"Welcome to the antechamber of VR2L Third Earth," said the image of a cat-headed woman with curly brown hair. "I am your hostess, Lady Bast. Please state your name and step up to the screen to choose your character format."

"I...I'm Thundercub," the new player stammered in surprise. She hadn't been sure what to expect, but now that things were happening, she grew bolder. "I'm a Thunderian Tabby, age: 14."

"Please, continue your description as the VR2L computers prepare your character," said the voice of Lady Bast as her picture vanished from the monitor to make room for Thundercub's scan and character alterations.

"I'm a girl...of course...with waist-length red hair. In a braid!" she added as the computer rushed to catch up with her. "Right down the back! Um...not the yellow...green eyes! Darker fur than that...sort of tannish...with the markings."

Thundercub went quiet for a moment, contemplating the figure.

"Shouldn't a Tabby have stipes?" queried Lady Bast. "The Thunderkittens have stripes."

"Oh yeah! I wanted stripes like Kitra's in my stories! That's three black stripes: one in the middle and two on the side," said Thundercub, watching the computer generated image as the three lines started near her face and slowly made their way back to where the braid began. It was almost as if some invisible paint brush was there, tracing black lines through the rich red of her mane. It was interesting to see them playfully twist and turn around each other as they melted into the braid as well. "That's great!" said Thundercub, happily. "But can you make them a little bit thinner?"

The task done, Bast prompted the player for a costume.

"Oh, I hadn't thought of that," frowned Thundercub. She considered asking for a costume from one of her stories...but then she also wanted to be her own self. While she tried to make up her mind, the computer seemed to be amusing itself by trying different outfits on her character figure. It was an odd way to think about a computer...surely it didn't play!...but it seemed forever as though the programmed voice of Lady Bast were using her as a paper doll. Certainly there was a cascade of laughter every time a particularly silly combination appeared.

"Wait!" cried Thundercub when a sleeveless tunic appeared. She wanted a better look at it before it vanished and was pleased when the computer froze. The tunic had a square scooped collar and inch-wide shoulder straps. It fell to about mid-thigh...excellent for running and acrobatics provided she had some underwear underneath! But the most interesting feature was the colour; or colours as the case may be.

Overall, she supposed that the tunic was a rich, leafy green...at least that was the colour which flowed through the entire article of clothing and around the patchwork colours. Tiny blotches of colour covered the entire surface of the fabric...or perhaps made up the fabric. The effect was like a mosaic...or, more accurately, like a field of wildflowers. It was...

Well, it was playful.

"I'd like to try that!" she said. "But I'll need a belt and footwear and things as well."

"I'm glad you like it," said the voice of Bast with some affection. I was making to for a different sort of character...one within your age range...but it was never used. It looks best with Roman sandals," the voice continued as high-laced leather sandles appeared on the image's feet. After a few more adjustments, Thundercub agreed to these, a slim belt with a V-shaped clasp and two leather armbands patterned with the same shade of green as her tunic.

"Character designated 'Thundercub' 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."

"Well, I kind of wanted a variety of attacks like the Thunderkittens," mused Thundercub, "and...well...I like magic too and I was hoping for some of that."

"We have a variety of kits available which include many items that work together though they are counted as a single item," offered Lady Bast, "but magic is not a natural Thunderian ability and you will have to abandon either your equipment or your weapon option if you would like that physical skill. Otherwise, there are staves and wands that can perform almost as well."

"What's the difference?" asked the player curiously.

"Natural ability magic is elemental and doesn't usually need special tools, but learned magic does...usually spells of complex phrases and hand gestures or mixtures of powders and liquids...potions," clarified the computerized voice. "Wands and staves convert the user's power into elemental magic which can enhance natural abilities or give new abilities to those who have none."

"Can anyone learn magic?" asked Thundercub anxiously.

"Yes...but all players start at a low level...how good you get depends on how much you practise, although in games one learns a lot faster than in real life. And, of course, if your skills and tools are geared toward magic, you have an extra advantage."

"Do you have any kits for magic users that are kind of like the ones the kittens use?"

"Well...there is an alchemical kit which isn't magical per say, but most of the ingrediants can be used with a magic skill and the rest can make powers and pellets like the kittens use. It does not, however, include a weapon."

