What Do You Mean I'm The Captain Of A Yandere Mercenary Company? Chapter 817: Are You Going To Make Our Exo-Knights?

"I'm amazed you really allowed them to see it, Boss," Ries remarked as I worked on lunch.

I coughed lightly, "Ahem... You say that like I handed over the vessel... I merely docked it in their storage for inspection. And don't pretend you weren't doing the exact same aboard our own craft."

Since acquiring the Iridescence, Ries often used her spare moments to admire the Verlandi in the hangar. I didn't object at all; in truth, I thought it was rather endearing.

Amber shot me a sharp glance, "Don't you fear someone tampering with your ride, Tera?"

"Ah, I've removed every personal item from it already, so no concerns there," I reassured her, focusing on the steak sizzling before me. "Plus... Should the station face an assault, it'd be quicker for me to launch from here rather than returning to ours."

Lea cocked her head toward me, "What if somebody attempts to hijack it, Mistress?"

"Well... I trust no fool would attempt such a thing. But should anyone dare... They'd likely end up deceased."

Indeed, by permitting them to tour my ship, I'm granting them a privilege... So if they exploit it, I'd eliminate them.

Amber chuckled, "Ehehe~ That's incredibly alluring, Tera~"

"Since I'm handling the cooking right now."

"You get my point~"

Mara rested against the counter, "I'm more astonished that you consented to this without charge, Captain."

"Oh, it's far from gratis. I've secured their Chief Researcher and Chief Engineer to assist in designing and constructing our Exo-Knights. We're actually heading to their facility shortly to provide the desired specs."

Ries startled with a jump, "Eh?!! Boss?! You convinced their leaders to aid in crafting our Exo-Knights?! How in the world?!"

"I'd say it's obvious, right? They're huge enthusiasts of the Verlandi as well, so they bartered their support for access to the ship."

Yumiko cleared her throat, "Ahem... I suspect it's beyond that, Mistress. The reality is, your intimate encounters with them likely influenced it greatly."

I paled, uncertain of how the rest might respond to my liaisons with those two... Truth be told, I hadn't realized Yumiko was aware.

Amber swiftly positioned herself behind me and began fondling my breasts from the rear, "Ohhhh~ Tera enjoyed others without inviting us? So indulgent~"

I stifled a gasp before glaring at Amber, "What have I told you about this during meal prep?"

"Ehehehe~ It's harmless, yeah? This unit avoids open fires~ And should flames erupt, I'd handle it~"

Tsk... She's got me there...

"Back to the subject... How did those two perform?" Amber inquired, squeezing my breasts once more.

"No remarks... You'll encounter them soon enough and judge for yourselves."

"Ehhh~ I crave details on their sensations while you dominated them though..."

I chose silence on that and focused on the cooking, permitting her to continue with my breasts as she pleased.

At last, lunch was ready, and the girls became fully engrossed in my dish, granting me a temporary reprieve from their probes.

After satisfying our appetites, we proceeded to the lab where I'd scheduled a session with Rosalia and Friederike to deliberate on the Exo-Knights they'd craft for us.

Entering the lab, I spotted Friederike bent over her workstation, tinkering with a device she'd set on the surface.

Hmm... Where might Rosalia be? Still in the hangar examining my ship? It's been hours, after all. Doesn't she have duties?

Friederike sensed our approach and stood upright, offering me a nod, "You've arrived, Tera. I presume those with you are your team members?"

I affirmed, "Correct, they're the ones I'd stake my life on."

I caught some sighs from the group but opted to disregard them and pressed on, "But where is Rosalia? I figured she'd join us?"

"She's present, just wait a sec."

She bent low and pulled at something before rising again.

Shortly after, a tousled Rosalia emerged from underneath, the bunny girl swiping her sleeve across her lips with a victorious expression.

"I made you climax, didn't I?!" She beamed.

"Yes, yes... Merely twice, so you lost regardless."

"I could've claimed a third!"

"Time expired, so defeat is yours."

"What?! Why-- Oh! Tera, you're here!! We can begin now!!"

She hadn't even spotted us...

She brushed off her clothes before waving us over, "Approach! I'm truly eager to learn your vision for the Exo-Knight! You might inspire breakthroughs for our upcoming versions!"

She stepped from behind the desk with Friederike trailing, disclosing that both remained bare below the waist.

Rosalia's erection stood firm, jutting ahead and swaying with her steps. And upon closer inspection... Clear fluid still trickled along Friederike’s legs.

My companions and I exchanged glances but chose silence on the matter.

We entered a rear chamber of the lab, equally striking with numerous displays and holograms showcasing diverse Exo-Knight prototypes.

Egg-like seats occupied the middle, and Rosalia bounded into one while Friederike took the adjacent.

They're still utterly exposed from the waist down, mind you.

"Grab a chair!" Rosalia indicated the remaining ones.

I lifted my hand promptly, "We're fine... Standing works if that's okay..."

The rabbit girl shrugged, "As you wish~ Let's dive in!! That Theresa already briefed us on your deal including custom Exo-Knights for your whole team, correct?"

I nodded, "Is that excessive?"

Friederike activated a display featuring images of each of us in one corner, "In typical scenarios... It'd be unprecedented... You're requesting six top-tier tenth generation Exo-Knights, all tailored... Each alone costs tens to hundreds of millions in Credits at minimum. That's excluding armaments and gear. Times six... That's a fortune, even for our outfit."

Rosalia agreed, "Hmm~ Hmm~ And with me and this goat wench participating, we're funding it from company resources! So your Exo-Knights' price will skyrocket!"

I scowled, "So... Does that mean it's impossible?"

The rabbit girl shook her head vigorously, "No, no, no~ As we noted, 'under normal circumstances'! Yours aren't normal at all, Tera! You've supplied such valuable data that we're likely the ones getting the better end of the bargain!"

Truly? I mean... We only piloted those Exo-Knights... We didn't provide physical items, did we?

As if anticipating my doubt, Friederike elaborated, "Reluctant as I am to confess... Our Exo-Knight advancements have stalled lately. I blamed our lack of fresh ideas... But now it's clear our pilots grew too comfortable, avoiding risks and extremes. They stick to safe protocols rather than challenging thresholds."

Rosalia folded her arms, "Exactly!! Consequently, our data never meets our goals! Had I realized sooner, I'd have demanded more from them!! But nooooo~ They insist we pamper them as stars and assets since they alone grasp the machines through piloting! Utter nonsense!"

Huh... So, if I grasp correctly... The pilots' shortcomings partly fuel these two's conflicts?

Essentially, the lackluster outcomes led them to point fingers at one another?

Wow... You two endure quite the ordeal...