Rising Rays of the New Century: Tale of the Japanese Empire

Crisis of the Solar System

This is a short chapter.

- Bokutotsu Zen'u

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July 18, 2199

Mars

The 3rd Largest City Seleno Aqua

Off the coast of the third city of Mars, Seleno Aqua, the space vessel Meenan, headquarters of the Space Drifters Union Queen's Court, is anchored. With the Queen visiting Earth, this vessel serves as an intermediary between the Earth inspection group and the mothership, facilitating regular communications to ensure the Queen's safety is conveyed to the mothership.

"This is the Earth inspection group, there's a delay in regular communication due to a disaster on Earth called a typhoon. No harm to Her Majesty, convey to the mothership immediately."

"This is Mazner, understood."

Due to the influence of a typhoon, the scheduled communication for this day arrived on Mars five hours late. The communication personnel of the Earth inspection group promptly instructed them to contact the mothership.

"This is the Queen's Court at Mazner, transmission received from the Earth inspection group. No abnormalities with Her Majesty. Awaiting response upon reception of communication. Over."

It takes five hours even at the speed of light from Mars to Pluto. Therefore, interplanetary communication only involves the transmission of one-sided messages, unable to facilitate real-time conversations. Hence, neither the Earth inspection group nor the officials of the Queen's Court stationed on Mars had any means to grasp the situation unfolding on the mothership. And this five-hour delay led to the greatest crisis in human history.

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Meanwhile

Space Drifters Union mothership colony center, Orbit of Pluto

The square located in front of the Queen's Court and the Royal Palace was crowded with numerous citizens. Some were in shock and tears upon hearing the news of the Queen's death, while others stood dazed, and still others, in accordance with the declaration from the Executive Branch, called for retaliation against Earth. This scene was captured by surveillance drones patrolling the downtown area and delivered in real-time as video footage to the Grand Conference Room of the Executive Branch.

In the Grand Conference Room, twelve men and women sat around a round table. Leading the meeting was the Charian Prime Minister, Ganvo Le Mansi, followed by representatives of the eleven races under the Kyrites' umbrella: Lainer, Jinbie, Tenkorl, Cyma, Lujan, Karya, Dymers, Rindoor, Gentark, and Champer. Representing Kyrie is Luciela Celt Faiers, a woman sent by the Queen's Court to the Executive Branch as an advisor and auditor.

"...Shall we begin the meeting?" Ganvo, serving as chairman, spoke up.

Following him, Goba Lenari, the leader of the Cyma, a race that evolved from birds, spoke. "...There's no overt panic, but the populace has been informed of Her Majesty's death, and they are filled with turmoil and pessimism."

Goba pointed to the projected image in the air, explaining the state of the citizens.

"A declaration of war against Earth... while the reasons are understandable, there should have been at least some communication with us."

"Indeed. Even though outwardly, we eleven races are considered equals..."

The representatives of the mechanized humanoid Jinbie and the humanoid Tenkorl chided the Charians, who unilaterally decided on total warfare against Earth, and Ganvo.