FELINA

"Welcome to the antechamber of VR2L Third Earth," said the cat-headed womanon the monitor. "I am your hostess, Lady Bast. Please state your name and step up to the screen to choose your character format."

The newest arrival glanced about warily. "Character format?"

"Please state your name."

"Felina. What character format?"

"Welcome, Felina," smiled Bast. There was a tickling sensation as the sensors analyzed Felina and presented a picture of her on the left half ofthe screen with a blank form on the right. "You require a character to enter the world of VR2L Third Earth. What race will you be?"

"Er...Felina's Rendilan...I suppose."

"I'm sorry, there is no record of the race 'Rendilan.' Please define using one of these options: Thunderian, Plundarian, Lunatak, Human..."

"Human," said Felina quickly.

"Male or Female?"

"Female. Definitely female."

"Would you like to make any alterations?" asked the voice of Bast.

Felina checked the statistics and adjusted them to suit her tastes: five feet, five inches; dark red/brown hair, petite.

"What, if any, are the native abilities of this Rendilan?"

"Psi abilities, kinetic, telepathic, healing," rattled off Felina.

"Function aborted. Your character is too powerful for this stage of VR2L,"said the voice of Bast firmly. "You must abandon some skills or lower their level of function. You may choose one at level three, one at level two, and the others at level one."

"What? Well I didn't intend to abuse them!" protested Felina.

"VR2L Third Earth is a computer generated environment and must be quantified. Please define your skills."

"Very well...I will choose psi abilities as my first choice, telepathy as my second choice, and kinetic and healing powers as my final choices."

"Thank you, your cooperation is appreciated. Would you like to choose a costume?"

Fenlina checked her list of options and decided on a biosuit. By the computer's definition it could be worn for long periods, resisting dirt and wear. It was almost form fitting, but flexible, and contained some insulation to protect the wearer from heat or cold. Felina had described something similar in her fanfiction.

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

"May I choose a second weapon as my item of equipment?" asked Felina aftera moment of careful thought.

"If you like. But your highest proficiency will be in the first weapon chosen."

"Then I want a one-handed short sword and a compound bow with a quiver of arrows," decided the player. "I assume the sword *will* be of a durable material, won't it?"

"All VR2L blades are unbreakable until the character has attained asufficient level to survive without them," the voice of Bast seemed to laugh. Then it requested that Felina balance her attributes.

Felina did so, finally opting for a scholarly knowledge of mind powers as her primary skill to make the most of her character's own powers. This was followed by animal knowledge and, in a moment of self-indulgence, musical talent. She chose a flute for her instrument for, though she did not have one, she was certain that one could be found and that it would be portable.

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

"Felina watched the opposite wall raise up and blinked at the blinking light. Fear choked her briefly, but she quelled it. "Can't be any worse than a day at work," she muttered under her breath before stepping out ofthe chamber and disappearing into the glow.

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KITH

"Please state your name and step up to the screen to choose your character format."

"Kith the Elven Lord," grinned the player as he was analyzed and the computer analyzed his form. Presented with a blank slate, the "lord" went to work.

The final character was tall: six feet and two inches. He looked almost magical. His bright green eyes were long and narrow, laced with sparks of yellow lightning which danced and flickered. His hair was fine and shifted with his mood, undecided as to whether it should be the colour of wheat, of brown earth, or of smooth toffee. His ears, though hidden, were slightly pointed and even his canine teeth were longer and somewhat feral.

"Yes! This is perfect!"

"Your form suggests the abilities of a magus. You may perform magic of the Earth element on a basic level. Practise will increase your abilities,"stated the voice of Bast.

"Great! But...do I get to wear anything besides this...thing?" asked Kith, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course," the voice seemed to grin. "You may choose your costume next."The result was something of a medieval appearance, but with a more modern cut for ease of movement and maintenance. "The character designated 'Kiththe Elven Lord' is saved. Basic equipment includes food, water, and basic bedroll. You may choose one weapon and one additional item of equipment.Others may be gathered in time.

"Kith choose a rapier-like sword after considering something more high-tech.Somehow, blades were more a part of Thundercats and he wanted to keep to the theme of the show. When Bast nixed his owning a laptop - where would he plug it in, after all? - Kith opted for the next best thing: a pure, polished quartz crustal which, with just a little magical attention, could be used to capture voice recordings and images, store power, serve as along-range communicator, and even spy on events happening in other parts of the world. "Don't leave home without it," he smirked as the item was added to his character inventory and saved.

Kith completed the last stage, distributing points among his attributes and choosing a contradictory knowledge of technology as his primary skill.Thundercat history was his second choice and he decided to hang on to his love of writing as his third. It might even come in handy for preparing spells...

"Attributes designated to character 'Kith the Elven Lord' are saved," said Bast. "Thank you for joining the VR2L test group. I hope you enjoy yourstay on Third Earth.

"Kith shielded his eyes as the far wall was raised and the light spilledinto the antechamber. Then, with only the slightest hesitation, he strode out into the world of VR2L.

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