Chapter 39
Kait, who had unexpectedly been entrusted with the matter of the space eel (named by the Federation), first decided to investigate the methods the Federation had attempted to use for communication.
"Representative Stomato. Please gather all materials related to the Federation's first contact with the space eel."
"The first materials?"
"That was the only time we tried to communicate with it, right? If we fail, it could lead to combat, so we need to prepare thoroughly beforehand."
"U-Understood! Right away!"
Stomato clung to the equipment.
The countless monitors displayed half of the screens showing the observed star, and the rest showing stars being ravaged by the space eel.
As Kait glared at the monitors, he turned his attention to the Corporation's fleet leisurely conducting ecological observations nearby. He wondered if they had any definitive information about the space eel's intelligence. If they had gained any hints or certainty from previous encounters, it would be fair to say they were ahead of the Federation.
"Emotion."
"Yes. You're contacting Gorou Saitou, right?"
"Please."
Kait didn't know how much authority Gorou held within the Corporation, but he figured they couldn't prohibit direct communication from a Federation Third-Rank Citizen like Enec Lagif. Given the situation, he decided to abuse his authority without hesitation.
"This is the Federation, from the artificial celestial body Radia. We have an inquiry for the biologist Gorou Saitou aboard your vessel. Please connect us."
'This is the Corporation brigade, flagship Ekerekemeneu Asubarkakuto Nijaiasa Porketrantar. Earth-based intelligence Gorou Saitou is currently engaged in observation duties for the planet-class giant silicon-based lifeform, commonly known as Star-Eater. Due to prioritization, we cannot connect you at this time.'
No matter how many times he heard it, he couldn't remember that long name. "Earth-based intelligence" was a term he hadn't heard before, but it seemed Gorou's authority wasn't particularly high.
Emotion raised the corner of her mouth unnaturally. Then she questioned the person who had responded.
"Your ship name is unnecessarily long, so I'll be omitting part of it. The Federation Earthling, Third-Rank Citizen Kait, who was aboard your ship 'Eanipol' until just now, wishes to speak. Are you still refusing to bring out Gorou Saitou?"
'Hii!? P-Please wait a moment!?'
She said "Hii!?" With a complicated expression, Kait waited for Gorou to appear as Emotion turned only her neck toward him.
"A bad reputation can be useful sometimes, right?"
"Hey, don't twist your neck like that in that form. It's scary."
"My apologies."
Also, that smile is probably scarier than my bad reputation.
Kait began to worry that not only his past but also Emotion's threats would worsen his reputation within the Corporation.
No, he decided to accept it.
No matter what, shortening another ship's name without permission is not acceptable. Even if he was the one who gave the order.
***
'What do you want, Captain Kait?'
"Sorry to bother you when you're busy, Gorou Saitou. I contacted you because I have some questions and matters to discuss."
Gorou, who appeared on the call, looked extremely displeased. It was a mix of awkwardness from the earlier exchange and irritation at having his work as a biologist interrupted.
'You want to discuss something? No matter what you say, we won't stop protecting the Star-Eater. We're prepared to go to war with the Federation.'
"Depending on the situation, we're prepared for that too. But it's not like we absolutely want to exterminate the space eel. If it just turns around and leaves, we don't care what happens afterward."
'And you want us to help with that?'
"Yeah. I was just appointed as the person in charge of the space eel countermeasures. I promise under that authority."
After Kait conveyed the Federation's position, Gorou showed signs of contemplation.
He might be suspicious. But if they can communicate with the space eel and it stops consuming inhabited stars, their goals wouldn't conflict. Kait's proposal didn't pose any particular problem for the Federation. If Gorou could understand that...
'I'll talk to the higher-ups. What do you need from us to cooperate?'
"Any information you obtained while trying to protect the space eel. We're also prepared to share our data."
'Information? That's all you want?'
"We're seriously lacking in information. I'd like to share whatever we can. You understand the Federation has a deadline, right?"
Gorou looked even more skeptical.
Since he doesn't know the Federation well, he probably doesn't realize that Kait is fully trusted by the space jellyfish. That's why he can't believe Kait could influence Federation policy.
'I don't get it. I heard the Federation has a law mandating the extermination of the Star-Eater. Why change policy now? Without understanding that, I doubt the higher-ups will agree.'
"Because our great Terapolapaneshio withheld important information. For now, just ask them this one thing: 'Is the Corporation aware that the creature possesses a certain level of intelligence?'"
'What did you say!?'
"It's true. Terapolapaneshio has observed massive waves of emotion emitted by the space eel during previous sweeps. It's a silicon-based lifeform, but also a type of intelligent being."
Gorou looked stunned at Kait's explanation. Judging by his reaction, it's likely the Corporation also didn't recognize the space eel's intelligence. It's possible Gorou simply lacked the clearance to know. Either way, they'd have to wait for a response after he passed the information up the chain.
'W-Why did Terapolapaneshio conceal that information?'
"Because they tried to communicate with it, and absolutely nothing got through. If we spread that around without knowing the cause, it would only increase the damage."
'I can't say I don't understand, but...'
"I'm not asking you to agree, just to hurry. You don't want unnecessary deaths either, do you?"
'U-Understood.'
The communication was cut. Now all they could do was wait.
There were people he didn't like, but he had to use whatever was available. After all, they were responsible for innocent lives who had no idea what was happening.
***
'I'm relaying the decision from above. We, the Rare Species Conservation Agency, agree with the Federation's proposal and will cooperate in a joint plan to communicate with the Star-Eater.'
"Thank you."
'The higher-ups were surprised too. No one expected it to be intelligent. Captain Kait, why did you suspect it had intelligence?'
Gorou's gaze toward him was much softer than before.
He had probably been prepared for a possible clash with the Federation, but now that risk had lessened, so had his stress.
Kait answered Gorou's question without any particular tension.
"It was playing, wasn't it?"
'Playing?'
"It was hitting rocks it spit out against other rocks. Then, when it was satisfied, it cleaned everything up with vibrations. Doing something so pointless... I figured it might be play."
'I see...'
If it had no intelligence, one might think it was just coincidence. But if it did, then it would feel like a purposeless act.
That wasn't the only reason he suspected, but since it was just his personal impression, he decided not to mention it.
"Communicating with the space eel is going to be tough. Even the Federation gave up. We don't know if silicon-based lifeforms even have brains, or if they think like us or not. There's so much we don't understand, so we'll need everyone's full brainpower."
'Fine. We'll be able to borrow the Federation's wisdom too, right?'
"Of course. I can't vouch for the quality, though."
"What are you saying?" Gorou laughed. Well, if they could borrow people from the central star cluster, they might be able to guarantee something. But at least for the staff on Radia, he couldn't say much. Well, they'd know within an hour of starting the meeting.
As Kait gave a wry smile, Gorou suddenly asked as if remembering something.
'By the way, this is trivial, but... What exactly is this "space eel" you've been talking about?'
"That's the Federation's official name for the creature after this incident is over."
'What!?'
Yeah, honestly, he did feel a little bad about it.
Kait actually preferred calling it Star-Eater. But he just used "space eel" because it was easier to convey.
While mentally apologizing to Gorou, he turned his attention to Stomato. He still needed to confirm the data and coordinate with the Corporation.
Even Stomato, who had once praised the name Star-Eater, now casually referred to it as space eel.
Whether Star-Eater (named by the Corporation) or space eel would ultimately remain, that was something even Kait couldn't guarantee.