What Do You Mean I'm The Captain Of A Yandere Mercenary Company? Chapter 800: Be Careful Of Workplace Harassment

Back at the station, conflicting emotions already churned inside me about this assignment.

It turned out my assumption about repeated flights for everyone was off base... In reality, the rest of the team only handled one circuit on their assigned routes, while Yumiko and I were the sole ones directed to perform extra sorties.

This implied... Those other aviators had been giving their all right from the initial attempt...

At least, that's my take on it.

Of course, there's a chance this was merely the morning session, with another test slated for later.

After all... It doesn't make sense that they'd assemble us all, suit us up in Exo-Knights, and dispatch us for just one quick evaluation, right?

For a basic agility check, why involve so many personnel?

Maybe it's because they've got excess funds, so they summon the entire staff for trials simply on a whim?

...

Upon reflection... That could very well be the truth...

I guided the Exo-Knight under my control to the original embarkation spot and linked it to the service dock, shutting down its systems as technicians moved in to inspect the unit.

After deactivating it, I emerged from the pilot's compartment, where one engineer expressed gratitude for my efforts, which I reciprocated politely.

I then joined up with my team, and the initial remark that reached me was Yumiko's muttered complaint: "Well, that was rather underwhelming... I had no idea their benchmarks were this lax..."

Ries furrowed her brow, "This could also shed light on why the recent batch of Exo-Knights from the prior series seemed barely enhanced..."

I pressed my lips together while eyeing them, "Are you implying... That these trial pilots are genuinely subpar?"

Yumiko affirmed with a nod, "Based on my assessment... These flyers likely never faced actual battle and have no need to maneuver Exo-Knights in fights... They're handling them more like casual playthings..."

Mara let out a soft laugh, "Fufu... To give them credit... In specific social spheres, that's essentially how it stands."

Of course... The elite class uses Exo-Knights for amusement... Not for real-world applications... And I figure they're major buyers for this firm too...

I was on the verge of probing the company's recruitment methods to end up with such operators when Gary's call echoed from nearby.

"All pilots! Assemble here!!"

I held back my inquiries for the moment and proceeded toward Gary with the other aviators.

Naturally, I kept my opinions on their abilities private and behaved as usual.

Even so, I noticed multiple individuals casting glances at our crew, and not all carried a welcoming vibe.

My squad deliberately positioned themselves a bit apart from the crowd, making it clear that the flyers' view of us had shifted dramatically since earlier.

Gary appeared to wrestle with how to address the situation before finally dismissing it with a head shake and a collective nod.

"Solid performance today. We're wrapping up for now, so feel free to head out. Miss Tera? Mind if you and your team linger a bit longer?"

His ask didn't catch me off guard, so I simply acknowledged it.

The remaining pilots murmured among themselves while beginning to scatter.

Gary then came over, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly as he halted before us.

"Okay... I guess I should start by saying sorry for my initial judgment of you and your crew... But first off, can you confirm if you've truly only begun piloting Exo-Knights in the recent past?"

I confirmed with a nod, "We obtained our certifications just days prior to the showcase. We even hurried to make it on time or we'd have missed it."

"Understood... Just to clarify... Your sole prior exposure to Exo-Knight controls was back in training?"

I nodded once more, "Exactly."

"Got it... One more thing: where exactly are you from?"

I hesitated on how to reply, but Amber stepped in, draping an arm around my shoulders with a sly smile as she materialized at my side.

"We're hailing from the Outer Colonies. Does that cover it?"

His gaze expanded in shock, and he scanned the area as if verifying no one caught our words.

Confirming privacy, he bent closer and murmured, "You're saying... The firm actually recruited you from the Outer Colonies?"

I rubbed my face awkwardly, "I wouldn't call it recruitment... Um... Theresa explained it before, remember? A band was attempting to hijack the latest Exo-Knights, and I was coincidentally present. Freshly trained in piloting, I hopped into one and repelled their controlled units to thwart the theft. Afterward, Theresa tracked me down and proposed a test pilot role. That's the story."

He winced, then shook his head, "Now it clicks... Sigh... This may come off as fake after my prior comments, but... Please keep your Outer Colony origins under wraps... Truth be told, it won't be pleasant for you here, and I'm sorry about that."

I nearly inquired further, but Mara interjected, "Is it due to your pilots struggling with a rookie outshining their expertise?"

Gary exhaled heavily, "You get the picture... When you're positioned as a seasoned pro in the organization, built up as elite talent... Then a fresh face shatters that facade... Discovering it's an Outer Colonist behind it will stir more than mere discontent..."

Amber inclined her head toward him, "And you? You wouldn't claim to be unlike them and hope we'd buy it, would you?"

He denied it with a shake, "Nope... I'm drawing from my own history. I'm an Outer Colonist too."

Ah... That prosthetic eye of his probably hinted at it, to be frank.

From what I recall, core world residents typically opt for genetic enhancements over cybernetic ones, since they're cheaper locally than in the fringes, plus it's about aesthetics.

Here, grafting tech into flesh gets viewed as beneath one's station.

I'd figured Gary was an exception among locals, maybe embracing it for style, but... This explains everything.

Having disclosed his roots, Gary sighed again, "That's precisely why I'm warning you—I've been through it. These folks cling to their self-proclaimed superiority despite evidence to the contrary. They dig in even when reality debunks their views, so... Stay vigilant, yeah?"

"I'm amazed you hold this role, then," I observed.

He gave a hollow laugh, "Put it this way: I battled relentlessly for recognition until they couldn't refuse. By that point, assigning me to oversee them felt logical. Who knows... You might even replace me soon, letting me bow out."

I lifted my hand a touch, "Actually, you unaware? We're just short-term. Not permanent staff—we're on contract."

His eyes bulged anew in astonishment before he muttered quietly to himself.

I braced for irritation, but he grinned instead, "Heh heh... Guess you ladies are wiser than me. Then again, seems my concern's misplaced. I've shared the essentials, and you're equipped to handle it, so I'll step back. Just... If possible... Avoid any fatalities, alright?"

Huh? Why assume we'd even consider—

"No guarantees," Amber giggled, clinging to my arm. "Depends on how they push us."

Gary grinned slyly, "Fair enough... Then ensure no traces, got it? I wouldn't want to cross paths with you in conflict."

"Since you'd be doomed?"

"Spot on... I value my life, after all..."

Without pausing for reply, he spun away with a casual wave over his shoulder.

Um... What just happened there?