Chapter 49
Around the time when the Federation was steadily deepening its friendship with Tuna. The researchers from the Corporation, detained in a room in Radia, were in contact with the Corporation. Though they were detained, it only meant they were forbidden from going outside; communication with the Corporation headquarters was not blocked.
Among them, the highest-ranking individual, the head of the research department, finished a call and smiled with delight.
"Good news. It seems headquarters is going to take action."
"Really!?"
"Yeah. They were suspicious too about the destruction of the fleet sent to protect Star-Eater. They even said the president might come."
"The president!?"
"That just shows how seriously they view the Federation's tyranny this time. We'd really like to secure control over Star-Eater if possible, but..."
As they continued their unsettling conversation, they all fell silent at once as they sensed the wall shifting.
Gorou appeared, looking puzzled at the suddenly quiet room, but without pressing the matter, he addressed the department head.
"Director Hokiozu. Your detainment has been lifted. It seems the ship return and room preparations will be completed shortly."
"Oh? I heard headquarters was moving, but this was fast. Impressive."
"Headquarters?"
"That's none of your concern. Is that all you came for?"
"Yes. I was just here to pick up some research equipment."
"I see. Good work. You may go."
"Right. Then please excuse me."
Without any particular emotion, Gorou left the room. The moment the wall separated them again, the director—Hokiozu—twisted his face in resentment.
Gorou, who cooperated with Kait and the Federation, was treated as a traitor among them.
"Earthlings stick with Earthlings, huh. Cozying up to the Federation like that."
"No, Director. Most Earthlings in the Corporation don't trust the Federation. That Earthling named Kait—apparently, he was quite the criminal back on his original planet."
"Hmph, and that's the kind of person the Federation favors. Even if they're renowned across the galaxy, their standards are that low."
All the staff, including Hokiozu, were rare species taken in by the Corporation. Especially among them were many who came from planets destroyed by the hands of the Divin people, not just Earthlings. After escaping from their dying homeworlds at the hands of the Divin people, they became victims of illegal human trafficking in the markets.
Through the education provided by the Corporation, they came to understand how they had been manipulated by the Divin people, yet strangely, not many of them held deep grudges. After all, more than the fact that their history had been tampered with, what mattered more was the direct fact that they had been rescued from dying planets by the Divin people. Some even interpreted it as the Divin people trying to atone for past crimes by saving those who were on the brink of extinction.
To such individuals, Kait—who had directly defeated the Divin people—was a loathsome figure who had accomplished what they could not.
MacDonnell's disparaging words about Kait spread rapidly, fueled by the resentment festering within the Corporation. Many even believed that the selfish nature of the Divin people, later exposed, had been exaggerated by the Federation to justify their own actions.
One way or another, even in space, people tend to believe only what they want to believe.
***
"Ridiculous, you're saying they've already established communication with Star-Eater...!?"
Released from detention, Hokiozu was gathering information in the prepared room, staring in shock at the terminal.
An article issued by Federation headquarters across the galaxy: 'Successful communication with the space eel. After dialogue with a new friend, the Federation Congress anticipates the dawn of a new era.'
The article was filled with joyful wording, though it omitted detailed ecological information. The only photo was of Radia, with none of the space eel itself.
It stated that the artificial celestial body Radia, conducting planetary observation in the Namibif star system, succeeded in first contact with the space eel that flew into the star system. Though the term "space eel" was unfamiliar, given the time and place, it was undoubtedly referring to Star-Eater.
Upon confirming that it possessed intelligence high enough to form friendly relations, the Federation Congress announced plans to revise the law soon. Notably, this event was greatly attributed to the efforts of Kait, Third-Rank Citizen from Earth (Enec Lagif)...
"Don't be ridiculous! How could they manage all this in such a short time...!"
Hokiozu hailed from the second planet destroyed among those manipulated by the Divin. He had worked at the Corporation for a considerable time and took pride in his knowledge and experience.
He had nearly finished repaying the amount the Corporation had paid to buy him. Once the debt was cleared, he hoped to save up for himself and own his own fleet. That's why he had faced this expedition with such resolve and determination.
He had planned to observe the creature named Star-Eater and earn wealth through papers and protection theories—but all of that had gone up in smoke.
"High intelligence capable of forming friendly relations...? That massive guasla that swims through space and eats stars? Absurd!"
He almost smashed the terminal in frustration, but hastily redirected his fist to the desk. A dull pain spread through his hand, along with a growing discomfort in his heart.
Now that the Federation had published the article, regardless of the truth, they would treat Star-Eater as a friendly entity and emphasize its possibly nonexistent intelligence.
"That's right. Come to think of it, the story about it having intelligence came from their side in the first place."
Had the Federation discovered a way to control Star-Eater before the Corporation did? Perhaps they had secretly conducted experiments and saw the Corporation as an obstacle, so they orchestrated the fleet's destruction.
A baseless theory, just speculation. No one was there to stop Hokiozu's thoughts, which spiraled into delusion.
Hokiozu sent messages to trusted researchers. After gaining their support, he invited them to his room.
"Alright, things are about to get busy."
Stop the Federation's tyranny and bring profit to the Corporation. Time to show them how a scholar fights.
***
Outside the Namibif star system.
A ship far larger than an average celestial body was soaring through space, heading toward the Namibif star system.
An operator called out.
"President. We can now see the Namibif star system. Considering the effect on the system, we should begin deceleration soon."
"Proceed."
"Understood."
A mechanical voice, different from the one emitted by Terapolapaneshio.
Following the instructions, the operators relayed commands throughout the ship, and its speed began to gradually decrease.
The high-speed travel technology purchased from the Divin was the foundation of the Corporation fleet's mobility.
"Then I will go now. Those who wish to follow, please do so."
"We'll handle the escort. Please watch over us."
"Yes. I hope everyone is well."
The president of the Corporation was also an extremely rare lifeform. Not only massive, but due to difficulty in self-movement, they used a dedicated terminal for negotiations and such.
Those who guarded the president's terminal were specialists in interpersonal combat who pledged loyalty not only to the president but also to the terminal itself.
The Corporation's flagship, 'Vovrimos.' The crew, even after repaying their debts—the price they were bought for—continued to serve the Corporation willingly as veteran employees.
"New encounters are always exciting, aren't they?"
Heading toward the artificial celestial body Radia, countless ships launched from Vovrimos.
It was only a matter of time before Kait would have his third encounter with an intelligence beyond common understanding.