What (predictable) fools these mortals be. But unless I am incorrect (and I never am) this latest development will prompt Oz to attempt to renege on our agreement. "Attempt" being, of course, the operative word. The cybernetics I installed in his body not only enhance his strength but also provide me with his exact location... and, should he prove too stubborn or rebellious, I can simply shut down the technology that gives him his strength... that gives him all his strength. At my whim, the puppet will be entirely without strings.

( Hot /damn/, Doc. It looks just like him. )

All too easy.

( C'mon. Let's go crack the bloody safe open. )

Keeping Eugenie Kingsley content is, truly, the only useful thing that Zachery can do. Otherwise, the cur is a complete waste of metahuman potential.

( And for that, I am most grateful. )

How many times do I have to tell that blasted woman that there is nothing wrong with me?

( Are you quite all right, Otto? )

What the hell kind of game does she think she's playing?

( I'm sorry. )

He is, truly, a loathesome little cur, and his prattling is on a level with that infuriating wall-crawler. Even so, quite unintentionally, he has given me an idea for how I will begin to break Eugenie Kingsley...

( ... narcissists anonymous? That seems to fit nicely. )

How dare she speak to me in such a manner, especially after I have been so incredibly tolerant of her insolence. No more. I am through being gentle with her.

It is long past time that Eugenie Kingsley learned that she can have no will but mine.

( Awww, Otto. I didn't know you cared. I love you too, baby. )

Touching that she would worry. Yes, touching. I am, however, perfectly fine. Clear. Focused. Undistracted. Yes.

Strength and power.

( You have plans for my son, don't you? )

I should have realized that Oz was in a borrowed body; there was a distinct lack of female irrationality in our previous encounter. Oz is little more than a thug, of course. A thug with pretensions to romantic chivalry in regards to Eugenie. But a thug nonetheless.

That is quite all right. I have much use for thugs.

( Hell, I could be your bloody little servant, and none of it would matter as much as it should as long as I'm in this body. )

I used to wonder, back in my old life, why so many supervillains seemed to enjoy laughing aloud at inappropriate moments. Since nothing they were doing seemed to me intrinsically hilarious, I concluded they were crazier than outhouse rats, and left it at that.

But that's not why they laugh. I know that now.

They laugh for the sheer joy of it. They laugh because there's no feeling in the world, in the whole world, like the feeling of destroying something, of mutilating beyond redemption, and of the total and absolute freedom an act like that grants you. All the doors are flung open; nothing is denied. Everything is allowed. There aren't any borderlines any more. There's nobody to tell you to stop. Once you're a destroyer, you're everything in the world.

-- Santanico, "Freak Like Me"

Kingsley has an annoying habit of taking advantage of my forbearance and thinking that I will allow her any insolence at all.

On the other hand, it takes little to bring her back into proper behavior.

( /Dang,/ Otto. )

I don't know what the blazes she's going on about. Solitary confinement in my home plus the stress and hormones brought about by giving birth have unseated her mind. Made her delusional.

I, of all people, would know if there was anything wrong with me.

( Are you trying to convince me? Or yourself? )

That was more distracting than interesting. (Note to self: incinerate bedsheets.) But at least it has shut the woman up.

( Stop avoiding the question. )

I wonder if I should install a verbal abort command into Eugenie's simulacrum. Hmm. I do not see how it would lessen her dependency on me (after all, without me she would not have these powers at all) and yet at the same time it may encourage the development of a higher level of bravado and confidence. ...Not to mention that I imagine she'll be quite grateful. One thing I have learned since my early days at the atomic research center is that a show of concern, however insincere, is often necessary to strengthen an underling's loyalty.

...And, besides, if anyone is going to maim my minions, it ought to be me.

( Look at my face! Look at what he did to my face! )

It's refreshing to know that some of the apish rabble have half a brain.

( Aww, c'mon, ya little wimp. I need some bloody entertainment. )

Even before the incident which first joined my mind and flesh to these metal limbs of mine, I was not satisfied with accepting the limitations that cage lesser mortals. I saw no reason to settle then, and I see no reason to settle now.

Sleep well, Flag-Smasher. While you can.

( We don't get to decide these things! Not even /you/ get to decide these things! )