Chapter 18
Kait's intention was accepted with relatively little issue. The sale of Earth's cultural data, which had been in the middle of pricing, would become shared property of the Earthlings who joined the Federation, not Kait himself, once it concluded.
'Even at this point, it's probably safe to say the assets are enough for all Earthlings to become Rank 10 citizens. Rank 7 citizens and above are granted the right to live on natural planets, so from there, it's up to the Earthlings' efforts.'
"That's sufficient. From there, it's up to them to decide how to live."
This was surely Kait Crouch's final task, raised to be a leader of humanity—to guide Earth's humans into the new framework called the Federation.
For the journey to Earth, they decided to head there ahead of Zodogia using the Queen Bee. Arriving in that massive ship might intimidate the Earthlings unnecessarily. Boarding the Queen Bee, he would turn his will into strength. Ritimiele and the others said they would follow shortly. Only the representative would remain, as they needed to move Zodogia.
Hopefully, patience will hold.
The first wave of those who called themselves Divin had already left Earth. Apparently, due to no longer being able to rely on Terapolapaneshio's assistance, they developed a different transportation technology. If it's warp achieved through science, it stirs the blood of any classic sci-fi fan.
"Shall we go, Emotion?"
'Yes, Captain.'
"Captain?"
'Since you're the master of the Queen Bee, I thought this would be more fitting. But if you prefer "Master," I can use that instead.'
"No, I like Captain better. Captain Kait... not bad at all."
A guidance route appeared on the screen. It seemed Zodogia's side was ready.
Advance. Kait strongly willed it.
***
'I see. He's handling that ship very skillfully.'
"Yes, I was surprised."
Watching the Queen Bee fly off, Ritimiele proceeded with preparations for their own ship. The representative initiated telepathic communication. Honestly, it was a nuisance, but since it was about Kait, they responded.
Ritimiele's ship, commonly called the Assault Craft Aganrange, was operated by Ritimiele as captain and four staff members. There was still some time before departure preparations were complete.
"Is that really the same type of ship operated by the representatives? I heard only the Terapolapaneshio race could operate it properly."
'There's no doubt that ship is the Di-Kigaia Zarmos. We knew Kait, a Rank 3 citizen, had compatibility, but to that extent—surprising.'
"......Hmm. Then, could it be that all Earthlings share that trait?"
'No. There's no record in the observation logs that Earthlings used this power regularly. It's reasonable to assume it's a unique talent of Kait, the Rank 3 citizen.'
Ritimiele was slightly relieved by the representative's words. Their blue body hair flickered. While Kait as an individual was trustworthy, Earthlings as a species lacked the maturity to be trusted. If such a race possessed talents akin to those of Terapolapaneshio...
Di-Kigaia Zarmos. If used by anyone other than Terapolapaneshio, it's just a flawed ship. However, if the ship powered by psychic ability is fully utilized, it could become a final weapon capable of destroying even stars. A fact, a historical one. Terapolapaneshio has a record of annihilating a star-cluster-scale army with a single ship.
Just eliminating that worry was enough to bring some relief.
"Then why did only Kait, the Rank 3 citizen, possess that talent?"
'Coincidence... probably not. We believe the circumstances of his exile led him to acquire that talent later in life.'
In the Federation, including Terapolapaneshio, that power was named 'physical interference through will projection into external space.'
Systems for bodily modification to grant such abilities were developed early on, but no matter the training, no one could operate the Di-Kigaia Zarmos as freely as Kait.
'In Earth terms, it would be called psychic power. If we were to define it in words, the closest expression would be "extension of the self."'
"Extension of the self, huh."
'For example, if food is out of reach, an intelligent being would use tools to get it. Some might even create tools.'
"Yes. That makes sense."
'Some might enhance their physical abilities to climb a tree. The former is gained through wisdom, the latter through growth. But sometimes, waiting isn't an option.'
Intelligent beings possess some degree of sociality. That's why they can cooperate, dividing burdens and accomplishing what couldn't be done alone.
The growth of a species is more about societal growth than individual growth. That's why the concept of extending the self doesn't mesh well with societal growth.
'Extension of the self is when someone who can't rely on others, and can't wait for wisdom or physical growth, expands their framework beyond their body through sheer will. That's what the scholar studying our power said.'
"So, for us who belong to the Federation, such ability doesn't take root easily?"
'Exactly. We are a collective species, but all individuals share will. In other words, while having sociality, we are still individuals. That's why extension of the self was possible, apparently.'
To acquire psychic power, one must be an intelligent being, but also capable of extending oneself apart from society. Federation citizens, free yet fully protected, struggle with that. Ritimiele deeply agreed with that theory.
"Then, Kait, the Rank 3 citizen..."
'He was used without consent, arrested on false charges, and sentenced to exile. Whether he realizes it or not, he probably—'
Has already completely given up on his fellow Earthlings.