"If I took that, could I still have a magical staff as a weapon?"

"Of course," said the voice of Bast, "but until you get better with learned magic, you'd be restricted to the element of your staff...and remember that using its power will drain you too."

Thundercub wondered when games had gotten so complicated. But it could be worth the trouble if it felt as real as it sounded!

"Okay," she decided, "I'll take the alchemical kit and a staff...what kind of magical staves do you have?"

"There is only an Earth staff and an Air staff left," said Bast.

"I'll take the Earth staff," said Thundercub, customizing it to look like carved and polished wood, tempered and as strong as steel. The body of the weapon was subtly done with an almost Celtic laticework - except at the hand grips - while the top bore a more complex design ending in an almost hand-like socket, a cool green crystal secured in its palm.

"Please balance your skills and your attributes," said the voice of Bast once the equipment had been added to the list.

Thundercub was glad that the hard part was over. Having decided to pursue magic made the adjustments a piece of cake...she merely made sure she had enough endurance to keep from getting killed and then increased all magic-friendly abilities such as intelligence and willpower. Her skills took some thought, but not much. She naturally chose to excel in the information skills: knowledge of technical magic being her first choice, followed by knowledge of religion/mythology...primarily Thunderian. The third choice was harder, but she chose a hand-to-hand combat knowledge. If she could take care of herself physically, she needn't drain herself over her staff.

"Attributes designated to character 'Thundercub' are saved," said Bast. "Thank you for joining the VR2L test group already in progress. I hope you enjoy your stay on Third Earth."

"I hope so too," said Thundercub to herself as she watched the doorway open with mild trepidation. "And I hope I don't forget all of this! I can tell that watching Thundercats is so much easier than being one...and I haven't even started yet!"

Taking a deep breath, she plunged into the bright light beyond.

*********************

The Thunderkittens, Wilycub included, giggled and chased each other around the council chamber with Woodstock in hot pursuit. The clouded leopard had appointed herself designated nursemaid and though she occasionally cuffed anyone who got too rough with one paw, she had chosen the job for the play factor. Indeed, she was quite the skilled tag player, being faster and able to leap further than the three kittens, but quite willingly let herself be caught or pretended to miss her target to prolong the game.

Cheetara, meanwhile, was speaking with the others.

"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to remain in the Council Chamber until the other return," said Cheetara. "They shouldn't be long."

"That's quite understandable," said Felina amiably. "We are happy enough just to be here...we admire you and your efforts to keep the peace."

"Thank you," said the cheetah, a bit awkwardly. "It's nice to know that we are appreciated. Sometimes I think we don't do enough...and others I wonder why we bother at all. The gains and losses are both great." Cheetara paused a moment but before anyone could comment on the cryptic remark, she continued. "But I've been terribly rude! Normally it's Snarf who specializes in hospitality! Can I get any of you some refreshments? Something to drink?"

"We don't want to trouble you," said Laura with a smile. "And I'm too anxious to drink anything anyway! Imagine, us in Cat's Lair!"

"Oh, it's no trouble," insisted the Thundercat, standing. Once she'd done so, she flattened herself against the table as the kittens raced by, followed by Woodstock who was currently 'it'. "I'll have to go anyway...the Thunderkittens will be thirsty when they tire of running around like demons. I'm sorry," she said, apologetically, "they don't usually act like this..."

"Like children?" asked Felina with the hint of a smile. Experimentally, she reached out to give Cheetara a mental nudge of friendship. The Thundercat did seem to relax somewhat and looked at Felina with something very like gratitude.

"Yes," she said, "like children. They've seen their share of fighting and often act with surprising maturity. Then, suddenly, they will dash about in games normally played by cubs half their age..."

"You should feel fortunate that they've found a way to hang on to a part of their childhood instead of letting the fighting eat away at them," said Felina frankly. "The odd game of inside tag is worth that, isn't it?"

MDG Calypso had been watching the game, but turned suddenly toward the others to add his own comment. "I agree," he said. "They've seen and done a lot...well, from what I've heard they've seen and done a lot...and what you say confirms it. To accomplish so much at that age and still come out on top is an achievement you should all be proud of."

Cheetara smiled more warmly and did seem prouder. Certainly she glanced at the racing kittens more fondly. "You sound as though you're speaking from experience," she said.

