A Foothold for Change part 2
「This is getting us nowhere!」
Realizing he was being swept along by Outis’ pace, Oedipus saw a way to regain control. With Prometheus now appearing and validating Outis’ words, the tide was dangerously shifting toward the birth of a new mercenary organization right before his eyes.
The seed of disaster had to be crushed now. This man was dangerous—he was competent.
「I agree. Precisely because our values are incompatible, there is no need to force matters. It is right that we keep an appropriate distance from each other.」
Outis responded coldly.
「Not that I intend to recognize your organization either. But it is pointless for the two of us alone to argue over ownership or the establishment of a new organization. Let the laws of Planet Asia—no, the entire Nemesis Star System—decide.」
「What do you mean?」
Kou, who knew nothing about the laws or courts of the Nemesis Star System, began to feel a wave of internal panic.
「The laws of the Nemesis Star System have a will of their own. Let Okeanos judge.」
「Very well.」
Kou nodded magnanimously. Even though he didn’t entirely understand what was meant by a ‘judgment’, he figured things would unfold as they must.
「Okeanos, you can hear me, can’t you? This is a request from the Mercenary Association Headquarters. What is your decision?」
The visuals didn’t change; only words echoed through the space.
Oedipus was confident. The Mercenary Association Headquarters was, after all, Okeanos’ proxy. They were the administration that governed Planet Asia, an organization that transcended nations. As far as he knew, they were the only ones with direct access to Okeanos.
「A Polis shall now be established.」
An awe-inspiring, solemn voice resounded, leaving all listeners in stunned silence.
「Polis?」
Kou murmured, the word bringing to his mind only the concept of police.
「It’s the origin of the word police in Kou’s era. It means ‘an organized society of people’ or a ‘city-state’.」
Asia quietly explained.
「As jurors, I hereby appoint six Odysseus as representatives—those holding the qualifications of A-Rank Development Engineers, as you call them.」
Monitors appeared in front of the A-Rank Development Engineers, broadcasting their images simultaneously. For the first time, the people of the world realized that these individuals were the ones referred to as Odysseus.
Each of their upper bodies was displayed on the screens. Only Jack’s image was absent.
「Those appointed as jurors, speak your thoughts in response to my questions. I will deliver the final verdict. Outis. Oedipus. If you have any objections, state them now.」
「No objections.」
「Same here.」
After both men replied, the voice—Okeanos—continued.
「Then I will now begin the proceedings. Unanimous agreement is preferable, but if that is not achieved, the final decision will be mine.」
It was extremely rare for Okeanos to express its will. For this very reason, it was regarded as law and a mechanism beyond question.
「This… is a trial, isn’t it?」
「Yes」
Asia confirmed.
The unexpected turn of events left Kou stunned. Even Oedipus could not completely hide his tension.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
「The core issue of this discussion is clear. In the Nemesis Star System, artifacts of the previous era belong to their discoverer. This is a law that I established.」
This question was directed at the five A-Rank Development Engineers. One was absent—Jack, who was imprisoned.
「Asia had been subdued and rendered powerless by the Stones, her abilities stripped away. While she may not qualify as a ruin, there is no doubt that it was Outis who freed her—I observed it myself. Whether or not she is to be defined as an object is not the topic of discussion. Does her ownership belong to Outis? Jurors, state your opinions.」
Okeanos had clearly stated that Outis was the liberator. A flicker of panic ran through Oedipus.
Five A-Rank Development Engineers sat before him. He wasn’t sure if all of them were aligned with Outis, but it seemed likely that at least a majority leaned toward his side. It was now painfully obvious to Oedipus that this was a rigged game, but it was far too late for regrets.
The first to speak was Kelly.
「Of course, ownership belongs to Outis! We Odysseus could hardly hear her voice. He’s the one who freed her.」
Kinukawa followed immediately.
