Though that wasn't the whole story, he murmured softly—how many in the room actually heard it?

Emotion's lips curved slightly, so perhaps she had.