Two-Person Galactic Journey: Earth Was Destroyed While Imprisoned in Space Prison-Chapter 173

Chapter 173
'Regarding the earlier psychic power—you're going to explain it to me, aren't you?'
"Of course. I have no intention of hiding anything from you."
He watched as Vengeance towed Kissinger χ (Kait) back toward Moonbase. It would probably take a little time for things to settle down.
Inside Queen Bee, Emotion was interrogating Kait. Specifically, about why the timing of Vengeance's bombardment had been off. Emotion had seen through it as a type of Kait's psychic power. Since he had no intention of hiding it, he explained in detail.
If he still had a flesh-and-blood body, he would definitely be holding his head in his hands. Despite the whirring sounds, he didn't offer any rebuttal to Kait's explanation.
'How did Kissinger χ's shoulder get damaged?'
"I can't say for sure. Maybe it cracked from a punch or something around that area—hard to tell."
'I see. ...If I can be involved in the repairs later, I'd like to check the cause of the damage.'
Once you realize you can do it, it becomes surprisingly easy to use—an annoying trait. Should he explain it to Terapolapaneshio?
He wondered what kind of conversations were taking place at Moonbase by now.
While Dan and the others were reaching a conclusion, Kait decided to contact the Federation.
Regardless of what conclusion Dan and the others came to, they couldn't leave Divin as is. That much was an undeniable reality.
***
The members of the Lunar Development Agency's second unit, having returned to Moonbase, disembarked from their respective craft with tired expressions.
Being involved with Kait was exhausting. Whether during the first battle or this one. Tooru sluggishly looked up at Kissinger χ. Slumped against the wall, it looked just as crushed as Dan, who had been riding it moments ago.
The damaged part was the left shoulder's barrier generation device; the injured part was the upper body that had been struck. The fact that Dan, the pilot, was unharmed despite such damage was clearly because Kait had held back. No, he had been made to understand that.
More than anything, there was the cannon Queen Bee had aimed at the end. If that had been fired, he would have died—he was certain of it. That was likely the answer to the reckless thought of retaliating even if it meant dragging Dan down with him. If Vengeance hadn't attempted a second bombardment, Queen Bee probably wouldn't have prepared that cannon.
In the first place, Tooru couldn't agree with the idea of defeating Kait even if it meant involving Dan. Kait had a foul mouth and wasn't exactly an ally, but there was no doubt he had done more than anyone for the second unit. He couldn't understand why Giolgu was trying to distance himself from him—perhaps even thinking of eliminating him.
Well, that wasn't something a mechanic like him should be thinking about. His own major challenge was right in front of him.
"...Hey, Doctor."
"...What is it?"
He called out to Dr. Wu, who, like him, was staring blankly up at Kissinger χ.
His voice came out more tired than expected. The doctor's reply was the same.
"Do you think we can fix it ourselves?"
"Who knows...?"
Her words lacked vitality. She seemed almost apathetic. It was understandable. That woman who called herself Emotion had effortlessly surpassed Dr. Wu's ideas and knowledge. Their relationship was never good, but Tooru had acknowledged Dr. Wu as the greatest intellect of their time. And yet, even she was broken in spirit. It was a different kind of defeat than when Earth had been lost.
In truth, Queen Bee had been incredible. Even the visibly upgraded Kissinger χ had been completely outmatched.
It had been a once-in-a-lifetime chance. If Vengeance's cannon hadn't malfunctioned, they definitely would have won—while losing a comrade named Dan. Was it even worth doing that against someone who wasn't Divin? His now-calm mind whispered such thoughts.
"Chief Nagasaki, Dr. Wu. Sorry, but please head to the briefing room. We need to decide what comes next."
"Understood."
If repairs weren't feasible, they had to think about their next steps. At first, they didn't even know if Kait was friend or foe and picked a fight. Then, when he himself said he was one of their enemies, they picked another fight. There was no guarantee that Kait and Emotion would continue to treat them the same way.
When they gathered in the briefing room, everyone sat with exhausted faces. Just like when they first fought Queen Bee.
The difference this time was that Dan looked more crushed than anyone.
"Dan. Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I'm fine. Don't worry about me, Tooru."
No matter how you looked at it, that didn't sound fine. But there were no words he could offer.
As Tooru was thinking about what to say to the downcast Dan, Giolgu clapped his hands.
"Sorry to interrupt while everyone's tired. But we need to quickly decide on a course of action."
"So we either give up and wait for the outcome, or swallow our pride and ask the Federation for help... right?"
"Exactly. Mr. Kait has already contacted them. He said that our battle with him won't change how they deal with us."
They were being underestimated. Even their genuine murderous intent probably felt like child's play to him.
He didn't even need to hear the Captain's words to know what he meant. Despite having picked a fight with him twice, the Captain wanted to rely on him. They had already secured his agreement.
As if urging them to speak up, the Captain looked at each person's face. Tooru raised his voice, prepared to take the unpopular role.
"We should swallow our pride and ask Mr. Crouch for help. We even have information on Divin's base. We shouldn't let personal feelings get in the way. If we don't follow him, everything might be over before we're even ready."
Unfriendly gazes focused on him.
But Tooru didn't back down. They weren't in a position to be choosy about their options.
***
"So you've located Divin's base then."
'Yeah. The info from Kait, Third-Rank Citizen of Enec Lagif, was useful. We've already begun preparations here, and we want Kait, Third-Rank Citizen, to join up soon.'
"Understood. By the way—"
On the other side of the monitor, Terapolapaneshio was urging them to return. Sensing something in that attitude, Kait decided to probe a bit.
"What were the survey team's findings?"
'...They said traces of our power and yours were detected.'
So it was true. Terapolapaneshio spun once in midair.
'But there's no reason for us to lend them our power. Why were our powers detected at all?'
"Who knows? Maybe there were some on their Earth too?"
'There were?'
"Earth jellyfish."
'!!'
At Kait's words, the Space jellyfish trembled.
'Is that true!?'
"No, I have no proof. But if they saw your forms and called you jellyfish, then there's no doubt Earth jellyfish existed."
'Hmm...! If that's the case, then we might have a reason to lend them our power.'
As always, when Earth jellyfish were involved, the Space jellyfish became a bit of a mess. In any case, confirmation would come after everything with Divin was settled.
"Once we finish upgrading the equipment for the folks at 9th-Terra, I'll bring them along to join you. It shouldn't take long, so I'd appreciate it if you could wait until then."
'Understood. Then please hurry, alright?'
"I'll do my best."
The transmission ended. Kait looked toward Moonbase.
Hopefully, things had progressed while he was talking with the Federation.
"Well, they should be back on their feet by now."
'Isn't that a bit too soon? Unlike you, Captain, they actually have emotions and worries.'
"Could you not make me sound like some kind of decision-making machine?"
No matter the situation, Emotion's sharp tongue never changed.
Kait found that oddly comforting.