Save the Space Whale 1

Having changed their strategy, Shinosuke and the others halted Fubuki, began transmitting the received clicking signals, and initiated exploration using the active detector.

They deliberately stopped the ship to ease the Space Whale's wariness, hoping it would approach them. After remaining stationary for a set period, they transmitted signals; if no change occurred, they moved to a new location and repeated the process.

After repeating movement and exploration for half a day, they entered a region scattered with small asteroids.

"Captain, I've detected a clicking signal resembling that of the cosmic whale."

The bridge erupted in excitement at Seira's report.

"Markus, any radar contact?"

"Negative... wait, there's an anomaly at bearing 8-4—a drifting asteroid is changing shape."

"Could it be... mimicking?"

The asteroid displayed on the monitor gradually transformed, unfolding like a fist opening.

"Yet just a moment ago, it was reacting identically to the surrounding asteroids—its mineral composition matched perfectly. If it's mimicking, this is too flawless."

Markus exclaimed in astonishment.

In the meantime, the asteroid continued to change shape, eventually revealing the form of a space whale.

"Massive... it's at least 800 meters long."

"Starting recording of all information, including visuals."

Sanders and the others immediately began recording.

"Sanders, shall we temporarily halt the ship to avoid provoking it?"

"As requested. For now, prioritize recording and observation."

"Understood. Marks, continue sending click signals while gradually reducing the active detector's intensity. Serah, focus on the click signals coming from the space whale."

"Understood."

The space whale approached the silent Fuu, beginning to swim around her.

'Kukukku... Kukku... Kokku... Kukukku...'

Click signals from the space whale echoed through the speakers in the bridge.

"Is it trying to communicate? Yan, analyze the Batan signal for me."

"Understood."

The Sandersons, determined not to miss even the slightest detail.

"Amazing... It's almost like it's singing."

Seyla, focused on not missing a single click signal, was drawn into the voice of the cosmic whale.

The cosmic whale swam around the plume, maintaining a consistent distance, repeatedly moving away and then returning once more.

"What is this? Is it leading us? Yan, is there any correlation between the cosmic whale's behavior and the click signals?"

"Yes, there's no definitive proof, but the 'Cococo' signal is slightly stronger than the others. Whenever this signal is emitted, the cosmic whale moves away from the cloud formation and then returns later."

"Could it be calling us somewhere?"

After hearing Sanders and Yan's exchange, Shin nosuke looked at Milina.

"Milina, can you help the two of them?"

"Me?"

"Yeah, Milina, can your eye power—your mind-reading ability—detect anything?"

"Reading the heart of the cosmic whale?... That sounds intriguing. I'll give it a try!"

Milina stood before the monitor, opening the eye on her forehead and staring intently at the cosmic whale.

(But can I really tell anything through the screen?)

Shin nosuke watched her, slightly skeptical despite having instructed her himself.

Had Milina read Shin nosuke's thoughts at that moment, she would have been scolded—but she didn't.

While Shin nosuke remained oblivious, Milina focused intently on the space whale displayed on the monitor.

"…Hope? …No, seeking… something is being sought… And salvation… Is it seeking salvation?"

Yan suddenly spoke up in response to Milina's murmurs.

"Milina-san, speak aloud the flow of the space whale's heart directly as you sense it."

Nodding in response to Yan's request, Milina continued.

"…Salvation… Seeking… "

'...Cokk... Kukk...'

Milina's voice overlapped with the cosmic whale's clicking signals.

"Indeed, the cosmic whale is seeking salvation from us!"

Hearing Yan's conclusion, Shinnosuke reached for the throttle lever.

"Even if Mr. Yan is correct and the cosmic whale is seeking salvation, this sector doesn't seem to be the right place. If the cosmic whale is guiding us, then we should follow. Mr. Sanders, I can't predict what dangers lie ahead. What would you like us to do?"

"Of course, please proceed."

"Understood. I'll move forward with Fubuki... slow forward motion."

Gently pushing the throttle lever forward, Fubuki began to move ahead.

As Fubuki began to move, the cosmic whale started swimming, leading the way.

"Everyone, don't miss even the slightest change in the surrounding space. The cosmic whale has come to us humans for salvation—anything could happen now."

Shin nosuke guided Fubuki, following the cosmic whale.

After hours of being led by the cosmic whale, Fubuki was navigating through a small asteroid belt.

"Could there be something in here?"

Not so dense as to make navigation difficult, but still requiring caution.

Eventually, the cosmic whale swimming ahead of Fubuki began circling a particular asteroid within the asteroid belt.

"Could this be... a young cosmic whale?"

Though the asteroid is small, if it's mimicking a cosmic whale, its length would be around 100 meters.

If this is a cosmic whale, perhaps it's a parent—either the mother or father—trying to rescue their young.

"Huh... No way! Shinosuke, look at this!"

Seyla suddenly shouted, enlarging the image of what appeared to be a young cosmic whale on the main monitor.

"This is... "

"What cruelty..."

Sandars and Yan both voiced reactions that sounded like shock and anger mixed together.

Two anti-ship missiles were embedded in the surface of the asteroid—no, the cosmic whale—displayed on the main monitor.

They were duds.