CHEEZEY

*Finally, everything's set up,* thought the young woman as she connected the final wire and plugged in her new pentium system. She wasn't sure what all this was about, but it sounded harmless enough and she could use a new, top of the line computer system. Sure, it didn't have much in the way of free software, but it was loaded down with all the graphic and video capabilities that an online tabloid producer could dream of. Free internet service for a year wasn't a bad incentive either. Especially with unlimited hours. She wondered why internet connection was necessary simply to test a game.

While the system booted up, she slipped on her gear: a toque-like hat, soft black shirt and pants - both rather form fitting, soft black gloves and slippers. *They're comfortable enough,* she admitted to herself as she lined up the red dots on the outside with what the instructions termed her "pulse points." At least, they were more comfortable than the hospital-style face mask with the tab that went into her mouth. *That* just made her feel rather thirsty.

*No time to worry about that now,* she decided as she put on the black visor and positioned her mouse over the VR2L icon. She smiled slightly, remembering a quote which, in this case, seemed more than appropriate. *If we're going to do it, let's do it,* she grinned to herself.

With a double click, the program was launched.

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"W-w-w-welcome..come. You-you-you are early. Y-you are the...the...the...first to arrive. P-please forgive us, the..the..the sou-sound system is not...not entirely op-op-op...operational."

The young woman jumped and looked around wildly. What had once been adimmed version of her room and computer screen was now a temple of carved stone, warm sandstone in colour. She noticed that she was no longer wearing her mask, visor, or hat though the rest of her black clothing remained. She could also find no source for the voice though it was definitely female. "Where am I?" she asked experimentally and was almost surprised to hear her own voice echo off the walls. Faintly she could still sense the tab she had put in her mouth.

"You-you-you are in the antechamber of...of...of VR2L," said the voice as aportion of the far wall shimmered and became glassy, much like a screen.The head and shoulders of a woman appeared. But not a woman really...humanoid shoulders with the head of a brown cat, surrounded by soft brownish blonde hair which twisted and curled around her twitching ears. "I...I...I am the-the-the voice message of La-lady Bast. Welcome toVR2L Third Earth. I am-am-am programmed to respond to a wide...wide...wide variety of introduc-ductory questions such as 'Where...where...where amI?'" the cat-woman continued answering her guest's next question before it could be asked. "We...we are ready for you now," Bast said, her voice smoothing out. "Please state the name you wish to use and approach the screen to create your character."

"Cheezey," said the woman, stepping closer to the screen though it would have been impossible *not* to see it considering how large it was compared to the small size of the chamber. There was a tickling sensation all overher body that she could not explain and a fair approximation of herself was displayed on the left half of the screen. The right half bore a humanoid figure of about her size, but devoid of features.

"Please choose your race," prompted Bast.

"What the hell," grinned Cheezey. "Lunatak."

"Please specify. There are many varieties of Lunataks: Ice, Psi, Infra,HiGrav, Lunar, HyperAudio, Hunter...

"Cheezey realized that varieties of Lunataks mentioned only in fanfictionhad been included. She gaped a moment before managing to stammer:"Psi...Psi Lunatak."

"Psi Lunatak it is," said Bast. "Male or Female?"

"Female."

The figure on the right morphed into a female Lunatak with the colouring of Alluro. "Are there any changes you would like to make?" asked Bast.

"Make the hair a little more wheat colour than grey," decided Cheezey, and lighten the skin tone. Both changed accordingly. "A little lighter on the skin," she continued as the tone lightened further. "Stop! Right there! And green eyes too! Taller!"

When the figure was completed to her satisfaction, Cheezey stepped back for a distance view and gave a sardonic smirk at the thought of her parents'reaction had they actually given birth to such a being. She realized that the Lunatak figure was garbed in her black clothing just as the computerized voice asked if she would like a change of clothing.

"Yeah...mostly like Alluro's from the waist down, but with a more feminine top...as in covering the body."

The image complied and the black outfit became brown breeches, boots, and belt with a slightly blousy, off-white linen shirt and a double bandolier that crossed her chest in an X, defining it without making her look sluttish. It was almost a buccanneer type of uniform. "Perfect," she grinned. "That's the character I want."

"Character designated 'Cheezey' is saved," said Bast. "Basic equipmentincludes food, water, and basic bedroll. You may choose one weapon and one additional item of equipment. Others may be gathered in time."

Cheezey paused. She considered asking for a psyche club, but she wasn'tsure what this was about yet and it wouldn't be all that practical. "A knife," she decided. A good one could be used as both tool and weapon. "Along one with a good blade. And a camera."

There was no point in neglecting one's duties as an editor, was there?

"A virtual camera will produce screen captures which will be saved to your hard drive," stated Bast passively. "Your attributes and skills currently match those of the average Psi Lunatak. Please adjust your attributes according to your tastes," she continued as the screen displayed a list of names and numbers. "The higher the number, the better your skill. You have five bonus points. Once you run out, you must lower an attribute if you wish to increase another. Then enter your primary interest and two secondary ones. These will be added to your basic Lunatak skills."

Cheezey did so and chose Astrology with its associated fields as her primary skill. A general knowledge of the supernatural would be her second as a virtual world was no doubt rich in such references. She decided to keep her ability to produce fanfiction as her third.

"Attributes designated to character 'Cheezey' are saved," said Bast. "Thankyou for joining the VR2L test group. I hope you enjoy your stay on ThirdEarth."

The far wall of the chamber shuddered and lifted. Cheezey tried to make outdetails on the other side, but the light was too bright. She felt a momentof apprehension, but decided that it was safe enough. What could happen in a game?

With a deep breath, Cheezey stepped out of the antechamber and into Third Earth.

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