Two-Person Galactic Journey: Earth Was Destroyed While Imprisoned in Space Prison Chapter 69

Chapter 69

What should I do?

Honestly, that was the first thing Kait thought.

Should he correct them, or just let them keep misunderstanding? After pondering a bit, he figured the man wouldn't believe him anyway.

He let out a deep sigh in his heart, then gave a wry smile.

"You recognize it?"

"Sure do. That suit's design is pretty unique."

The suit Kait wore as his everyday outfit was a custom-made piece tailored in the Central Star Cluster, based on the prison uniform he was forced to wear during his exile. Kait had no idea what kind of sensibility could turn a prison uniform into sothing so stylish, but either way, it was one of his favorite pieces.

In fact, as Kait's fa spread, similar designs were supposedly gaining popularity within the Federation.

"Unique, huh..."

"Strictly speaking, no one wears it outside the Federation. If you carelessly imitate Captain Kait's outfit, you'll get attacked by so reckless folks."

"That's scary."

Kait felt a little comforted by the fact that it hadn't caught on outside the Federation.

In any case, since they didn't think he was Kait, he should probably use a different na.

"I'm Tite. Tite Clark."

"I'm George. Nice to et you, Captain Tite."

"Yeah."

How long had it been since he last shook hands? As he grasped the offered hand, he was surprised by the strength of the grip.

"That's rare. For you to use your real na instead of 'Viper,' dear."

"Since Captain Tite knows Galactic Viper, it'd be embarrassing to use that na, right?"

"I wish you'd be embarrassed more often..."

George's words made the girl slump her shoulders, though Kait couldn't quite understand why.

"I'm Liz Talmira. My husband calls 'girl,' so try not to get confused, okay?"

"Got it, Ms. Talmira. Nice to et you."

After shaking hands in the sa way, Liz turned her gaze to Emotion.

"So, who's this lady over here...?"

"Yes, nice to et you. I'm called Emotion."

"Ms. Emotion? Pleased to et you."

"Yes, Ms. Talmira. A pleasure."

Once the round of introductions was over, Kait decided to ask about why they had been pursued. The two of them didn't seem like the type to be chased so relentlessly.

"So, what was the reason you were being chased?"

"Ingredients."

"Ingredients?"

Were they carrying so rare foodstuffs? He looked closely at the ship, but George quietly shook his head.

"No, no. We're not carrying ingredients."

"Huh?"

"We're being chased by people who want to use Earthlings as ingredients."

***

Hearing the situation, Kait realized he was making a very complicated expression.

At the market run by the Divin people, not many had purchased Earthlings as ingredients. But even if the number was small, such people did exist. The Federation and Kait had gone all-out to defeat those types and rescue the Earthlings, but ironically, that had only fueled the enthusiasm of those self-proclaid gourts.

He had no mory of a criminal trading company nad Tarlmache. Nor did the na of its representative ring any bells. When he glanced at Emotion, she shook her head. Apparently, that client hadn't appeared in the Divin market.

"But that's strange. The ship that was chasing you should have had an Earthling signal too. That Earthling is with Tarlmache, right?"

"You an Carlos. He was probably bought by Tarlmache too. I managed to escape, but he couldn't. And if he doesn't bring us back, he'll be turned into food himself."

"That's..."

So the Earthling from the crashed ship was in the sa position. No wonder he didn't release the capture net. If the alternative was being eaten, it made sense to take a chance on survival.

"Did he think burning up in the atmosphere was better than being eaten?"

"It's worse than that. You're part of the Federation, so you know about resurrection facilities, right?"

"Of course."

"Tarlmache has their own private resurrection facilities. They've got them fully equipped so they can keep rare creatures edible for longer."

"What!?"

As far as Kait knew, resurrection technology wasn't common outside the Federation.

And yet they owned multiple facilities. The organization called Tarlmache might be bigger than he had assud.

"Unlike us, Carlos's resurrection destination is already locked in. In other words, once he dies, he'll be sent right back to the Tarlmache base. And then, he'll be served up for lunch or dinner until they get bored of him."

"That's horrible."

Just hearing about it made Kait's stomach turn.

He hadn't t Carlos yet, but if possible, he wanted to rescue him and bring him to the Federation. Becoming alien food was too pitiful a fate.

"You two aren't registered with any resurrection facility?"

"The place we belonged to didn't have one. Basically, if we die, it's over."

"I see. Then escape this planet with Emotion. If you go to the artificial celestial body Traltan, I can guarantee your safety to the Federation."

At those words, George and Liz looked at each other.

"What about you?"

"I have to rescue Mr. Carlos. That ship is definitely wrecked. Since he's undergone body modification, he should still be alive."

"I see. Is there any way we can help?"

At George's question, Kait shook his head.

"It's too dangerous. You don't have backup for your biological data for resurrection, right? If anything happens, you'll die. And this planet is undeveloped. I appreciate the sentint, but that's enough."

"I see. ...Then don't worry about us. Go get Carlos as soon as you can."

He probably understood his own limitations. Despite appearances, he seed to be a good person at heart. The fact that he couldn't abandon Carlos, who had tried to use them as scapegoats, said as much.

"We'll leave the planet on the Tortoise... this ship. The artificial celestial body isn't far, right? There shouldn't be any need to split up."

"Unfortunately, that's not possible."

The one who interjected was Emotion.

In her usual calm tone, she rejected George's plan.

"That ship from Janatirella Corporation... the Tortoise, was it? With that ship's output, you won't be able to escape this planet's gravity."

"T-That can't be! We even attached external boosters to increase thrust!"

"One of the boosters was damaged in the crash. If you insist, you can try, I suppose."

Since that ship wouldn't pose a fatal risk even in a crash, Emotion said calmly, prompting George and Liz to clutch their heads.

"Give a break. So what, are you saying we should just leave the Tortoise behind on this planet!?"

"I guess... that's what it ans?"

"No. The Federation's rescue team prioritizes human life. The Tortoise exceeds the technological level of undeveloped planets and is also damaged. Rather than transporting it off-planet, I believe they'll opt to destroy it completely."

"Destroy it!?"

At Emotion's reply, George buried his face in his hands.

If it were the Federation's rescue team, they'd definitely do as Emotion said. After all, they had completely solved the resource problem. They had no sentintality toward ships.

Most likely, they'd say not to worry because they'd provide a higher-performance ship after destroying it. That's just how it was. Different cultures.

"That's a problem, a big problem, Captain Tite! The Tortoise is a special ship to us. We don't want it destroyed."

"Dear... but still..."

"This ship was modified based on Girl's... Liz's design. We spent the money we earned through blood and sweat, little by little, to make it usable. Please don't destroy it."

If it were just a quirk of Galactic Viper, Kait would've tried to talk him out of it.

But if those words ca from feelings for his partner, Kait couldn't bring himself to dismiss them.

"Emotion. Is it possible to repair that ship?"

I'm too softhearted. Kait asked Emotion with a wry smile.