「If Outis hadn’t freed Asia, the Stones would have eventually analyzed her and gained full control over her abilities. What would have happened to the maintenance of this planet then, Okeanos? If someone with malicious intent had gained control of everything, what do you think the outcome would have been? If we’re talking about rights, then they should belong to Outis!」
「It is true that if Asia were to lose her planetary maintenance functions, it would become difficult to sustain rotation, revolution, and climate regulation. The significance of Outis’ actions is exceptionally great.」
「But obviously, such rights must not belong to a single individual! That would be no different from owning the entire planet! With the planet’s fate in their hands, he could even threaten everyone who lives on it!」
Oedipus raised his objection. As the trial progressed, he began to realize just how disadvantaged he was. Everyone present seemed to know Outis personally, whether as acquaintances, friends, or close allies. Still, it was far too late to contest the selection of the jurors.
「You idiot! Don’t lump him together with people like you! Kou—Outis would never do something as monstrous as killing the planet! It’s obvious that Asia is better off by his side than anywhere near you!」
Hyoue interjected angrily, his voice nearly a shout.
「Okeanos, I must state that Outis has never used me to interfere with planetary maintenance.」
Asia looked upward, as if addressing the Okeanos that loomed somewhere in the skies, and boldly declared her statement.
「Understood, Asia. Inquiry complete. There is indeed no record of Outis interfering with this planet’s maintenance. Oedipus’ objection is overruled.」
Yunlan smiled brightly as he made his statement.
Only he, Kou’s friend, and Kurt, one of his mentors, remained. Victory now seemed all but guaranteed.
「She was always crying out for help. While we swore that we would one day rescue her, we never took action. In that sense, there’s no doubt that the rightful owner is Outis.」
「Then it’s unanimous, isn’t it? I believe that Outis is the one who stands with Asia, not in the sense of ownership, but something far deeper. However, for now, I will accept the term ownership.」
Kurt concluded the discussion with those words.
「As it is unanimous—」
「Objection! He hasn’t spoken yet! Jack Cliff of John Arms!」
Oedipus refused to back down. Jack Cliff had been captured by the Stones.
「Jack Cliff died just moments ago. Before his death, he conveyed to me that the ownership belongs to Outis.」
「W-What did you say?」
「Wait a minute! Jack is dead?」
Even the A-Rank Development Engineers were shaken by this revelation.
In the General Arms command room, Robin, who had been listening to the broadcast, closed his eyes quietly from his commander’s seat.
「This is his final moment, captured on video. With his dying movements, he confirmed his will to me.」
The screen displayed an image. In a dark room sat an elderly man, held captive. His frail body had multiple machines connected, a cruel and tragic sight.
「He freed himself from the Stones’ brainwashing device using only his will.」
At that moment, the man raised his head briefly. His gaze fixed squarely on the camera, eyes filled with a determination that could only be described as the force of his very soul.
Kou felt as if his heart had stopped.
I leave the rest to you.
Through the screen, Kou thought he heard those words. That moment struck him, and many of the other Development Engineers, deep in their hearts.
Jack moved one finger, a slight gesture, but one filled with meaning. Then, with a faint, satisfied smile, he closed his eyes. His body lost all strength, his head falling forward as he passed away.
「He expressed his will to the fullest extent. To challenge that will is something I will not allow. Given his condition, running several kilometers at full speed would have been an easier task.」
Even Okeanos spoke of Jack with a tone of respect.
「That guy… he protected Planet Asia to the very end, didn’t he?」
「Yes, he did. For over thirty years, alongside us. His will has now been entrusted to us—and to Outis.」
Kelly and Kurt spoke solemnly. They, along with Jack, had been part of the first group of Development Engineers to arrive on Planet Asia over thirty years ago.
They were comrades-in-arms who had fought together to protect Planet Asia.
「Are there any objections?」
「W-Wait! There’s still one more! I know this! There is A-Rank Development Engineer who is aligned with the Stones—Vasily Igorevna Yakushev!」
Even Oedipus recognized how pitiful he sounded as he desperately clung to this final hope.
「That individual is recognized as part of Odysseus. Commencing communication with Vasily Igorevna Yakushev. —Complete. He will present his statement directly.」
Vasa?
Kou broke into a cold sweat at the unexpected turn of events.
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