“We are, let’s see… what you would call a [Federation]. The staff of this artificial celestial body and I had planned to reveal our existence and propose joining the Federation once you had reached this distance from your home planet.”
“So, even if I had gone in a different direction, I would have been welcomed as one of your companions?”
“Yes. At this distance, it wouldn’t take much time to reach you.”
“Does that mean meeting you all wasn’t just luck or coincidence?”
“That’s correct. Even if Mr. Kaito had been heading in the opposite direction across the star, I would have conducted this initial interview with you.”
At least in terms of technology, it was clear that they were far more advanced than us. Kaito thought he understood that, but he hadn’t fully grasped the scale of it.
Questions kept arising one after another, but it might be rude to keep asking too many.
Kaito decided to limit his remaining questions to three and asked Ritmiele.
“Ms. Ritmiele. I apologize for asking so many questions, so from here on, I’ll only ask three. Was there a reason you were the one for this initial interview?”
“Yes. Based on our experience, it’s easier to gain understanding and empathy when the first encounter is with someone who looks similar to oneself.”
“I see.”
“Our Federation consists of about 2,600 intelligent species. More than half of them are species with developed forelimb functions, so I don’t think the Earthlings will feel too out of place.”
Species with developed forelimb functions. In other words, hands. Kaito couldn’t help but stare at his own hands.
The reasoning that similar appearances foster empathy made sense. If the first encounter had been with something like a tentacled monster from classic sci-fi, would the conversation have gone as smoothly?
He was curious about what other kinds of species existed, but he decided to prioritize his remaining questions.
“Next question. You mentioned that you were observing us. What was the reason for that?”
“There are several reasons, but some of them cannot be disclosed to Mr. Kaito at this time. Please forgive me.”
“I see. If you can tell me later, that’s fine.”
Ritmiele didn’t change her expression. If he pushed for disclosure, she might look troubled, but Kaito didn’t want to cause her any trouble.
He moved on to the next question. This would be the last one for now.
“Then, the final question I can think of is this. Given the current state of Earth, doesn’t it lack the value you’re seeking?”
“No. We are completely free from resource and environmental issues. We don’t need your planet for resources or the environment. However, we have observed a significant decline in your civilization. If Mr. Kaito hadn’t reached here, we would have stopped observing and returned to the Federation.”
“So, until we rebuild a civilization capable of venturing into space again, we won’t be of interest to you, is that correct?”
“That understanding is both correct and incorrect. Explaining the reason is difficult at this time.”
“I see.”
Kaito didn’t press further, as he didn’t represent Earth’s humanity. He also didn’t feel the need to rush for information.
Besides, Ritmiele said “at this time.” She implied that explanations would come once conditions were met. So, answers to these questions would eventually be provided. It was just Kaito’s curiosity, after all.
Having finished his questions, it was now his turn to listen.
Perhaps understanding that he was ready to listen, Ritmiele spoke.
“Mr. Kaito. Do you wish to obtain citizenship in the Federation?”
The question was asked lightly.
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“If I wish, I can get citizenship?”
“Yes. Mr. Kaito meets the conditions for obtaining the Federation’s Enek-Ragif.”
Kaito didn’t understand the term. Ritmiele’s pronunciation had changed, so it must have been an untranslatable word.
From the context, it seemed to be a type of citizenship.
“Enek-Ragif?”
“That’s correct. It grants you the right to be elected as a member of the Federation Council and the right to synchronize your biometric data with the central repository indefinitely and without restriction.”
He didn’t understand the synchronization of biometric data, but he understood the right to be elected.
“That seems like quite a high-level right.”
“Yes. It’s the third highest out of fourteen levels of rights. Since we began observing, there has been no political entity on Earth, Mr. Kaito’s home planet, with the political intelligence to join the Federation. In this case, Mr. Kaito, as the first to actively contact the Federation, will be treated as Earth’s Representative.”
“Well, well.”
Kaito was slightly concerned about Earth’s current state. He hadn’t expected Ritmiele to criticize Earth’s nations.
However, since Earth’s civilization and environment had collapsed, the criticism might be justified.
