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

Chapter 252

Chapter 252

'I see. Sorry to trouble you.'

"Please direct those words not to me, but to the staff members of the Federation who are still continuing their research."

'I understand.'

Kait had traveled to a planet known as the outskirts of the Federation to report the outcome to Tuna. This planet, rich in nature, had yet to develop intelligent life capable of creating civilization. Back when he lived on Earth, Kait had only ever seen urban areas, but perhaps if he'd visited a nature reserve or remote region, he might have seen scenery like this.

Feeling a vague, nostalgic sentiment, Kait joined up with a group that didn't quite blend into the landscape.

Terapolapaneshio, Little Palnes, and Tuna. Perhaps because there were no intelligent lifeforms here, Di-Kigaia Zarmos also boldly revealed itself.

'You didn't have to come all this way, Kait, Third-Rank Citizen (Enec Lagif).'

"That's not true. I was the one who asked Tuna for information."

'...Hmm.'

If it were just about reporting, Terapolapaneshio, who shares its ego and information, was already present. Kait didn't need to come personally. However, Kait had wanted to confirm details with Tuna to reinforce his hypothesis about the ecology of Lufate Gainun. He felt it was necessary to convey what those questions and answers had led to.

Fortunately, Tuna didn't seem particularly bothered. Even if she had been informed beforehand, she wouldn't have wanted to accompany them. In fact, she probably would have been a burden. After all, from Lufate Gainun's perspective, she was a living host. It was no surprise it attacked with full force.

At any rate, one of the reasons for coming here had been resolved. Now, if he could also settle the issue they'd discussed previously, everything would be complete.

"So, have you made any progress on that issue you mentioned?"

'Actually, not yet...'

"I see, that explains it."

That's why Little Palnes hadn't chimed in. When he looked toward Little Palnes, who stood a bit away, they gestured in a very Earth-like way that it hadn't worked out. Be it Space jellyfish or Palnesbrogia, haven't they absorbed a bit too much of Earth's culture?

According to Tuna, she understood the circumstances of organic lifeforms. Protecting or exterminating one side could end up destroying the ecosystem. Even so, she couldn't rid herself of the desire to protect creatures that resembled her.

It was the first time the solitary space eel had felt a desire to protect another creature. It was no wonder she didn't know how to handle it, and perhaps words alone weren't enough.

Now then, what should they do?

Just then, Kait's stomach uncharacteristically voiced its opinion.

"...Hmm."

"It's about time for a meal, Captain."

Since undergoing body modification, Kait's need for food had decreased. Life in space had dulled his sense of time. No longer bound by hunger, he'd left meal scheduling entirely to Emotion.

Feeling a vaguely expectant gaze on the back of his head, Kait decided to make a suggestion.

"Tuna. Does that body of yours have taste functions implemented?"

***

The first ingredient wasn't the creature Tuna had tried to protect, but a local species that preyed on it. It looked like a fish, but had legs.

The cooking method was simple: grilled on a hotplate using the Worker Bees from Queen Bee. Three skewered fish were placed on the heated surface, and seasonings stored in Queen Bee were used. As the heat cooked them, a savory aroma spread through the air.

'Oh... what a wonderful smell.'

"Make sure to grill both sides thoroughly... There we go. Here you go, Emotion."

"Thank you, Captain."

He handed one skewer to Emotion, and kept the other for himself. As he bit into it heartily and looked toward Tuna, he saw her gaze fixed firmly on the hotplate.

"Tuna, would you like some too?"

'Ah, yes. Then I won't hold back.'

Since Tuna didn't have limbs that functioned like hands, Kait used his psychic power to lift the food from the hotplate. As he slowly brought it closer, Tuna also opened her mouth wide and took a big bite.

'Munch, munch—'

"Hmm. The flavor suits my taste."

"Indeed. This is delicious."

For an alien creature, it surprisingly matched the taste preferences of Earthlings. The only question was whether it would appeal to Tuna's palate.

Tuna didn't show much reaction. Her mouth moved slightly, perhaps confused by the unfamiliar taste.

Just as Kait and Emotion finished eating, leaving only the bones, Tuna's chewing sped up. She looked flustered and turned her gaze toward them.

'K-Kait. Something's wrong.'

"What's the matter?"

'The strong sensation I felt at first is gradually fading. Even though it's still in my mouth, there's no stimulation left at all. What is this?'

"Emotion?"

"It's the same for both me and Tuna, Third-Rank Citizen. The objects we put in our mouths for eating break down over time. In that respect, we're no different from organic beings. The difference lies in how the broken-down matter changes after being swallowed."

Organic beings digest food to absorb energy, while mechanical intelligence converts the broken-down food directly into energy material. Naturally, the efficiency is extremely poor. That inefficiency is the main reason why meals are nothing more than entertainment for mechanical intelligence.

Still, just like with Emotion, the impact of taste on Tuna had been significant. Even after swallowing, she looked longingly at the bones Kait and the others had left behind.

"Seems like you enjoyed the meal?"

'Yes! So organic beings experience such stimulation on a daily basis...!'

"Well, something like that. Now then..."

Kait began preparing the next ingredient for Tuna (and Emotion), who still seemed unsatisfied.

***

'Phew, everything was delicious.'

"I'm satisfied."

In addition to the first fish, Kait hunted several other local species and grilled them simply for Tuna and Emotion. Kait himself also had a few bites, and the creatures on this planet turned out to suit Earthlings' tastes more than expected.

Among them, none were the long-bodied creature Tuna had tried to protect. Kait had no intention of cooking that one himself.

Then, Tuna began fidgeting while staring at a single point. When he followed her gaze, the reason for her inner conflict became clear. There was a long-bodied creature there—not the one she had tried to protect, but a different one of similar shape.

"Are you curious?"

'Ugh.'

Seeing through her, Tuna groaned. She must have realized that the creature resembled the one she had tried to protect. If they had encountered it first, she probably would have insisted on protecting that one instead.

"Um?"

'That creature has a predator-prey relationship with the one Tuna, Third-Rank Citizen, tried to protect. What Kait, Third-Rank Citizen, mentioned before is now happening right before our eyes.'

"I see."

He accepted Little Palnes's explanation. That must be why Tuna was struggling with her emotions. And now, she was starting to wonder what it might taste like.

She had taken her first step into the food chain of organic lifeforms.

"Tuna. Would it be alright if I cooked one?"

'Eh?'

"Emotion and I want to try it. Using a traditional Earth cooking method."

'...G-Go ahead.'

After a moment's hesitation, Tuna squeezed out a response.

***

'Kait! Kait! That smell is violence! It's violent...!'

"Even if you say that..."

Following the manual prepared by Emotion, Kait attempted a kabayaki-style dish by imitation. The smell of the sauce grilled over charcoal and the aroma of the fat dripping onto the coals were aggressively appetite-inducing.

Terapolapaneshio watched the scene with a somewhat horrified expression.

'Kait, Third-Rank Citizen. I-I have a question.'

"Yes?"

'Do Earthlings also cook and eat Earth jellyfish like this?'

"Yes. The methods differ, but there are cooking styles for them in various regions."

'O-Oh... how shocking.'

Terapolapaneshio writhed as if caught in a drive-by incident, Tuna wavered between pride and temptation, and Emotion stood unmoving in front of the cooking station.

Perhaps he'd gotten carried away. Kait exchanged a glance with the only one still sane—Little Palnes—and felt a tinge of regret for having caused this chaotic situation.

'If only I had a function to share taste too...!'

Correction. You too, huh, Little Palnes.