Two-Person Galactic Journey: Earth Was Destroyed While Imprisoned in Space Prison Chapter 73

Chapter 73

The sound of tightly clenched teeth echoed in the air.

His body had been thoroughly reinforced. Normally, such pressure would shatter bone, but his current gums and teeth could withstand it. anwhile, the sound that echoed around them grew louder in proportion to the force grinding through.

George lowered his right arm. He forcibly suppressed his killing intent and everything else, exhaling slowly and deeply. The anger in his eyes remained unchanged as he silently slung the Psionic Launcher back onto his back.

"......Let ask you sothing."

"What is it?"

"If it had been Captain Kait standing here, do you think he would've made the sa decision?"

You really do idealize the real thing.

He didn't intend to shatter his illusion, but he also didn't owe him the courtesy of saying sothing nice like, 'If it were the real one, he'd have handled it better.'

"Who knows. But everything I said reflects the Federation's basic stance. I don't think soone else would've given a different answer."

"......I see."

With one last glance back toward the battlefield, George began walking away—heading away from the warzone, his gaze cast downward.

"Let's go."

"Yeah."

***

Artificial celestial body Traltan.

Amurajioru, the representative monitoring the situation from the office screen, let out a sound unique to their monts of joy.

"I see. Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif), is quite Federation-minded."

"Yes, I was surprised. He said he would stop him even if it ant fighting."

"Just as Ielke said. His thinking isn't Earthling-like."

The secretary showed surprise. It had been quite so ti since Earthlings were accepted into the Federation. Most Federation citizens had long since downgraded their evaluation of these new companions from the planet called Earth.

In short, they had co to understand that Kait as an individual shouldn't be judged by Earthling standards. While so individuals had comndable aspects, as a whole, their nature was closer to that of their ancestors, the Divin people. Given that they had developed under Divin influence, it was only natural.

In such a world, the Federation concluded that Kait Crouch, who appeared with Federation-like values, was an extraordinary anomaly.

"I've often heard complaints from departnts that hired Earthlings. They say re-education is tough."

"Normally, newly joined species require re-education. The fact that Third-Rank Citizen Kait blended into the Federation without needing it is certainly unusual."

If soone said the Federation had dispatched him as a spy, you might accidentally believe it.

There's even a joke going around that Kait should be classified as a separate species from the Earthlings—but lately, it's not really a joke anymore. After all, even compared to other Earthlings—no, even compared to long-standing Federation citizens—his achievents were in a league of their own.

The secretary spoke with a sigh.

"......I can understand the opinion that Third-Rank Citizen Kait should be promoted in citizenship. He exposed Divin's past cris, destroyed the Zanigariu Grand Fleet, and established contact with the space eel. What shall we do, Representative? Shall we sign the petition as well?"

"He'd hate that. I've heard he values freedom over order."

Even so, Amurajioru thought they'd probably sign it anyway. That's how compelling Captain Kait's story was. Even now, trouble seed to seek him out just because he was on a primitive planet.

"Still, we're lucky. We get to watch valuable surveillance footage of Third-Rank Citizen Kait."

"Third-Rank Citizen Kait is aware of the surveillance."

"Huh?"

"Well, maybe not because he made eye contact. It's more accurate to say he understands surveillance is to be expected."

Amurajioru continued, making the cheerful sound unique to their good moods.

In contrast, the secretary's expression stiffened. Muttering sothing like, 'He never showed any sign of that.'

"He managed to persuade with only his words, without letting on that he was being watched. It wasn't out of consideration for us, but rather so the person there wouldn't develop a negative impression of the Federation. It's not pleasant to find out you were unknowingly under surveillance."

"That's true. But... he thinks surveillance is natural?"

"We've been observing Traltan 4, haven't we? And their ho planet Earth as well. He probably doesn't think we're incapable of doing the sa thing, and he likely has a good sense of our capabilities. Especially since Third-Rank Citizen Kait even pointed out the lax observation thods of the Terapolapaneshio. We mustn't underestimate him."

The criticism Amurajioru referred to was about how the space jellyfish had been observing Earth but failed to examine the oceans, which led to them missing the existence of the Earth jellyfish.

