Firstly, I don't see a need for Vykkers to raise Mudokons. Mudokons are put to work, I imagine, pretty much as soon as they're able, that being as soon as they can move from Point A to Point B and use a sponge properly. Alf has told us that Mudokons have Foster Sligs, which presumably are Sligs whose job it is to introduce the Mudokons to their work and such.
Secondly, the Vykkers certainly do not stick to pharmaceuticals. Vykkers Pharmaceuticals is only one division of the massive Vykkers Conglomerate. We know that Vykkers also deal a lot with technology, genetics and fine food. Unfortuantely for them, looking after young Mudokons is just that: looking after them. If it doesn't involve sadistic cruelty or gene-splicing, they're probably not going to be interested.
Thirdly, Vykkers Labs 12 is not merely a transportation device, it is actually a floating Vykkers institution. You need to notice that a) the 'Labour Egg Storage' is actually for the most part Interns' quarters and b) the Shaman says that Vykkers Labs has been stockpiling Eggs. This all points to the 'Labour Egg Storage' being a temporary location for keeping eggs until they are to be auctioned off. I imagine they're doing this to coincide with the Gabbiar Auction. I can just imagine everyone's disappointment when they discover that their Eggs have gone missing. I can picture the auction room descending into panic as everybody realises that Abe and Munch are on board.
Fourthly, Vykkers Labs 12 was the first fully-floating factory in the Vykkers Conglomerate. Before that, all Vykkers facilities were ground-based. Well actually, we don't know that, they could have been under water, or tethered.
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