Exclusive Contract Talks

"You wish to purchase a mothership from us, correct?"

She immediately got to the point while still wearing that perfect

business smile. She was really straightforward, so I was a bit surprised.

But it's better this way.

"Yes. We were planning on purchasing a Skizbrazunil from your

company, you see."

As I said so, Sara-san's eyes started sparkling in delight and she leaned

over. She leaned forward, but since she was so small, it actually didn't

make much difference. It wasn't sexy at all.

"The SDMS – 020, right? You have great foresight sir! The SDMS – 020 is

our best seller in the carrier category. We released the base model

roughly 89 years ago, but we've continuously improved the line based

on feedback from our loyal customers and innovations made by our

prized engineers. As you know, the product's concept is high reliability

and customizability. And you've come at just the perfect time. We have

just completed a newly developed edition of the ship."

Sara-san rubbed her hands together as she made a delighted smile.

"But… It's gonna be expensive, right?"

I made a circle with my index finger and thumb to better get my

meaning across.

"Well, that's true. It supports a wide range of the latest cutting edge

optional parts. But don't you worry, sir. I have the perfect proposal to

satisfy your needs, Hiro-sama."

After saying so, the dwarven lady's smile deepened even more. I raised

my guard after seeing that.

"Hiro-sama is a brilliant up-and-coming mercenary who rose from

Bronze rank to Gold rank at a blazing fast speed. Is this correct?"

"…Doesn't it feel like I'm just bragging if I say yes to that? It may seem

like I'm just full of myself y'know."

"That's not true! You're very cool!"

Mimi denied my words with sparkling eyes.

"I also feel a bit embarrassed about it… but it's the truth anyway."

Elma gets where I'm coming from but she didn't deny the claim that I

was some super amazing merc. May just quietly stood behind us. She

didn't say anything, But I guess that means she agrees with Mimi and

Elma.

"So it's the truth, huh… Alright then. Let's leave it at that. I understand

that Sara-san, or rather, the Space Dwerg company sees me quite

favorably. So?"

I set aside the matter of whether or not I'm a super awesome merc and

urged to continue the discussion. Anyway, it's not about what I think of

myself but what others think when they see my accomplishments. If she

and Space Dwerg think I'm a great mercenary, then that's fine. I'm not

gonna dwell on that any further.

"Yes. If you sign an exclusive contract with us, we will be able to offer

you more favorable terms and big discounts."

She said all that without breaking her sunny smile. I inclined my head

after hearing her offer.

"I can't decide objectively if you don't give me the details of that

exclusive contract."

"That's right."

"Uhuh."

"Yes, of course. To put it simply, we will need you to continue using our

products and mothership as much as possible, come to our facilities for

your maintenance needs whenever possible, collect performance data

from you regularly, and make use of your various exploits for our

company's advertising campaigns. Those are the four main conditions."

I ran the details of the four conditions she presented inside my head.

There's no problem with the first condition, I think. It's not like we'll be

replacing the mothership anytime soon.

As for the second condition, well, I guess it's okay. She did say I only had

to use their facilities whenever possible, so it's not like I can't go to

other facilities for maintenance and repairs if there are no Space Dwerg

facilities available.

I have no problem with the third condition either. But I have to discuss

it with everyone just to be sure. It's the fourth condition that I have a

problem with. I need to hear more details about it in order to decide.

"I don't have problems with the first and second conditions, but what

do you guys think about the third and fourth? I personally don't really

have a problem with handing them performance data. As for the fourth

one, I think we need to hear more details since it's a bit vague."

"I think it would be fine if we excluded the details related to our private

lives. I have no problem with using the collected data for advertising

either. But something like having us serve as spokespersons for Space

Dwerg is a no-go I think. It would be troublesome to always promote

Space Dwerg products and services anywhere we go."

"I also agree with Elma-sama. In any case, I think it would be best if we

also hear how much discounts and perks they are willing to offer us

before we decide to sign any sort of contract with them."

"Fumu… I see. What about you, Mimi? Any opinions?"

"I don't understand the part where they will use our exploits for

advertising. Are they simply going to use our mercenary activities for

advertising campaigns? But we basically just travel around and hunt

pirates, right? I don't know how they would use something like that to

promote their company."

After hearing our concerns, Sara-san nodded and began to explain.

