For now, they had managed to establish a cooperative relationship with the Corporation. Until the Corporation’s preparations were complete or the Space Eel approached, there wasn’t much Kaito could do.
On the Corporation’s side as well, this was an unexpected development regarding the Space Eel’s intelligence. It seemed to be taking time to formulate what kind of approach would be best.
With nothing to do, Kaito had accepted Stomato’s invitation and come to Radia’s cafeteria.
Emotion, who should have discovered the joy of eating, seemed to be walking with unusually heavy steps as it followed Kaito.
“I don’t think you need to worry so much, Emotion.”
“……kyuru kyuru kyuru”
He could understand the reason for its anxiety.
Emotion’s taste buds were calibrated to match Kaito’s. On the other hand, the tastes and preferences of the species belonging to the Federation were truly diverse. Kaito and Emotion had been thoroughly made aware of this when they tried Ritmiele’s home planet cuisine [Kazagiirarukenī] that had been introduced to them in Zodgia shortly after protecting the Earthlings. The bitter and harsh taste with a sticky texture, yet with a refreshing mint-like aroma – to put it bluntly, it was extremely unpalatable.
To begin with, there were naturally species in the Federation that used substances toxic to Earthlings as nutrition. In a multi-species society like the Federation, consideration had to be given to such cultural and biological differences.
Now, about today’s meal. Stomato was a Federation citizen born and raised in the Federation, but there existed a planet that served as its roots. The meal prepared today was apparently a local dish eaten on that planet.
“Data regarding Earthling taste preferences has already been received. It seems to differ somewhat from what we prefer, but this should be fine.”
“I see, thank you. That’s helpful.”
During his imprisonment in the space prison, Kaito had grown accustomed to extremely unpalatable food meant solely for nutritional supplementation. He had a track record of being unfazed by somewhat bad taste. On the other hand, Emotion had been extremely quiet since earlier. While its expression was sparse making changes hard to discern, it was clearly more unstable than usual. Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate that Stomato didn’t seem to notice this agitation due to the subtle nature of the changes was unclear.
The prepared plate contained what appeared to be meat and vegetables, along with three large tablets – some plates had them, others didn’t.
“What’s this?”
“The meat is called Manafīkeri, and the vegetables are called Narumanda. The tablets are nutritional supplements, so they’re not reproduction ingredients from my homeland.”
“I see.”
Understanding that the plate with tablets was his own, Kaito took his seat first. A beat later, Emotion sat in the adjacent seat.
“Well then, let’s eat.”
“Yes.”
He cut the meat called Manafīkeri and brought it to his mouth. A complex flavor he’d never experienced on Earth spread across his palate. The body fluid that felt like fat created a prickling spiciness on his tongue, but it wasn’t excessively spicy.
Next, he took a bite of Narumanda. Its crispy texture was perhaps similar to Earth’s lettuce. The taste was sweet like sugar, but this too wasn’t an unpleasant flavor.
The aroma was also good. The meat’s texture was somewhat firm, but not so tough as to be unchewable.
Overall, while different from Earth’s flavors, it could be said to be sufficiently delicious cuisine.
“It’s delicious, Representative Stomato.”
“That’s good to hear. Honestly, it’s not much to our taste. But it’s nutritionally rich, so it’s a common ingredient.”
“I see.”
“To make it delicious normally requires many cooking processes. But since it wouldn’t suit Earthling preferences, we’ve prepared it in a way that brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients.”
“I see. Thank you.”
“Not at all.”
Stomato had said “reproduction ingredients.” Naturally, they hadn’t transported animals from Stomato’s homeland to Radia. These were meat and vegetables reproduced inside Radia based on biological data.
Once Earth’s environmental preparation was complete, Earth cuisine might also become reproducible.
That should somewhat reduce the stress of Rebecca and the others in the Central Star Cluster.
Then, Emotion, who had been silently bringing food to its mouth, muttered quietly.
“This is… regrettable.”
“……Eh?”
“Despite preparing myself to handle any unpalatable cuisine that might come…! I want my resolve and preparation returned!”
