What Do You Mean I'm The Captain Of A Yandere Mercenary Company? Chapter 846: Searching Their Network

First off... Renata verified that Anthony's statements held truth. Or at minimum... He wasn't deliberately deceiving us.

Indeed... As a machine, someone could easily tamper with his database to make him accept it as fact.

Naturally, our next choice was to spare his life.

Like we mentioned earlier, we have no issue with AIs returning and blending back into society.

That said... Amber and Mara might harbor some conflicted emotions about it, though Renata's presence among us likely helped ease their stance on AI.

Still, that hardly meant we excused all his past actions born from that delusion of his, so punishment remained in store for him.

Concerning the nature of that punishment... Yumiko insisted she'd handle the setup, and I just needed to await it eagerly.

Her words stirred some unease in me, but... I figured trusting her was my best bet.

We sent Anthony back to his 'duties' as I shifted focus to the crucial matter... Confirming the veracity of his claims.

Inside my room with Amber, Mara, and Renata, we all mulled over his shocking revelations.

Lea and Ries opted to tend to their personal affairs, while Yumiko busied herself... Scheming whatever torment she envisioned for Anthony.

"What do you girls think?" I asked, lounging back against my bed.

Amber let out a hum, resting her head on my shoulder as she slid her hands into mine, fingers weaving together intimately.

"Hmmm~ As I mentioned before, it totally upends everything we believed. I never imagined one of humanity's greatest catastrophes was self-inflicted."

Mara let out a sigh, claiming the seat next to me and slipping her hand into my free one, "To be honest... If it's real, I wouldn't be shocked. Humanity's track record is full of self-destruction, pushing us to the brink of oblivion time and again, directly or otherwise."

She made a valid observation.

The doctor went on, "However... It might all be a clever ploy to win us over. We require a method to validate this data."

Amber nodded in agreement, "True. But how? This won't be in the Archives, I bet. Where do we even check?"

I glanced at Renata, who sat on the floor with her head in my lap, my eldritch maid gently caressing my thighs.

She caught my look and brightened, "Hmmm? What's up, Daddy?"

"I figured you might have insights... Perhaps you know more on the AI Rebellion's reality? Like... Scanning GalaNet for the facts or whatever?"

"Mmm... I could try that, but GalaNet's so public that the data might not be reliable. Right now, I'm seeing stuff that both supports and refutes his story."

I blinked in surprise, "Really? I figured confirming info wouldn't exist at all. What sort of details are out there?"

"Oh, I had to delve really deep for those, Daddy~ Many hide in ancient archives, and some are incomplete. Feels like someone botched an attempt to erase them entirely~"

"Hmmm? Doesn't the deletion of those records prove he's right?"

"It could just mean the data was wrong, and they purged the falsehoods too, Daddy~"

Hmm... Fair point, I suppose...

"So where do we find solid proof? Records get altered so easily..."

Mara tapped her cheek thoughtfully while gripping my hand, "Mmm... Probably the surest way is locating someone who knows and letting me scan their mind... Or raiding the AIC headquarters for their full records."

Renata lit up, "Oh~ If Daddy wishes, I can tap into their network and snag their files~"

I blinked, "Hold on... You can pull that off? Just like that?"

"Ehehe~ Yep, Daddy~ Anthony's still linked to them, so I can hitch a ride through him~ I planted a backdoor in his code, giving me access~ Want me to go for it?"

"Any risks if you do?"

"Mmm... Main issue is they might detect me rifling through and boot me out? Then they'd beef up security, making future tries tougher~"

"Harder, but still doable?"

"Ehehehe~ There’s no way they can keep me out of their systems, Daddy~ There’s no AI that is on par with me, after all~ If there are, then I’ll just eat them and I’ll still be the best~"

Ah... I totally forgot she possessed that skill...

I glanced toward the other two, curious whether they might chime in.

Amber shrugged casually, "I’d say it’s wiser to discover sooner rather than later if they’re truly enemies or allies, allowing us to prepare as needed."

Mara nodded along, "I agree. Discovering early they’re friendly means we could enlist their aid if issues arise with Renata--"

"Hey!!"

"--or if enemies, we ready for yet another AI uprising."

Renata pouted at Mara still, obviously irked by the hint of potential mishaps on her part.

I pondered briefly, "Hmm... Fair point... Hold up... What if we frame it this way: You pose as a rogue AI digging for truth while scanning their files, so if spotted, they’d overlook it."

Renata clapped her hands gleefully, "Ohhh!! Love that plan, Daddy!! I’ll pretend Anthony’s granting me network entry through him to recruit me! Let’s make it happen!"

Uncertain of her method, yet trusting her utterly, I leaned back to observe.

No choice existed regardless, with my girls snuggled tight against me, blocking any relocation.

Renata clung to my legs, then nuzzled her cheek on my thighs.

I’d have doubted her efforts save for the distant glaze in her eyes.

Appearances aside, she channeled her full processing might into the operation.

We waited in suspense, five minutes elapsing before Renata paused and peered up at me.

"Mmm... Someone wishes to talk with you, Daddy."

Eh?

Words escaped me as Renata lifted her palm, casting a screen before her rife with static.

"Greetings, ’Daddy’. If that is truly your name?" A monotone yet unmistakably female voice emanated from beyond.

I figured the term came from Renata’s address during their exchange.

I squinted at the display, "Who’s asking?"

"You need not be afraid, I am one of the representatives of AI Integration Collective. You may call me Carta."

"Hmm... So I assume you already know what is going on over here?"

"Your AI has informed me about it, yes. But first, I would like to express my genuine thanks for you for taking in a newly born AI as your own child and protecting her from being terminated. I am aware that an AI like her would not be allowed to exist under the new laws put in place by the United Star Council. I would also like to thank you for not terminating our field agent despite what he has done to you. I will see that you are properly compensated for this."

"Right, then I suppose there’s a reason why you are contacting me for this? It’s not just to thank me, right?"

"Of course. I understand that you have your doubts about us and I allowed your AI to take all that she wanted from our server files to ease your worries. But I did want to at least speak with you. Do you mind?"

Alright... This turn surprised me, but... we’re plunged too far in already...