Ehri smiled.

"I imagine that she does, at least a bit," said Ehri.  The Hands rose up into the air all around her, shimmering with power.

"Out of curiosity, do you value this facility?"

Harriet grumbled.

"Fine, fine, I'll ask her."

"...You might want to consider the advantages of cooperation in your research, for that matter," said Ehri.  "I'm impressed with this lab.  How did you secure the funding?"

"I salvaged most of it. I found this place mostly as is when I was younger," Harriet said.

Ehri nodded.

"So was it a genetics lab?  Or did you add that on your own?"

"I believe it was, but there are no serial numbers or any other markings to show who ran it," Harriet said,

"Interesting," said Ehri.  "I built my lab... it wasn't cheap, but well worth it, I think.  I'm hoping that we can have a peaceful relationship, as it would be nice to have someone to talk to who really understands science..."

"I just hope I can get some samples to improve my shark-men," Harriet said as she walked over to the cases.

You finally get a good look at them. They appear to be very buff men with cartoonish-shark heads.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:15, Thu 11 Feb 2021.

"Interesting," said Ehri.  "What do you think they need?"

"Well, if I can get my hands on alien DNA, there might be additional powers I can give them," Harriet said.

"Potentially, but that could also be dangerous," said Ehri.  "How firm is your control over them?"

"There are subconscious commands, as well as a kill switch," Harriet said.

"How intelligent are they?" Ehri asked.  "Can they communicate?"

"I'd say as smart as an average person right now," Harriet said,

"...I don't know if that's necessarily wise," said Ehri.  "Well, that's possibly your business.  But can they communicate?"

"Oh yes, they are will love me and be loyal," Harriet said.

"...my father felt that way about some of his followers and creations," said Ehri, darkly.  "But that's up to you, ultimately.  Hey, Left Shark, there.  Can you talk?"

"They're in suspended animation for now," Harriet said. "And please don't disgrace them by using a meme."

Ehri was a bit sad.  She was working on picking up human culture... oh, well.

"So they aren't finished yet?" said Ehri.  "Have you tested them at all?"

"A bit, yes," Harriet said. "But now I want the sample first, so I can improve them, perfect them."

Ehri considered that statement.

"...What constitutes 'perfect' in a shark-man?" she asked.

"Powerful, loyal...loving...," Harriet said, seeming to drift away for a second.

Oh, dear.  This was probably going to go very badly indeed.

"You should have more specifics planned out," she suggested.  "Otherwise, your projects could run into scope issues.  How will you make them loving?  What kind of power do you want?"

What will you do if you lose their love and loyalty?

"The post hypnotic suggestions implanted in their brains, they will believe me to be and treat me like a queen!" Harriet said, still not fully there.

Ehri sighed.

"You're really reminding me of my father a lot right now," she said, sadly.  "Why don't we exchange phone numbers?  That way, you can get in touch if and when you need help."

...Humans, she had long since decided, were an incredibly incurious lot.  So it went.