As I thought through how I wanted to handle my reintroduction to the Mox, my eyes slipped once again to the date and time on my Agent.

Six months or just about. It was February, 11, 2075. So much time lost.

Did it take that long to alter my original body into this one, or did they need that long to shove my mind into this body from my old one? I should be freaking out over this, but I was very comfortable in this body. It felt good, and it felt right. Was that also part of their process or was this simply a better reflection of who I was becoming?

What an odd problem to have. Or was it really a problem at all?

My actions have been more primal, more in tune with my instincts. I was far less concerned with the use of my abilities, and far quicker to resort to confrontation. After some examination of my inner self I found I wasn't worried about any of this. I knew it would have bothered me before, but now I felt little in the way of preoccupation over these issues.

Even as my ruminations flowed, my right hand continued to draw and aim and then re-holster my pistol. The action required no direction on my part, it was simply a reflex and with each draw it became smoother, quicker and more ingrained into my muscles.

Now that was neat, I could actually feel the process of my nerves and muscle becoming hard wired into this behavior. Truly a novel experience for me.

I needed to find some one for combat training. The sooner I started the faster I could stack more advantages in my favor.

My head nodded. Perhaps Rita would be interested in a little practice, or those new ladies I had met. Rebecca at least seemed to know her way around weapons.

Hmm. I admit I had enjoyed the way women moved under the influence of my mana. Even Rogue, despite not liking her past choices. On one hand, I was far less hung up on many of my previous concerns about my desires. Yet, I thought control and patience was still paramount.

I'd have to find ways to enjoy my gifts without letting it go to my head, warp my views or dictate my actions.

A part of me, perhaps new or at least more noticeable than before, lobbied to utilize my power in a ruthless manner. To take what I wanted and to bend others to my will. After all my abilities were perfect for that. The pleasure alone was enough to warp people to my tastes given time, never mind actually being able to affect changes in hormones and DNA. While I might not be able to change specific memories, there was no mechanical reason I couldn't turn off nerve clusters in the brain until I found the right ones. Blanking out whole sections of their lives.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

I had some idea of how transformative that could be.

Issues of good or evil aside, I didn't think that was a viable long term strategy. Very few folks enjoyed being controlled, regardless of the kindness of the hands holding the leash. People you weren't juggling might choose to oppose you on those grounds as well. Whether they wanted that power for themselves or just wanted to be rid of poisonous behavior. Hell some people for similar reasons would try to remove me just because they thought I could do those things, regardless of the would.

Either way, these things tend to blow up in your face after a while. Let's try to avoid that.

I also needed to watch my innate sense of fair play and kindness. It wasn't gone, maybe it had been somewhat muted by my anger or even my new form. This place would try to twist my concerns and punish every act of charity. Especially if I proceeded thoughtlessly. In order to be able to help others, I had to be strong enough to deal with any consequences.

Now admittedly my knowledge of such things comes mostly from movies and a brief interest in politics when I was young and naïve. So maybe I was missing a few points. Though a few things from my time with Jaina, John and Raynor had sunk in, and I could live with being as minimal an asshole as I could safely get away with.

Yet another part of me didn't care about any of it, it just wanted to act.

I sighed. I had time. I hoped I did anyway.

They could snatch away my progress again at some point in the future. I doubted they would though, it felt like this maneuver had cost them something, though I had no clue what that might be. Where that intuition came from was unclear, but it was a very strong feeling.

Well, my mind still mostly seemed intact and my previous sense of self mostly preserved.

I headed back down to the garage, got in my vehicle and drove to Lizzie's.

Now I wasn't so foolish to park a SUV done up in Tyger Claw colors anywhere near the bar itself. I found a parking lot a couple of blocks over and hiked the rest of the way. In a land of people so keen on altering themselves in every conceivable way, there was many an interesting sight.

A few folks their skin looking like various liquid metals were holding an impromptu rave. Dancing and laughing like fools. Good for them.

In a nearby alley a few gangers were getting their clocks cleaned by some far more ordinary looking folks. Lot's of crowbars and tire irons being used to educate the goons of the folly of operating on this block. It brought a chuckle to my throat as it reminded me of my first foray into this town.

I remembered when it was just me and Scuff and Fix going after Maelstrom. That was almost a year ago, now. How I missed my little robo buddies. Yet another debt that needed repaying.

I also recalled the last time I had visited the Mox. I had promised to look for Saphie. Now six months had passed and I no longer had access to Observers or Alina. Though, I could talk to some of the Runners from the Afterlife and see what they could dig up. Hmm, perhaps I could hire Sasha to poke around. Or perhaps she could at the very least point me to someone who would take the job.

What else had I left unfinished?

As Lizzie's Bar came into view, I heard faintly in the distance a howl.