Chapter 94
Time had passed considerably since Earth came under the Federation's jurisdiction.
Earthlings had begun to appear not only in the Federation's Central Star Cluster but also on other artificial celestial bodies.
This is one scene from that future.
***
The Federation had two exceptional Earthlings.
One was the well-known Captain Kait. He relocated many Earthlings who had been unjustly scattered across the galaxy by Divin to the Federation, and now, while traveling across the galaxy, he left behind various incidents and accomplishments wherever he stopped.
And the other. A man known throughout the galaxy as a freelance agent who escorted corporate and researcher interstellar travel.
When he wasn't working, he also acted as a treasure hunter, visiting planets where civilizations had died without ever joining the Federation, searching for remnants of those past cultures.
Today, too, he was swimming through the sea of stars on an escort mission for a ship carrying rare creatures found on such a planet.
'Stop right there'
In the brief moment when the escort ship, called Tortoise, left to pursue the attacking fleet, another fleet hidden in a nearby small asteroid belt revealed itself. It was a diversion using two fleets, and Tortoise had fallen for it.
Of course, there were other escort ships. However, the number of hostile ships surrounding the corporate fleet far exceeded them.
'We have business with the rare creatures loaded on that ship. Just a few would be enough—won't you hand them over?'
"N-No way! The creatures that remained on Ridomianes 12 are truly rare. No matter the reason, we must deliver them to the Corporation!"
Ridomianes 12 was once a planet with an intelligent civilization. With the collapse of that civilization, most intelligent life perished, and a new ecosystem had formed.
The Corporation decided to protect the creatures of Ridomianes 12 after signs of its impending collapse were discovered. After much debate between the Federation and the Corporation—whether to stop the collapse or protect the surviving life—they settled on the Corporation protecting as many creatures as possible.
Among them were former intelligent beings who had abandoned their intellect and adapted to the new ecosystem after the fall of their civilization.
Toamul Transport, which took on the transport request for the creatures from Ridomianes 12, was one of many companies hired by the Corporation.
The Corporation's fleet was currently positioned around Ridomianes 12 to defend it from pirates like these. That's why the pirates were hiding near the route between Ridomianes 12 and the Corporation's headquarters, plotting their ambush.
'We're not asking for all of them. Just share a few, and we'll let you pass safely'
"Your idea of 'a few' is a bit too greedy for us. We can't agree to that deal. Sorry, but give it up."
'...Tch, what the hell are you doing here'
Glaring at the person who appeared on the comms, the pirate leader clicked his tongue.
The man, recognizing a familiar face, raised an eyebrow and responded to the question.
"That's my line. Still got those bad habits, Tarlmache's Segari Gug?"
'Shut it. You knew we were lying in wait, didn't you?'
"Pretty much. The one on Tortoise with Girl is the mechanical intelligence Admon posing as me. His optical armaments pack quite a punch too."
Segari Gug stared at the man intently. This Earthling, once treated as just an extra to Captain Kait, had somehow become a nemesis of Tarlmache.
Tarlmache's fleet seemed to have activated its onboard weapons. Lock-on alerts began sounding simultaneously aboard Toamul Transport's ship.
'This is where our rotten connection ends. If you're there, then there's no helping it. We'll turn the cargo into scrap along with you'
"You sure talk tough when it's me, Segari Gug. But if Captain and Queen Bee were nearby, you'd be running for your life."
'One freak like that is enough for the galaxy. As long as you're out of the way, hitting the other fleets won't be hard'
"You'd better hope you don't run into a fleet guarded by Terapolapaneshio's big shots."
'Shut up!'
The communication was cut.
The leader of the Toamul Transport fleet screamed. The one they hired for protection had instead thrown the fleet into danger.
"A-Are we going to be okay!?"
"Didn't expect to run into Tarlmache's lot. The galaxy's smaller than I thought."
"This isn't the time for jokes!"
"You're right. Well then, I'm heading out."
With movements transformed by reconfiguration, he exited the ship. Since it followed the original plan, the process went relatively smoothly.
The suit crafted by Carlos allowed for about five minutes of operation in space. He couldn't pull off the reckless stunts Kait could, but with five minutes, there was still a lot he could do.
Carlos, who had eagerly helped with the Tortoise's modifications, had become a respectable shipwright in the Federation. Though he sometimes downplayed himself as a petty crook from Earth, he was now a proud Federation citizen.
Pressing a switch on his left wrist, a membrane formed around his face. He stepped onto the deck and glared around at the Tarlmache fleet surrounding them.
'With this many attacks, we'll only be able to block once, right!?'
"It's fine, fleet leader. That one time will be more than enough."
Raising his right hand and focusing his mind, his beloved gun—disguised as his right arm—revealed itself.
The Psionic Launcher. A special weapon known as a thought-powered armament. Once considered a relic, this weapon, thanks to Captain Kait's fondness for it, was now standard on Space jellyfish ships. The Space jellyfish still idolized Captain Kait way too much. Not that he was jealous or anything.
'Incoming fire!'
The surroundings lit up in a kaleidoscope of colors.
The man didn't flinch at all. The barrier device added to Toamul Transport's ship was crafted by Carlos and installed by the man's beloved partner—top-notch quality. It was said to withstand even Captain Kait's attacks. There was no way they'd break through it.
He aimed the gun on his right arm. The barrier would block the attack, and he'd strike in the brief moment before the next volley.
"Got it!"
Firing the Psionic Launcher into the first gap where the barrier vanished. A spear of pure white light pierced one of the enemy ships with ease.
For Tarlmache's fleet—and especially Segari Gug—it must have been traumatic. Without breaking the beam, he moved his arm while walking across the deck. The pure white light targeted and destroyed Tarlmache's ships one by one.
Naturally, a space encirclement wasn't flat. Once one side was broken, the Toamul Transport fleet accelerated toward the opening as planned.
"Sorry, Segari Gug!"
He turned back and dashed to the rearmost part of the deck. As the Tarlmache fleet tried to turn around, he struck again.
It wasn't enough to wipe out the fleet, but they wouldn't be able to pursue anymore.
Satisfied, he returned inside the ship, just in time to hear the voice he'd been waiting for.
'Boss, that went pretty well'
"Yeah, nice job, Girl. Think we can regroup?"
'Of course. The client's super happy too'
"That's what I like to hear."
As he came into contact with air of sufficient density, the membrane around his face burst. The Psionic Launcher reshaped itself around his right arm, blending in as if it were part of his body.
When he returned to the bridge, the fleet leader approached with a look of awe.
"Y-You really did it! To get through that without a single casualty!"
"Hold the thanks until we're in Corporation territory and the job's done."
"You're right. Even so, I have to say it. You were amazing. I'm glad we hired you."
"Thanks."
He let out a wry smile. The job wasn't over yet, but some people were quick to celebrate.
Sitting in the seat prepared for him, the man closed his eyes, hoping he wouldn't be needed again.
His name now was Viper. He no longer called himself Galactic Viper—just Viper.
But at some point, those around him had begun attaching a nickname to his name.
"As expected of the Federation-famous Cosmic Viper. A day may soon come when you stand alongside Captain Kait."
"Cut it out. That guy's special to us too. Don't lump me in with him."
As Captain Kait's name spread, Earth's language began to be taught more within the Federation. He was grateful not to be called Captain, but the pressure of his nickname was still intense.
To hide his embarrassment, Viper put his beloved pipe in his mouth and closed his eyes.