Chapter 33
Just because someone buys people through human trafficking doesn't necessarily mean they're all heartless monsters—it seems that's not always the case.
It had been some time since a hundred thousand Earthlings were sold off across the galaxy.
Captain Kait and Emotion had been traveling to the places where Earthlings were sold, working hard to rescue them using a list compiled by the Federation.
Because of the sheer number, a priority system naturally developed. The highest priority were those purchased with the intention of being eaten. Some races had a twisted taste for rare species as delicacies, while others only consumed compounds produced in the brains of intelligent beings under stress. The Federation cooperated fully in these cases, and they were able to rescue all of them in short order. They were now receiving treatment from the Federation and awaiting reunification with other Earthlings.
Next were the races who had purchased Earthlings purely as labor. Since their lives weren't in immediate danger, they were given lower priority. They prioritized rescuing victims from the more malicious races first, and in the process, Kait became quite well-known among those types of species.
"Well, it's nice not having to deal with too much trouble."
'It's not good to make too many enemies.'
"I'm more of a pacifist, you know?"
Saying something that was either convincing or not, Kait saw off the rescued Earthlings. Once transferred to the Federation, their health was checked first. If any illegal body modifications had been done, they would be replaced with Federation-standard body modifications. If there were no issues, they would be sent to join the Earthling residential area.
Just as they were about to head to the next destination, an unusual transmission came through. It was from the Federation.
When the transmission connected, the massive body of Terapolapaneshio filled the screen. Judging by the scale compared to the surroundings, this was likely a member of the Federation Council.
"Long time no see, Councilor. What can I do for you?"
'You should show your face at the Central Star Cluster once in a while, Kait Third-Class Citizen (Enec Lagif). Enjoying your galactic travels?'
"My apologies. I've been eager to travel freely as soon as possible, and I guess I got a bit impatient. Still, it's always exciting to see unfamiliar sights."
'Glad to hear it, Kait Third-Class Citizen. We've just confirmed a request for Earthling protection. Has that been completed?'
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
Could there have been a dangerous individual among them?
Kait was about to instruct Emotion to recheck the identities of those they'd just rescued, but the councilor raised one of their tendrils to cut him off.
'Ah, no, that's not the issue. A distress call has come in from one of the artificial satellites used for observing undeveloped planets, located near your current coordinates.'
"A distress call doesn't sound very peaceful."
'Indeed. And that brings us to the main point. A fleet not affiliated with the Federation is heading toward those coordinates.'
A navigational chart appeared beside the councilor's body. It zoomed in.
The star system resembled the solar system but was slightly different. Near the sixth planet from the star was a red sphere—likely the artificial satellite.
Outside the star system was the Queen Bee icon. Approaching the system from another direction was a green fleet. It was quite large.
'That's the Rare Species Conservation Agency, Alvegemestna. They're a company that specializes in the protection and management of rare life forms across the universe.'
"Rare species, huh... Don't tell me—"
'Yes. They've designated Earthlings as protected species. And after the recent incident, they were the ones who purchased the most Earthlings.'
A detailed history of the agency was displayed.
Apparently, they were once part of the Federation. According to the history, they had been affiliated for billions of years but had since left to operate independently.
They purchased and protected about sixty thousand Earthlings—roughly half of those sold. The number wasn't chosen for any special reason; it seems they simply ran out of budget.
"Budget issues, huh."
'The Federation is no longer bound by resource constraints, but those outside of it are different. You know well that funding is essential for survival.'
"I understand. That's how society worked back on Earth too."
'The trade of rare species tends to drive up prices. The agency was likely taken advantage of quite a bit.'
Being treated as rare species was still a reality Kait couldn't fully get used to.
Even so, if that resulted in sixty thousand Earthlings being protected, he couldn't see it as entirely bad.
"Anyway, to get back on topic—so you want us to contact the agency's fleet and head to the artificial satellite for rescue?"
'Exactly. Can I count on you?'
