'Huh, it's been a while since I was last knocked unconscious.'
"""Congratulations on completing your first job!!!"""
'Ah, back in the courthouse… I guess that means I'm done?'
"""Now that you're done your first mission as an STO we've allowed you to access the basic functions as a member of the heavenly conglomerate. Before we iterate your new tools and tasks you may ask questions regarding your current situation. We understand you're confused and are here to help."""
'Huh, thank goodness they've set this up to allow me to fully understand my current situation. Let's see… they're already providing everything I need to know about what I get and have to do so I should probably check the terms and conditions huh... '
"So, non-satanic voice in my head, what's the catch?"
"""Please clarify."""
"Is there anything regarding the job that is binding or has long-term negative effects?"
"""Within the parameters proposed we've generated an answer:
-If you make little to no progress then you will be indefinitely held at this level.
-If you act irresponsibly enough or break character when on the job you'll be terminated.
Do you have any more questions?"""
"What does STO mean, and what does "terminated" mean?"
"""Within the parameters proposed we've generated an answer:
-STO= Self Termination Officer.
-Termination is referring to the removal of your existence from the omniverse.
Do you have any more questions?"""
"Nope, I think I understand what's going on."
"""Alright, As a self-termination officer you must shift from multiverse to multiverse whilst executing alternate versions of you. This is necessary as it prevents any previous butterfly event generated by other, seemingly unrelated interventions from tearing apart the very worlds consistency."""
"Why me?"
"""Within the parameters proposed we've generated an answer:
-Because of commonalities between the officer and the anomaly, it becomes a much easier task for STO's on average.
"Ah, thank you for advancing my knowledge, one paraMETER at a time!"
"""Please do not interrupt the briefing."""
"Okie-Dokie"
"""As an employee of the heavenly conglomerate, you'll receive incremental increases in your capability, both physical and mental. You'll receive your own leased workspace in the form of a separated and empty universe. Once you've finished enough missions you may be promoted, this, of course, depends on your actions and current level of skill. You may now ask relevant questions."""
"I get an entire universe?"
"""Within the parameters proposed we've generated an answer:
-Yes, although this universe is incredibly small and only covers the approximate area of 1000^3 meters.
Do you have any more questions?"""
"How will I access everything I need?"
"""Within the parameters proposed we've generated an answer:
-You can access everything you need within your personal universe.
Do you have any more questions?"""
"Huh, so… is that it?"
"""Within the parameters proposed we've generated an answer:
-Do you have any more questions?"""
"Umm… no?"
"""You may now exit the briefing room by the pew."""
Standing up, Alfred walks over to the new and over to a pair of standard, if not cheap looking double doors.
Pushing them open Alfred vanishes from the spot.
…
Alfred saw nothing, complete and utter darkness. A void so completely empty that it seemed to look back into one's soul.
Panicked Alfred swiveled, looking for anything to get a bearing on. He blanked as he looked behind him, at the beautiful floating island he stood upon.
"Oh right, I was standing on something… well at least nobody saw that!"
After the initial relief, Alfred began to scan his surroundings. He saw a small pond with an old, oak bridge arcing over it at its center. This flowed in a u shape around Alfred's current position leading into the void below in cascading and gentle waterfalls. Looking further revealed a small grassy plain which took up an entire third of the island. The other third of the island not being taken up by the pond or field was being occupied by a forest, in which one could see the side of a cottage sitting between the forest and plains.
Looking on in awe Alfred stepped forward only to realize that he'd been standing on a pedestal. It was simply a three centimeter tall by two meter by two meter wide slab of dark grey stone. The only noticeable feature it had was the dot in the center which was connected to the outer line which went around the edge of the slab, all of which glowed a soft teal.
"This… is nice. I mean, most of its charm is VOIDed by the surrounding abyss but this is nice."
Walking over the bridge Alfred chuckled at the seemingly nostalgic sound of slightly creaking wood. As Alfred approached the seemingly modern home he smiled, happy with it's design. It had a grey, wood exterior with a simple, arched roof that made for a pleasingly simple design.
"Seems, rustic? No… has to be Nordic."
Grabbing the paneled wooden door Alfred tugged, the pushed. But to no avail, it was held shut by a latch and a connected lock, scratching his head he looked around.
Seeing nothing related to the house other than the classic red-flagged mailbox and the always present welcome mat he was standing on Alfred sighed.
"Might as well go check my mail then, eh?"
Walking over to the mailbox, Alfred opens it seeing only an envelope inside.
Picking it up and opening it he grabs a wayward key that'd been seemingly intent on jumping out of the letter with full force. Putting the key into his pants pocket he reads the contents of the letter, all of which were printed In a blocky and artificial font.
"Welcome to your new home as an employee of the heavenly conglomerate. This includes all the necessary space for basic, stress relief activities. Within your new living space, you will find a computer fit with the operating system you're the most capable with, a bed, sufficient food, and an inter-reality telephone, used on field missions and for personal use. This will be your last direct guidance as it's not profitable to continue holding hands with our workers after the tutorial section.
Sincerely, AI#18473"
Alfred read aloud, intent on absorbing whatever pertinent knowledge provided.
Walking forward, Alfred opened the door. The inside of the house was shockingly bare. With a fireplace in a carpeted area, a minimalist kitchen in the tiled area, and a standard 2:1 oak table with one chair in a wooden tiled area adjacent to the kitchen. Looking over Alfred saw a loft with stairs leading up to it in the wooden section. Under the stairs, there were two doors, each a meter apart. Looking in the left one he could see a bathroom with a simple toilet, sink, and a bathtub/shower. Stepping back he poked his head into the other room, seeing a single bed with a desk sitting at the foot of it. Besides the computer sitting on the desk the only intriguing things about the room would be the closet and the dresser that was underneath the clothes rack.
Sighing to himself Alfred tossed himself onto the bed with weary eyes. Looking up at the ceiling he curled up on the blank mattress.
"I think saying they forgot to decorate the place wouldn't be too much of a BLANKET statement."
Smiling to himself, content with his joke Alfred drifted off to the first decent sleep he'd had since before his field trip.