Chapter 51
Palnesbrogia. President of the Corporation, and recognized even by Terapolapaneshio as the rarest lifeform in the galaxy.
Its movements resembled those of a broken tin toy, yet oddly charming. Kait, assuming it was a handshake, took the extended leg and glanced at Palnesbrogia's body.
Other than the leg, there was nothing else. No visible weaponry that could be used for attack. Something seemed to be inside the body. Something green.
"...A plant?"
"Yes. I am Palnesbrogia. In your Earthling terms, I am a lifeform close to moss."
"Moss?"
'Strictly speaking, it's more accurate to say it's a lifeform composed of several plant elements, but primarily, yes. Palnesbrogia is a plant with intelligence, capable of thought as a sentient being. It is the only existing individual of the Palnesbrogia species.'
While Kait was still surprised by the Space jellyfish's explanation, fluent speech—not mechanical sound—came from Palnesbrogia.
"This part of me possesses the strongest sensory ability within 'me'. Is it a little easier to understand now?"
"Y-yes, definitely."
"Compared to the members of Terapolapaneshio, this part's sensory ability is extremely weak. I must get this close, and even then, it doesn't transmit to those without the aptitude. It's quite inconvenient."
Apparently, it was a telepathy-based technique that converted mechanical sound into fluent speech. However, it only worked with others capable of using psychic power.
Just as Kait nodded in understanding, he realized why Palnesbrogia was serving as an external officer for that suspicious group called the Psychic Power Research Society.
'You've noticed, haven't you, Kait Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif). Palnesbrogia is a sentient being, but as a plant, it cannot undergo ordinary body modification. That's why it uses outdated equipment to assist its movements.'
"Then, this telepathy is..."
'Innate. In that sense, although its evolutionary path differs, Palnesbrogia can be considered a lifeform quite similar to us Terapolapaneshio.'
"Compared to the members of Terapolapaneshio, its power is incomparably weak, though."
The galaxy is vast. Kait thought once again.
First, he met a psychic Space jellyfish, and now a psychic space plant. His curiosity about this rare experience of conversing with a plant began to outweigh his sense of impending trouble.
"Would you be willing to listen? About how I was taken in by the Federation."
"Yes, by all means."
***
The planet that was Palnesbrogia's homeworld, to put it simply, seemed to be a world where 'plants were dominant.' In the early stages of animal evolution, some plants embedded spores into animals and used them for reproduction, establishing a hierarchy.
Animals evolved with severely suppressed intelligence, and the planet developed where plants became kings and animals became slaves.
Amidst that, in a basin within a high mountain range isolated from the surrounding environment, moss that would become the origin of Palnesbrogia began to propagate.
A perfectly isolated area with no predators or interference from slaves. Over an extremely long time, the moss continued to grow, stacking like layers of plants by devouring seeds and spores of other plants that occasionally flew in.
'During that time, it seems to have acquired parts capable of intelligent thought. However, with no contact with others, Palnesbrogia's intelligence had no purpose beyond survival.'
The extremely advantageous yet lonely environment for survival and expansion made Palnesbrogia's evolution pure. However, had they continued evolving, they might have eventually developed the ability to move on their own.
The reason Palnesbrogia became a solitary species was entirely unrelated to them.
'The Federation discovered the planet Palnesbrogia lived on during a time when colonization of undeveloped planets was still legal. Originally, the Federation began observing the planet for immigration purposes.'
"...So, that led to extinction?"
"No. That's not it."
Kait, fearing once again that the Federation was to blame, hesitantly questioned the Space jellyfish, but it was Palnesbrogia who denied it.
"A mass extinction caused by a celestial collision. That is the reason my planet perished."
"A collision... a meteorite?"
'Yes. I believe Earth also experienced a mass extinction due to a small asteroid collision, correct? The calculations showed that an asteroid far larger than that one would collide.'
"That's..."
Before Kait could ask whether they considered destroying or diverting the asteroid, the Space jellyfish answered.
'Of course, destroying the celestial body was considered. However, this was back when the Federation was still an immature organization. Since colonization hadn't begun, the proposal was rejected. At that time, the Federation wasn't proactive about rescue missions to other celestial bodies.'
It was an era in Federation history before they were permanently freed from resource and lifespan constraints. Perhaps it was a time when they were still not noble.
Considering the current Federation's policies, it does feel inconsistent, but perhaps it was through such meetings and farewells that the present Federation was shaped.
'As the collision approached, one of our individuals flew around to check whether we should collect any lifeforms as samples. It was a planet full of plants that implanted spores into animals to enslave them, so most were left alone without even being sampled.'
That might be part of the reason the Federation abandoned the planet back then. Kait vaguely recalled a classic sci-fi horror with a similar theme.
However, Terapolapaneshio brought back only Palnesbrogia. Having some idea why, Kait turned his gaze to Palnesbrogia.
'We were about to leave the planet, having concluded there were no lifeforms worth sampling. Then, faint but definite sensory input came. From a plant's voice.'
"That was me. I, too, sensed the ominous presence of death approaching from the edge of the sky. I didn't want to die. I wanted to live. I think I just kept repeating those thoughts."
'Receiving that thought, we discovered Palnesbrogia in the mountains and protected it without hesitation. Soon after, the planet was struck by the asteroid as calculated, all life went extinct, and its orbit changed, causing it to be swallowed by the star.'
"I obtained Federation citizenship and began living as the only plant citizen of the Federation."
As a result, Palnesbrogia became the sole survivor of the lost planet and the only intelligent plant.
Kait also began to understand why Palnesbrogia and the Space jellyfish were so close. For the Space jellyfish at the time, the relatively similar Palnesbrogia must have been a great emotional support.
And also, why Palnesbrogia created the Corporation.
"I survived because I was protected by the members of Terapolapaneshio. The joy and gratitude I felt then still remain unforgettable. That's why I wanted to save as many lives in similar circumstances as possible. That feeling is what led me to create the Corporation."
"So that's how it was."
"Yes, Kait Third-Rank Citizen. You are also a rare species and subject to protection. Do you wish to be protected by the Corporation?"
"No. Life in the Federation suits me. But I appreciate the sentiment."
"I see. There are some who say that, for intelligent beings raised in monetary economies, the Corporation is more comfortable than the Federation..."
"Yes. I'm a rather unusual case even among Earthlings."
"No, with that level of ability, perhaps you can adapt to the Federation. Please forget my suggestion. However, I would like to become good friends with you, if possible."
"Yes, I'd like that too."
"Thank you."
The leg they had been holding was released.
Kait thought that, since they had separated, the voice would return to mechanical sounds—but Palnesbrogia's voice remained fluent. It seemed they had continued adjusting the telepathy while speaking. Quite dexterous, despite appearances.
"Now then, the first objective of meeting Kait Third-Rank Citizen has been fulfilled."
'Hm?'
"Now for the second objective. Star-Eater... I, too, wish to converse with that enormous lifeform."
'What did you say?'
"It can't be helped. Since communication is only possible through sensory connection. I'm the only one in the Corporation capable of such communication. That made coming here necessary."
Whoa, that was unexpected.
Kait hadn't anticipated that Palnesbrogia would come prepared with official business mixed with personal matters.
But seeing Palnesbrogia looking somewhat pleased, Kait wondered if maybe they simply enjoyed going out.
"Conversation, huh. And what for?"
"Protection, of course. Forming friendly relations with the Federation is fine, but we haven't yet asked whether it desires protection!"
Ah, this one might be more stubborn than expected.