Chapter 16: The earthlings are alive now

They silently turned to leave, and Ritimiele noticed them. Unfortunately, their eyes met.

What could their body hair's rainbow shine mean?

"Kite, Third Citizen, Enek Ragif! Good, I've been waiting for you!"

"Oh, uh, hi."

"Apologies for dragging you back and forth, Kite Third Citizen. We had hoped you could rest a bit longer at the central star cluster, but there are a few matters we need to discuss."

The representative appeared to have calmed down, gently waving one of their tentacles.

One of the important topics to discuss was likely the management of the Goodbye Earth. How many more were there?

"Kite, third citizen, please help us. "Despite the council's orders, the representative insists on going to Earth ahead of the Zodokia!"

"We must check on the surviving Earthlings before sending the Zodokia. You understand that Ritimiele."

"Exactly! But there's no need for the representative to go! This is especially true given the representative's unique appearance! The internal rules require someone with a reasonably similar appearance."

"Close enough to a jellyfish!"

"That’s not similar at all!"

Their argument revealed the representative's true intent. Their minds were entirely fixated on Earth's jellyfish. If the representative behaved as described, it is likely that the Terapora Panesio in various locations were in the same state. Hopefully, they weren't all planning to converge on Earth.

Moreover, Kite couldn't ignore a significant statement he overheard. He intervened to address their discussion.

"Please calm down, Ritimiele." I couldn't help but hear something troubling. Survivors? There are still earthlings."

"Yes. Currently, there are about six hundred thousand Earthlings remaining on Earth."

So, he hadn't misheard. But six hundred thousand? At the time of Kite's arrest, the population of Earth stood at approximately thirteen billion. During his isolation and the subsequent months, the population had decreased to one in twenty thousand. Hearing this, he couldn't help but wonder what had caused Earth's downfall.

According to Ritimiele, there were three groups of about a hundred thousand people each in various locations, as well as one large group of two hundred fifty thousand. The remaining individuals dispersed throughout the entire planet.

Though he thought he had no particular attachment to Earth, hearing the details brought a certain sadness. Did he foresee this outcome when he decided to aim for Jupiter?

"Is this the topic on which you wanted to discuss their fate?"

"Yes, it is. Despite their past actions, the Federation recognizes you as Earth's representative, Kite's Third Citizen. The Federation unjustly turned our people into criminals and exiled them to outer space, so we do not hesitate to abandon them.”

"I appreciate your feelings."

The representative’s words received Ritimiele's agreement. They both seemed to hold little regard for the remaining Earthlings, likely due to their sympathy for Kite's plight.

Even the representative, who focused mainly on Earth's jellyfish, corrected himself from saying "we" to "the Federation." This implied the Federation's consensus, considering their nature.

Kite needed to make sure emotion didn't dictate his response. He looked down, contemplating the best course of action.

"Is it possible to grant those six hundred thousand Federation citizens?"

"It's not impossible. We would set citizenship at the thirteenth rank, irrespective of age, and immediately prepare residential areas to accommodate them. Is that acceptable?"

"I believe the Earthlings collective, not just me, preserves the emotional culture." I also feel better knowing that it benefits them. As for the Queen Bee's cost, let's consider it covered by this."

"Indeed, you truly are suited for Federation citizenship."

"Absolutely. We could leave them to their fate, but that wouldn't be right."

"Wait, what?"

Kite caught another concerning statement from Ritimiele. Who were "they" referring to?

"Ritimiele, who are 'they'?"

"Those not affiliated with the Federation. They've somehow caught wind and started contacting the earthlings."

"Another civilization?"

"Not exactly. They're a species that was once part of the Federation but was exiled for severe transgressions. You may recall the council mentioning those who tampered with your planet."

The representative's clarification prompted a thoughtful hum from Kite.

These outsiders first made contact shortly after Kite left for the central star cluster. They appeared to have waited six months post-collapse, likely observing from a distance, deterred by Zodokia's surveillance.

They must have mistaken the Federation's preparations for Earth's restoration as a sign of withdrawal, typical for a "cursed planet." In reality, it was quite the opposite.

"Why are they trying to collect earthlings?"

"They wish to play saviors, then sell them to unaffiliated civilizations' collectors as rare human specimens."

"That's..."

The Federation exiled them for a specific reason. Yet they keep applying for reentry. Shameless."

Ritimiele's disdain was clear. Their animosity extended to both the Earthlings and these aliens.

If the Earthlings faced such a grim fate, it was even more vital to provide them with options. It was their predecessor's responsible decision.

"Let's view it positively: thanks to your decision as Kite's third citizen, Earthlings will become citizens of the Federation." We won’t allow their mistreatment."

"Indeed. It seems some have already been taken. We must act quickly."

The Federation was already taking action, Kite realized. It had been about three Earth days since he contacted the Federation. The kidnappers had already initiated their operations, demonstrating their swift and galaxy-wide reach.

As he watched the surveillance footage, Kite felt his expression freeze.

"Master Kite?"

"Emotion. In the center right of the footage, there is a man with white hair. I remember him."

"...Confirmation complete. Master Kite, that man is Gilbert Jane!"

Even Emotion's voice sounded unusually rough.

He was a seemingly amiable white-haired man, appearing somewhat aged but unmistakable. He was Gilbert Jane, exiled from Earth seven years before and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Seeing their reactions, Ritimiele's body hair turned white.

"Do you know him?"

"Personally, no. But he is a notorious criminal of our generation, convicted of serious crimes and documented in textbooks."

Gilbert Jane.

Gilbert Jane's conviction was based on convincing evidence and testimony, in contrast to Kite's false conviction as a political criminal and subsequent exile.

His crimes included...

"Human trafficking and aiding and abetting war are serious crimes." With just his words, millions of people died."

It eerily paralleled the current situation on Earth.