Though possessing an Earthling body, his spirit had already been completed as the individual lifeform called Kait Crouch. That's likely why he acquired psychic power and could operate it at a level that even Terapolapaneshio found astonishing.
But that is also a very sad thing. Ritimiele wished he would at least open his heart to his fellow Federation members.
"Representative. Will Kait's power weaken if he lives as a Federation citizen...?"
'Who knows. He might not even seek the Federation's protection.'
Ritimiele wanted to deny the representative's detached words, but no words came out.
"Vice Representative, we're ready!"
Ritimiele told herself it was because the ship's departure preparations were complete.
***
The journey that once took half a year could now be completed in less than half a day thanks to improved ship performance.
Still, being noticed by the Divin wouldn't be good. Kait tried to disguise the Queen Bee as an asteroid by pulling nearby rocks toward it.
Several steel plates peeled from the outer hull flew through space under Kait's power. They connected in an invisible force field, surrounding the rocks and moving them toward the Queen Bee. The Queen Bee also decelerated and maneuvered to stay close to the rocks.
'You're quite handy, Captain.'
"Well, yeah. Alright, secured."
The Queen Bee, now with arms, firmly grasped the rock.
All that was left was to fly toward Earth. Once they entered the atmosphere, they'd release the rock and descend to the surface.
They changed course toward Earth. Emotion's navigation was flawless.
'Captain. I retract my earlier statement. The arms are quite convenient.'
"Right?"
Sparks of electricity danced in his hair.
As he touched his hair, wondering what to do next, Emotion spoke in exasperation.
'By the way, Captain. About your hair... isn't that a waste of power?'
"What are you talking about, Emotion? Psychic power is all about imagination. The cooler you look, the stronger you get, obviously."
'...kyurukyurukyuru'
She had finally started using it as a word instead of a sound.
If she had something to say, she should just say it. Whether he'd listen was another matter. Kait decided to change the subject for now.
"Alright, this is the final task. Once it's over, I want to travel to all sorts of places in this ship."
'All sorts of places?'
"First, other inhabited star systems in the Federation. I'm also interested in inhabited planets. Once I've seen those, maybe I'll go outside the Federation's domain next."
'That sounds fun. By the way, what about the Earthlings who were taken by the Divin?'
That question made Kait instinctively clutch his head.
He didn't know how many had been taken, but leaving them behind would weigh on his conscience.
"Oh, right... I should prioritize that."
Well, Kait didn't have to rescue them all himself. It would be most efficient to rely on the Federation's help.
'Oh?'
"What is it?"
'Nothing. I just didn't expect you to rely on the Federation.'
"I'm a Federation citizen. Of course I'll rely on them. I'm not an isolationist."
'...My apologies.'
Seeing Emotion speak with genuine surprise, Kait also considered replying with a "kyurukyurukyuru."
***
Earth was drawing near. Its reddish-brown hue seemed more pronounced. Various artificial satellites were visible nearby, but there didn't seem to be any ships that looked like those of the Divin.
Behind them followed Federation ships, including Ritimiele's. They didn't know how many Divin were on the surface, but soon enough, Ritimiele and the others would be noticed. They wanted to land while attention was still on them.
"Emotion. We're entering the atmosphere as is."
'Understood. What's our plan of action on Earth?'
"A water landing might be more natural than a ground landing? Once we arrive safely, we'll split up. I'll go down and join the Earthling settlements, but I have another task I want you to handle."
'Separate missions? I can't really recommend that.'
"It's important. Really important."
In a sense, it might be even more important than protecting the Earthlings.
'And that is?'
"Protecting the Earth jellyfish. Judging by the state of the ocean, if they're extinct before the Terapolapaneshio arrive..."
'Understood. I'll make their protection top priority.'
"I'm glad you get it."
She answered immediately. It was reassuring that Emotion properly understood the situation.
Normally so excessively rational and logical, for them to go into a frenzy like that... If it turned out the jellyfish were already extinct, the issue of protecting Earthlings might be completely overshadowed.
Then, he felt a force pulling the rocks and ship together. They had entered Earth's gravitational influence.
There was no shaking. The rocks had begun to glow red, but the Queen Bee remained completely unaffected. Once again, Kait was reminded of the Federation's technological prowess.
'Captain Kait! Decelerate—'
"No, that's not necessary, Emotion."
The Queen Bee was in near free fall. A warning came from Emotion, but Kait confidently looked through the screen at the approaching ocean surface.
"Halt, Queen Bee."
Instantly. As if mocking every law of physics, the Queen Bee stopped right above the ocean surface.
"See?"
'......Just to be clear, Captain—'
"Yes?"
'According to the catalog specs, even Federation ships aren't normally capable of such reckless deceleration, so please refrain from trying this with anything other than the Queen Bee.'
"It's fine. I don't plan on piloting anything other than the Queen Bee."
Gyururururu...
A grinding sound, like teeth gnashing, echoed from Emotion. Perhaps the update even expanded her range of expression.