What Do You Mean I'm The Captain Of A Yandere Mercenary Company? Chapter 831: They’re Really Obsessing Over It

From Clement, I obtained the delivery details, as some wealthy fellow in a distant system desired this creature transported to him.

Regrettably, their plans for the turtle stayed undisclosed, so the beast's destiny remains unknown to me.

Based on my knowledge of such affluent types, they likely seek the creature as an exotic pet or similar novelty.

Regardless, it's none of my concern so long as payment arrives...

Of course, retaining the creature was an option, yet its hostility toward me posed a threat to my crew, and I'd choose my girls over any stray beast every time.

To move the turtle aboard, I feigned possession of a strength-enhancing gene mod, hoisting the creature overhead toward my vessel.

I feared the smugglers might probe after witnessing that feat, but astonishingly, they stayed silent.

My guess? They were thrilled someone else handled the turtle, ignoring all else.

Alternatively, those with such gene mods might be commonplace in the Inner Colonies, rendering it unremarkable...

The turtle tolerated the carry, though it snapped at me once more when my face neared its jaws.

No cause for alarm, as Renata's armor still clad me fully.

In the cargo bay's corner, I deposited the turtle and fetched the original containment unit for Ries to repair.

After all, the client wouldn't fancy me parading the beast through the station openly... Since they hired smugglers, secrecy from public eyes during daylight transport seems key.

…

Incidentally... What sustenance does this turtle require? Surely we'll need to feed it en route?

Clement claimed ignorance when queried, noting the creature was meant for enclosure without feeding directives.

I planned to offer meat, mimicking its earthly counterpart's diet.

Hopefully that won't prove fatal... Ironic if the turtle shrugged off gunfire yet perished from improper fare.

With the turtle secured aboard, matters persisted: Clement faced security questioning for jumping systems sans hail response.

A security squad boarded his craft; fearing cargo inspection and smuggler exposure leading to arrest, I readied intervention.

Luckily, he spun a tale of an unidentified beast infiltrating his ship, explaining his predicament.

Corpses littering the cargo bay lent credibility, deterring thorough searches amid the mess, so they accepted his account.

His questioners pitied him and released him swiftly.

Such captain strandings in void weren't uncommon, making his yarn believable.

They overlooked his unregistered vessel—a glaring issue—distracted by the alien cadavers overflowing the hold...

Pre-departure, Clement messaged assurance of prime buyers for my goods, promising funds post-sale.

Had Credits abounded, I'd have sold directly, letting him recoup via black market; lacking funds for full purchase, we agreed on his ten percent sales cut.

Trusting smugglers on mere promises was folly, demanding collateral returnable post-sale.

Yet they possessed naught of equal value, complicating trust sans guarantee.

Enter red-haired Renata to resolve it: she'd escort the smugglers, overseeing against flight with my wares.

Smugglers eyed her pointedly, lust evident, but understandably—Renata boasts an alluring form... I've explored beneath her maid attire endlessly and remain captivated.

Renata's safety concerns me less than theirs...

Without my oversight, who knows Renata's eldritch antics toward them?

Lacking superior alternatives, I dispatched Renata alongside, smugglers vowing her care and safe return post-transaction.

Prior to departure, Renata harvested abundant honey into jars, stowing them within her red-haired duplicate.

Truly, it seems my honey fuels you...

I bid them fortune; smugglers departed system with cargo.

Back at station, Iridescence docked at the arm as I headed hangar-ward.

Nearing the pad, a throng assembled, many irate, barred by a small contingent from the landing zone.

Ship engines silenced, I descended the ramp; uproar erupted instantly.

"Look!! Look!! Fresh scratches mar the ship!! How dare she?!!"

"Damaging a priceless treasure!! Arrest her!!"

"See?! Idiots like her flying causes this!! Lock her away!!"

"Compensate the damages!!"

"Yeah!! Surrender the ship!! We'll cherish it better!!"

…

You’ve got to be kidding me...

Among the crowd-controllers, one shot me a weary glance, disavowing their views.

Arms folded toward the mob, I retorted, "Haven't you better pursuits?"

One brandished his fist, "We're safeguarding an artifact you've needlessly scarred!! Any conscience?!!"

I motioned rearward, "I'm utilizing it rightly... Not rusting in obscurity... That's its purpose, no?"

"Unfit for your use!! Preserve it!!"

"What's an object without use? Not crumbling or obsolete—fully operational for stellar voyages..."

"Exactly!! Sole pristine original Verlandi, treated as knockoff!! Outrageous?!"

"Recall: my ship, my grace lets you behold it. Absent me, you'd never glimpse one closely?"

"Thus, prevent further abuse!! Hidden harms unknown?!"

Geez... Utter lunatics...

Enough, no dealing with this...

To the restrainers, "Handle them, then..."

Ignoring rearward yells, I departed wearily.

Never anticipated such ship frenzy...

Typical of rabid fans, I suppose...