Chapter 82
As Kait stepped out of the Queen Bee, a massive ship—presumably the flagship of the Tarlmache fleet—moved forward.
It was smaller compared to the Corporation's fleet flagship, but that comparison was a bit unfair. What mattered wasn't the size of the ship, but the skill in battle.
The Tarlmache fleet was by no means large. Even compared to the fleet stationed on the artificial planet Traltan, it was modest. Yet, they had fought without collapsing against the far superior Federation fleet. You could say the fleet itself was battle-hardened.
If you looked closely, you could see signs of damage and repairs on the flagship and other ships. A fleet manned by seasoned sailors—underestimating them would lead to a tough fight.
'Captain Kait. Looks like you made it out alive.'
"My comrades were quite skilled. Segari Gug, are you the fleet commander now?"
'No, someone else is the commander. I'm just aboard the flagship... Is there room for negotiation?'
The communication from the flagship came from Segari Gug.
It might have been a trap, but strangely, Segari Gug showed no signs of hostility. Negotiation, huh?
"If you mean negotiations between the Tarlmache fleet and the people of Traltan, I don't have the authority to answer. The person in charge of Traltan is the representative, Fourth-Rank Citizen Darda Elra, so negotiate with them."
'This is a negotiation between you and me, Captain Kait. We trampled on your goodwill. This is about how we settle that mess.'
"If that's the case, I don't mind negotiating."
At some point, the exchange of fire had stopped. Not just on the Tarlmache side, but the Federation side as well. Perhaps the Federation halted their attacks out of consideration for Kait. Then, a theory about their objective surfaced in Kait's mind.
He silently sent instructions to Emotion inside the ship. Emotion, well-versed in such things, projected the words 'Understood' into his field of vision.
"So? What do you propose as a settlement?"
'How about a one-on-one duel between you and me? Win or lose, Tarlmache will withdraw. If you win, Tarlmache will pay maximum compensation for this battle. If I win, you let this incident slide. How about it?'
"Hmm?"
As a condition, it was utterly ridiculous. Neither Kait nor the Federation stood to gain anything.
But that didn't mean there weren't issues. Traltan 4 was right nearby.
'You let us go earlier because you were thinking about the negative impact on the people living on that planet, right? In other words, they have value as hostages. Am I wrong?'
"If I refuse, you'll attack Traltan 4?"
'Yeah. We could even crash the ship into the planet's atmosphere. Just how much damage would that cause to the people living there, I wonder?'
Kait narrowed his eyes at the chuckling Segari Gug.
"If you think I'd just let that happen, you've seriously underestimated me."
'Of course. But there's only one person I fear—and that's you. My proud subordinates are a bunch of roughnecks used to scuffles with you Federation folks. If even one of them slips through the bombardment and enters the atmosphere, you lose. Don't you think the odds are a bit against you?'
Frustratingly, Segari Gug's words made sense. When it came to protection, Traltan 4 was simply too large a target.
But it seemed Tarlmache was also facing issues. A report from Emotion appeared in Kait's field of vision. His meticulous partner had even confirmed the analysis from the Federation fleet behind them.
Kait smiled faintly and shook his head.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to decline."
***
In response to Captain Kait's reply, Segari Gug let out a light sigh.
He was taking far less time to decide than expected. Could he have noticed? Suppressing his inner turmoil, Segari Gug forced a casual tone.
"You sure about this, Captain? You cared so much about that planet. We're not as noble as you folks—we say we'll do it, and we will."
'Isn't it more accurate to say that's all you can do?'
"Tch!"
So he had noticed after all. At what point during the conversation had he figured it out? His senses were absurdly sharp.
'Three ships from that vessel seem to have visited others. A few more ships have launched as well. I thought you were trying to surround us with a separate unit, but that's not it, is it?'
Looking closer, the Federation fleet was also subtly shifting their positioning. They were trying to place themselves between the planet called Traltan 4 and the Tarlmache fleet.
'It seems your organization doesn't have full life backups. You're letting crew members without backups escape, while those with backups stay to fight us. Meanwhile, the others return safely to Tarlmache's base, right?'
"...If you've figured out that much, there's no point hiding it. I heard you underwent the same modifications as Terapolapaneshio. Can you read minds like they do?"
