Chapter 80
The interception was successfully completed. We observed for a while, but there were no signs of pursuit.
Since the fleets of Tarlmache and the Federation were in a standoff, Segari Gug and the others likely didn't have the luxury to pay attention to the ground. While keeping Emotion on alert just in case, Kait turned his eyes to the wreckage of ships scattered across the surface.
"Well then, if the staff can't come down from above, we might as well handle the disposal ourselves."
'I agree. What should we do?'
Emotion had returned to the Queen Bee before George fired the Psionic Launcher.
Even if part of the wreckage could be used to replenish the Worker Bees, there was more debris left over than expected—enough for an entire ship.
For now, they floated the pile of wreckage, wrapped it with the Worker Bees, and began compressing it.
"We could just turn it into resources, but maybe we can put it to some use while we're at it."
'Without a facility, we can't make anything too impressive.'
"Something impressive? Like what?"
While half-listening to the list of suggestions Emotion gave, Kait pondered what to do. Ever since joining the Federation, he hadn't had financial troubles, so the idea of selling it for travel funds didn't appeal much.
Then, among Emotion's suggestions, something caught his interest. He stopped her with a quick "wait a sec" and asked again.
"Wait, that's something we can make?"
'Yes. It's possible to make it from this ship's wreckage. I thought the Captain might want one.'
"Correct. That's a great idea."
Praising Emotion as expected, he unfolded the already compressed wreckage once more.
While setting aside the specified parts, he casually asked a question.
"So, how many do you think we can make?"
'How many? If we try, we can make a fair number. But it's not a mechanism that breaks easily, and having too many might just get in the way.'
"That's not true. Ah, in that case, maybe we can make it a bit bigger."
'Indeed, due to its nature, once it's installed, it can't be removed. I see, you plan to break and remove it each time?'
"I wouldn't waste it like that."
'?'
As Emotion tilted her head in confusion, Kait smiled and explained the intended use.
Emotion had gotten quite used to Kait's ideas lately, but she still felt happy when he exceeded her expectations like this.
'...I see. Theoretically, it's possible. Captain, you really do come up with outrageous things.'
"I'm honored by the compliment."
'That wasn't a compliment.'
Since she made an exaggerated squeaking sound, it really didn't seem like a compliment.
***
Even after Emotion finished the manufacturing, George didn't wake up. His vitals and mental readings were stable, so it seemed he had simply gone from unconsciousness to deep sleep.
In the end, five parts were made at Kait's request. One would be kept as a spare in case of breakage, and the remaining four would be for regular use. Kait was quite pleased with the balance.
The remaining debris would be compressed as much as possible and taken along. Depending on the battle situation above, it could be turned into warheads, or if there was excess, handed over to the staff in Traltan.
'Captain. There's a faint reaction from the wreckage.'
"Oh?"
Emotion reported something had been overlooked. Kait looked down, but didn't see anything particularly forgotten.
Wondering if maybe a screw-sized piece had been left behind, he descended to the surface.
He looked around the wreckage, but didn't see anything that seemed out of place. Just as he tilted his head, his gaze caught a small shadow.
"Oh, it's you."
"?!"
It was the child Lizardman (tentative) who had been caught by Damian. Seeing it head-on, it had quite a charming face.
Its small hands were cupped around something, as if protecting it.
In its gaze there was no fear—only curiosity toward the foreigner that was Kait.
"Gyah! Gyaau!"
Then, a cry like a shout came from another direction. Looking over, a child Minotaur (tentative) came rushing over, swinging something like a club and charging at Kait.
"Whoa."
For Kait, who had undergone body modification, the blow wasn't particularly threatening. He easily caught it and observed the situation.
The Minotaur (tentative) seemed to be shouting something at the Lizardman (tentative). Perhaps telling it to run. Weren't they supposed to be enemies?
As Kait tilted his head, the Lizardman (tentative) let out a slightly high-pitched cry. Perhaps they were communicating, as the Minotaur looked surprised and stopped attacking Kait.
"Gyah, Gyaau?"
"Shh, shasha."
"Gyau."
It really did seem like they were having a conversation.
Maybe their parents were at war, but the children got along.
"Whoa."
Thinking that far, Kait hurriedly scattered his thoughts. He had no intention of interfering in their society. If he thought any further, he might start to sympathize.
Then, the Lizardman (tentative) held out both hands toward him. In its palms was something like a glowing purple crystal.
"This is... Emotion, do you recognize it?"
'Yes. That's a fragment of a thought receptor used in ships. It's widely installed to assist with ship operation.'
"I see, so that's what was reacting."
According to Emotion, if this was embedded into the drive system, the ship could interpret the pilot's intentions and respond accordingly. It couldn't control the ship alone, but it was very useful in preventing accidents.
As Kait reached out to accept the timidly offered object, he stopped. Why was the Lizardman (tentative) offering this? Was it hoping to receive something in return?
"Emotion. Is this harmful to these children?"
'No. It's harmless to both organic and silicon-based lifeforms. No need to worry.'
"Good. Then let's do this."
Kait took the fragment and, with some force, split it in two.
He gently placed one piece into each of the surprised children's hands.
"Stay good friends, okay?"
"!"
Apparently, Kait's message got through via the fragment. It probably wasn't its intended use, but maybe it triggered some kind of psychic reaction.
As the two stared at him with pure eyes, Kait internally sighed and rose into the air.
Ignoring the surprised looks on their faces, he landed on the cloaked Queen Bee.
'Is this really okay, Captain?'
"Now, what do you mean? I just broke a gem that innocent children treasured. If someone wants to condemn me as a villain, so be it."
'Honestly.'
What remained were fragments of a crystal that no longer had much meaning. It probably wouldn't lead to the destruction of two species. Maybe their memories would be tampered with, but if it became an issue, Kait would ask Amurajioru for help later.
"The reaction came from a fragment too small to detect. There's nothing more we can do. Let's go, Emotion."
'Understood.'
Was it his imagination, or did Emotion's tone sound like she was trying to suppress a laugh?
Temporarily disabling the Queen Bee's cloaking, Kait circled above the surprised children before launching into the sky.
'Honestly. The Captain is always soft on kids.'
"Of course. Anyone with the title of Captain is always on the side of innocent children, you know?"