Two-Person Galactic Journey: Earth Was Destroyed While Imprisoned in Space Prison

Chapter 235

Chapter 235

The information Kait and Emotion had been waiting for was delivered from the Corporation without much delay.

Moreover, it came in the form of a direct communication from the person in charge of Azavoid 2.

'Nice to meet you, Captain Kait. I am Rengerend, the Branch Director of Azavoid 2... or in Earthling terms, the Second Branch Director. I am immensely grateful for the extremely valuable information you've provided.'

"I'm Kait Crouch. I'm surprised as well. I didn't expect to receive a direct message from the Branch Director."

'Our Second Branch specializes in extermination and research of hostile space organisms deemed fundamentally impossible to protect or coexist with. Lufate Gainun is an exceptionally dangerous entity among such organisms, so I believed it was appropriate to contact you directly.'

"I see."

The Corporation had countless branches, but he'd heard that the Second Branch was not involved in the protection of organisms. The reasoning—that it existed to exterminate creatures like Lufate Gainun from their domain—was convincing. Coexistence with that thing seemed impossible, and if they spoke of protection in such naive terms, entire ecosystems would likely be destroyed.

Kait nodded, and Rengerend nodded back from the other side of the monitor.

Her lustrous skin gleamed like polished stone. It had been a while since Kait encountered a new species he hadn't seen before.

'We had also heard that Lufate Gainun had appeared within the Federation. However, we never imagined that the Captain would uncover such a critical fact. We understand you contacted us for the purpose of gathering information?'

"Yes. The Federation, for better or worse, has already perfected its extermination procedures for Lufate Gainun, so I feared that research might stagnate if things continued as they are."

'Do you wish to exterminate them completely?'

"Yes. If they're planning to infiltrate planets in a different way than before, there may be no easy way to stop them. Whether or not we can eliminate the root entirely, I do want to understand their origin and method of movement."

'...Understood. I believe your intentions align with ours. What kind of information are you seeking?'

It seemed Rengerend had no intention of cooperating unless she was satisfied with their stance. As expected of someone entrusted with leading a Corporation branch, her principles were clear.

Kait decided to start with the most important point among the information Emotion believed was necessary to compile.

"First, I'd like to ask whether there's a way to identify them after they've infiltrated a planet or small asteroid."

'Oh? I'd heard that the Federation operates under the hypothesis that they're transferring, and is researching that method.'

"That seems to be the case. But Emotion and I have a slightly different idea. If they possess transfer capabilities, there'd be no need to parasitize a planet and wait for a space eel."

'...That's a perspective we haven't considered before.'

Until now, Lufate Gainun had merely been regarded as a bizarrely acting space organism. That's why the idea of transfer was a natural topic of research, and Kait himself didn't deny the research. This theory emerged because Kait and Emotion were the first to realize that it was the same type of parasite that once infested the space eel.

In any case, if Lufate Gainun could transfer, then burrowing into planets or small asteroids to parasitize space eels wouldn't be an efficient method. It would be more effective to send larvae via transfer to search for space eels.

The space eel itself possessed a biological function similar to transfer. If Lufate Gainun could also transfer, there would be no need to go out of their way to infiltrate planets by wiping out other species.

'I see... First of all, there is a method to detect Lufate Gainun mimicking within planets or small asteroids. However, it has never been verified.'

"What do you mean?"

'In the case of small asteroids, even after destroying one that showed a reaction, we couldn't locate the mimicking Lufate Gainun. It might have been pulverized during destruction, or perhaps it had already left the asteroid despite the reaction...'

In such a situation, it was understandable that the Federation wouldn't endorse the method. If it had been pulverized, perhaps it died to avoid passing on information. Or maybe it was simply in a state of suspended animation while parasitizing the planet.

Either way, there was no definitive evidence. That was likely the reason Rengerend hadn't suggested sharing the method with the Federation.

"Both scenarios are plausible. Was there any trace of Lufate Gainun in the debris?"

'There wasn't. So it's suspected that the reaction left on the planet was simply a misreading after it had already left.'

"Hmm... Could you provide us with the data and methods used at that time?"

'Certainly. I'll send them over right away.'

"Much appreciated."

The data was transmitted to Queen Bee. With this, Queen Bee would now be equipped with the ability to track the reactions of Lufate Gainun mimicking within planets or small asteroids.

Kait and Emotion had defined Lufate Gainun's behavioral principle as 'parasitism of space eels.' If there were small asteroids showing reactions, they now had several leads to follow.

"Thank you. That helps a lot."

'The Captain believes they aren't moving via transfer, correct? Then how do you think they're doing it?'

"......Most likely, they're clearly changing their strategy depending on the individual. I believe the larvae being launched also alter their traits based on where they land. On planets or asteroids without life, they aim to parasitize and grow. On planets with life, they aim to exterminate organic lifeforms."

The hypothesis Emotion presented was deeply disturbing even to Kait. Unfortunately, there was no evidence to refute it. That being the case, they had no choice but to keep that possibility in mind.

Rengerend appeared shocked. Her glossy skin tightened slightly.

'Extermination of organic lifeforms, you say?'

"Organic lifeforms, like us, have the potential to gain intelligence and expand beyond their home planets. To them, we are hostile entities trying to eliminate space eels and themselves. Just as we want to exterminate them, they want to exterminate us."

'I understand the logic. I do, but...'

"I've seen the data on the organisms created when Lufate Gainun parasitizes. After exterminating nearby lifeforms, they don't even parasitize the planet—they just wander aimlessly and die from hunger or old age. Isn't that right?"

'Y-Yes.'

"In other words, they change their objective based on the nature of the planet they invade. On planets with organic life, their only goal is thorough extermination. The goal of the comet-mimicking mobile mother body is to call the space eel to the necessary coordinates, and if possible, to infiltrate a planet or small asteroid. Then, by parasitizing the space eel that appears chasing the light, they fulfill their true objective..."

Just as they wanted to eliminate Lufate Gainun, Lufate Gainun likewise wanted to eliminate them.

A truly grotesque, yet natural way of thinking. After listening with a poisoned expression, Rengerend ended the communication, saying to contact her if any new information was found. She must not have enjoyed it, but her sense of duty was strong.

***

After reviewing the received data, Emotion gave her seal of approval, confirming that Queen Bee now had all the necessary functions.

They began preparing to activate Queen Bee. Both Kait and Emotion had concluded that no further information could be found here.

"Well then, let's start by heading to where Terapolapaneshio is."

'Yes. I hope we can find some traces of them.'

"It's my first time doing fieldwork in space. The downside is, it's not exactly a fun job."

'It can't be helped. It would be terrible if delicious ingredients we haven't discovered yet were lost to Lufate Gainun.'

Smiling wryly at Emotion's resolute words, Kait contacted Yamloson to request departure clearance.