Administrator by Mayumura Taku

Author:Mayumura, Taku
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science fiction, Japanese science fiction, Japanese SF, Robots, Alien contact, Interstellar colonies
ISBN: 9784902075779
Publisher: Kurodahan Press
Published: 2019-05-13T16:00:00+00:00

– 4 –

The luxuriant growth of flowers thronging both sides of the road seemed to have floated up as one, bathing in the sun.

“It’s as beautiful as they say,” said Samielle PKA Freyn as the car left the starport. “And the fragrances are wonderful. Even for a while, I’d like to live on this world.”

“...”

Kazeta glanced at Samielle’s profile. When he first got off at the starport, Kazeta thought he hadn’t changed a bit from the old days, but seen from this close, the once-stern face had softened, and his hair had thinned. He’d gotten at least that old. Maybe Kazeta looked the same in Samielle’s eyes.

Even so, I wonder what Samielle meant by that, thought Kazeta. He must have heard about what happened on Tayuneine, and to Administrators who came here.

Cynicism?

Samielle wasn’t the type of man to speak cynically.

“Compared to when you were an Administrator, how is it now?” he asked.

“...Mmm.” Samielle left his answer at that, and without even trying to add anything, counter-questioned Kazeta.

“Cadet Thomas PPKA Jackson should be here just now, right?”

“Mmm. He’s here.”

Kazeta had left him in the Administration Complex.

“Something about Thomas?”

“No, no nothing.”

Samielle shook his head once, and turned his eyes out the window again.

The car kept moving.

“I read your situation report on Tayuneine just before I came in,” said Samielle. “Is it still the same now?”

“It’s gotten worse,” answered Kazeta bluntly.

“Tell me about it.”

Kazeta summarized the current situation, explaining it.

“So I’m part of the cause of the trouble,” said Samielle as if it were humorous. “I guess I can’t make a public inspection, then.”

He’s changed, thought Kazeta. The huge anger he used to have has vanished. Kazeta thought he liked the new Samielle better.

Suddenly SQ2A, sitting next to Kazeta, began to speak.

“SQ1 wishes to communicate with the Administrator.”

“Connect us.”

SQ1 began to speak through SQ2A’s contact.

“The unassigned Administrator has commanded SQ2D and its group to make preparations to go out. It is not listed on his schedule, so I am reporting it to you.”

“Go out? Where to?”

“SQ2D has received an order to go to the ruins where the greatest number of colonists have gathered. According to LQ1, the site corresponding to that command at this time is east-northeast of the Administration Complex, at a distance of about forty kilometers.”

Kazeta knew the spot, as it was the location of the largest ruins.

“Will you issue a cancellation order?” asked SQ1.

“No, let him go,” directed Kazeta. He wanted to see what Thomas would do. Then he ordered SQ2A to direct the car to those ruins.

Overgrown with trees and flowers, huge slabs of stone, step-like, were scattered in a complex arrangement across the huge caldera-shaped space, bathed in an eerie light.

The ruins.

It was still a mystery what those huge stones had been used for, what kinds of buildings had been erected on top of them. The silent existence of those scattered monoliths seemed to be smiling, sneering, at the humans trying to fathom the civilization of the native inhabitants.

But it was different now than it had always been.

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