Kaito himself had essentially abandoned Earth. Being treated as Earth’s Representative after being picked up by an alien civilization was somewhat ironic.
“Mr. Kaito’s thought patterns are being observed in real time. Your intelligence and rationality sufficiently meet the conditions for becoming a Federation citizen.”
“Incidentally, I was imprisoned on Earth as a thought criminal.”
“Is that so? If it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me the circumstances?”
“Emotion. Are my trial records preserved?”
“They are preserved. Shall I submit them to Ms. Ritmiele?”
“That’s the plan, but?”
“It might result in restrictions on Master Kaito’s rights. I cannot agree to that.”
Unusually, Emotion clearly expressed opposition. It was an analysis that would lead to the master’s disadvantage, but Kaito’s judgment was different.
“Above all, what’s needed here now is honesty, Emotion. I value the risk of refusing to provide information more than the disadvantage that might arise from submitting it.”
“…Understood.”
With a squeaking sound—probably a silent protest—Emotion addressed Ritmiele.
“I will submit the data. To whom and how should I transfer it?”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
“What is this! This is a miscarriage of justice!”
When anger is expressed, Ritmiele’s body hair stands on end. Kaito gained this insight, but he doubted it would be useful in his future life.
The information submission was done through a projected video. It seemed that some of Earth’s technology had been absorbed, as the trial records were shared with them without much delay.
“Well, that’s why I was exiled beyond the atmosphere. If it hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have met you all, so in a way, it might have been fortunate.”
“Gamahadegg! You shouldn’t call being forced into a solitary life fortunate.”
An untranslated word appeared. It must have been slang from their culture.
“No, it was more comfortable than living on the ground. After all, no one could exploit me in any way.”
“I’ll take that as confirmation that there are no issues with Mr. Kaito’s personality. …Let’s get back on topic.”
Ritmiele’s body hair returned to normal. She seemed to have regained some composure.
Citizenship. What they offered was a higher level of citizenship than he had expected. With great rights come great responsibilities. Kaito felt a slight weight on his shoulders.
“To confirm. Do you wish to obtain Federation citizenship?”
“Before that, could you explain the rights and obligations of a Federation citizen?”
“Ah, yes. I’m not entirely calm yet.”
Ritmiele fiddled with the hair on her hand. From her behavior, it was somewhat reassuring to know that she had emotions like anyone else. No matter how advanced a civilization is, it’s comforting to know there are people with similar feelings.
The rights and obligations were projected into the air. They were in Earth’s language.
“There are fewer rights and obligations than I expected. No need to work?”
“Yes. As I mentioned earlier, we have completely resolved resource and environmental issues. Work and asset accumulation are often done to obtain higher citizenship or purchase restricted entertainment.”
Restricted entertainment includes planetary habitation, among other things. Since they have artificial celestial bodies in space, such things must fall under the category of entertainment.
The basic principles of a Federation citizen’s obligations are [understanding and respect for personal preferences and cultural-ethnicity] and [not hindering others’ rights as much as possible].
Even acts of violence against others are tolerated if they are recognized as part of a culture or ethnicity.
“However, for cultures that may hinder others’ rights, special zones are prepared to respect those cultures. Regarding violence, defensive actions are permitted even outside these zones.”
“For example, if family members are unjustly killed outside a special zone, some might want to seek revenge.”
“Our biometric data, including memories, are stored in the central repository. If life activities cease due to unjust violence or accidents, the information is transferred from the central repository to regenerate us. In our society, the concept of revenge is unlikely to arise.”
This surprised Kaito.
Their lives have backups. Ritmiele seemed somewhat pleased by his surprise. Perhaps he had been too quick to accept the situation.
“The synchronization of biological data is conducted regularly. The frequency varies depending on the citizenship level, but for us, even death is a right that can be exercised selectively.”
“Huh…”
From what she said, it seems that the lower your citizenship rank, the fewer opportunities you have to synchronize your biological data.
Based on Kaito’s understanding, lower ranks mean that when you’re revived, there’s a higher chance of memory loss. The higher your citizenship, the more frequent the synchronization, likely because you’re more likely to retain important information.
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