As the Corona Virus raged across the country Dante was relieved to be on winter break from college on the west coast. He never took classes in the summer or winter semester as they were too short for his liking.

Dante came home greeted warmly by his adoptive parents now in their early 50's, but still going strong.

That was all until today.

The day the world changed.

Dante walked down the stairs of his home greeting his parents as he sat down for breakfast. It was winter break and Dante was home from college. He would be going back to college in about two weeks, or so he thought. Dante's black messy hair still damp from his quick shower. His emerald eyes glittered as he watched his parents dance around the kitchen whilst breakfast was cooking.

Dante smiled, his heart warmed by the scene before him. He wished he could have something as good as what his parents had.

It was January 20th, 2021, Inauguration day.

After breakfast Dante and his parents sat down on the couch having finished their breakfast. They flipped the Tv to the news, where Fix was reporting from the site where the president would soon be inaugurated. They saw as the president elect stepped up the stairs towards the podium. However, as he reached the top of the stairs, everything changed. Words rolled across Dante's Iris'.

Welcome people of Earth to the Upward Bound System!

With the system's arrival you are warned to prepare for the coming danger.

The tools of your survival shall be granted upon you by the system.

System Integration Proceeding...

Appropriating media...

Assimilating content...

System store is Live...

The Road system is Live...

Arrival of System representative imminent...

Humanity, the new age is upon you…

Dante's eyes narrowed upon the text in his vision but chose to ignore it as the President elect, another old white guy, stepped up to be sworn in.

"Dante?" "Yeah dad?" "Is there something in my eyes?" Dante turned his head slowly towards his father before a flash from the T.V. caused both of them to redirect their attention.

(Several hours earlier)

Up in space a colossal sleek black ship entered a geostationary orbit around Earth's moon. The ship appeared to look like an enormous 20 sided die. The ship's surface seemed polished to a mirror like shine in the sunlight.

Each of its faces was more than 20 miles in diameter. Once it had reached its intended destination the onboard A.I. which had been dormant for its long ride began its startup sequence.

Startup sequence Initiated...

Initializing sensors…

Ascertaining and Executing Prime directives...

Acquire information upon host civilization prior to first contact, by varying means if need be.

The sensors of the colossal ship flared to life. It immediately found many artificial bodies orbiting the main body of the moon's solar partner. It reached out, trying to connect to them with its mind. After a moment it finally managed to establish a connection between itself and the satellites.

It had many jobs. For them it required information. It began to rapidly assimilate all the data provided to it, all the information it could find. It bypassed the security systems in the satelites programing and suppressed the sounding of any alarms. It wanted to keep those on the blue marble unaware of its presence, until it had a better grasp of the situation.

"Earth they call it?" The A.I. mused to itself as it continued to sort through the ocean of data it had gained access to. The system ship set its clocks to the time used by the people of this world. January 20, 2021 Inauguration day in the USA. One of the largest and most powerful countries on the planet named Earth.

Adjust System parameters to fit new contextual data.

Quickly the A.I. began to translate its interfaces into the many and varying languages of Earth. The system analyzed the customs and cultures of the people of Earth. It took in the ocean of information sorting through it at unbelievable speeds. However an ocean is still an ocean.

It took several hours for the system to make all the necessary changes before it moved onto its next directive.

Initiate contact with most prominent sentient lifeforms.

There at the podium where the new president was supposed to be sworn in, was a shining golden figure. Dante asked it first, "Is that god?"

The golden figure was humanoid in appearnace, if somewhat androgynous. Its skin was smooth and practically translucent. "Hello, I am the system representative A.I. tasked with the running of this world. I have noted that 2.6 billion individual's as of this moment have asked questions of great similarity. That question being, is that god, in several million variations. I am not any of your gods..."

'Its voice even sounds androgynous.' Dante thought.

The golden figure's hand reached up to hold its chin, pondering aloud for a moment, "However, by your world's definitions I could be classified as such a being." The figure returned its hand to the podium, "All that aside, I have been sent to guide you and the other races on this world."

Once more the figure paused before continuing, 3.5 billion individuals have expressed the desire to know my designation. My designation is..." He paused for the third time. "Many of you are worried for those here in America." The figure motioned and camera's zoomed out showing the large crowd that had gathered to watch the presidential election.

The crowd was silent. Not a person moved. Not one person spoke. Every person besides the golden figure seemed to be frozen.

The camera's once more focused upon the golden figure as he gave reassurance, "Fear not, for I have simply immobilized them. As for my designation, you may each call me as you wish." The figure smiled warmly, "I am currently speaking in the capital of every country in this world. Many of your old systems of governance are being torn down and rebuilt under my leadership. My voice is being heard by every person upon this planet through one medium or another. You all hear me in your own language. That is the system working to help limit misunderstandings. The system is working, in part, as what you... Star Trek fans would call a universal translator."

The figure turned looking upon the frail old man who had been making his way up to the podium prior to his arrival. He raised up his right hand, "You and those like you are no longer required. I can see your crimes, and for them you shall be punished swiftly." The figure spoke in a harsh tone.

The figure snapped his fingers.

Initiate dismantling of major governmental bodies, minor/local governmental bodies are to be left intact when viable.

No sooner had the figure snapped its fingers than the man who had been moments from the office of the president of the United States fell to the ground, dead.

All across the nation and the world other such individuals in high government positions were dropping dead, as each of the 193 other copies of themself snapped their fingers.

Corrupt and evil individuals all across the world began dropping like flies. The system knew the mind of every human being. From their hopes and dreams, to their darkest secrets. So, it was that those monster's that hid in the light and dark alike, found their lives abruptly ended.

Many others simply received blue boxes notifying them that they had been stripped of their authority. Others received notices stating that their positions would be changing from this day forth.

The golden figure regarded the corpse that just seconds ago had been a man, with cold eyes. It returned to its previous position, as its smile also returned. "Now that we have that nasty business out of the way. This form will disappear. But remember, like those gods you hold so dear I will always be watching, always be with you. I am your guide and I will be there whenever you have a need for me." The golden figure gave a bow then seemed to blink from existence.

It was at that moment that everyone who had been frozen began to move again. There was silence for a moment, then all hell broke loose.

Institute new, one world, government.

The system began setting up a new form of government built upon efficiency, logic and reasoning. This new government however was tempered by compassion, trust and just a hint of faith.

Buildings once meant for governments now fallen were repurposed to suit the system's needs.

Bring armies of the world under your control, if possible/ applicable.

All across the world the militaries of now fallen nations received word that a new order was being established. Many soldiers actively attempted to fight this new system. Others stood by awaiting order’s from their superiors.

Repurpose military forces to combat what is to come.

The superiors who would be giving the order’s were being informed as to what was to come. Their faces paled at the news, as they rushed to issue orders to their soldiers.

Begin uplifting event, one species at a time.

The first animal on Earth that had been chosen to be uplifted was a creature commonly referred to as a Trash panda, a Raccoon.

One raccoon had to be tested first. So of the population a single male raccoon was chosen at random and the uplifting process began.

The raccoon burst into golden light. The creature screamed as its body was racked with pain.

The system caused the raccoon's genes to endure millions of years of evolution in mere seconds.

It felt it’s mind expand as its body began to reshape itself, becoming more humanoid.

After a long moment the light faded away and the pain ceased. The raccoon stood upon its hind legs panting as it felt exhaustion. It was then that words rolled across its vision.

Welcome to the Upward Bound System!

All across North America millions of raccons began to be uplifted by the system.