Lizzie stared at the presentation showing the quarterly financials of their division, bored out of her mind. Her boss Jack, was droning on and on, stretching what should have been a short email, into an hour-long PowerPoint detailing how much revenue they brought in selling kayaks. Thankfully, she had mastered the art of nodding along while nodding off.

Staring out into space, Lizzie twisted the new engagement ring around her finger, her mind lost on wedding planning. Her fiancé, Cameron, finally proposed after quite a few not-so-subtle hints. Cameron and her met through a work function, her in the financial department and him in the engineering. Triton Shipwrights’ new recreational division had given Lizzie a nice promotion, just in time for the engagement. Cameron made significantly more than her, working in some classified division of the firm doing government contracting. Nonetheless the extra money would be a great help.

Her thoughts were solidly focused on the dress her friends helped pick out for her. A long billowing ball gown satin dress that would highlight her more favorable proportions. She would straighten her natural curly brown hair, “I’m gonna look so good” she muttered to herself.”

“Something to add Ms. Feldman” Jack asked.

Lizzie came to from her thoughts and before she could say a word, an otherworldly voice began to speak.

The transformation of this world will soon be completed.

Lizzie’s jaw dropped and looked around the board room, only to see everyone staring at her expectantly.

This message is intended to notify all system qualifying entities that the standard universal system will be available upon completion of notification.

“Who’s that speaking on the PA system,” Lizzie asked loudly over the announcement.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

The room looked around in confusion.

“What are you talking about” one of the new interns said.

…all attributes have been assigned and tiers determined. Those qualifying for titles have been awarded.

“The fucking voice talking about entities, who is that” Lizzie retorted.

“Ms. Feldman, are you okay?” Jack questioned; his face scrunched in confusion.

Please be aware that this transformation was more drastic than usual and required the use of a world blend protocol. The Flux used for transformation will cause severe planetary reconfiguration along with the removal of all technological impact.

Lizzie couldn’t help but to be drawn to focus on the voice, the concerned questions of her colleagues being drowned out by the system’s message.

Class and Profession selection will be available in 3 days. Welcome to the Universe.

With that the voice was gone and Lizzie’s focus was drawn back to the conference room, with everyone staring at her. “You guys are joking right? Who was that speaking?” Lizzie asked to no one in particular.

Miranda, one of Triton’s accountants responded, “Lizzie, do you need to step out, clear your head.”

Before Lizzie could answer her, a timer appeared in her face, counting down from two minutes.

2:00

1:59

1:58

Gasping Lizzie reached for her water bottle and after a taking a big sip, “I’m okay, I don’t know what happened.” Internally she was freaking out. The timer moved to the corner of her vision but no matter where she looked it was visible.

Her colleagues were still looking over at her uneasily but considering it was nearly five o’clock on a Friday no one cared enough to fuss further.

Lizzie thought over the message to herself, transformation? Attributes? Planetary reconfiguration? Sounded like a bunch of gibberish that, judging by everyone’s looks, only she heard. The timer was freaking her out even more, ominously ticking down to this apparent transformation.

“System?” Lizzie thought to herself causing a screen to appear in front of her face, her name plastered right at top, just as the timer hit zero. With a sudden scream everything turned black.