“But … well … I guess I would compare it to being a king’s favorite general: I have huge amounts of power, I can go anywhere and do anything to anything, and it feels good. Only I am still subject to a higher power, and in this case that power is, frankly, a ruthless, soulless son of a bitch. So any time this body’s abilities seem enticing, I find myself reminded that this is a co-opted power, taken at a price I still have trouble wrapping my head around.”

Jack looked at the Agent, sobered suddenly by his words, and Agent John Hunt went on, “I am sure you feel in no small measure the weight of the secret you bear, and the danger you and everyone you know is in. And because I see that danger too, and I am not a monster, I am going to try and stop my world from doing this terrible thing. But think on this a moment, Jack. Think about what kind of selfish, power-hungry, almighty asshole would order the death of an entire race. Once you have that image in your mind, you will have some idea of the kind of people I am disobeying to help you. Imagine an alliance of Hitler, Khan, Mussolini, Yung Il, and bin Laden all united by one thing, they all want to kill every human alive. Well, something akin to that alliance commands the forces arrayed against you, Jack.

“So, I guess when you ask me whether I am having fun, I …” he laughed introspectively and shook his head a little, “well, I worry that you and the others really think of me as a disinterested outsider just trying to help out.” Jack went to shake his head and deny it, but the truth was that he did think of John like that. Like some kind of movie star going to Africa to help the poor, only to return on his private jet the next day to attend an award ceremony. But John’s expression was stern and Jack waited for the Agent’s next comment. “Jack, have you ever wondered what that group of bloodthirsty motherfuckers that rule my world are going to do when they find out that I have betrayed them?”

Jack stared at him, stunned and mortified by the man’s words, but John wasn’t finished, “Jack, what do you think they are going to do to my family? To my three children. Those children are grown up by now, back on Mobilius. Maybe they have children of their own. Grandchildren of mine who I will never meet. Grandchildren of mine who, if my complicity is discovered, will pay a terrible price for the actions of a man they have never even known.”