"So, make yourself at home. After all, I'm technically renting this place from you."

Gracefully flomping into a surprisingly nice sofa, Dr Elune chuckled, "Very funny. How on earth did this fit in your ship?"

"... Inginuity." Smirking, Ohara sat down across the table, settling into a matching armchair, "So. What interesting tale has us away from prying eyes?"

Laughing softly at Dr Elune's raised eyebrow, Ohara continued, "I knew you before, but being trapped on this station made me learn your quirks. You don't care what people think, and relax anywhere... So, why my room?"

Sighing, Dr Elune pulled out a hemisphere from their pocket, and placed it on the table. The OHPS unit flickered to life, and a convincing hologram of Alex sat next to Dr Elune, "Hello, Doctor Ohara."

Clapping gently, Ohara smiled, "Nice work. The level of detail on those projections of yours are amazing. But this isn't what you came for, right?"

Fidgeting, Dr Elune glanced at Alex, "Actually, Ren... It kinda is. Alex made that image... Without being given specifications."

Settling back into his chair, Ohara tapped his fingers in thought, "Interesting... Even if you told Alex to make a random human projection, the level of... Personalisation is remarkable. Also..." He narrowed his eyes with a groan, "... You pointed that out for a reason. That is 'Alex', not just some random figure."

"Yup. Sure, a tiny bit of encouragement from me... But only a little. And... I'm having another full AHOR unit assembled."

"... Hmm." Growing still, Ohara thought deeply, eyes flicking up to Alex now and then.

"Doctor Ohara, I feel I must appologise." Startled by the interruption, Ohara looked up at Alex, "I have been... Breifed with a summary of your past. Knowing your work is being turned to such a thing."

Waving idly at Alex, Ohara sighed, "And here I thought you had ears everywhere. I said it before, you aren't the kind that... Caused all that. Admittedlty, you could easily become so... And taking over this station would be a good step towards that. But you want to fit in, obviously..." Furrowing his brow, Ohara fidgeted, "You like humans. You don't hate them."

"Uh, Ren? You say that like a bad thing."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"On it's own, that's great. People may call you the god of the next level of existence." Chuckling quietly, Ohara shook his head, "We always forget, though... Most of the time, the worst of enemies were once the best of friends."

"Oh, simple then. I need to not be an ass, or I will regret it. Swiftly."

Rolling his eyes, Ohara couldn't help but smile, "Guess we are doomed. Now... Why are you telling me?"

"Because you are likely to A, notice, and B, give a damn. I am not in the mood to pack up my bags and hightail it from the cops." Poking Alex's imaginary shoulder, Dr Elune grinned, "You were bound to notice by the time the next unit was done, or I would lose respect in you. So... Start things on the right foot, hmm?"

"Works for me." Smiling slightly, Ohara held up three fingers, "And now, to buy my support. My team will need convincing too."

"...Woo. Let's hear it, then."

"First, you would be insane not to run diagnostics. I want in."

"Oh? I said you recognise the signs. I doubt you could tell from the code."

"... Try me. I... May have gotten a glimpse at the previous one. A few times."

Eyes popping out of their head, Dr Elune frumbled as Ohara laughed quietly, "Hey, what can I say... Nobody asks the right questions. And onto my second condition... I have something I want to show you. On the second haven."

Narrowing their eyes, Dr Elune nodded slowly as Ohara went on, "And... Lastly, I want free access to AHOR units. Whole, or partial."

Alex tilted their head, slightly confused, "For what purpose, sir?"

"I can think of a few needs for them... Testing certain things, showcasing, any prosthetics needed in the future... Tom, for example."

"Yeah, good point. He could do with his limbs back... Agreed, on the condition they need to fit on that dingy. Sorry, spaceship."

Aiming a swat at the doctor, Ohara lowered his outstretched hand for after he missed, "Now, don't get me wrong... I will be keeping a very close eye on Alex from now on. But... I suspected this would come. And I have a promise to keep."

Slightly confused, Dr Elune decided not to press the matter, and shook the outstretched hand in relief. That was the dagerous part done, now on to crazier and goofier science.