Ch.41Discovery! (3)

# 041

“How did you know my name?”

Professor Chris’s jelly pudding-like body trembled every time he spoke.

It was quite impressive to see him quiver like jello being tapped with a spoon.

“I know that you stole perception-inhibiting fabric, mimicry suits, and research records from the Succubus planet and illegally entered Earth. Since I know all the circumstances, your name is just the basics of basics.”

“How could a primitive Earthling…”

Dexter responded to Professor Chris, who was being arrogant despite being caught.

“Come on, you got caught by primitive Earthlings who still use fossil fuels, yet you have so much to say?”

“…I have nothing to say.”

After Dexter’s self-deprecating joke, Professor Chris had nothing to say, just as he admitted.

“Let’s cut the unnecessary talk and I’ll ask you a few questions. Since we both know what’s going on, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t lie.”

Dexter said as he opened the file folder placed on the desk.

Inside the folder were questions that Himena should have been asking during the interrogation.

“Speak.”

“Ah, wait a moment. I’ll skip this… I already know this… I know most of these things already. Can any OSA agent answer me? Do I really need to ask these questions?”

As Dexter began self-censoring the questions, Himena’s voice came through the speaker attached to the corner of the interrogation room.

-I’ll ask Mr. Hughes about basic personal information, so you should ask the important questions. There are more questions on the next page.

“Really?”

Dexter turned to the next page of the document.

“These questions are better. Alright, I’ll ask a few questions.”

The OSA agents watching the situation in the interrogation room through CCTV each made comments.

“Who is that person?”

“You know, the guy who spent 15 years in space because our headquarters made a mistake.”

When the young male agent spoke, a female agent replied.

“Ah, I see. But he’s handsome. I’m interested.”

“I heard he doesn’t want to join OSA.”

“Why not?”

“He says it looks like too much work.”

“…This is why I don’t like perceptive people.”

The female agent looked at Himena, who was sipping coffee from a mug beside her, and said.

“Libero, why are you grinning like that?”

“Huh? Was I smiling?”

“Very much so. Someone might think he’s your boyfriend.”

At the female agent’s words, Himena replied with a sulky expression.

“Don’t even say that. He puts up such a wall. It’s practically titanium level… Wait, what did that Professor Chris just say?”

On the monitor displaying the CCTV feed, Dexter was scribbling something on the document.

“The reason you consumed cow blood was due to injuries sustained when your mimicry suit temporarily malfunctioned after colliding with a test subject during an experiment?”

“That’s right.”

“And the test subject was human?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Professor Chris said, wriggling left and right on the desk.

“Well, let’s say that’s the case, but why did you come to Earth in the first place?”

In response to Dexter’s question, Professor Chris wiggled his still wobbly body back and forth as he spoke.

“I’ve heard that about 7 billion people live on Earth where you live. Is that not correct?”

“Are there already 7 billion? When I was young, they said it was 6 billion.”

Professor Chris was flustered by Dexter’s casual remark.

“…? Anyway, do you know how many people live on the Succubus planet?”

“The Succubus planet is about the same size as Earth, right? So wouldn’t the population be similar?”

“Not even one-seventh. Less than 1 billion.”

Dexter frowned at Professor Chris’s assertion.

“That few?”

“It’s a very important issue for us. Especially since the residents of the Succubus planet, who reproduce asexually, all live with genetic diseases.”

“What kind of genetic disease?”

“Our bodies solidify.”

“What?”

“This liquid-like body hardens completely. Once it manifests, the entire body vitrifies within weeks, resulting in death. On our planet, we call it Trinite Syndrome, named after Dr. Trinity who first discovered the disease.”

Professor Chris spoke with a voice that clearly revealed his sorrow.

“You mean like the transparent glass used in windows?”

“That’s right.”

“Isn’t there any way to treat it?”

“There is. However, the poor cannot afford the treatment costs.”

Professor Chris raised one part of his body high and suddenly slammed it on the desk.

-Bang!

“How can we tolerate such a state of affairs! Medical care should be fairly provided to everyone!”

“Oh my, you startled me. But what does that have to do with coming to Earth?”

After a moment of silence, Professor Chris moved from side to side again and spoke.

“Why are there as many as 7 billion Earthlings?”

“Is that a question?”

Professor Chris didn’t answer Dexter’s question and continued moving from side to side as he spoke.

“A few years ago, I heard that an Earthling like you visited our planet.”

“And?”

“I’ve heard that finding Earthlings in space isn’t that difficult these days.”

Professor Chris stopped abruptly.

“The fact that encounters with Earthlings in space are increasing, despite Earth having technology incapable of interstellar travel, strongly suggests that other aliens are bringing Earthlings into space. This indicates that even to other aliens, Earthlings have very high physical versatility.”

‘I don’t think that’s particularly true.’

Dexter wanted to object, but he remained quiet for now, fearing that Professor Chris would annoy him with numerous questions.

“Also, I’ve heard that there are various races in different regions. Looking at Earth’s history, the human population has exploded since around the 19th century.”

“So?”

“Wouldn’t studying Earthlings allow us to learn about methods for explosive population growth, genetic diversity, and physical versatility?”

“What?”

“I’ve seen publications and numerous reproductive videos published on Earth. Your reproductive activities unfold quite differently from the residents of our Succubus planet.”

All voices in the interrogation room were recorded and documented.

The agents watching the situation through CCTV were perplexed.

“So, an alien is watching Earth’s erotic novels and porn?”

