novelraw Chapter 174
Chapter 174
Chapter 174
They didn't know how to reconcile their feelings, but the Lunar Development Agency's Second unit accepted Kait's proposal for now.
They would join the Federation's siege of Divin and assist in the capture of the Royal ship by Queen Bee and Di-Kigaia Zarmos.
Accordingly, Kait and Emotion descended to Moonbase to repair the damaged Kissinger χ (Kai). Dan, who was supposed to be their guide or perhaps their monitor, wore a bitter expression at the sight of the two showing no hesitation.
"......It's not really my place to say this, but—"
"What is it?"
"Don't you think you're lacking a sense of danger?"
"Hmm? Do you really think just ten people could do anything to me and Emotion?"
"Well, I don't think that, but..."
"I can do just about anything with Queen Bee, but even without it, I can still manage quite a bit. For example, say you tried to take Emotion hostage."
"......Yeah?"
"If it's just a space like this Moonbase, I could instantly boil everyone's blood and kill them."
As he let a bit of murderous intent slip, Dan tensed up. Perhaps for Dan and the others, it felt more natural to be shown a bit of hostility. That's what Kait thought when he tested it, but he now felt like he'd chosen the wrong example.
Then, standing beside him, Emotion shook her head.
"Captain, your premise is incorrect. My body uses Earthling genetic information, but its composition is primarily metallic. No tool within this Moonbase can damage me."
"Your body is metal......!? So, you're a cyborg or something?"
"I am not a cyborg. My base is a spherical mechanical intelligence developed on Earth. If we were to classify it strictly, the correct term would be android or humanoid robot."
"What the hell..."
Dan held his head in his hands. Indeed, when Emotion took on a humanoid form, she looked like a slender blonde beauty. To prove it, she assumed a mechanical appearance.
"Therefore, if you were to take someone hostage, Captain would be the more appropriate choice. However, if you were to take Captain hostage—"
"If we did...?"
"I would take over all controls within Moonbase and adjust the atmospheric balance. Specifically, removing the oxygen would be the top priority."
"I-If you did that, even Crouch would—"
"As a result of body modification, Captain does not require oxygen to survive. Within five minutes, all of you would die from oxygen deprivation, and only Captain and I would remain alive."
When Dan gave a look that seemed to ask, "Is that true?", Kait nodded. There are species in the galaxy that breathe gases other than oxygen. Being part of the Federation means being able to live in places where Earthlings normally can't.
Body modification was originally intended for that purpose, not for combat. Even Kait's psychic power was simply a convenient and romantic result of navigating space. The fact that it was useful in combat was not Kait's essence.
"What even is the Federation...?"
"Well, from Earth's perspective, it's true that everything seems a bit too advanced. You might be confused at first."
Especially if Kait's Earth and Dan's Earth shared the same common sense.
Kait, who had been called "Federation-like" from the start, seemed to be quite the special case. He certainly adapted to the Federation's stance faster than other Earthlings. Even the Federation citizens were surprised, so he must have been naturally suited to it.
"I see. Well, don't worry. After all that, none of us have the guts to pick a fight with you."
"That's a relief."
That much was the truth. Kait's abilities and Emotion's functions were simply too powerful for unmodified Earthlings. If they had to subdue them while they were moving around in the flesh, there was no confidence they could hold back enough. Earthlings without modifications were just too fragile.
***
While Emotion was working on repairing Kissinger χ, Kait was having a meeting with Zion Georg, the leader of this location. The other leader, Wu Ika, was beside Emotion. A person of intellect, she apparently couldn't tolerate theories she couldn't understand.
Perhaps because she had learned that Emotion was a mechanical intelligence, she was now speaking to her much more casually than before. Emotion, without stopping her work, answered her questions. Hearing this, Kait realized that Emotion was enjoying herself. Someone who could even partially follow her conversation was rare.
"I want to confirm the operation."
Giolgu's words were as simple as ever.
He gave off no emotional waves at all. He wasn't being friendly either. It felt like dealing with a sulking Terapolapaneshio.
Well, people can like or dislike as they please. Kait decided to share the schedule that had been confirmed with the Central Star Cluster.
"First, once the repair of Kissinger χ is complete, we'll depart. We'll teleport to a rendezvous point near the Central Star Cluster. That's to regroup with the main fleet. After that, we'll send the fleet all at once to Divin's stronghold."
When he displayed the image in the air, Giolgu widened his eyes. The few staff members present were also surprised, so this must be a technology beyond their current capabilities.
When the fleet teleports, it will already be in the formation considered by Terapolapaneshio and the others. In other words, the formation will be complete the moment the teleportation ends.
"After that, we'll gradually tighten the encirclement to prevent Divin from escaping, and capture the royal family aboard their ships. That will be handled by me and Queen Bee, and depending on the number of Royal ships, Terapolapaneshio and Di-Kigaia Zarmos as well."
"Would it be possible for us to join at that point?"
"Are you thinking of sinking one of the Royal ships amidst the chaos?"
"No, I didn't mean that..."
He still hadn't given up, it seemed. It would be troublesome if they couldn't accept that their revenge would be carried out indirectly through a Federation trial.
In any case, if they weren't going to sink the ships, then Vengeance and Kissinger χ would be of no use. Because—
"If not, then it's no good. Vengeance and Kissinger χ aren't suited for capturing ships in the first place."
"Not suited for capture? Vengeance maybe, but Kissinger χ is..."
"It's too small. I checked, and among Divin's Royal ships, your model is the smallest. So how do you plan to capture anything with the even smaller Kissinger χ?"
If they could precisely destroy the power core, capture might be possible. But could they keep their cool when the immobile Divin royals were right in front of them? Kait had nothing but doubts. At least they had enough sense not to say it aloud.
Thoroughly rejected, Giolgu and the staff looked dejected. Even though they must have known it was an unreasonable request, they still wanted to cling to it.
"You probably can't participate in the capture operation, but I can arrange for you to join the interrogation of the Royal family afterward."
"Really!?"
"I can't allow any weapons, though. But I can give you a chance to learn what those people are thinking."
When asked what he would do, Giolgu thought for a while, then nodded eagerly.
Kait raised his internal alert level toward Giolgu by one notch. He might think he was hiding it, but the glint in his eyes the moment Kait spoke stirred up unease.
'Captain. The repairs are complete. We can depart at any time.'
"......Looks like Emotion's finished too. Begin preparations for departure."
"We're leaving already?"
"It seems about 80% of the Federation has already gathered. If you've got the guts to keep the Federation fleet waiting, go ahead and wait."
"......We'll prepare right away."
Perhaps because their objective had become clearer, the staff began moving briskly.
I see—they truly were capable, entrusted with the development of the Moon.
Watching the staff bustle out of the Briefing room, Kait spoke to Emotion.
"Preparations have begun. Thank you for the swift work, Emotion."
'You're welcome. Now please hurry to Queen Bee.'
Things were about to get busy.