Chapter 147

Now then, the first objective is complete. Next is the rescue of the Earthlings.

The success of Kait's plan had already been communicated to the Space jellyfish. The cargo ship where former councilor Batmute was thrown in was meant to be used to send the rescued Earthlings to the Federation. It was sent simply because it was easy to recognize as a marker, and by now, it had likely been teleported to the Federation by Terapolapaneshio.

"So, what should we do?"

"It won't take that long. Just cover for us by faking the safety checks from others."

"......That's really all it takes?"

"Of course. Right now, the most important thing is how much time we can buy."

Batmute's crew was highly competent. They handled the incoming communications smoothly, one after another.

"This is Batmute. His Excellency is safe. Yes, the small asteroid collision was unexpected. No, it wasn't an attack from the Federation."

"We will temporarily halt the ship for removal operations. If you're uneasy, feel free to proceed ahead."

"The asteroid's composition? Seems to be rock, but is something wrong? Ah, the damage to the barrier is also unexplained on our end. Hopefully, it wasn't sabotage by anyone on your ship."

The authoritative tone in the replies might have been a tactic to silence the other party. Trying to block the asteroid with a barrier and failing, resulting in a collision, was clearly an embarrassment, yet they showed no sign of shame. Impressive.

Just then, a message from Emotion entered Kait's view. It seemed the Space jellyfish had finished preparations. Batmute had been safely handed over to an individual within the Federation, so his safety was likely secured. The ten Di-Kigaia Zarmos ships had also taken position, so Kait decided to return to Queen Bee.

"Former councilor Batmute is safe. Terapolapaneshio of the Central Star Cluster has secured him. You can rest easy."

"......Thank you. About the memories His Excellency erased—"

"I won't ask. Whatever he was trying to protect isn't something I have the right to interfere with. Ah, but just to be sure, it's not related to the Earthlings rescued from Tsubanda, right? As long as I know that, it's enough."

"A-Ah. That's definitely not the case."

"Then it's fine. See you."

They would probably never meet again. Without looking back, Kait teleported to Queen Bee. What would happen to them afterward was not Kait's concern. They had chosen to side with Batmute based on their own beliefs. Whatever judgment awaited them, they likely had no regrets.

Hopefully, what Batmute had tried to protect by casting everything aside wouldn't be exposed by their memories.

***

Max Clariens was optimistic, but he was aware that he was especially unlucky among the Earthlings.

When Earth met its end and he managed to escape early aboard the ship of the angels called Divin, he had rejoiced, thinking his bad luck had been cleared all at once. But he realized they had been deceived when they were sold off to a second set of buyers.

Apparently, they had been turned into merchandise for alien human trafficking. Max, who had only undergone minimal modifications, had already changed owners four times.

"......Haa."

Even if he wanted to escape, what could he rely on in a place full of unfamiliar aliens?

He had heard rumors from other Earthlings who were also bought, about a hero named Kait who went around rescuing sold Earthlings—but how much of that could he really believe?

His fellow Earthlings, who had encouraged each other not to give in to their miserable circumstances, had been placed on other ships flying nearby. He was just sitting here under watch, not being forced to do anything. He wasn't being made to do hard labor, and the food served was reasonably good. Honestly, it was the best treatment he had received so far.

He couldn't quite catch the aliens' conversations, but he understood they were fleeing from something. Apparently, they were using them like charms. Just by being here, it seemed the chance of this ship being sunk was reduced.

Do Earthlings have some sort of luck-based accessory-like ability? If they did, he doubted they'd be treated like ornamental animals in the first place.

"Is it about mealtime yet?"

His stomach began to grumble loudly. Even with nothing to do, he still got hungry and sleepy. Some things didn't change even in space, he thought, as he called out to a nearby crew member.

"Hey, is it mealtime yet?"

"Meal, not yet. Busy now."

Too bad. They looked too different from Earthlings to tell if they were angry or smiling. Figuring the meal would take longer, he crawled into bed. Sleeping was the best way to forget hunger.

No good. His stomach's complaints grew louder, keeping him from sleeping.

Giving up, he sat up. If he could at least know when mealtime was, it might help distract from his hunger. He called out again to the same crew member.

"How much longer until food?"

No response. "Ignoring me, huh," he muttered bitterly, raising his voice a bit.

"Food! When's it coming?!"

If he shouted too loudly, he might get punched. Balance was important in these things. That said, since being bought by his current owner, Max hadn't been hit by anyone. Before boarding the ship, there had even been talk that he'd finally found a good owner.

No good. The crew didn't react. It wasn't just ignoring—more like they didn't even hear him.

"Huh?"

Were they... asleep?

The lattice door blocked his view, but the crew member's head seemed to be swaying unnaturally—or maybe not.

If it was found out they were sleeping, wouldn't the owner get mad? Max found himself more worried about that.

"Hey, come on! You'll get scolded if you're sleeping!"

"Zzz..."

That was a sleeping breath. They seemed to be in a deep sleep. If he shouted too loudly and other crew members found out, it'd be pitiful. Max began trying to master the fine art of yelling in a restrained voice.

"Hey! Wake up!"

"You know they're technically your captors, right?"

"Shut up! If they get caught, it'd be sad, wouldn't it?!"

"How kind of you."

He reflexively snapped back at the voice from behind. Seriously, he just wanted to know when the food was coming.

As his stomach growled again, Max started getting irritated. Then, the voice behind him held something out beside his face.

"Hungry? Want to eat this?"

"Ah, thanks. ...Mm, this is good. What is it?"

"Federation rations. They match Earthling taste pretty well, huh?"

"Wow, Federation rations... Wait, who are you!?"

Just as he was chewing the stick-like food, Max finally realized someone else was there. He turned around but didn't recognize the person. Judging by appearance, they looked similar to him. Maybe another Earthling?

"A-An Earthling?"

"Yeah. I came to rescue you guys."

"Rescue?"

He didn't understand. As Max made a confused face, the man lightly patted his shoulder with a wry smile.

"Sorry, we're on a tight schedule. I'll explain later."

"Wait, what are you—"

In an instant, his vision went black.

"Wha...at...?"

When his vision returned, he was no longer in the room with the lattice door.

He looked around. It was a bit small, but a private room. A bed, a sofa, and even a fridge he'd dreamed about. His throat let out a sound.

Drawn to it, he staggered over and opened the fridge. Inside was—

"Ch-Cheese! And beer! Whoa, this... it's pizza!"

Earth food, unmistakably nostalgic. The words written weren't in any language he knew, but the illustrations made it clear.

Tears welled up in Max's eyes. There were still so many things he didn't understand about what had happened. But for now—

"O-Ohhh...!"

He didn't know how to heat the pizza, but the cheese and beer were fine as-is. Max decided to forget everything else and dig into the feast before him.

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