The Federation Council’s discussions rarely stall.
Most members are accustomed to every topic. In a Federation society completely freed from resource and lifespan issues, the topics discussed in the council rarely lead to major conflicts over rights.
Yet, the council was in turmoil.
The [Children of Sin], born from the crimes committed by Federation citizens in the past. One of them, Kaito, had reached the Federation’s entry criteria. His belonging was quickly settled. The granting of Third rank citizen Enek-Ragif’s citizenship also proceeded without dispute.
The problem lay in the treatment of the life forms still surviving on Earth.
Terraporapanesio’s interference complicated the priority.
Initially, there was agreement to prioritize protecting the sentient survivors, the Earthlings. Terraporapanesio had rationally supported that choice in the early stages.
But then, it began vehemently insisting on prioritizing the protection of marine life. Specifically, it started the moment Kaito spoke with the [Representative], Zodgia’s leader.
Councilor Terraporapanesio’s mention of using its own assets to purchase Earth completely derailed the initial agreement. The council, unable to find a resolution to the space jellyfish’s uncharacteristic frenzy—usually a mediator of calm—was left floundering.
Kaito’s appearance before the council finally gave the chaotic meeting a sense of direction.
The only achievement of the day was the decision to immediately begin Earth’s environmental restoration.
A small figure stood before the sofa where Kaito sat. In Earth’s terms, it would be closest to a fairy or a dwarf.
In appearance, aside from size, it was the most Earthling-like being Kaito had encountered in the Federation. Yes, if you ignored the extra pair of arms growing from its scapula, it was almost identical.
The figure, who arrived on a mechanical intelligence it called an assistant, introduced itself in a soft, pleasant voice.
“Nice to meet you, Kaito, Third rank citizen Enek-Ragif. I’m Adie-Ze, and this is my assistant, Kernunsos. We both hold the rights of Fifth Citizen Alto-Romia.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Kaito. Pleased to meet you.”
“I’ve heard some of the story from Teek, Fourth Citizen Darda-Erla. I understand you urgently need assets you can freely use.”
According to what Teek had told him earlier, each citizen received an annuity (for lack of a better term) based on their rank. Kaito, now a Third rank citizen Enek-Ragif, would undoubtedly receive it, but the timing of the deposit and various procedures would take time. And Teek couldn’t say whether a single deposit would cover Emotion’s update costs.
Emotion said it could wait, but Kaito was anxious about not having immediate funds for activities. When he asked Teek to introduce a trustworthy trading partner, Adie-Ze had arrived.
Kaito respectfully lifted Emotion and gently placed it before Adie-Ze. Kyurukyuru—it made a sound.
“The culture of the planet [Earth] that Emotion here remembers. I’d like you to appraise its value.”
Adie-Ze’s reaction was more enthusiastic than expected.
“Hmm, hmm! This is excellent. It has more than enough value as both historical material and entertainment.”
Adie-Ze exclaimed in delight as he skimmed through the data Emotion provided. The institution he belonged to specialized in appraising the value of all things, and their appraisals were widely recognized within the Federation.
In this case, museums and the entertainment industry would likely inquire about purchasing the rights, and multiple contacts arrived immediately.
Kaito fondly recalled that Earth had similar businesses. Apart from the role of currency, life in the Federation might not be so different from Earth.
“Well, the current deposits should more than cover the update budget. We’ve prepared an account for you, so please use this until your citizen account is ready.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Those with sharp ears are already aware of the heated debates in the council regarding Earth’s treatment. It’s only going to escalate further.”
“Heated debates?”
Assistant Kernunsos and Emotion exchanged account information. As expected of their efficiency, Emotion promptly headed to the factory for an update. That aside, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the unsettling remarks I overheard.
On the screen Emotion displayed in the air, I could see the numbers still increasing. She was converting the Federation’s numbers into Earth’s, making it very easy to understand. If I could only grasp the currency value, I’d have a rough idea. But to Kaito, it was just a series of rising numbers.
Life would be difficult without Emotion, I thought. Meanwhile, Adie-Ze, who seemed to be looking at the same data on his end, nodded several times.
“Hmm. With this amount, we might be able to make some other purchases. What do you think? Shall I pick out a few things for you?”
“I don’t intend to waste money. It’s a bit too much for me to spend freely without feeling guilty.”
“No need to worry. I wouldn’t be so tactless as to meddle in someone else’s entertainment funds. How about acquiring a ship?”
