Being Kimiko

John came to a bit later, lying comfortably on a soft couch. How had Kimiko been able to carry him up from the basement lab? The answer quickly came to him, as he took inventory of his body. His clothes were all wrong. There was a weight on his chest. Hair was tickling his face. And between his legs, the same alien emptiness he had experienced just before blacking out.

Opening his eyes, he saw... himself standing in front of him. "Good, you're finally awake, Sir," he said.

"The machine... what happened? You're Kimiko, aren't you?"

"Yes, Sir." Somehow, it felt weird when he called him sir. "It seems the machine somehow swapped her bodies. I've been mulling it over while you have been out, and I think I'm on the track as to why."

"I need to fix this. I need to get us back in our rightful bodies."

"I doubt you'll be able to."

"What do you mean? If we recreate the situation, we should be able to switch right back...? Is the machine damaged?"

"Yes, but nothing that can't be repaired. What I meant was that I doubt you will be able to fix it. Not everything transferred with our consciousness. From what I've experienced while you were out, I suspect you currently have my, that is to say, Kimikos, intellect and understanding of my machines. Among other things."

"Other... things?"

"I'm sure you'll figure out what I mean. Now, I need to figure out how to fix the machine. And while I do that, I think it's only natural that you take on Kimikos role. I'm hungry, so fix me up a sandwich. You'll find me in the lab."

John was about to protest, but to his surprise, he found himself hesitating. Kimiko seemed so commanding. He didn't feel like it was his right to protest.

"I...I'm not..." he began, unable to face Kimikos stare.

"Yes, you are. For now. The sooner you accept that, the sooner we'll have this little incidence sorted out and be back in our proper places. No, go on, let yourself be Kimiko for a while, and do as I say."

"I... Yes, Sir," she answered, and walked to the kitchen.