"Regarding the use of performance and operational data, we will make

sure to exclude the details pertaining to your private lives, so please do

not worry. And as for using your exploits for advertising, you will

basically have to give priority coverage rights to our company for live

battle footage during your operations."

"Priority coverage rights?"

Another thing I wasn't clear with was mentioned.

"Yes. The Space Dwerg group doesn't just deal with developing and

building starships, but numerous other businesses as well. For example,

our industrial department covers a wide range of fields such as

weapons development and manufacturing, as well as brewing quality

beverages. There's also an entertainment and media department as

well."

"Entertainment?"

I kinda have a bad feeling about this.

"Yes. For those living in the colonies, the lives of people traveling

around to various parts of the galaxy is a very exciting topic. In other

words, they like to hear and watch things about the lives of you intrepid

space drifters. The documentaries about mercenaries exterminating

evil pirates are very popular programs in the colonies you know."

"…Mimi?"

I looked toward Mimi, who was a former colony citizen, to ask about

her opinion and found her eyes sparkling in excitement.

"That's right! I also liked watching those documentaries about monster

hunters and mercenaries when I was living in the colony! So our

activities will be broadcasted in those documentary programs, right!?

Uwaaaaaah…!"

Mimi-san was shivering in excitement. If she had a tail, it would be

wagging energetically. I see. Judging from her reaction, those mercenary

life documentaries look like very popular programs in the colonies.

"What do you think, guys?"

"Mm…"

Compared to the excited Mimi, Elma was acting more reserved.

"I think it would be best to decline…"

"But why!?"

"No, well, if they watch our daily interactions, the people out there will

find out about what kind of relationship we have with Hiro, right? It's

probably going to be broadcasted to the whole galaxy, even. Do you

really realize what that means?"

So it's about this dimension's common sense regarding a man and a

woman living under one ship huh?

If they feature us in a documentary program, that's like announcing our

relationship to the entire galaxy.

"Is there something wrong with that? I don't think there would be

problems even if they knew our relationship with Hiro-sama though."

Mimi heard Elma's reasons for declining, but still stuck to her opinion.

Elma was taken aback by Mimi's reaction.

"Yeah. I think it's too late to be feeling bashful about it too. Our

relationship is already obvious to the people from the local port

administration bureaus and the Mercenary Guild branches we visited.

And as long as we continue to travel around in space, it will eventually

be known to the entire galaxy anyway."

"T-That's right, I guess. But…"

Elma was losing her ground against the calm Mimi and looked down in

reluctance. Or rather, Mimi's quite intense today huh.

"I'm also quite interested about your relationship with these two lovely

ladies, but anyway, that's how it is. We would like for you to accept the

offer of Space Dwerg's entertainment and media department. Oh! And

of course, you will get a satisfactory appearance fee as well!"

After saying so, she made the same finger sign that I did earlier to

illustrate her point. Oh, okay.

Well, Mimi's episode would be akin to a Cinderella story, so I bet it will

be real popular huh. At least I think so. Depending on how you look at

it, it's like she stood up from the very bottom and obtained success after

all.

"…Since you'll have priority rights, I assume it would be better if we

decline offers from other companies, correct?"

"Yes, that's how it is."

"We're not forced to divulge everything, right? Meaning, we will be able

to refuse at our discretion if we think it's inappropriate."

"…Yes. That's correct."

It felt like Sara-san wanted to click her tongue just now, but she still

kept her perfect smile.

"Hiro-sama! Let's accept the coverage deal! Come on!"

Mimi excitedly pulled my arm. Ah〜 You're shaking me far too much,

young lady… My teeth are clattering already.

"So I take it that you agree to our offer, correct? Then let us move on to

the price of the ship and the optional parts and equipment you want

added on to it."

"Yes, okay."

Sara-san picked up a portable terminal from her desk and put up an

image on the holo-display. What was displayed was the ship we were

planning to buy; the Skizbrazunil.

"Let's start with talking about the Skizbrazunil itself first. Depending on

the direction of the discussions, we may be able to accommodate your

needs better by offering suggestions."

Sara-san's eyes displayed a sharp glint akin to that of a raptor scoping

out its prey for a brief moment. Oh boy. Guess I gotta brace myself. I

can't let my guard down around this lady(?). Bring it on then. I'm gonna

haggle like my life depends on it.