Harkin: Even feeling for the handgun underneath his coat didn't do much to alleviate the nervous tension Dr. Adam Harkin's felt as he stepped out of the SUV. He let his gaze wander across the unevenly lit interior of the large warehouse, as his personal security flanked him. Behind them, the large truck slowly came to a halt.
Harkin: "Hello," he called into the wide emptiness. "Anyone home?" Turning towards his personal assistance, he muttered under his breath: "Why don't we have some kind of sales specialist for these kind of things? I've no idea what I'm doing. Give me a lab and some poor schmuck to experiment on, but this crime and spy stuff is not my cup of tea."
Harkin: "I'm sorry, sir, but the meeting was arranged on really short notice," his assistance replied. "There was no time to prepare for proper procedure. However, the offer sounded really too good to pass up, even though I have no idea how these people already found out about our latest project."
Harkin: Harkin fixed the guy with a withering stare. "And this is supposed to make me feel better now?"
Viper: Viper watched the exchange with a slightly amused smirk on her lips from the catwalk. She was quite well hidden in the dark corner. No one ever looked up. Once she was satisfied her agents had these people surrounded, she made her way down to them. "Good morning, gentlemen."
Harkin: The doctor and his entourage all turned around at once towards the source of the voice and watched the woman walk down the metal staircase. That green hair certainly was quite striking. Someone nudged Harkin into the side, and he stepped forward, clearing his throat. "I guess we'll see about that, Miss...?"
Viper: "You may call me 'Madame Hydra'." Viper informed him, stopping short a few yards from the group. "You need not introduce yourself. I know exactly who you are."
Harkin: "I was afraid she'd say something like that." Harkin's muttered words were directed at his assistant, while he ran a hand through his hair. "Well, in that case, you must be quite well informed - I give you that," he spoke up again. "We don't exactly advertise our business in the yellow pages."
Viper: "Well I would certainly hope not. You could get all kinds of riff raff calling you up if you did that and that would never do." She shook her head.
Harkin: "And what reasons do I have to believe you're any more trustworthy than that," he asked in return. "Though, I guess the fact that I don't have some trigger happy cop standing on my neck should at least tell us we're not dealing with the law here, am I right?"
Viper: She raised an eyebrow then openly laughed, "Please do not insult me. My organisation has nothing to do with the police or any other law enforcement. If we did, we would have seen you shut down before you started... in fact, I considered it but I was intrigued to see what you would do with your little project."
Harkin: The idea of being such an open book to some weird stranger didn't make him feel better the slightest bit. He had always thought that their organization shouldn't just hire anyone with a mad idea and a lack of ethics. There were just too many moles in this business.
Harkin: "And I assume this little project is exactly why we're all here, am I right?" Harkin crossed his arms in front of his chest.
Viper: "I cannot imagine what other reason I would have to arrange a meeting with you." She raised an eyebrow.
Harkin: His assistant barely suppressed his chuckle, earning him an angry glare from Harkin. "Right, hanging out with strange green-haired women also is not part of my usual early morning routine," he replied. "So let's cut to the chase, shall we? You know of our product, and I'm just going to assume you want in on the business before any else, no?"
Viper: "I would rather that I was the only one 'in on the business'." Viper countered, "I am sure we can come to some sort of arrangement that would make us both happy."
Harkin: "I see." Harkin nodded. "I can't argue with that reasoning. Even more so than any other, the weapons business is one where you want to maintain an unparalleled edge over any competition." He turned towards the large truck. "And it's our calling to provide that edge."
Viper: "Hydra already has an unparalleled edge, but I do so love new toys." She eyed the truck, "And I already have plans for these."
Harkin: "I guarantee they're unlike any other toy," Harkin said, waving at the handlers near the truck. They nodded, and proceeded to unlock the massive door in the back. "But see for yourself." Once the door was open, the men quickly retreated. The loud clank from heavy chains getting loosened could be heard from the dark interior, followed by a menacing growl.
Harkin: The large creature leapt from its prison, its metallic skin reflecting the floodlights lining the warehouse. It growled threateningly at some of the handlers near it, but otherwise made no move to attack.
