I initiated the autopilot that would set us on our way towards Linc Pleasure Station before pushing myself up from the pilot seat.

I stretched my arm over my head just as the door slid open to let Amber walk in.

She immediately moved over to me, ignoring Ries who was seated at one of the consoles behind the pilot seat so that she could embrace me.

"Why hello there, Tera~ I missed you~"

"You were barely gone for fifteen minutes."

"Ehehe~ I still missed you~"

She then gave me a kiss on the lips before pulling back to look at Ries.

"Seems like she settled herself in?"

I nodded, "You should have seen her just now… I almost thought she would pass out with how excited she was."

"I can imagine that… Speaking of which… Erm… How's our cargo?"

I raised an eyebrow at her, "I think this is the first time I've seen you nervous about something."

She puffed her cheeks, "Tera… You have no idea how savage these animals can get… Seriously. I have seen them maul even veteran Mercs like they're nothing. If I had to guess, these animals were trained to be bodyguards to some rich guy at the station."

I frowned at her words.

Sure, I know there are dogs that have been trained to serve in the army as attack dogs but in this universe where there are laser guns and mechs… Isn't it a little odd that they are still being used like this?

Heck, I wouldn't even question it if they used robot dogs but these are real dogs, you know?

Amber continued, "Although… Well… I'm confident that I can kill them if I have to, but I don't think you want me to do that, do you, Tera?"

Well yeah… That's forty million Credits we would be losing if you were to kill them so I'd rather you don't do that…

I guess the reason Amber's nervous about them is the fact that she doesn't know how to handle them and not because she's afraid.

I shrugged, "Well… I guess I have to go and feed them now. I don't even know when was the last time that trader fed them."

Amber shivered, "I would like to go with you but…"

I waved at her, "It'll be fine. I can handle it myself. Help me watch over the cockpit ok? And Ries as well."

She shifted her gaze to the Maochatte currently drooling over the console panel before turning back to me, "I'll take care of it, don't worry. I'm more worried about you though…"

"Lea and Ries already told me what to do. There's a slot in the cage that I can push the food through without opening the cage."

She nodded, "Be careful, Tera."

I left the cockpit and went over to my room to prepare some food and water for the two dogs.

I took out the food packets the trader provided me to feed the dogs with and frowned.

Of course it was synthfood… What would I expect any different… I don't even know if this would be appetising to the dogs…

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

I considered just making something from scratch for the dogs but I wasn't sure if what I made would poison them instead so I decided to just play it safe.

At least if anything happens, I could still blame it on the food provided instead.

I opened the packet and poured out the sludge into a bowl that was supposed to be the dogs' food. Ughh… At least it didn't smell weird…

But seriously… Will they even eat this? Whatever, let's just bring it to them and see if they would eat it.

I picked up the bowls and balanced them on my arms before making my way to the storeroom.

The door slid open quietly and I remember the dogs started barking at Ries the moment she stepped past the doorway.

I braced myself for the same thing to happen to me as well before taking a step into the room.

"Woof!"

"Bark!"

…

Umm… Those are definitely friendly barks instead of the vicious and threatening barks I was expecting…

The two dogs were standing in front of the cage doors and wagging their tails at the sight of me, completely different from how they were treating the others when they got close.

Hmm… They told me that this was just a facade but… I dunno…

Let's just feed them first.

Err… Wait a minute… Where's the slot to put these bowls in?

I looked around the cage and I saw nothing that suggested I could slot the food and water in without opening the cage. I even went around tapping the walls of the cage but nothing happened.

I came back in front of the cages and both dogs looked at me with interest, their tails wagging in unison.

Hmm… Since they aren't barking at me… I guess they might be ok with me right?

Let's just try it…

I placed the food and water bowls down before approaching the cage with the golden retriever.

I went ahead to unlock the cage while thinking the security for such an animal was pretty lax when it's supposed to be expensive.

Once the cage was unlocked, I took a step back, letting it come out on its own.

Except… The dog remained sitting behind the bars and made no move to come out from its cage.

I opened the door for it and it watched the gate of its cage swing open before looking back at me, its tail wagging cutely.

Hmm… Why isn't it doing anything?

I gestured to the food bowl in front of the cage, "Eat?"

The golden retriever immediately walked out and went towards the bowl I pointed to start eating.

Huh… So it was waiting for an order or something?

I went over to the Beagle's cage and did the same thing as well, giving it the order to eat after I unlocked its cage.

Both dogs started eating from their food and water bowls obediently with neither making a fuss about the food.

I guess the food must taste delicious to them or something with how they were devouring it.

They looked so cute so I couldn't help myself and started patting their heads.

Their tails seemed to wag even faster when I did that so I started scratching their heads, which in turn made their tails wag even faster.

They quickly finished their food and I got a towel to help wipe their snouts clean, both of them obediently staying still and allowing me to clean them.

When I finished wiping them, they just sat there while looking at me, as though asking if I was going to play with them.

I couldn't help it since they looked so cute so I started scratching them again.

Both dogs leaned into my hands and let out happy whines before they flopped on the floor and showed me their bellies.

Oh, looks like both of them are females.

I gave both of them belly rubs and they definitely seemed to like that.

"Who's a good girl? Who's a good girl?"

Both dogs barked at my question.

"That's right! Both of you are! So cute~"

Hey, I can't help it! They're really cute!! Just look at them! The goldie even has her tongue flopping out of the side of her mouth as I scratched her belly!

When I tried to pull my hand back, they would flip around and start pawing at me as though begging me to continue.

When I reached my hand towards them again, they immediately laid back down and showed me their bellies so that I could rub them.

So cute~

Now I'm wondering if Ries will end up like this if I were to pat her too?

"Woof! Woof!"

Ah, yes, yes. You want scratches here too? There you go! Who's a good girl now?

"Bark!"

Oh, don't think I forgot about you! Here you go! Some belly scratches for you too!

"Tera? Are you alright? I heard-- What…"

I heard Amber's voice coming from in front of me and I looked up to see her staring at me with wide eyes.

Almost immediately, the two dogs hopped on their feet and started barking threateningly at her.

Then, without warning, they rushed towards her, clearly intending on attacking her.

Amber reacted quickly and was reaching for her gun as they charged towards her before I yelled out, "Stop!!!"

The dogs skidded to a halt, stopping just a metre away from Amber though they continued to growl at her.

Amber also froze, her hand now resting on her pistol while her gaze remained on the dogs.

Oh wow… Did the dogs listen to me as well?

Let's try this then…

"Come back here!"

The dogs spun around and ran back towards me, both of them standing in front of me like they were trying to use themselves as shields to block Amber from reaching me.

"Tera? What's… What's going on?" Amber asked.

Well shit… Err… Where do I even start?