“We’ve suddenly become a planet exporting sexual culture.”

“I bet Germany or Japan would dominate that export market.”

Unaware of the OSA agents’ reactions, Professor Chris continued passionately.

“As it happens, I received an offer asking if I’d be interested in collaborating on a project on Earth! Yes, this was my opportunity! Let’s directly explore and discover Earthlings’ sex lives! So I came to this planet with my dedicated disciple and graduate research assistant!”

Professor Chris’s entire body was now undulating.

“You call me an illegal entrant? Ha! Don’t make me laugh! The only way to discover this Earthling species diversity, their amazing reproductive activities, and physical versatility is through DNA collection and hands-on research!”

Setting aside the logical progression, Dexter pointed out the extremely unique research method.

“So, you… had intense encounters with Earth men… is that what you’re saying?”

“Sadly, I have no sex. However, looking at Earth’s publications and videos, it seemed much easier to target men than women.”

When comparing men and women, men can relatively be considered the gender with stronger sexual desire.

Understanding this, Dexter concluded with a disgruntled expression.

“So you configured your mimicry suit as an Earth woman and… collected samples?”

“Correct!”

Dexter, who had been listening quietly, stopped trying to understand the logical progression, scratched his head, and said.

“Um, then why do the men faint with anemia symptoms?”

“Obviously, collecting both semen and blood from Earth men allows me to obtain twice the DNA, doesn’t it? Of course, I processed everything carefully so no wounds remained.”

Dexter was left speechless at Professor Chris’s confidence.

No matter how much he wanted to obtain Earth human DNA, it was unclear how OSA would punish activities that bordered on kidnapping and involved nightly sexual encounters using a mimicry suit.

-Just a moment, Mr. Hughes.

Himena’s voice flowed through the speaker.

“Yes, Himena.”

-Professor Chris. What do you mean by project proposal?

“…Oh, dear.”

Professor Chris sighed as if he had made a mistake.

-Mr. Hughes, please ask.

“Now that I think about it, what project exists on Earth?”

As soon as Dexter heard the word “project,” he recalled the conversation he had with Eliya via messenger.

‘She definitely mentioned someone saying strange things about giving money and honor on Earth.’

“Don’t tell me you accepted some absurd proposal about giving you money and honor for participating in a project on Earth?”

“…If I participated in the project, they said they would provide not only the costs for my research but also housing and all means of transportation.”

The conversation was taking an ominous turn.

“So, what is this project?”

“The head of the project, or the ‘Chief Commander,’ called it… Project Y.”

‘Chief Commander.’

If “Chief Commander” means the highest-ranking commander, it suggests that many others besides Professor Chris are participating in the project.

“Are there many project participants besides you, Professor?”

“I don’t know.”

Dexter made a dumbfounded sound at Professor Chris’s resolute answer.

“What?”

“All I saw was the Chief Commander’s messenger. In Earth terms, it’s what you call a cell organization, isn’t it?”

“So you only know about the part of the project you’re assigned to?”

“That’s right.”

Dexter felt like he might end up working at OSA for the rest of his life if he got entangled in this situation any further.

He didn’t want to be involved in such complicated problems anymore.

Dexter, who partly wanted to escape to Earth because he was sick of this kind of life, looked toward the surveillance camera, wanting to distance himself as much as possible.

“Himena. I think I need to step out of this now.”

-No, why?

Dexter replied in a casual tone to Himena’s surprised voice.

“I feel like I won’t be able to remain a civilian if I access this information.”

-No way! This is the most critical moment!

“Come on, we’ve already established it’s a cell organization, and would someone like me with no scientific knowledge understand the project content anyway?”

-Even so!

“No, it’s not happening. Call in a professional agent, and I’m going to clock out.”

Professor Chris asked in a puzzled voice.

“Aren’t you an OSA agent?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Then what are you?”

“A guard at a private prison.”

Professor Chris nodded as if he had heard of it.

“Ah, a private jail guard?”

“…That’s right.”

“Damn it all. So I wasn’t even caught by a professional?”

“I guess that’s the case?”

After hearing Dexter’s explanation, Professor Chris slumped on the desk.

He looked like a spilled cup of water on the desk.

“Sigh… caught by a civilian.”

“I’m not exactly a civilian.”

“Be quiet. Hah, I was surprised when you said you knew about Tenpenny Corporation….”

“I actually do know about it. Eliya Tenpenny is my friend.”

As Dexter said with a smirk, Professor Chris, who had been completely slumped, suddenly gathered himself with remarkable speed.

“What did you say your last name was?”

“Hughes.”

“…Could you be the Earth human security team leader who was Eliya Tenpenny’s closest confidant…?”

“I don’t know about now, but I used to be.”

Professor Chris was undulating ceaselessly on the desk.

Seeing Professor Chris moving so busily, Dexter frowned.

“I-I-I didn’t recognize you!”

“It’s ancient history. I quit a while ago.”

Dexter shrugged his shoulders.

Ignoring Professor Chris, who was still trembling, Dexter looked toward the surveillance camera and said.

“Oh, right. Himena or whoever, please come in. I really need to clock out. It’s already 11 o’clock. I have work tomorrow too.”

Shortly after Dexter pointed at his wristwatch, a female agent wearing glasses entered.

“May I take over?”

“Yes, you may. But Agent Himena is looking for Dexter right now….”

“Is she? Well, I can meet her before I leave.”

When Dexter left the interrogation room, Agent Himena was leaning against the wall outside, staring at him.

“Are you really doing this?”