Can you hear me, Mr. Thompson?

“…Can you hear me, Mr. Thompson?”

Eric groggily opened his eyes, his vision adjusting to the sight of a man in a suit standing where he had been expecting his surgeon to be waiting for him post-surgery.

“Whahappened?” He groaned groggily, his voice sounding strangely high pitched as his eyes slowly focused.

“Don’t worry, you’re safe. You’re still in the hospital, but there was an incident during your surgery. During the operation, an agent of ours was shot and exposed to the compound while attempting to secure it. He was rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment before the compound’s effects were completely understood. Unfortunately, its level of contagiousness was severely underestimated and a number of patients and staff located in the surgical wing were infected before its spread was contained. You are one of those people.”

Eric tried to force out a laugh, more to clear his throat and get his normal voice back than anything else.

“So, what does that even mean? I have some kind of disease?”

“It means you’ve undergone a complete genetic restructuring. Over the past few days, your body has stripped itself of all male characteristics and systematically rebuilt itself in favor of female ones. Your body has stabilized and we don’t anticipate any more changes to you at this point, but as of now, you are now completely and biologically female.”

Eric could feel his heartbeat pick up, waiting for a tell in the man’s tone that would never come, anything to indicate that this was all some prank he’d been put up to.

“But then… What am I supposed to do? You need to fix this!?” He could pick up on it now, his voice sounding distinctly feminine in the slight echo of the hospital room. The agent was telling the truth.

The man’s tone lowered.

“I understand you came into this hospital as a man, but understand you won’t be leaving as one. Obviously, the government has a vested interest in keeping this incident secret. The only reason you’re being told is to help you to accept your… transition. Given this situation, it would be impossible for you to return to your old life as-is. As a courtesy, you’ll be provided with a new identity and documentation along with some financial assistance to support you as you adjust to your new life. Any attempts to communicate with your old contacts or leak this information will be monitored and you will be placed in a psychiatric ward indefinitely.”

Eric felt like he was going to throw up.

“You’re asking me to throw away my whole life! I mean… What about my job? my friends? I don’t believe you, there has to be some other way!”

The agent’s face softened a bit.

I really do suggest you take the deal, Eric. It’s the best you’re going to get under the circumstances. Besides, think of it like a new start. You’re an attractive young woman now, that opens a lot of doors if you act accordingly. 

A week later, a 24 year old Samantha Johnson signed the lease on her new apartment, showing the landlord documents proving her identity, banking history, and prior paystubs.

She had been placed in an apartment in the city along with her new roommate Allison, formerly Robert, a 58 year old surgeon who was now a brunette that sported breasts nearly the size of her head and a drivers license that said she had just turned 26. As far as the rest of the world knew, they were nothing more than two young Gen-Z women splitting rent to keep costs low while they looked for work.