“In other words, it was delicious. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”
“It is not good! What was the point of my effort in preparing for another Kazagiirarukenī!”
“Then shall we ask for Representative Stomato’s preferred cuisine? It probably won’t suit your palate.”
“That would be troubling!”
“That’s unreasonable.”
“Kyuru kyuru kyuru!”
“Hehe, Emotion Sixth-Class Citizen Abu-tug seems quite sensitive to taste.”
Complaining when it’s unpalatable, complaining when it’s delicious. The only saving grace was that Stomato didn’t seem offended. Perhaps this was surprisingly common in intercultural exchanges.
Even so, it was undeniably rude behavior. While listening to Emotion’s unreasonable kyuru-ing, Kaito bowed his head to Stomato.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
Based on Gorou’s speculation that the Space Eel possessed senses similar to vision, the Corporation had formulated the first strategy.
The optical weapons mounted on Corporation ships. By reducing their output and arranging the ships to fire in coordination, they would focus the light into a strong beam.
The primary objective was to inform them that organisms existed capable of emitting light similar to stars. Even if that failed, the secondary objective was to make them mistake it for a nearby star and drive them away from this planetary system.
Even if both failed, the Corporation was optimistic, saying it would contribute to research on the Space Eel’s biology.
[I’m sorry, Captain. It seems there are many in the Corporation who take discourteous attitudes toward you out of competitive spirit or rebelliousness]
“Don’t worry about it, Sensei. We’re equally rude to each other.”
[Equally rude?]
“Thinking that way keeps the world peaceful. More importantly, be careful. It might get excited by the light and attack.”
At Kaito’s words, Gorou’s expression also tightened. Gorou and the other researchers wouldn’t board the firing ships to observe the Space Eel’s behavior.
The Corporation’s mothership, abbreviated as [Eanipol], naturally carried the most optical weapons and was positioned at the center of the firing formation. Gorou and the other researchers were in the middle of moving from the Eanipol they had been stationed on to other ships, relocating their research equipment.
Kaito had offered to help, but was declined. Apparently, they thought he might plant something in the research equipment. They had Namibif 6 looming behind them – they didn’t have time for such foolish actions.
[I understand, Captain. I’ve conveyed that danger to my superiors]
“What was their response?”
[They said they would consider it… When I met you, apparently someone had heard that I have family in the Federation. I’m also finding myself in a somewhat awkward position]
“If things get troublesome, come to the Federation. You’d be welcome.”
[Whoa, spare me the headhunting in a place like this. It’ll make my position even more awkward]
“My apologies.”
They both shrugged and ended the communication.
It seemed someone was spreading rumors that Gorou was close to the Federation, close to Kaito. While thinking such actions were meaningless, he reconsidered that there was indeed meaning. If one wanted to gain more profit, there was meaning in undermining competitors.
What a harsh world. Though Gorou had avoided stating it explicitly, he seemed interested. The atmosphere of the Federation would probably be comfortable for a scholar.
“Captain. What do you think?”
“Whether that will succeed?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
To Emotion’s question, Kaito wanted to avoid giving a definitive answer.
If anything, he felt it would likely fail. This was just a feeling, without any concrete basis.
However, since he was asked, he couldn’t avoid answering. There was also the interest of the Radia staff who were sending curious glances his way.
“I don’t think Sensei’s reasoning is off-target. If we shine light on it, it wouldn’t be strange for the Space Eel to recognize the Corporation’s fleet as living beings.”
“So it will succeed?”
“But if it thinks the Corporation’s fleet are ‘light-emitting creatures’…”
“Yes.”
“Do you think the ships’ appearance looks like organic life forms?”
“……Ah.”
“Might it not perceive them as metallic lumps, or small creatures similar to itself?”
“In other words, it will fail.”
“Conversely, it might try to communicate from its side.”
At Kaito’s words predicting failure, an atmosphere of understanding and relief seemed to spread.
No, the goal was for the Space Eel to leave, so there was no need to worry about Federation versus Corporation matters.
Well, perhaps there were other reasons, like displeasure with the branch manager’s rude attitude.
But aside from that, he felt a strange uneasiness.
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