29: Rocket Cone

"Back again, I am."

"Welcome home, Satu."

"What did they ask you, Miss Satu?"

Naturally, the interrogations were conducted individually.

That said, regarding the content...

"Basically just a replay of yesterday. They asked if there had been any changes in my testimony over time, or if I'd noticed anything new since then. Then... they questioned how much credibility to give the mod's analysis capabilities. I just answered normally and it was over. What about Vee and Meemokshi?"

"I had a similar experience. Regarding the specifics of the physical enhancement mod, I cited personal information and used my authority as part of the intelligence unit to deflect the questions."

"The memo requested the re-provision of visual data. Since I provided the unaltered, verified version, it should be possible to prove that Lady Vee recognized the man drawing a blade and lunging at her, and only then began moving."

Well, nothing particularly significant there.

And from here on out, it's the responsibility of the police and all the security forces operating within the Glogrobeta system.

A man without an adult certification might be considered irrelevant, but even if only in limited ways, he'd surely investigate any weapon capable of disabling a shield mod.

"Right. No, actually, just answering normally wouldn't have been enough. There was additional information I should have shared with both of them."

"Are you saying the knife's origin is somewhere within the Glogrobeta system?"

"Correct. I didn't conduct a thorough analysis, but based on my slightly more careful examination than yesterday, I sense a Sw from the Groglobeta star system at the core. I can't tell whether it's an individual or a corporation, though."

I see.

Moreover, if I could thoroughly examine that blade from tip to handle, I might be able to provide more detailed information—至少 I could determine whether it resembles any known corporate or organizational mod... However, the fact that I can perform precise mod analysis at this level is something I can't afford to disclose openly, so I'll keep quiet about it.

Vilijanira and Mekoshi also understand that my judgment is sound, so they're in the same position.

The problem is, if I reveal it too openly, they'll immediately accuse me of being an industrial spy, and I won't be able to deny it.

"Announcement: The famed Rocket Cone of the Glogrobeta star system is predicted to pass by the side of our vessel. Those wishing to view it may..."

"Wow..."

"This is quite a sight."

"……"

And then, the ship's announcement.

It seems the Rocket Cone, well-known as a tourist attraction even beyond the star system, is approaching nearby.

With that, I press my human body against the window, squinting at the main body ahead.

Vilijanira seems interested in this too, moving toward the window seat.

Memokshi, on the other hand, appears indifferent.

"Then, Memokshi. Explain the Rocket Cone while we're watching."

"Understood."

Even if indifferent, she’ll provide the explanation upon Vilijanira’s request.

The Rocket Cone is a native plant of the Groglobeeta star system, originating from a grass family maize species. Though it looks just like an ordinary corn, it grows to over ten meters in height, from ground level to its peak.

Hmm... I see it now.

Indeed, something is passing by the side of the ship.

"Among its characteristics, it can grow in space if provided with two things: rocky asteroids to anchor itself and light from stars. When ripe, a rocket corn launches itself like a rocket toward another asteroid, in order to pass on its offspring."

It was visible now.

Corn!

A cob of corn still in its husk—normally the edible part—was moving through space, emitting a blue glow from the part connected to its stalk!

"Rocket corn is an edible plant, so most rocket corn is harvested just before launch. However, some are deliberately released into stable orbits, and thus end up flying through space, which is why we're able to observe them."

Ah, but it seems we won't be able to get any closer, given our speed difference.

I'd like to get a better look... but it might be impossible.

In terms of speed, even if we temporarily cease our high-speed maneuvering, we're still faster.

After all, they're just plants with a primitive method of flight—so it's only natural.

"Ah, so you're not going to harvest everything?"

From the perspectives of tourism attractions, defense systems, direct deliveries to certain residents, and the like, it seems some rocket corn have been deliberately left unharvested. The trajectories of rocket corn that have flown beyond the asteroid farm have been disseminated to all official vessels within the Glogrobeta system as public data, so it appears there are no issues even in those cases.

"Ah, I see."

"Hmm? So, does that mean anyone could harvest and eat the rocket cones visible here right now?"

"Legally, it seems there's no issue as long as they're not labeled. However, due to factors like the target's size, outer shell hardness, and speed, actually catching something flying through space is extremely rare. Incidentally, since space-flying ones are considered high-end ingredients in the market, their quality is assured."

"Hmm..."

I really wish the distance weren't so great—it's truly frustrating.

If it were a bit closer, I could have had Vilijianira temporarily deploy the core for retrieval...

Ah, it looks like it's separated by light.

Is it a multi-stage rocket mechanism? Hmm, I wish I could have seen it up close.

"By the way, in the end, they fall into the star of the Glogrobeta system and evaporate, that's the conclusion. Occasionally, some individuals do manage to escape all the way out into outer space... but even those eventually die once they leave the Sw range of the Glogrobeta system. Also, this death can occur even after harvest, if they're taken outside the Sw range—this is currently an unresolved issue."

"So, in a way, they're a rare delicacy that can only be enjoyed within the Glogrobeta system."

I see. I'd like to try eating it somewhere someday.

Meanwhile, as it spoke, the ship drifted away from the rocket cone, resumed its supersonic travel, and eventually arrived at the first primal colony of the Groglobeeta star system—a large, spherical colony.

A giant ear of corn soaring through outer space? That's impossible!

The essence of this work's worldview is found in acquiring something.

09/19 Correction of Typographical Errors