1 A New Man...

Ted was lost in a sea of mediocrity. He had always dreamed of being something special. He had made his way through school, had fulfilled his family obligations, and had always wondered if the 9-5 of modern life was all he would do. He had often dreamed of being a business tycoon, or a wealthy entrepreneur, or a politician who actually brought the world from war to peace.

Eventually, Ted found solace in the fact that, though he would not change the world, he would changed the life of a young woman. He met a lovely lady named Shirls, who was his compliment while in university. She was just different enough to compliment his shortcomings, while having enough of a similar worldview to allow for peaceful living.

Ted and Shirls settled into the nice, American, middle class lifestyle that was typical of a southern lifestyle. They attended church on Sunday, when nothing better would interfere. They ate out at restaurants socially, and had a large group of acquaintances, although no deep friends. They spent most of what they made at their jobs, and tried to justify that their meager attempt at savings was average for everyone their age.

They discussed even taking the next step. Ted was amenable to the idea of a boy and a girl. Shirls wanted to have a large family, at least two of each gender, and the more the better. Ted enjoyed practicing for making a child more than he enjoyed the idea of having a young one running around the house interfering with his plans. As of yet, no news was good news to Ted's opinon.

Every weekday morning, Ted would wake up, go through a routine of shower, shave, sh!#, and head off to his job. He worked as a programmer for an accounting firm. His menial job of information technology support, program modification and optimization, and functional support for other systems betrayed the utter depth of boredom that he dealt with. He spent most of his time installing(or reinstalling) printers, travelling to people's offices, only to reboot the computer and fix an issue, or even to try to explain to a newer employee that they had gotten a virus by viewing explicit websites that were already against company policy.

Every weekend, Ted and Shirls would find something to occupy their time. They would either focus on spending quality time together, or spending time doing their own hobbies. Ted was a man of many hobbies, and Shirls enjoyed sharing the results of those, even if she did not enjoy experiencing the activity itself together.

One week, Monday and Tuesday had proceeded just like normal. Ted woke up on Wednesday, and figured it would proceed just the same. As he drove into work, he saw a crazy street preacher holding his signs, and yelling at drivers.

"You are called to a higher calling!!" the crazed preacher shouted.

Some drivers honked, some cursed, some yelled blessings through windows as they drove past.

Ted was fortunate. The red light in front of the street preacher turned just as Ted came alongside. He had his windows down, to enjoy the autumn air. He glanced out his window, and the preacher was staring straight at him.

"Do you really think He called you to a life of mediocrity?"

Ted looked straight ahead.

"Are you willing to live what you claim to believe?"

Ted thought to himself, 'This man is crazy, and maybe if I don't respond, he'll move on to someone else...'

Suddenly, the voice was right beside his car, and much more quiet.

"Son, you have been called by the Voice of G-d to be a Paladin for His cause." the preacher whispered into his SUV.

Ted almost lost control of his bowels. How did this preacher go from 20 feet away to right next to his car so quickly and quietly? What in the Hell was this man going on about? Ted looked over, out of fear that this man might try to get in his car.

The preacher was gone...

" **You have activated Paladin System** " a voiced suddenly said. Ted was sure he heard the voice, but it almost sounded like it came from inside his skull...

" || Is this the Voice of G-d? || " Ted thought...

" ** This is the Paladin System. I have been created by G-d to guide His Paladins for His Kingdom ** "

" || So, are you like an angel? || "

" ** That is what many of G-d's children have referred to me as in your history and religious texts ** "

// New System: Paladin Class I

// New Skill: Prayer Lvl 1

// New Skill: Walk in Faith Lvl 1

// Exp: 0 / 100

// New Mission: Matt 25 Sheep and Goats

// ........Rwd: ??

Suddenly, Ted was assaulted with information. He wasn't sure how he got it, as it was just inside his head. It wasn't a voice or a sight, but a sudden awareness.

" || Do I call you System? || "

" ** You may, or you can just think and I will respond. I am aware of your thoughts before you are... ** "

" || All of them? || "

" ** Yes, and those will be punished... and those will be rewarded... and that is not Righteous.. ** "

As Ted thought of his google search history, and then as he thought of memories of church discussion, and even as he thought of arguing with his wife, the system seemed to respond before he was aware of his thoughts...

" || Well, this is gonna be an adjustment.. || "