If Kait had heard that, he would've frowned and said it was a misunderstanding. It wasn't a criticism—he had simply been explaining the Earth jellyfish to the space jellyfish, and they had co to that conclusion on their own. Still, there were now a number of high-ranking Federation citizens who interpreted Kait's words and actions favorably.

As the high-ranking officials of Traltan were raising their evaluation of Kait due to that misunderstanding, Kait on the monitor suddenly ca to a halt. When the cara angle shifted, a crashed ship embedded in the ground ca into view.

'It's less damaged than I expected. The crew... should be safe, I think.'

"What about the rescue team?"

"Preparations should be complete shortly."

"Good. Retrieve the ship on the screen. Make sure not even a single fragnt is left behind on this planet."

"Understood."

The priority was the mission. After Kait rescued the remaining Earthlings, they had to erase all foreign objects that didn't belong on this planet. Though they were called a rescue team, their main role was more that of a cleanup crew.

Just then, one of the staff burst into the office. He looked extrely flustered, ignoring all formalities. It must be sothing serious.

"Th-This is bad!"

"What's the matter?"

"We've confird that Third-Rank Citizen Kait has arrived at the crashed ship. He's rescuing the Earthlings, correct?"

"Yes. I saw that on the monitor too. What about it?"

This staff mber's job was to monitor the crashed ship on Traltan. He had co from another room to switch the feed.

"There were three crew mbers visible in the footage. Two of them were Earthlings. The problem is the last one who just ca out of the ship."

"That one!"

Amurajioru also raised their voice in tension at the image shown.

"Segari... Segari Gug! Tarlmache actually employed such a dangerous individual?"

Segari Gug. A bounty target not only for the Federation but for many organizations. His cri: biological overhunting. He's known for massacring non-targeted creatures to increase the rarity of those intended for sale.

"This is bad. It's a serious issue that affects Traltan 4's environntal stability."

In the biological market, rare species naturally sell for higher prices. Segari Gug would slaughter the companions of the target species just to increase their rarity. All non-sold individuals of those species were driven to extinction, and now their survival is barely hanging on.

Since then, Segari Gug had been hunted by the Federation, the Corporation, and many other organizations. In hindsight, it made sense that the criminal syndicate Tarlmache had been harboring him.

"What's his goal, I wonder? Is he here to monitor the Earthlings?"

"That's likely part of it, but they might also be counting on him as a force to capture Third-Rank Citizen Kait, who ca for the rescue."

"I see. ...Deploy the unit imdiately."

"Is that alright? Preparations aren't yet complete."

"It's for the preservation of Traltan 4's environnt. I don't think Third-Rank Citizen Kait will be outmatched, but we're dealing with a deranged individual with no sense of reason. We must prepare all possible backup!"

"Understood!"

Orders were issued. In the worst-case scenario, Segari Gug wouldn't hesitate to use the natives as shields. A support unit shadowing Kait was absolutely essential.

Just as that was being decided, another staff mber burst in. Déjà vu.

"Representative!"

"What is it this ti!?"

"Tarlmache's fleet has appeared on the outskirts of the Traltan star system!"

"Impossible!"

Why is this happening one after another? Amurajioru exhaled a sound of anguish and rage while scanning the report handed over. The scale was massive. The flagship Tarlmache wasn't present, but the fleet was roughly equal to Traltan's military strength.

No doubt—their objective was to retrieve Segari Gug and capture the Earthlings. Which to prioritize? Amurajioru hesitated only for a mont before switching gears and issuing a sharp command.

"Cancel the orders to the rescue team! We will intercept the Tarlmache fleet! Reconfigure all ships for fleet-combat and launch them sequentially!"

"U-Understood!"

Regardless of the Earthlings, if Segari Gug was captured, it would be the end for Tarlmache. They likely wouldn't shy away from battle. In the worst case, they might even attempt to kill Segari Gug along with Traltan 4 itself.

That cannot be allowed. While ntally apologizing for leaving all ground operations to Kait, Amurajioru continued issuing commands without losing sight of their priorities as a representative.