“A ship?”
Kaito tilted his head at Adie-Ze’s words.
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For Federation citizens, currency is a tool solely for entertainment. Having permanently solved issues of resources and lifespan, death for them is merely the final point of rights and choices. They work and enjoy entertainment as a means to alleviate the near-eternal boredom. Or perhaps, even work is part of their entertainment.
And ships are an essential tool for Federation citizens, both for work and leisure.
“After all, the Federation’s habitable celestial bodies aren’t limited to just this one. Achieving results in work can expand your citizenship and increase the places you can visit.”
Guided by Adie-Ze, Kaito headed to the shipyard. Perhaps because he were now separated from Emotion, he felt a vague unease. Reflecting on it, Kaito realized how much he had come to depend on her during his years as a prisoner.
The shipyard had an atmosphere very similar to Dilganer’s lab on Zodgia. The only difference was the number of mechanical intelligences working there—there were a lot.
“Hey, Adie-Ze. Who’s that gentleman with you?”
“Mr. Hamatu, He’s a guest. Kaito, the Third rank citizen Enek-Ragif from Earth, the one everyone’s talking about.”
“Ah, the rumored one. I hear the Terraporapanesio are making a big fuss everywhere. Never seen them so noisy before.”
Kaito had a strong hunch about the reason. Are Space jellyfish really that interested in Earth jellyfish?
In any case, Adie-Ze’s proposal had certainly piqued his interest. There’s a vast world here that Kaito couldn’t even imagine back on Earth. The idea of gaining the means to freely move around it is incredibly tempting.
How will you live, how you want to live—perhaps Kaito’ll find the answer in the Federation.
“So, what’s the modification type for Third rank citizen Enek-Ragif’s gentleman… Huh?”
Mr. Hamatu, who was handling the process, froze.
Had Dilganer sent some data?
He brought his camera-like eyes closer and said one thing:
“No wonder the Terraporapanesio folk took a liking to you.”
What’s this? It feels like He’s being indirectly criticized or mocked.
He probably said that after seeing that Kaito modifications were centered around psychic abilities, but it’s quite unpleasant.
Kaito glanced at the catalog he handed over. It seemed to be a list of ships he could handle based on my modifications. Whether to buy a ready-made ship or customize it to my liking—it’s a tough decision.
“May I hold onto this catalog for now?”
“Sure. You want to think it over, right?”
“Yes.”
Of course, he’ll need to consult Emotion as well.
That said, among the ships Kaito skimmed through, there was one that irresistibly caught his interest. Unless Emotion strongly opposes it, he’ll probably make that my main choice.
Feeling the indescribable pressure from Hamatu, Kaito decided to return to his room.
Back in the room, with nothing else to do, Kaito collapsed onto the bed.
Only then did he realize that he had lost all sense of time since arriving on Zodgia.
Was it because of the modifications? Or the overwhelmingly intense experiences up to this point? Kaito hadn’t even felt hunger or sleepiness. Living day to day on Emotion’s schedule had stretched on for too long. Kaito internal clock had practically stopped working.
Staring blankly at the ceiling, Kaito pondered his current state.
“I’m alive, huh?”
Kaito was supposed to die. As one of the last remnants of the dying Earth, as a drifting specimen of humanity in the sea of stars. Kaito had prepared himself for it, and in a way, it was the first time he had decided his own fate. During that journey, he felt freer than anyone else.
But that was taken away. In an unexpected turn, the path to survival was laid out before him. Moreover, it seems he’ll have far more freedom than he ever did on Earth.
Kaito knew he was resilient, but even so, he couldn’t just switch his mindset so easily.
—He hadn’t thought about how to live.
“Well, this is quite something.”
All that escapes is a laugh.
Having experienced the vastness of space and gained psychic abilities (though Kaito haven’t used them, so he don’t feel it yet). And on top of that, receiving significant citizenship on some distant star far from the solar system.
Kaito decided not to dwell on the origins of Earth’s creatures that he’ve learned about. There’s no point in worrying about it, and it won’t change anything.
From now on, he’ll live as a Federation citizen. Not entirely sure how great being the Third rank citizen Enek-Ragif is, but Kaito suppose will find out eventually. At least for now, it’s clear he’s being treated quite favorably.
The question is, what will Kaito do in this new life where he seem to have considerable freedom?
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