A female one

As you were the first time, you are reborn into the world, naked and cold and covered in goo. Of course, a few things are different this time around. For a start you are fully aware of what is happening, you carry with you all the memories and experiences of your old life even the ones you would rather have left behind.

You welcomed into your new life not by your mother's loving arms but by the impersonal efficiency of the clinic's duty technician. He drags you from the suspension tank and yanks the breathing tube from your throat. You fill your new lungs for the first time relieved to feel no pain when you do, no tell-tale rattle or wheezing. The antiseptic air of the clinic tastes as sweet as a summer meadow to you.

"So far so good." You think to yourself coughing out the last of the tank goop

The tech wipes your face clean and takes a firm grip on your chin. He turns your head to the side looking in your eyes then prying your mouth open to look inside. He nods seeming satisfied and turns away to tap at a glowing screen.

"For the record state your name." He says in a tone that suggests he could not be less interested in your answer.

"I... um... I'm" you croak you new vocal chords pushing your voice much higher than you are used to "My name is Jed Weathers. At least it was..."

"Sleeve identity registered" the man cuts you off and holds a tablet in front of you "DNA scan to confirm receipt of goods."

Acting on a lifetime of habit you press your thumb to the red square until it turns green.

"Okay, Ms Weathers, we are all done here." He says handing you towel a "you can get cleaned up and dressed through there before orientation."

He helps you to your feet and you wrap the towel around your shoulders not daring to look down at yourself yet.

"Ms Weathers," you think as you shuffle toward the indicated door "I guess I better get used to that..."

"Get a move on there, sweetheart" the tech calls after you the irritation in his voice at least making a change from his bored indifference "I've got another five of you sardines to decant and I'd like to get done before midnight."

Not trusting your new voice you simply nod and attempt to shuffle faster. Your body feels bizarrely wrong under the towel, heavy and round in places that had previously been flat. Soft and flat in places that had previously been hard and bulging. You grit your teeth, (Oh, you have your own teeth again. You make a mental note to take better care of these ones) hoping that the disorientation you are feeling right now will pass before too long. That's what everyone says anyway, after a few days or weeks in a new sleeve your mind adjusts and it starts to feel just like having your normal body. You aren't sure you_ want _to get used to being a woman but it is what it is. God knows you've had plenty of practice tolerating shit you couldn't change. Besides, you remind yourself, you had wanted a fresh start if losing your manhood was the price you paid for that then so be it.

Stepping through the door you find yourself in a small bathroom. There is a shower, a toilet, a shelf with some clothes and more towels on and a wash basin. Over the sink is a mirror frame but the mirror itself is switch off right now and it just shows a section of tiled wall.

The door hisses shut behind you giving you at least the illusion of privacy. You take a moment to consider what to do first. You are anxious to get a better look at the new you but also nervous about facing your new face. Perhaps you should just get cleaned up as quick as you can and leave the introduction until you feel a bit steadier?