"Understood. By the way, what's the nature of the rescue?"
'...Well. It's easy to explain, but I've decided it's best not to give you any preconceived notions.'
"Huh."
Kait tilted his head, confused by the councilor's vague response.
They could explain it, but wouldn't. Was that true for everyone, or was it special treatment for Kait, who was still new as a Federation citizen? Most likely the latter. Terapolapaneshio had always shown special consideration toward Earthlings, especially Kait.
He could probably get an answer if he pressed, but Kait chose to respect the councilor's judgment.
***
"That's only about ten percent of the whole fleet?"
'So it seems, Captain. Could that symbol on their hull be the agency's emblem?'
Large, small, medium, and supermassive—countless ships moved together in a unified direction.
The same symbol stood out on each hull. Despite differences in color, size, and shape, every ship bore that mark, showing they all belonged to the agency.
The infamous Zanigariu Grand Fleet, known for buying Earthlings as slaves—the massive battle with them had made Kait's name known. Even if it was only a fraction, the agency's fleet rivaled that scale.
'Compared to the Zanigariu Grand Fleet, they have fewer combat ships. Also, the central mothership listed in the database isn't present.'
"The central mothership? That huge ship over there isn't it?"
'No. The agency's central mothership is about three times the volume of Zodogia. That one is big, but not on the same scale.'
"That's incredible."
The ship running through the center of the fleet was larger than anything he'd seen before—but still smaller than Zodogia. He couldn't even imagine how big the true central mothership must be.
It was one of those moments where he truly felt the thrill of space travel. No matter how much he learned, there was always something that exceeded his imagination.
"In that sense, even Zodogia—despite being called a celestial body—is actually a mothership, huh."
'Exactly. The organizational power to command such a fleet is not to be underestimated, Captain.'
"Then why are you talking like we're going to start a fight, Emotion?"
Lately, Emotion had been oddly combative. Kait let out a sigh, unaware that his own behavior might be influencing her.
Still, with a fleet this large, even approaching peacefully raised the question of who to contact.
Back with the Zanigariu Grand Fleet, they hadn't needed to think about that. They'd just issued demands to the biggest ship.
But just because they weren't attacking didn't mean they wouldn't be seen as hostile. Kait steeled himself and opened communications with the nearest ship.
"I assume you're the Rare Species Conservation Agency. This is the combat ship Queen Bee, Captain Kait speaking. I'd like to speak with whoever's in charge over there."
'Captain Kait!? Wait, yes, we did purchase the Earthlings, but we've treated them—using your language—extremely humanely. We have no intention of fighting.'
"I don't intend to fight either, you know?"
Even though he'd just said he wanted to talk, the agency staff who answered the call sounded terrified.
'It's all about your reputation, Captain.'
"Could you please be quiet, Emotion?"
Though Emotion wasn't known for expressive speech, that one comment pierced Kait's heart more than expected.
"As I said at the start, I just want to speak with the person in charge. Or... are you that person?"
'S-sorry. According to our intel, Captain Kait was said to be one of the most ferocious and dangerous Earthlings. We'll update our information.'
"...Thanks, I guess."
First treated like a rare species, now like a wild beast.
The thought of just launching an attack briefly crossed his mind, but picking a fight with the agency over that would only prove their point. He calmed himself and waited for their response.
'Sorry to keep you. The branch director will speak with you. If it's alright, they'd like to meet in person. If you have no objections, please dock with the central ship.'
"Branch director?"
Was that a translation error? It was a surprisingly familiar term.
He had no reason to refuse. Kait gave a quiet nod and calmly relayed his request to the other party.
"Understood. Please send the route."
***
Meanwhile—
Terapolapaneshio had called him an eternal friend, and he could operate psychic power at a comparable output to them.
Not as an Earthling, but as an individual named Kait Crouch. A debate was quietly beginning—one that Kait himself didn't know about—on whether he should be treated as a different kind of rare species.
It was unlikely Emotion would ever tell Kait about it herself.