What Do You Mean I'm The Captain Of A Yandere Mercenary Company? Chapter 2 Pirate Boarding Event

Ughh… My head…

I groaned, my face twisting in pain as the ache in my skull eased into a persistent ache.

Only then did I notice I was sprawled on the floor, which seemed odd since I'd been seated in the VR Capsule and shouldn't have ended up on the deck even if I blacked out.

Forcing myself upright, I stood as my sight cleared, unveiling a chamber that felt strange but vaguely recognizable.

Hold on… This isn't my bedroom? What in the world is this place?

Directly ahead stood what appeared to be a command center lined with control panels and multiple displays that hung dark for now. On either side of the bulkhead were additional console stations, each equipped with its own chair.

And beyond the command area lay a row of viewports revealing an endless expanse of stars.

Gradually, it hit me where I found myself.

This was the control deck of a beginner vessel from the game, unlocked by choosing the Mercenary trait.

In my view, it ranked among the top entry-level craft, offering superior armament over other starters and solid maneuverability too. Sure, its hold was smaller than the Merchant's, but it sufficed for minor transport tasks, ideal for kicking off a Mercenary playthrough.

Huh… So the simulation fired up successfully, huh? But where's the intro cinematic? Did I faint and bypass it entirely?

I glanced downward, scanning my avatar quickly.

Arms? Present. Sleek, extended limbs? Yes. Flowing silver locks cascading to my waist? Yep.

Feminine core? Confirmed. Rear? Plump. Chest? Perky, solid F-cups, inviting to the touch.

What? As if you've never heard of a dude crafting a girl character. Come on.

Hmm… Am I imagining things, or is it chilly here?

Hold up… Chilly? Why would I sense coldness? The VR pod doesn't simulate thermal shifts… So what's causing this chill?

Some fresh patch maybe? Yet the gear stayed the same, and no announcements mentioned anything like that?

Instinctively, I waved my hand to summon the system's interface.

Zero response.

Eh? What??

Wait, hold on… No way, no way… This has to be wrong…

I waved my hand repeatedly, but nothing changed.

A wave of vertigo hit me, forcing me to steady myself on the seat.

Impossible… Have I… Have I been transported to a different realm? Or here, a separate galaxy?

Did I perish back in my home dimension?

…

No, no, no…

Arrrghhh! Damn it all! If I'd foreseen this, I'd have lingered in the avatar builder! I should've boosted my height!! Or at least stretched the legs and flared the hips more!! Fuuuuck!

…

Haha… This… It's not some illusion, right? Is this truly happening? Have I really--

My musings cut short as the panel ahead chimed an alert.

[Warning! Sensing intense energy traces drawing near!]

I focused on the console, where the scanner indicated a marker steadily approaching my vessel.

Reaching forward, I pressed the display, my gaming instincts guiding me to activate the outer views.

A crimson craft bearing a clear skull and bones emblem on its hull was aligning to latch onto mine.

A pair of shapes were already drifting from their vessel toward my access port.

Fantastic… Bandits attempting to board right at launch? At least they're courteous enough not to vaporize me first…

For the moment… I'll assume this reality and tackle the pressing bandit issue head-on.

I moved to the rear of the command deck, where a sturdy metal locker was secured to the bulkhead.

If this mirrored the game's opening, basic armaments ought to be stocked inside. If not… I'm in deep trouble.

I swung the locker open and, to my relief, discovered a plasma handgun plus extra power packs stored within.

It wasn't impressive, but it beat bare hands.

Grabbing the firearm and reserves, I headed for the entryway, verifying the weapon's charge en route.

I flattened against the wall by the portal, concealed in the dimness as the outer seal hissed shut.

With trembling digits, I activated the panel nearby, pulling up a view of the exterior.

"You certain of this?" one raider queried.

"I said yes already. Didn't you check? The sensors indicated life support was down. Just the grav systems running. It's deserted."

"But it's pristine…"

"Then blast anyone you spot inside. That difficult? Now quiet down, I've got another lock to crack unless you wanna handle it."

"Damn… Alright…"

I deactivated the feed and disengaged the blaster's lock, powering it up as I hugged the wall tighter, praying they'd miss me upon entry.

A whoosh sounded, and the inner door began to revolve.

I eased into a crouch to stay hidden better, though I couldn't quell a slight tremor from nerves and eagerness.

The portal finally irised wide, and two sets of boots thudded aboard, the intruders casually scanning the shadowed hold of my craft.

The nearer one glanced at his arm device, "Huh… Air's still pressurized, but primary power's cut. Owner bailed quick."

Hearing that, both reached up to remove their headgear.

"Recall. Spot anyone, fire immediately, talk after. Understood?" The nearer bandit commanded.

They then drew their arms, each gripping what seemed like kinetic carbines.

I gradually raised my shooter toward the farther man's skull and held my breath.

This… This remains a simulation… A sim… A sim…

I pulled the trigger.

A globule of azure energy erupted from my barrel, striking the bandit squarely in the cranium.

The closer one jerked and spun toward his partner, that split-second lapse allowing me to swing my aim to his face, time dragging as my pulse thundered.

Another pull dispatched a plasma round into the remaining bandit's forehead, dropping him on the spot.

The pair collapsed in a heap with a thud, their rifles skittering across the deck.

I exhaled sharply.

Then the metallic tang of blood assaulted me, twisting my gut.

Oh no… This ain't virtual… Corpses linger, and scavenging means wrestling gear from lifeless grips…

I stared at my palms, seeing them quake visibly.

Yeah… No simulation here… I'd just ended two lives in mere moments…

I figured it'd be okay after countless VR kills that felt lifelike, but with senses not fully mirrored in-game… I wasn't ready for the raw deal.

A voice from the fallen forms snapped me alert, making me flinch.

"Oi, you lot secured the airlocks? Quick with the clamps, we're poised here."

I nearly fired at the corpse again before grasping it was their comms.

Right… Not out of danger… These were scouts paving way for the rest… No chance they'd haul spoils by spacewalk.

From the raider vessel's bulk, I'd estimate five or six crew, leaving perhaps four more to face…

What… What now?

Though I've honed VR combat skills to a solid level, death here means permanent end—no revives or do-overs.

Actual demise awaits if they drop me…

Escape possible?

Nope… They're linked now, so flight's blocked…

Fight it is, but solo against four?

They'll be wary without their pals at the threshold, so repeating the ambush seems unlikely.

Wait… That's the key!

Fine, high-stakes gamble, but beats sitting duck! Speed and fortune could seal it!

Okay, fingers crossed they tolerate a short delay…