196: Repression Faction

"Note. Contact with the investigative agency?"

"It has already been arranged. Response should begin immediately."

"Understood."

We move from the streets of the Third Primeval Colony into a rental conference room located closer than the hotel.

After completing counter-espionage measures, we assess the situation...

First, Mebokushi detected Magatsuki using the 'Hetero-Reflection' device.

Thanks to Joharis's cooperation, we've confirmed the enemy's precise location.

By the time they arrive here, Mebokushi has already contacted the investigative agency in the Shibramiss system.

In other words, the initial actions we should take have already been completed.

So now, this is an explanation for me and Vilijanira, who haven't fully grasped the situation.

"Please explain where the detection occurred."

"Of course."

Got it.

Also, Johalis remains inside the Memox.

Although there's no reaction now, we can't predict when it might react again.

"The location detected by the memo this time is here."

A hologram of the entire Shiblasmith system is projected from Memox's eye, with a red dot appearing at a specific point within the hologram.

It seems the reaction from Magatsuki was observed at this location.

And around the observed location...

"The Sixth Prime Colony, near the partially constructed battleship 'Jichikane'."

"Yes. However, upon precisely determining the location, it turned out Magatsuki wasn't near either of those, but rather near a privately owned colony."

"Who owns the colony?"

Approximately near the Sixth Prime Colony.

Precisely overlapping with the location of a small, privately owned colony.

"The colony is owned by a male private investor. At first glance, he seems to be making quick profits in the stock market."

Private ownership of colonies... while the costs vary depending on scale, it's roughly equivalent to owning a single spacecraft, and requires obtaining construction permits from the system's administrator, which is no small hassle.

Still, there are people who own personal colonies for work or some other reason.

Considering safety and convenience, it's perfectly reasonable for personal colonies to be located at a moderate distance from primal colonies.

As for the male individual investor that Memokshi pointed out... well, he's certainly someone who wouldn't be out of place owning a colony.

"Appearances aside,"

"Yes. We just received a report from the intelligence unit—the man in question is suspected of being affiliated with the Suppression Faction. There's also suspicion that this colony might be serving as their base."

"I see... so we're letting him swim for now simply because there's no concrete evidence."

"Most likely."

The Suppression Faction.

Well, if my memory serves, that was the ideology or belief advocating the exclusion, oppression, and enslavement of non-Human races, treating only Humans as truly human.

Naturally, such ideas are entirely incompatible with the current empire, and openly expressing them would invite immediate condemnation.

As evident from Vilijaniela's expression, which barely conceals irritation, it's clear that those advocating suppression would undoubtedly reject me, Memokushi, and Johariss. Even within the suppression faction, Vilijaniela herself would be rejected by those who oppose human enhancement through mods.

Yeah, they're definitely not the kind of people we could ever get along with.

"Now then, what should we do from here?"

"Yeah, but we're practically useless when it comes to taking action. Even if we did anything, it'd only be after everything's settled, and only if we need to verify things through a separate broadcast."

"I agree with Sata-sama. For now, we have no choice but to leave things to the local authorities and wait it out."

"Right. For us, focusing on surveillance from here is currently our best option."

How we proceed from here... well, it'll mostly depend on the other side.

Whether this individual colony is connected to Magatsuki or not will change our approach, as will whether Magatsuki has acquired a new body or not.

In the worst-case scenario, Magatsuki might already have obtained a new body and infiltrated the Sixth Primeval Colony or the interior of 'Jichikaneto' through a disposable alternate space—this is currently the most plausible situation.

Ah, right—actually, the man's mental capacity and information-gathering ability as this individual investor do play a role in the current situation's development.

"...Yes. Shall we wait? But even if only for a moment, the reaction from Magatsuki has already occurred. We should assume that brainwashed victims have already been affected. Who do you think was targeted?"

"Huh? It's a personal colony, so it has to be that individual investor, right?"

"No, Lord Joharis. Precisely because it's a personal colony, people are often hired for routine household tasks such as facility maintenance, inspections, and cleaning. It's entirely possible that those individuals were the ones affected."

"Oh, I see now."

Logically speaking, Magatsuki should have been drifting in space.

If someone had found it first, they'd likely be one of the workers responsible for cleaning or inspecting the colony's exterior walls.

Magatsuki's body control mod, from what I've seen during the Fifth Prime Colony, completely ignored the perspective of the one being controlled... Well, it's probably hopeless in every way.

"The one thing that still bothers me is whether Magatsuki intentionally targeted that colony, or if their real aim was actually the Sixth Prime Colony."

"If the former, there's a chance the personal colony might contain everything we'll need in the future."

"If the latter, then it's just a matter of coincidence—unfortunate, in a way, for Magatsuki."

Whether it's inevitable or accidental... the side doing the responding would prefer it to be coincidence.

As Mekokushi said, if it's inevitable, there's a chance that everything Magatsuki needs could be stockpiled within the personal colony.

"In any case, we just have to wait... Looks like the next response has arrived."

"Yes, it appears so."

"……"

Well, Magatsuki seems to be doing something within the personal colony.

This... might actually be a viable option—just having me fly in alone to the site.

02/20 Correction of typo