Viper: Viper didn't even blink at the display, in fact the only sign of any interest was the barest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Show me what it can do."
Harkin: "Oh, with pleasure." Harkin nodded at his assistant, who pushed a button on his radio. "If you're familiar with our ill-fated prototype, and something tells me you are, let me assure you that our first generation retail line has undergone numerous improvements. First of all, we picked breeds of animals for the hybrids that are more easily conditioned to fulfill its buyers demands."
Harkin: In the background, an armed and armored vehicle rolled into the warehouse. "In this case, the specimen has been fitted with implants that allow it to be directed with simple impulses sent by this control device." Harkin held up his arm, revealing the object on his wrist. "Stupid, but very effective."
Harkin: "It will remain docile until given a target," he explained, as the light tank rolled into position. "Or if for some reasons my life signs cut out, in which case it will kill anything in sight," he added with a smile.
Viper: "It is nice to know you are not entirely stupid." The smirk became more pronounced and she gestured for him to get on with the demonstration.
Harkin: "A healthy dose of paranoia has never hurt anyone," Harkin replied, waving at his assistants. Everyone moved out of the way, as the vehicle took aim at the passive creature. It didn't even dodge as the missile caught it right in the side of the head, a deafening explosion echoing through the large hall.
Harkin: Harkin beat some of the drifting smoke out of his face. As it cleared, the creature was still standing, looking more angry than hurt as the deformed injury on its head began to vanish. "As you can see, the combination of an intelligent liquid metal shell and a regenerating biological core make the specimen basically impervious to even powerful conventional weapons."
Viper: "Interesting." Was all she had to say on that subject. "Will it fight back?"
Harkin: "If I tell it to," Harkin replied with a smile, before he pushed a button on his wristguard. The creature leapt into the air almost instantly, unfazed by the anti-tank shell the vehicle shot into its underside. The several tons of weight appeared non-existent when the tank got toppled, silver claws tearing off the thick armor plates.
Viper: Viper laughed, giving the creature a round of applause, "Excellent!"
Harkin: Harkin waited until the gun-turret got pulled off, before he hit the button again. The creature flopped down, lazily gnawing on the piece of metal in its maw. Some terrified looking driver were hurrying from the torn up wreckage. "Impressive little mutt, isn't it? The perfect guard dog. Or hunter."
Viper: "It is quite charming." She watched it for a few moments before turning back to Harkin, "How many of them do you have?"
Harkin: "We bred three of this first batch, mostly for the purpose of providing a demonstration of its capabilities," Harkin replied. "Once our manufacturing facility is fully operational, we'll be ready for mass production. What you see here is merely one of the proposed models. In fact, they'll be highly customizable to suit our customer's desires."
Harkin: "Perhaps you would prefer a smaller variant based on canine DNA," he offered, a grin on his face. "I expect them to be popular for indoor use. Or for tasks where opposable thumbs would be beneficial, few things measure up to good old gorilla."
Viper: She shook her head, "No. I would like something large and destructive. As I have told you, I have plans. There are certain requirements." She eyed the creature again. "But... some variation may prove useful. I will provide you with a list."
Harkin: "Ah, I'm quite partial to destruction myself." Harkin grinned, then gestured at the man by his side. "My assistant will be happy to provide you with all specification about our product, so you can go over all the details with him. Including the question of payment, of course."
Viper: "Good." she inclined her head towards the assistant. "Rest assured, Dr Harkin, if I am pleased with your product I may seek to hire your services again... but if I am disappointed you will be very sorry."
Harkin: "Madame Hydra, I chose a profession that carries the risk of being eaten by some horrible abomination every day you go to work," he replied. "I'm quite used to taking risk. Still, rest assured that we'll do anything to fully satisfy your requirements."
Viper: "Then there will not be a problem." She offered him a smile and held out her hand.
Harkin: The doctor took the offered hand and shook it awkwardly. "And I'll be looking forward to fruitful business relations," he said. Now this deal promised to make more than up for the loss of one of their labs to those annoying X-Men, as risky as it may have looked.