Chapter 55
Palnesbrogia had even made a promise to split off a part of itself and guide Tuna during her travels through space, now that she had obtained a small body.
It might seem premature, but seeing the passion between them, such a day may not be far off.
Now then, we can consider the situation mostly resolved. Complications kept piling up, but there should be no more.
Having completed yet another round trip between Tuna and Radia, Kait became aware that his role here was coming to an end.
The communication from the negotiation representative, the Space jellyfish, to the Federation Congress should already be complete, but knowing that his own report was being appreciated by other members of the Federation, Kait finished it in the private room prepared for him.
"Alright, I'm counting on you, Emotion."
"Understood, Captain."
After entrusting the terminal to Emotion, Kait used the room's equipment to contact the Federation Congress.
"Apologies for the delay. I've just submitted the report on the space eel incident. Please review it."
'Much appreciated, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif). The reports from the Terapolapaneshio folks tend to be in spoken language, making it hard to grasp the situation...'
I understand.
I actually wonder how they managed up until now like that, but apparently their method wasn't so different from Kait's this time. Still, the reason Kait's report was appreciated—
'They have quite a lot of fans. If the achievements are overly embellished, they always send in detailed corrections themselves...'
How many times had he heard that before? Every time the contact person changed, the same story would repeat. It seemed the congress members bore mental burdens unrelated to their daily duties.
'On the other hand, Kait, your reports as a Third-Rank Citizen are praised for being fair and impartial. The Terapolapaneshio folks seem to have no objections to that either.'
"Thank you."
In Kait's case, he had no reason to enhance his evaluation, nor did he want to gain favor with the Terapolapaneshio—if anything, he wanted to avoid it.
At any rate, this concluded his role for this mission. All that remained was to receive the next Earthling's information and head out.
'Ah, by the way, Stomato praised you quite a lot.'
"Representative Stomato did?"
Naturally, a report had been submitted from Radia's side as well. Kait had taken longer since he was involved on the front lines, but Stomato had remained mostly in Radia, so probably finished the report quickly.
Still, to be praised—Kait, who was aware he had bossed Representative Stomato around a fair bit, couldn't quite recall a reason for it.
'Yes. Your unyielding negotiation skills with the Corporation, your decisive response to the space eel, and your devoted charge to protect Radia. They said the peaceful resolution this time wouldn't have been possible without you, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen.'
"That's too much praise. I didn't do anything special."
'Really? But there wasn't a single correction from the Terapolapaneshio folks about your report.'
Why is the evaluation standard so loose only there, Space jellyfish?
Kait mentally groaned, then firmly reiterated to the congress member, "It was thanks to everyone's efforts that we reached a resolution."
***
"Ah, parting with a hero is always a lonely thing."
"You're exaggerating, Representative Stomato. It seems the report was also quite overblown."
"What are you saying? The Congress praised it as an exceptional literary piece! I also attached footage from Radia, and there shouldn't be any corrections to that either."
"...I see."
No good. I don't think I can win against those sparkling, dazzling eyes.
Giving up on arguing with Stomato, Kait headed toward Queen Bee with Emotion in tow.
In the port area were several ships and their crews. Amid the busily running maintenance staff, there was one familiar face.
"Doctor Gorou. Here to see me off?"
"I'm here to see you off, Captain."
"Thanks."
Gorou seemed to have gotten quite used to things and was chatting casually with the negotiation representative, Terapolapaneshio. Of course, he couldn't tell their faces apart, but since they were technically all the same individual, that should be fine. Probably.
'Ah, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen. I heard from Doctor Saito about the Earth jellyfish. He's a biologist, isn't he? I'm deeply interested in the career he'll build in the Federation.'
"Please don't drag him around for jellyfish research. And don't sneak genetic differences between Earth and space jellyfish into his research topics."
'How did you know!?'
How could I not?
Seeing Gorou next to him give a wry smile, it seemed the approach had already been made.
Kait believed that a scholar's research theme should be free. Especially in a Federation that values freedom and rights.
'C-could it be you overheard it somewhere!? I-I know it's a weird hobby...'
"I didn't do anything like that. It's just an obvious conclusion when you consider everyone's fondness for Earth jellyfish."
'Ugh. I can't even deny it.'
"Well, well. It's not like I'm completely uninterested in that topic either..."
"You shouldn't be so lenient, Doctor. The Terapolapaneshio folks won't hold back in that area."
'What are you saying! I know you're genuinely interested!'
"Don't read people's minds without permission. That'll get you disliked, you know?"
Mind reading!? Gorou's eyes widened. So he hadn't been told.
Alright, let me preface this: listen calmly.
"The psychic-powered Terapolapaneshio and the Earth jellyfish, which are mysterious but still within the bounds of common sense. Want to investigate their commonalities?"
"N-no. Sorry, but that's a bit too advanced for me. I'd prefer to study a bit more first..."
'Oh no... The other individuals were looking forward to it too...'
The Space jellyfish drooped their tentacles in disappointment. Their actions were always so direct in response to their desires. Kait wished they'd show a bit more restraint, but people in the Federation were generally soft on Space jellyfish, so improvement seemed unlikely.
"Well then, I'll be going ahead."
'Oh? Where to?'
"Where else? To find the next Earthling."
'Your job's not done yet, is it?'
"Huh?"
As Kait tilted his head, a Space jellyfish raised its tentacles above its head. Looking up, of course, there was the massive form of Tuna.
The path to harmonious coexistence had opened. The Federation no longer had a confrontational stance with the Corporation. They had also confirmed the Corporation's immigration to the Federation. With the report submitted, there was nothing left for Kait to do here.
"Is something wrong with Ms. Tuna?"
'We can't just leave her waiting here, so we've arranged to escort her to the Central Star Cluster. I thought the escort request had already been submitted?'
"Huh?"
When Kait turned to Emotion, she had just started to shake her head, but then froze mid-motion.
"Captain Kait. The request was just forced through. It's an official request, jointly from the Corporation and the Federation. The Federation Congress's approval... just came in."
"Ugh."
They beat him to it. He hated the smug Space jellyfish, even though they didn't have a face.
So that's why Terapolapaneshio was here. As long as Queen Bee was here, they could always catch Kait.
Well, it's just a bit more work. He decided to shift his mindset—he could tease Gorou and his sister's emotional reunion before heading out.
"Doctor Gorou, how are you planning to get to the Federation?"
"Well, I'm still technically part of the Corporation, so I'll be hitching a ride on the flagship."
"I see. Then we'll be together a bit longer."
"?"
Gorou tilted his head, and the Space jellyfish tilted its body sideways with surprising agility. You don't even need to do that.
"If you're going to accompany the space eel, you'll be riding a Corporation ship anyway."
After all, it's the Corporation's job to transport the space eel to the Federation.