What Do You Mean I'm The Captain Of A Yandere Mercenary Company? Chapter 858: They Don’t Like Him That Much

I relayed all the information gleaned from my meeting with Kaito to my girls.

"So... the plan is to infiltrate a heavily guarded base with that... Thing?" Ries questioned, her brow furrowed.

I gave a confirming nod. "Essentially."

"But *how* would we manage such a feat?" she pressed.

"Well... I've considered a few approaches... One involves Renata discreetly transporting it. Given her demonstrated ability to swallow the entire object without any outward change in her size, this seems feasible..." I explained, gesturing towards her.

Indeed, the turtle remained lodged within Renata at this very moment, even after the police had departed our vessel. Caution dictated keeping it concealed, just in case of any unexpected reappearances.

Renata beamed, looking at me with eager eyes. "Then shall I proceed immediately, Daddy?"

I held up a hand to halt her. "Not just yet... I'm uncertain if Kaito revealed his complete intentions. It's possible he's been deceptive, maneuvering me into alignment with him. I need to ascertain the veracity of his claims first."

Mara tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "Would you like me to attempt mind-reading, Captain?"

I declined with a shake of my head. "Regrettably, I doubt another meeting would be possible. He explicitly stated he wished for our conversation to remain confidential, and he'll likely bar me from his office until this task is concluded."

"Mmm... Understood... Are you contemplating speaking with that Yuki woman, then?"

"That is precisely my intention... but first..."

I retrieved my Codex and initiated a call to Clement.

After a brief delay, the smuggler appeared on screen, having evidently found a secluded spot. "Mistress T?" he greeted, adopting the alias my girls had instructed him to use. "Ah! Checking in, are we? I'm delighted to report our sales have been remarkably successful! I've secured some excellent buyers for your merchandise!"

I acknowledged his report with a nod. "Hmm... Excellent. Any complications on your end?"

"None whatsoever, Mistress T! This is our area of expertise, after all! We know precisely what we're doing!"

"Good. Depending on your proceeds, a bonus might be in order."

His eyes widened with excitement. "R-Really?! Oh! I shall not let you down, Mistress T! Thank you!!"

A little incentive goes a long way, I mused.

Especially considering my next requirement from him.

"Clement..."

"Yes, Mistress T?"

"Just an update... we've arrived at the designated station for the turtle's delivery. How do we proceed with the... exchange?"

He let out a sharp intake of breath. "Oh! You must transmit a specific ping, detectable only by them! My apologies, I overlooked that crucial detail! Allow me to send you the required frequency! Upon receiving your signal, they will initiate contact with the question: 'Is the shell prepared?' Your response must be: 'It has yet to come out.'"

What an unconventional, almost clandestine, arrangement, I thought. It felt like something out of a noir crime film.

Regardless...

I acknowledged his instructions. "Do you happen to know the identity of the recipient?"

He grimaced slightly. "I... have a suspicion, but I wasn't explicitly informed. Only that they possess considerable influence."

"And who might that be?"

"Well... My information suggests it's an individual named Yuki Nakamura. She commands a syndicate family within the Inner Colonies and wields significant power in the private security and arms trade sectors. That's the public facade, at least... However, those of us operating in the black market know she has deep involvement there too, with a criminal network so vast it could shatter your life if you cross her... especially for someone whose livelihood depends on navigating this market."

"I see... Does she have any adversaries?"

He let out a chuckle. "Ahahaha, naturally. While her influence is substantial, she doesn't hold a complete monopoly. Rival syndicates and corporations constantly vie for a larger market share. This benefits independent operators like us, as it provides cover for our own clandestine activities, hahaha!"

"In that case... what information do you possess regarding a certain Kaito Matsumoto?"

A simultaneous exclamation arose from both Ries and Yumiko.

"Did you just mention Kaito Matsumoto, Boss?!"

"Mistress, you encountered Kaito Matsumoto?!!"

I blinked in surprise. "Eh? Did I not mention his name? I thought I distinctly said the person I met was him?"

My girls exchanged confused glances and shook their heads.

Ah... it dawned on me. I had apparently been referring to him as 'that CEO guy' during our previous discussions. My mistake.

"Judging by your reactions... I presume this individual is quite well-known?"

Instead of the expected praise, Ries’s face contorted with disgust. "He founded Kaito Business Holdings... a private security firm that rapidly ascended by acquiring smaller companies. Rumor has it they recruited ex-convicts and even engaged in piracy to finance their operations. But that’s not the worst of it; he's invested in arms manufacturers, hoarding advanced weaponry and gear from public release! All that power, kept solely for himself!!"

My inner monologue found it peculiar that she considered the hoarding of weapons less egregious than his alleged use of criminals for piracy. Surely, manufacturing arms for personal company use and withholding them from public sale was a reasonable and legal endeavor?

But then again, what did I know?

Turning to Yumiko, I saw a similar scowl marring her features. I could already guess the reason.

"He's... Matsumoto’s cousin..." she spat, her expression radiating a desire to strangle someone.

"I see... So, I’m assuming he also did something to you both?"

"Where do you think he got the funds to buy out those smaller companies? When my unit was declared 'lost,' he seized all of his cousin's assets and claimed them as his own."

Okay, this changes things. I’m now quite convinced it was wise that we didn’t place our trust in this individual based solely on his word.

My attention shifted back to Clement, who recognized my unspoken request for his opinion.

He scratched his head. "Umm... I don't know much about him, as... I don't believe he's involved in the black market. However, I have vaguely heard of that company occasionally. That's all I know."

"Right. Do you happen to know why this Yuki person would be interested in the turtle you're smuggling?"

Clement paused, glancing around as if to ensure privacy, before leaning in to whisper.

"This is purely speculative, assuming she's the one who desired the creature originally... But I've heard rumors she maintains a private zoo, collecting exotic beings for her personal collection. I can't confirm its veracity, but that's what the whispers suggest..."

Hmm... Intriguing.

Alright, let's avoid jumping to any hasty conclusions.

I nodded at Clement. "Thank you. Send me the details, and I'll contact the client to clarify the situation. Also... my maid?"

He blinked, taking a moment to register that I was inquiring about Renata's clone.

"Ah! She's still with us, Mistress T! Shall I summon her?"

"No need. I'm simply curious about how you intend to return her to me."

"Eh? Ah... She mentioned she'd find her own way back once we finalized the sale. Should I arrange for her return after all?"

Renata intends to return on her own? Well... I suppose that's acceptable; I needn't fret over her. Especially considering she doesn't even require a ship for interstellar travel.

But I do wonder about her propulsion capabilities in space. If she's limited to just her momentum, it might take centuries, or even millennia, for her to reach us from her current location.

I waved dismissively. "If that's what she communicated to you, then it's perfectly fine. You don't need to concern yourself with her. She can manage on her own."

"Oh, I can attest to that firsthand experience."

I paused, narrowing my eyes at him.

He quickly raised his hands defensively. "Ah!! I mean... We were boarded by an Insurgent vessel intending to rob us... She single-handedly eliminated their entire crew! We played no part in it!"

Hmph... That’s good to hear.

"Very well. Just send me the particulars, and I shall establish contact with the client."

He saluted crisply. "Understood, Mistress T!"

The connection severed, and I leaned back, exhaling slowly.

It appears the situation is more complex than we initially anticipated.