Two-Person Galactic Journey: Earth Was Destroyed While Imprisoned in Space Prison Chapter 46

Chapter 46

As a result of forming a friendship with the space eel, a full-scale hostility with the other space eels has been declared. Strange, isn't it?

Apparently, the Federation Congress accepted it without issue. Just like when Kait was accepted into the Federation, the policy of prioritizing the first individual contacted also applies to the space eels.

Of course, granting citizenship would be problematic, so that won't be happening—but as expected of the Federation, which protects the rights and freedoms of all species. Their ideals are solid.

'Therefore, you shall be recognized by us, the Federation, as the one and only friendly space eel. We vow to actively eliminate all other space eels and present their remains to you as proof of our friendship.'

—I thank you, small ones. I look forward to our continued cooperation.

The space eel responded to Terapolapaneshio's telepathy, who had been dispatched as the negotiator. Thankfully, Kait could receive it too, proving that if one is an intelligent being capable of telepathic conversation, they can communicate with space eels—and that the contents of the conversation can be verified by a third party.

There remains the question of how useful that knowledge will actually be.

'There's one thing I'd like to confirm. While we treat you, this space eel, as a friend, what should we do if we encounter another space eel that claims it doesn't wish to fight the others?'

—That should be considered a strategic lie. While individuals that have lost the essence of striving to beco the one and only perfect being may exist, other individuals will never take their thoughts into account.

I don't think such individuals could exist to begin with, it concluded.

The space eel's answer was straightforward. The fact that their species does not assu dialogue with others only made it more convincing.

Terapolapaneshio, the negotiator, seed to agree. Like Kait, they exposed their body from the hull and extended their tendrils.

'I see. Then we shall respect the rights and freedoms of you, our friend. We do not wish for your safety to be endangered by the intentions of your kind, so here and now, we declare all other space eels to be enemies.'

—Thank you. I promise to act in a way that will not trouble my first friend Kait, nor the small creatures of the Federation who are his friends.

At last, the job was done.

From here on, it could be left to the higher-ups in the Federation. Feeling the weight lift from his shoulders, Kait casually rotated his right shoulder.

Being present for the historic agreent between the space eel and the space jellyfish was surely a valuable experience, but sohow, it didn't feel that aningful. Likely because the na "space eel" had been officially recognized.

It seed Terapolapaneshio also felt the sa relief from completing the task. Waving their tendrils slightly, they casually spoke to Kait.

'So next is the space eel, huh. Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif), your circle of cosmic friends just keeps growing.'

"Yeah, it really does."

They were all reliable friends, but the fact that, from his perspective, they were all seafood felt like so kind of sign. Kait seriously pondered whether he might have been a sea creature in a past life.

***

Now then. Harmonious coexistence between the Federation and the space eel had been achieved. At the sa ti, it could be said that permanent hostility with the other space eels had been established.

The situation had progressed, and that was clearly a good thing. However, progress often brings new problems.

'Now then, we'll be changing the agenda of the eting under our authority. First, we'd like to address how to identify the space eel.'

"Understood!"

The eting, originally intended to establish communication with the space eel, naturally shifted into a discussion of various issues related to their newfound friendship.

Terapolapaneshio, who had just been appointed as the new chairperson, addressed the assembled mbers. The most enthusiastic response ca from Stomato. Maybe they were a fan of the space jellyfish?

Identification thod. Indeed, Kait had no idea how to tell one space eel from another.

He called out to Gorou, the only Corporation representative attending the eting. The other Corporation mbers had been detained and isolated in another room for trying to shine light on the space eel and sabotage the operation.

"Professor, about how to tell that one apart from the others..."

"Jellyfish... jellyfish... the jellyfish is talking... I saw it in the docunts, but to think it was real..."

Nope, he was useless. Do Earthlings often react this way when they see a space jellyfish for the first ti? No wonder Ritimiele was always so cautious.

While waiting for Gorou—who was in the middle of a space jellyfish reality shock—to return to consciousness (or rather, leaving him be), Kait asked a question that ca to mind before even worrying about identification.

"By the way, when it cos to the star systems that the space eel feeds on, does the Federation assign coordinates and send it off? Or does soone guide it?"

'Hmm. Third-Rank Citizen Kait, do you think that issue should take priority?'

"If soone is going to accompany it the whole ti, then there's no need to distinguish them. But if we just give it the location and let it go on its own, then we'll need to be able to tell them apart, since we'll be looking away even for a mont."

'Indeed. That's a very good point.'

Saying that, Terapolapaneshio fell silent for a while. They were probably relaying the topic to the mbers of the Federation Congress. Once the exchange seed to be over, they inexplicably swam through the air.

'I shall relay the Congress's reply. For now, it seems they are considering having soone accompany it. After all, there's no guarantee the coordinates will be transmitted properly, and if the space eel heads to a life-bearing star system by mistake, it would be a huge liability.'

"That's true."

'We'll adopt Third-Rank Citizen Kait's opinion and postpone the matter of identification. Anyone object?'

There didn't seem to be any objections.

In fact, the respectful stares from Radia's staff were almost painful. Please, calm down. One way or another, we'll have to decide on an identification thod—on both our side and theirs.

'Then, onto the next topic. Third-Rank Citizen Kait, do you think there's anything we should prioritize?'

"Huh?"

Why ask that now? Well, it was probably because of what he said earlier.

Kait held his head in his hands. This was too much. He thought for a while and ca up with an idea—not urgent, but at least sothing.

"We can leave the identification thod for later, but how about we decide on an identification na?"

"An identification na?"

"Yeah. As it is, both friend and foe are just 'space eel.' It'll be hard to tell if it's an ally or an enemy—whether to support or defeat it."

'I see.'

The space jellyfish paused again.

Actually, maybe this isn't sothing worth bringing to the Congress.

'Then let's officially decide on a na for the friendly space eel. Third-Rank Citizen Kait, do you have a good na in mind?'

"Well, I'm the one who gave it the na space eel in the first place. Maybe we should open it up to public suggestions?"

'Third-Rank Citizen Kait, how humble of you. Then we shall open it to public submissions.'

Public submissions.

They're really going to ask the entire Federation about this? No good—if he says too much, Terapolapaneshio will blow everything out of proportion. Being their eternal friend was starting to feel a bit ominous.

"I-if it's going to be a public submission, let's decide later! There's still a lot we need to check, right?"

'Indeed. Other high-priority topics include deciding on the space eel's base and developing equipnt for those without psychic power to communicate with it.'

Clearly, those were the more important matters.

Kait let out a deep, deep sigh in his heart.

***

Having returned to reality, Gorou showed great enthusiasm and motivation for the public naming of the friendly space eel.

"I'll do it, Captain! I'll make sure its na becos Star-Eater!"

"Good luck, Professor. By the way—"

"What is it, Captain?"

"That na is actually unpopular with the space eel itself."

Gorou froze at Kait's words.

The way he turned toward Kait like a rusted machine was honestly a little scary.

"...What did you say?"

"Well, it said, 'Would you be happy if your na was based on your diet?'"

In other words, would you be happy being called veggie-eater or at-eater?

Kait found it a very reasonable point, so he figured he should at least tell Gorou.

"How would you feel if soone called you 'Supplent Eater'?"

"I—"

"?"

"I'll completely rethink it!"

Kait watched Gorou dash back to his room, pale-faced, with a warm, sympathetic gaze.

Hopefully, the na he cos up with will be chosen.