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

Chapter 268

Chapter 268

While Kait was waiting for the right time on Planet Mardila.

The Federation Congress had begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the cessation of observation on Mardila.

Asheid, who had just finished coordinating the measures against Lufate Gainun and was finally settling down, was unfortunately called in as well.

"It seems there were no specific violations of regulations regarding the classification of Mardila as a declining planet."

'Right. The rapid desertification of the surface, and the consequent regression of civilization. There's not much discrepancy between the report and the one submitted recently by Third-Rank Citizen Kait (Enec Lagif).'

"The issue is that we failed to identify the Araslan Mechanized Race as the direct cause of the desertification... Who was the official in charge?"

'Unfortunately, we were unable to confirm that.'

"Unable to confirm?"

'They chose death a long time ago. No memory preservation procedures were carried out either.'

For Federation citizens, death is a selective right. Individuals who grow tired of living may choose eternal rest as a right. This right is guaranteed as one of the most sacred rights for Federation citizens.

Asheid reviewed the official's personal history and let out a deep sigh.

"The fact that no memory preservation procedures were carried out means it was judged there was no criminal aspect to the death, right? That official was a relative of Decarcia."

'What?'

"You think that's irrelevant?"

'There were still relatives of Decarcia left in the Federation?'

"One parent was a descendant of Decarcia. We'd have to trace the lineage to be sure, but there were a few who avoided punishment, right?"

Terapolapaneshio, who had recently been working closely with Asheid, raised her voice in rare surprise.

The exposure of Representative Ganlui Decarcia's large-scale corruption was an event so old it could be called history. It was a major incident in which not only the individual but also collaborators, relatives, and their families—amounting to the population of two residential planets—were sentenced to exile.

Though it was a major incident passed down as a dark chapter in Federation history, it happened long before Asheid was born. It's old enough to be called history.

'Indeed. The surveillance directive on Decarcia's descendants was lifted a thousand cycles ago. However...'

In response to Asheid's doubts, Terapolapaneshio remained unresponsive. The timing of Mardila's observation cancellation and Decarcia's corruption scandal were too far apart. Connecting the two would normally be seen as a stretch.

However, Asheid grew more convinced as he searched through the records of Decarcia's corruption.

"I get what you're saying. One is old enough to be called history. Linking them just because the person in charge was a descendant of Decarcia is a stretch. Normally, that is."

'You say "normally," but...'

"...Among Decarcia's corruption records, there are logs of illegal transactions with the Araslan Mechanized Race. And the modification plan the official chose involved full-body mechanization."

Terapolapaneshio was left speechless by Asheid's words.

'Hold on. Full-body mechanization? How closely was the official related to former Representative Decarcia?'

"In terms of generations, about two generations down."

In other words, a person whose life had been extended since the days old enough to be called history.

Terapolapaneshio could read minds. However, even that had its limitations. She couldn't read the thoughts of citizens whose cerebral cortex had been mechanized, and she didn't have the resources to read the thoughts of every citizen.

'Are you suggesting there was a secret agreement with the Araslan?'

"I'm saying we can't rule out the possibility. How far were we even able to investigate Decarcia's large-scale corruption?"

'The truth is, we could hardly investigate at all. Most of those involved chose death in quick succession. Wait, don't tell me...'

It was only then that Terapolapaneshio's reaction changed.

Yes, the methods were far too similar. Representative Decarcia had gone to great lengths to ensure no evidence of corruption remained. One such method was having the perpetrators choose death—not after the corruption was exposed, but before the situation came to light. That's why, even though the incident was known, the full picture was never clear.

Representative Decarcia never chose death to the very end. If not for that, the corruption might never have come to light, and the Federation could've become twisted. It was due to a certain coincidence—Terapolapaneshio reading Decarcia's thoughts—that the incident was uncovered. In the end, the only resolution was to exile Decarcia, her collaborators, and all her relatives.

Whether the exiled descendants of Decarcia are still alive somewhere remains unknown. Terapolapaneshio and a few other council members probably know the answer, but for now, that's not the main issue.

"Since we can't confirm it, we should assume there was a secret agreement. We'll likely need to reopen investigations into incidents that were buried during the chaos of that time. ...Why does everything become such a mess when Kait is involved?"

'Still, it's true this is a case that could affect the Federation's survival if left alone. I'm impressed by Third-Rank Citizen Kait's keen insight.'

It was almost certainly just a coincidence, and Kait himself would surely be annoyed. Asheid frowned at the volume of information displayed on his terminal, sympathizing with the fact that Kait would once again be held in high regard by Terapolapaneshio without even knowing it.

"I don't think we intended to ignore it, but now we have to re-examine all this? And we still have to dispatch the investigation fleet to Mardila... Seriously."

'Even back then, they gave up on investigating and tried to wrap things up by severing all related cases. I don't think a reinvestigation is realistic.'

"Worst case, we'll narrow the focus to just the Araslan Mechanized Race. At the very least, we need to list the observation and declining planets they and their descendants were involved with."

Most likely, Mardila was one of the residential planets handed over during Decarcia's dealings with the Araslan Mechanized Race. The process by which it was registered as an observation planet was strangely forged. Once registered, no one would scrutinize the process or check the biological data of the intelligent life residing there.

What worried Asheid was whether Mardila was the only residential planet Decarcia had prepared for the Araslan.

'Representative Asheid. Why do you think the Araslan Mechanized Race carried out illegal colonization on a planet like Mardila?'

"Their goal was supposed to be the mechanization of all intelligent life, right?"

'Yeah. They were already nearing completion as mechanical lifeforms. There should have been no need to colonize with organic intelligent life. Without the report from Fifth-Rank Citizen Emotion (Alto Romia), no one would've believed they were involved in this case.'

"Well, I guess we'll just have to ask the survivors still on that planet."

'You think there are survivors?'

"Almost certainly."

Asheid answered with confidence on that point.

Compared to Decarcia's corruption scandal, buried deep in history, this was far easier to grasp. It would be difficult for Terapolapaneshio. As someone thoroughly aligned with Federation ideals, she was far removed from thoughts of invasion.

"The Araslan Mechanized Race did try to take over the Federation at least once. If they needed a planet to stage an invasion, it makes sense they'd want a foothold in enemy territory. Even if you drove them off, they wouldn't abandon the strategic advantage they'd gained."

Even now, scattered across the galaxy, the Araslan Mechanized Race is waiting for a chance to re-invade the Federation. Because they can't realize their ideals due to resource shortages, Federation technology is something they absolutely must obtain.

"Seriously. Things are never boring when Kait's involved."

Asheid directed words that were neither resentment nor gratitude to his friend, who continued to overturn the Federation's stagnation from its very roots.