Page 193 of Light Leech

“You’re a zegging homunculus.”

“Ah, that. Not much theft involved and it’s more common than you might expect around here. Most of the council consists of Predecessing Homunculi.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“Kim Jong Il, one of history’s greatest leaders.”

“So much that everyone mocks you by calling you Dear Leader?”

He scoffed again, then adjusted his glasses. “Though society has changed”—he tapped the bridge between the lenses—“wisdom always has a specific appearance. I have to look like I once did to keep up the illusion of… this. That’s beside the point.” He started to pace, swinging his voice in a singsong manner. “I’m here to see how your neurocleanse has been.” He stopped and stared me in the eyes. “Slam your head against your seat.”

I laughed, ready to spit in his face. He could try all he wanted but I was–

My skull slammed against the seat. My head throbbed with pain aggravated by anger.

“Delightful!” Kim rubbed his hands together. “Though I think we need a little behavioral augmentation.”

A voice spoke through the room’s speakers. It was familiar, but not enough for me to put a name on it. “We can worry about that later. I’ll debrief him now so we can get moving.”

Kim groaned. “Are you sure you want to risk that before the complete wipe?”

“I told you we can’t wait! The anomaly is going to send us into informatic hell!”

“Fine, Don. Do what you want.”

There it was.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Don’t take too long. Dokkaebi’s fusion will begin soon and I want him present for it.”

“So you can rub his dead companion in his face?”

“Not everyone is as vindictive as you. Put some sense into your head before you speak. If he is going to be integrated into the system, he needs to see what he will be serving.”

“What, are you appointing him to the council now?”

“No, but as the only person among us with a true Gui, I plan on using him–”

“But you promised me that you would let me use the Gui for–”

“Yes, yes, the anomaly. You’ve said it countless times.”

“You don’t seem to care for it.”

“Oh trust me, I–”

I turned to Zhu as their argument continued into more senseless disagreements.

Is this the hell I am going to be stuck in?

“I do not know.”

They can’t control you, right?

“I know nothing of what is to come.”

What the zeg? I thought you were supposed to be all knowing? Look, I’m glad we’re pals now, but that doesn’t mean I want you to get rid of your domineering confidence, no matter how cryptic.