"I am," replied the cyborg. "I accomplished a lot when I was young, but those who were older and 'more experienced'...a subtle code which meant they thought they knew better...seldom took me seriously. You could say that my accomplishments are indirectly responsible for the machine portion of my body. I didn't install it...but I maintain it alone."

Cheetara opened her mouth to reply, but her thoughts were interrupted when Wilykat misjudged the arcing path around the table and slammed into her with a startled "Oof!" His soft-soled boots, unaware that he could no longer go forward, slid on the slick floor and the kitten disappeared below the edge of the table as he tumbled into a heap on the floor. Undaunted, he lunged at Woodstock who had dashed to take refuge beneath the table. He cursed mildly when she got away and crawled to his feet, grinning sheepishly at the cheetah. "Sorry," he mumbled, locking one arm behind his head. He was panting slightly from the exertion.

In light of the last conversation, Cheetara could hardly be mad and simply toussled his hair as he collapsed in a chair beside MDG. Wilykit and Wilycub tried their best to chase Woodstock out from her hiding place, but the leopard didn't even bother to send her thoughts mentally, her decision to start grooming herself was signal enough that the game was over...for now. Only when the two girls had scrambled into chairs of their own did she come out and leap up between Wilycub and Laura in the seat that Cheetara had vacated.

"How about some lemonade?" she asked the kittens who thanked her profusely between exausted gasps. "I can also fix tea if you like, " said Cheetara, mostly addressing the older crew.

"Hey, lemonade is fine by me," said Laura and the others agreed.

"I'll be right back then," smiled Cheetara, more at ease now. Then she turned to the twins. "Wilykit, Wilykat...you are our host and hostess while I'm in the kitchens...make sure our guests are comfortable." The twins grinned and waved goodbye vigorously...a silent assurance that they would be fine in her absence. Once she had gone they were more talkative, if still a little out of breath.

"Are you really part machine?" Wilykat asked MDG curiously. The cyborg assured him that he was and let the kitten examine his left arm as proof. "Panthro's going to show me how to work with machines," he said with admiration. "I'm already pretty good with the computers. I like to work with my hands..."

The line of commentary suggested that there was a lot more that the male twin would like to discuss, but his sister jabbed his arm. "Don't hog one guest all to yourself," she giggled. "It's rude! Besides, the other Thundercats will be here soon and they're not going to want to repeat everything a hundred times!"

"Well, I doubt it would be hundred times even if we spoke to each Thundercat separately," smiled Felina with amusement.

"Probably not," agreed Wilykit. "But it *feels* like a hundred times when you have to repeat something over, and over, and over, and over, and over...so it's the same thing."

"She's got a point," laughed Laura.

"I'm not just a pretty face you know," sniffed Wilykit, "I've got brains too!"

"Brains, beauty, bravery!" declared Wilycub.

"Right!" said Wilykit enthusiastically. "We both have brains, beauty, and bravery!"

"No brawn?" Laura said, feigning puzzlement.

"That's what Panthro's for!" giggled Wilycub.

"She's good," laughed Wilykit.

"But what if Panthro's not around?"

"Looks like you're going to have to work out a little more and fill the niche," MDG Calypso grinned, nudging Wilykat. The two girls dissovled into laughter. "Don't let them get to you...you're the one they'll be crawling to when the spaceboards need repairs."

"I don't know...Wilykit's pretty good at that herself," replied Wilykat with uncertainty.

"Yeah!" said Wilykit, sticking her tongue out at MDG.

"Don't you worry about what Wilykit is good at," interrupted Felina. There was an underlying ferocity to her voice. "You just worry about what *you're* good at and the rest will work itself out."

"Okay," said Wilykat sunnily.

"Say," said Laura. "If you're all entertaining us in here...who's watching for enemies out there?" She jerked a thumb at the window to illustrate her point.

"Oh, the scanners can run automatically," said Wilykit. "At least for a little while. We have a really good defense system! It's patched into the communications to let us know when something is happening." As if on cue, an alarm went off. It was not very loud...merely a series of beeps...but the noise was startling nonetheless.

"Goodness! What does that mean?" asked Felina, wide-eyed.v

"That," said Wilykat, narrowing his eyes slyly, "means the Thundercats are home."

*********************