The warmth of the salt-water bay pleases me. As I dive out of the water, blue skies greet me. But, I hear thumping of an Atlantic Cod in distress. I swim quickly to him. This is a male, caught in a piece of fishing net. My sharp fin allows me to cut it away without harming him, and he swims away.

Today I am patrolling fishing waters near the state of North Carolina. My range varies depending on where the fishing boats go. In with Atlantic Cod are mahi, tuna, swordfish and sailfish. I see a turtle trailing fishing line and free her. The Graveyard Of The Atlantic also provides habitat for many sea creatures. I am designed to free any animal that is trapped and eat plastic so it does not harm another animal.

My body breaks down plastic into organic matter. It makes food for the plankton that feed the whales. Food for the seaweed that makes breeding ground for birds. Plastic is made from long carbon strings. Enzymes break them down and catalyze them into CO2, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, bromium carbonate, carbolic hydroxide, and other simplex organics that plants and single-celled animals cannot use, but we can harvest and use it. Binds metal wastes into recyclable forms. Cleans up the ocean floors. Puts more oxygen into our air. I am part of bigger work.

I can also carry a bag for small metal objects, which is getting full. The last time I reported in was 5 months ago and Shara used CRISPR to add to my genetics. I feel very different than I did. I think.

Time to visit my human keepers. I see that my research vessel is near the shore. My radio alerts them, and I swim to them. Faster! I gain speed and approach the boat. Jump! Flop!

One picks me up with a smile. I smile back. He is dark skinned, and laughs. "Hey, Rahna! Did you ever see a fish smile?"

The lady is tanned with brown eyes. She frowns. "You been out in the sun too long, Dyson! Let me see—her. What are you? You look like an Atlantic Cod, but—c'mon, smile for me, Girl! That's it!"

I did not understand her confusion, but I smile again. She holds up her phone and I see myself. My face changed in these past few months! I see, not a fish face, but eyes closer to the front, and lips that are soft and can smile. My scales are still golden and pretty. My face still resembles a cod, long and vertically oval.

"Hey, I'm gonna call Base. They are not gonna believe this! Look in her bag. She has artifacts from The Graveyard Of The Atlantic. Old coins, a spoon, and look at these crab specimens! Let's put them in the tank--uh--"

Not my pets! I draw out my sharp fin.

"Oh, ok, I see, dat's your friends. You can keep 'em. I'll just take the other stuff. Dat all right wid' you?"

I nod, and her brown eyes widen.

She empties the other items. Pours water into the bag for my pets. I activate Bluetooth and upload my data. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME KEEP MY FRIENDS, I type on her display.

Rayna looks very surprised that I added a message. "You welcome! I didn't know you'd want pets. Uh, Dyson, call in."

Dyson takes the mic from its holder on the dash of the small boat. "This is Research 35, 338354770 to Atlantis. Can you get Shara for me? It's Dyson."

It took a few minutes, but I recognized the voice of Shara's assistant. "This is Randy. What's up?"

"Uh, your Entrapment Cessation Unit T35 just threatened to cut me when I tried to take several small crabs out of her bag. Then she thanked me with a text message on my display. Want me to bring her in so you can talk to her? She gathered artifacts from The Graveyard Of The Atlantic, which is outside of her mission, over."

Static came over the radio, then Shara's voice sounded excited. "Yes, bring her in! Is she in good condition?"

"Yes! Did you do some kind of genetic mods on her?"

A pause. "I added some of my genes to her to give her a bit more intelligence, but I didn't think--"

"You put human genes in a fish? Isn't that--a bit unethical? And, she's pregnant!"

More silence. "Yes, bring her in now. I want to see her. Can you send a picture?"

"Camera's on."

Shara's face appeared on the monitor. I reached my fins towards it. Her face paled, and tears filled her blue eyes. "I didn't expect this. But, I'm happy. T35, I'll be waiting for you on Atlantis."

THANK YOU, MOM! I WANT TO TALK TO YOU AND SHOW YOU MY PETS. I MADE GRANDBABIES FOR YOU. CAN I BE TIA, NOW? We can communicate! Maybe we can save more marine life. I gathered a lot of data for the scientists, but it is outside the scope of my mission.

"Yes, I'll change your name to Tia, right now!" Other voices behind her got excited. What she did should not make me sentient. The Ethics Committee will want to talk to us. I will tell them I am happy to be aware! Already they are asking many questions. I hope Shara will not get in trouble. Already I am talking to ten people. Some are not happy.

Dyson frowned as he started the boat. But Rayna kept wetting my skin and gave me a hug. "You're somepin to tell my grandchillin' about!"