165 Free-floating Planet Arc 7: Contact

side: Akira

The issue is that these free-floating planets are connected to the old帝国—the one that existed before the current empire was seized—what the descendants of Kaei call the True Empire.

We can make a rough estimate of when they left the empire, based on the fact that they're using a True Empire-exclusive encrypted channel.

That encrypted channel is just a reuse of the old, secure lines the so-called former empire used.

The current empire can't crack the old encryption, and they've never repurposed the dedicated lines either.

So the True Empire uses them as secure communication lines against the empire—and I was granted permission to use them for communication with the True Empire, and I even know the encryption codes.

If they’ve been using the True Empire’s private comms line with old encryption protocols, then the Free Drifting Planets might not just be True Empire affiliates—they could be remnants of the fallen Empire itself.

Meaning, if the current Empire finds out the Free Drifting Planets are the ones who wiped out the old Empire and seized power, we’re looking at a full-blown war.

Conversely, if the Free Drifting Planets learn the current Empire is a remnant of the old one, same thing—war’s inevitable.

So here’s where I stand: sure, I aim to restore the True Empire eventually. But I don’t plan on wiping out the current Empire’s people in the process.

We’ll merge gently. Gradually reshape the current Empire into the True Empire. Or… just get them to return whatever the True Empire needs from them.

Once they hand that over, there are plenty of stars in this galaxy. We don’t need to fight to live side by side.

If the reason for fighting is the True Empire’s attack on the Current Empire, then I’ll stop it.

We’ll get back whatever they took—something important.

There’s also the option of my descendants becoming emperor. My child should be the one who carries the blood of both the True Empire and the Current Empire, after all.

But that kind of plan isn’t something you start on a whim, today or tomorrow.

I haven’t even had a child yet.

And yet here we are—right now—facing a situation where the True Empire and the Current Empire might plunge into war.

Can’t we send the Free Drifting Planet toward Kaede’s group without either side knowing the true identity of the other?

Guess I’ll have to step in and deceive both sides...

Then, first things first—let’s find out who the Free Drifting Planet really is, and what they’re after.

And once we know, we’ll help them achieve their goal… then send them on their way.

I’ll tell the Current Empire I’ve driven them off—just play dumb.

‘I am the one who carries the blood of the Empire.’

Apologies for the insolence of those who can’t grasp the situation.

Are you descendants severed from the Empire?

Some details are lost—so I’m not sure how to proceed.’

I chose my words carefully.

“Bearer of the Empire’s blood” is just a phrasing choice. Not “emperor,” because that’s not what we’re going for.

If they’re people who split from the emperor, claiming to be his heirs is risky.

Asking if they’re “descendants severed from the Empire” was meant to test whether they’re actual Empire survivors—or merely descendants. And whether they’re a faction with a distinct standing.

Also, hoping they’d explain why they split.

That way, if they’ve got skeletons in their closet, we might just exploit it.

We are the people of Nibiru. We broke away from the Empire twelve hundred years ago and set out into the cosmos.

We are their descendants. Under an ancient covenant, we request supplies from the Empire.

An ancient covenant? We’ve never heard of such a thing.

This is clumsy. How could we possibly provide resources on a planetary scale—especially ones needed for a journey across the galaxy for decades?

And if they’re forcing us to accept a lost covenant, we don’t even have the means to verify its authenticity.

“We’d like to examine whether this is the same covenant we’ve received. Could you tell us the terms of your agreement?”

If they don’t know, we’ll just ask them.

If they won’t answer, I’ll go ask the old-timer at the true Empire.

That grizzled old man with the maple-tree name—maybe he knows.

Either way, I’ll need to stall the negotiations.

"We’ll send it over right away. Since there might be errors on our end, could you also share the terms of your contract?"

Awkward. We don’t have that here. Then the only option is to buy time—get the old man gathered!

"We’re currently assembling someone who knows the contract. Could you spare us a little more time?"

Too much tightrope walking—my nerves are fraying! I actually need real time!

"We’re in a bit of a bind. Since this is our ancestral home, there’s a growing number of people eager to see it. They’re waking up from cold sleep one after another.

The food supply must be delivered immediately…."

No—wait. That should come only after we’ve confirmed the food’s ready.

If they’re turned down, will they starve? Or just take it?

"By the way, how many people are we talking about?"

"For now—please provide for one hundred million."

"What?"

"Ten billion by ten days from now."

What kind of thinking is this? These people…

An ancient covenant? Just what the old empire's emperor promise he’d keep?

For now, please halt the thawing process.

After twelve hundred years, the Empire’s circumstances have changed.

It's impossible to easily come up with that much food.

Thawing is set automatically—can't be changed.

Since it's the day and the place we agreed upon, I thought you'd have everything ready too.

Here, I came up with a desperate gambit.

Actually, the Imperial Capital has already been relocated—this isn't it anymore.

There was apparently a disconnect—quite a bit of information seems to have been lost in the process.

The preparations should already be underway on your end.

For now, maybe drag them to the Elysion System—plenty of rations there.

What matters more is how the hell we stop the cold sleep thaw.

Gotta call Kae-de and Old Man too, or else.

Is it okay to use raw ingredients for food?

Can I go check if I can stop the cold sleep thaw over there?

Food’s fine like this.

I’m counting on your help to halt the thaw. Can’t let my people die like this.

Then I’ll need your support in accepting me.

I’ve landed on Nibiru.

Now how the hell am I gonna explain this to the Emperor or Kyle…?

Guess I’m gonna have to walk another nerve-wracking tightrope again.