Two-Person Galactic Journey: Earth Was Destroyed While Imprisoned in Space Prison Chapter 67

Chapter 67

For now, Kait returned to the artificial celestial body Traltan and first apologized to the representative.

"I'm sorry, Representative. I didn't expect them to flee to the planet."

"Yes, we had confird it on our end as well. These kinds of incidents happen from ti to ti, so there's no need for you, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif), to worry about it."

"I see. That's a relief to hear."

Like Ielke, whom he had once interacted with in Zodogia, this person belonged to a spherical-shaped species and was nad Amurajioru.

The Earthlings staying there had also been quite surprised at first. Apparently, the Federation had a greater variety of species compared to other organizations.

If Amurajioru's words were to be believed, these kinds of cases occurred from ti to ti. In hindsight, it was only natural—prohibiting contact with undeveloped planets was rely a regulation under Federation law. Those unaffiliated with the Federation could not be stopped from descending onto undeveloped planets.

"So then, we just need to retrieve them quickly?"

"Exactly. But we'll need to report to the council first."

Even so, they couldn't just leave the ones who had descended alone. It was an undeveloped planet under Federation observation. Allowing lawlessness here could make the Federation seem weak. Kait understood the situation and decided to back off. He was aware that his hesitation had indirectly led to the two ships descending onto the planet.

In any case, it was fortunate he hadn't followed imdiately after. If he accompanied the recovery team, he wouldn't need to wield too much authority.

"Understood. Then I'll submit a request to the council so I can accompany the recovery."

"That is... yes. It may be safer if Third-Rank Citizen Kait accompanies them."

"Safer?"

"Yes. As long as we've been observing Traltan 4, we've confird that primitive civilizations have developed in so regions."

"Oh?"

Primitive civilization.

What Kait imagined was the earliest period of Earth's human history—several civilizations that developed around rivers in various areas.

"Their civilization is currently extrely irrational and dangerous. I do understand that many civilizations develop such cultures in their early stages, but still..."

"Irrational and dangerous... You an like deifying nature and offering sacrifices?"

"Exactly. You understand well!"

"Earth went through that phase too, after all."

In a way, until quite recently.

News about cults occasionally committing such acts had been common due to the nature of the education he had received. The aning behind cult sacrifices and those of primitive civilizations might be quite different, though.

In any case, visitors falling from the sky would surely be a delicacy to the young culture of a primitive civilization.

"Let's hurry. We need to rescue them quickly."

If sothing like "they were sacrificed by having their heart gouged out and offered on an altar" were to happen, it would be a disaster.

Depending on the modifications made, they might even have to retrieve that heart.

And that could further lead to their deification.

***

'I see. Third-Rank Citizen Kait, I grant you permission to descend to Traltan 4.'

"Thank you."

'However, you are to act separately from the recovery team. I want you to focus on rescuing the Earthlings.'

"Personally, that would be easier for ... Are you sure?"

Kait's wish to descend to Traltan 4, even if it ant accompanying the recovery team, was granted more easily than expected—though not in the way he had hoped.

'You're not a specialist in ship recovery, are you, Third-Rank Citizen Kait? I'll be blunt—no trace of advanced civilization should be left behind. By any ans necessary.'

"...Natural disasters, you an?"

'That's one possible option.'

Destroying a civilization or eliminating all who made contact—natural disasters were the easiest thod. If they feared nature, it was especially effective and wouldn't seem out of place. There would be no survivors to leave behind strange legends.

Rather than imparting unnecessary knowledge to undeveloped species as a whole, it was better to erase everything through a natural disaster. In the worst case, the recovery could beco a dirty job.

A massive disaster potentially caused by the Earthlings who had descended. Thinking of the catastrophe that might result from his own mistake, Kait unknowingly bit his lower lip.

"Understood. We must rescue the Earthlings quickly and recover—or destroy—their ship."

'Exactly. If possible, we'd prefer to resolve this with just so mory manipulation of those involved.'

In other words, they must not allow any contact that could inadvertently develop the intelligence of the other party. Like the Divin people who once contacted Earthlings and bestowed civilization upon them.

That the Earthlings (themselves) who nearly perished because of that might now contribute to it—it was ironic, or perhaps just fate.

"Then I'll proceed ahead of the recovery team. Sorry for the trouble."

'Please do. ...Third-Rank Citizen Kait.'

"Yes?"

'Don't worry too much. I won't say it's common, but it's a relatively frequent type of incident. We're used to dealing with it.'

Whether that was out of concern or sincerity, Kait, who was still new to life in the Federation, couldn't tell—but he decided to take it as a gesture of concern.

He gave a slight bow, and the communication ended.

Now, he had to handle things well—not for the Earthlings, but for the unrelated intelligent beings living on Traltan 4.

Kait felt cold toward the Earthlings. He needed to firmly warn them never to make the foolish mistake of landing on an undeveloped planet again.

***

Just after boarding the Queen Bee, Emotion called out to him.

'Captain. About the Earthlings we rescued...'

"Yeah? Is sothing wrong?"

'While you were in the eting with the council, four of them boarded a Federation ship and left Traltan. It seems all of them wish to immigrate to the Federation. One of them, who had been engaged in highly illegal activities, refused immigration. They'll be returned to their original organization using a ship prepared at Traltan.'

"I see. If that's the choice they made of their own will, then I suppose it's fine."

'Yes.'

Hearing that soone had declined to join the Federation brought a pain to Kait's heart, similar to relief. He wondered if that person would have moved to the Federation without hesitation if he had rescued them sooner.

The fact that they had committed cris would surely have spread among the other four within the Federation. Even if it wasn't their true intention, life in the Federation would never have been peaceful. Perhaps that's why they chose to return. Or maybe, they simply found comfort in a life steeped in vice.

Kait didn't know their true feelings. Perhaps soone like Terapolapaneshio, who could read minds, would know—but Kait didn't possess such a power.

"Shall we go?"

'Yes.'

That's why Kait didn't ask further about the five of them. Each of them should live in the place they belonged. In the Federation's terms, it ant respecting their free choice.

Of course, as long as that choice didn't trample on soone else's freedom.

He powered up the Queen Bee. The ship lifted off and departed from Traltan.

Since they were descending to Traltan 4, there was no need to go outside. Leaning back comfortably in his seat, Kait murmured softly.

"I hope it doesn't co to a fight."

'Indeed.'

He had chosen his path. If he did the sa thing again, then he would be the enemy.

Kait gazed at the beautiful figure of Traltan 4, hoping that this ti, they would learn their lesson and never again exploit their fellow Earthlings.