“Would you consider selling Earth to us, the Terraporapanesio?”
“Wait a minute! Don’t overturn everything we’ve discussed in the meetings so far!”
An unexpected statement had just been thrown into the mix.
After some commotion, the meeting finally settled down.
“Ah, my apologies. I got a bit carried away.”
The representative shook a few of its tentacles with a sigh.
Though the tone was calm, it must have been a significant matter.
Cold glances seemed to be directed at the Councilor’s space jellyfish, but Kaito decided to ignore it for now.
“First, we’d like to obtain permission to improve Earth’s environment. So that what you call ‘jellyfish’ can continue to thrive.”
“Ah, yes. Please do.”
“Good. And eventually, we’d like to make that planet a protected world of ours.”
“Huh?”
“Those of us scattered across the Federation will gradually relocate to that planet. And we’ll interact with them. It will undoubtedly be a wonderful experience.”
“Wait, wait, wait! You’re not being rational at all!”
The [Councilor] had been acting strange for a while now. Or rather, the space jellyfish’s behavior had been odd from the moment they met, but this was different—it was illogical. Perhaps they were too excited.
“The Council hasn’t reached a conclusion about Earth’s future status yet! Above all, I cannot allow the manipulation of Third Rank Citizen Kaito Enek-Ragif’s intentions!”
“Be quiet! We must act as quickly as possible, for the jellyfish! For the jellyfish’ future!”
“But he already gave permission for environmental improvement, didn’t he!? Are you that concerned about a different species that happens to be so similar?”
“Of course we are! There is no genetic continuity between Earth’s intelligent beings and us! In other words, the emergence of jellyfish on Earth is an undeniable ‘miracle’!”
Ah, now Kaito somewhat understand why the Space Jellies became so obsessed with Earth.
However, that’s precisely why Kaito wonder if they should follow proper procedures more carefully. While Kaito understand they’re a species that won’t be particular about means or others’ impressions to achieve their goals, still, they had seemed quite rational up until now.
“Um, Councilor Terraporapanesio?”
[“Hmm, what is it, Kaito, Third rank citizen Enek-Ragif? We are prepared to pay you enough to purchase two habitable planets. How about it?”]
“No, that’s not it. That would be problematic, right? Um… why do you want to communicate—or, sympathize?—with Earth’s jellyfish?”
The space jellyfish began saying something unsettling. It didn’t seem to be about wanting a habitable planet, so kaito had to confirm its reasons.
Then, the space jellyfish lowered all its tentacles weakly. Perhaps it had calmed down, as its tone returned to the serenity it had when they first met. The surroundings also buzzed with murmurs.
[We, you see, do not retain memories of before we ventured into space, Kaito, Third rank citizen Enek-Ragif.]
“You don’t retain them…?”
[By the time we gained sentience, our first individual had already ventured into space. In the flesh, so to speak. That’s why we don’t remember which planet we lived on before or what kind of life we led. That’s precisely why we’re interested in Earth’s jellyfish, which live in the ocean.]
Surviving in space in the flesh? Kaito was more intrigued by the space jellyfish’s biology than anything else, but he suppressed the momentary pang of intellectual curiosity. If he got sidetracked here, things would spiral out of control.
“Hmm… Jellyfish aren’t quite the creatures you might be expecting.”
[We’ll know once we communicate with them. For us, the opportunity to encounter beings similar to ourselves is incredibly precious.]
The group that distorted Earth’s fate and the humans are not alike. Perhaps jellyfish never emerged in the evolutionary process on their planet. The fact that they’re this excited suggests that creatures with jellyfish-like biology didn’t survive in the planets of the Federation. For now, Kaito could only warn them not to get their hopes up too much.
On different planets, similar life forms emerge. Communicating with such beings is indeed a wonderful thing. After all, he himself had found fresh stimulation in his conversations with Ritmiele.
[Well, there have been various miscalculations… Kaito, Third rank citizen Enek-Ragif. There’s something we must decide about the future of the planet Earth. You’ll need to stay in this central star cluster for a while, so please understand.]
“Ah, understood.”
It was one of the council members, who hadn’t spoken until now, who concluded the meeting.
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Suddenly, things had escalated.
For Kaito, Earth was a troublesome homeland he had abandoned. Even if the ownership legally belonged to him under Federation law, he honestly couldn’t wrap his head around it. Until the council’s discussions concluded, Kaito was essentially left in limbo.
The room he was guided to was unexpectedly spacious. It was to be his temporary living quarters, and the layout closely resembled that of Earth.
[While Master Kaito was speaking with the council members, Teek and I exchanged information and prepared everything for you. No special compensation is required, so please make yourself comfortable.]
Truly, an efficient mechanical intelligence.
Plop. As he sat down on a nearby sofa, he realized he hadn’t brought anything from Zodgia, let alone the Goodbye Earth. Not bringing his terminal was particularly painful.
When he had free time, he had continued a life of reading. Once he realized it, he couldn’t help but feel restless and at a loss for what to do.
As he idly floated his hands in the air, Emotion, who had settled on a nearby pedestal, spoke up.
[Master Kaito. There’s something I’d like your permission for.]
“What is it, Emotion?”
[Earlier, Teek made a proposal. I’d like to undergo an update of my body and intelligence.]
“Oh?”
Intrigued, Kaito turned toward Emotion. Kyurukyuru—Emotion’s internals made a squeaking sound. She must have been thinking about how to explain.
This could also help alleviate his boredom. Kaito leaned forward slightly, listening attentively to Emotion’s explanation.
[They said that my achievements in supporting Master Kaito could potentially grant me Federation citizenship.]
“That’s wonderful.”
[However, my current mechanical intelligence doesn’t meet the Federation’s quality standards for granting citizenship.]
Kaito feel like punching whoever set those standards.
Kaito barely managed to keep that thought to himself and nodded instead. Emotion hadn’t yet reached the point of its request.
Kyuru—the rotation sped up. Perhaps conveying its request put a strain on it.
“So, it’s about the update, right? I think you should definitely go for it, but is there a problem?”
[Well… the update has to be self-funded.]
“Oof.”
Both Kaito and Emotion were currently penniless. The only assets they could claim were their own existences. Well, there was something far away, but…
“Ugh… the Goodbye Earth isn’t worth much, is it?”
[It might have some archival value, but whether it’ll cover the necessary cost is uncertain.]
“Yeah, I figured. What should we do?”
Emotion was a precious partner to Kaito. From their days as a prison officer and inmate—though, honestly, it felt more like Emotion had been taking care of him the whole time—they had shared both hardships and joys.
If he could repay Emotion, he wanted to. He felt strongly about that.
But when it came to figuring out the money, it was tough. After all, Kaito didn’t even know the Federation’s currency unit.
[I do have a rough idea of what we could offer in exchange, though.]
“Really? What’s on the list? …Hmm.”
Kaito made a rare grimace as he looked at the list Emotion presented.
The proposed contents were that difficult to judge.
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