'Well. I've never heard of the Terapolapaneshio folks reading minds over communication, and I certainly can't do anything like that.'
"Is that so? Well, whatever... That's the deal. Can't you at least let those guys go?"
'Are you mocking me?'
Segari Gug's words were coldly dismissed.
'Don't tell me you forgot the threats you made to me just now. That planet you're trying to crash your fleet into is filled with countless innocent lives that have nothing to do with this conflict. It's okay for unknown creatures on a foreign planet to die, but your comrades' lives are precious? I can't accept such a convenient excuse.'
"I see... Yeah, you're right."
Intelligent life on an unknown planet meant nothing to Segari Gug. He didn't care whether those outside Tarlmache lived or died. He felt no guilt using them up as tools.
But the Federation—and the Earthling known as Captain Kait, one of its members—tried desperately to protect even beings with no connection to them. He didn't understand. He didn't understand, but somehow, it seemed he had made a fatal mistake.
Thinking he couldn't scold the subordinate who dropped the destruction warhead, he asked the fleet commander behind him a question with self-deprecating humor.
"How far along are the preparations for retreat?"
"About eighty percent!"
"Hurry it up. Start moving from the ships that are ready."
"Are we dropping it?"
"No, we're stalling. We'll get as many as we can back to the master...!"
"...This is going to be a rough job."
"Of course it is. We're up against Captain Kait, after all."
The communication line was still open. Yet the fact that Captain Kait said nothing was probably his final act of mercy.
Then, outside the awareness of the two, came the sound of someone running frantically.
"C-Captain Kait! Please, help me!"
It was Damian. Of course, as an Earthling—a potential ingredient for Tarlmache—he had a life backup. But it seemed he hadn't been allowed on the evacuation ship. His face was twisted in desperation as he begged for help.
'You're... the Earthling who went with Segari Gug, right? Damian, was it?'
"Yes, that's right! Damian Sigmund! I'm an Earthling! You're helping Earthlings, aren't you? Then help me too, like you did Carlos!"
Clasping his hands together like in prayer, he blurted out those words.
Even though he had taken a native child hostage on Kait's orders, he now begged for his life like a victim. A surge of murderous rage rose—he almost wanted to twist his neck from behind.
"If this keeps up, I'll be eaten by one of Tarlmache's monsters! Please, help me!"
Captain Kait said nothing. His face on the monitor showed no emotion.
"Help me..."
A deep sigh escaped him. Standing in the vacuum of space, he sighed. It made no sense, but somehow it didn't feel strange.
'You've already made your choice. You said you wouldn't go to the Federation.'
"That's because... I didn't think you were the real one!"
'So if I were a fake, you wouldn't need help—but since I'm real, you want it? That's a pretty convenient story. I don't think that counts as asking for help.'
"Hh..." A sound of despair slipped from Damian's mouth.
'Sorry, Damian Sigmund. Once this is over and I have time, maybe I'll make my way to Tarlmache's base. I might be able to help you then.'
"No! No way! You're kidding, right!?"
'Now then, Segari Gug. Sorry, but this is the end of our negotiation. Let's see what your desperation looks like.'
With a snap, the communication was mercilessly cut off.
Even Damian's wailing voice sounded oddly pleasant. Thoroughly and completely, it was all consistent.
"Hah, all I can say is—what a performance."
"Yeah, we'll be hated by the survivors for sure."
"Definitely. But for a final opponent, he's perfect. No helping it—we'll serve some ten-cycle-aged Kamzari after resurrection."
"Lucky you. Well then. Out of the way, Earthling. If you're not helping, go cower in the corner."
Kicking Damian away from the equipment he clung to, the fleet commander began operating the weapon systems.
The communication reopened—not to the Federation or Captain Kait, but to the captains who remained to fight here.
"Now then, can I get your orders?"
"Speed won't cut it. We'll stop and suppress the area."
"Roger! You bastards, we'll handle Captain Kait! You take care of the Federation! Help out from the ships that sent out their crews!"
The fleet commander's face twisted in excitement as he roared with laughter.
"These are your final orders! Hit them as hard as you can before you die! We'll hold out until we're sunk. Don't you dare die with energy left—blast away like there's no tomorrow! That's all!"
"Yes!" came a deafening reply.
Without a single exception, every response carried an oddly joyful tone.