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

"Aschi ScanMEE is my name. Aschi is my first name and ScanMEE is my last name," grinned the newest player, coming in for a closer look. She jumped a little in surprise as the scanners created an image of her body on the screen.

"You require a character to enter the world of VR2L Third Earth, Peachyra," said Bast. "What race will you be?"

"Thunderian."

"And what type of Thunderian would you like to be? There are lions, tigers, panthers, pumas..."

"Oh! Oh...I hadn't really decided," said Aschi, falling into silence. "I really just want anything that will suit my physical description."

"A mixed breed then? Traits to be determed later?"

"Alright."

"Male or Female?"

"Female, for sure!"

"Please provide me with your physical description," said the voice of Bast as the before and after pictures rotated slowly on the monitor.

"Well, tanned skin...er...fur, for sure," said Aschi. "I want longish hair...but not too long! I don't want it pulled in a fight. Alternating brown and black, please..."

"Like stripes?"

"Yeah, kinda like stripes," grinned the player, "but going right from the root to the tip...and all over. My paw and face markings can be brownish too...but not too dark! My eyes can just stay as they are," she decided. A close-up of the character's face revealed green-brown eyes with just the faintest ring of blue around the outer edge of their irises.

"Now for my costume," mused Aschi. "First I need some kind of leggings. Right, like that," she said as a pair of tan-coloured medieval hose appeared on the character. "My armour should be something like Xena's..."

"Please describe," said the voice of Lady Bast.

"Oh...right," Aschi quickly described the armour and boots, making the leather strips of alternating brown and black instead of their usual colour. "Come to think of it, I think I'd like to change my body shape a little. I want to be more imposing...maybe just a little taller, with a little more muscle to really show off the costume." The final effect was that of a woman slightly taller than average and a bit broadly built though most of her size was due to muscle masse. Still, her body wasn't bulging with strength, allowing for a distinctly female form.

"Character designated 'Aschi ScanMEE' is saved," said Bast when her player accepted the final design. "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."

"As for a weapon, I want a sword, of course," said Aschi. "What sort of Warrior Princess would I be without one? And as for my equipment...can I choose a second weapon?"

"Yes, although your main proficiency will be with the first item you choose...in this case, a sword," said Bast.

"Okay then, I'd like a sharp throwing ring like Xena's chakram."

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

Aschi ScanMEE did so, keeping her fighting and survival attributes quite high. Then it was time to choose the skills. Naturally she chose a warrior skil to better handle herself with her weapons and make experience easier to gather. She added a general atheltics skill which Bast assured her would increase her abilities to swim, climb, make long jumps and do other mildly heroic feats, but stopped to ask about a skill called "bricolage".

"It was the only name I could come up with for it," said the voice of Bast sounding almost sheepish. "It means that you can make serviceable things from bits of stuff. Nothing involving motors, mechanics or anything like that, but...well, you could put up a shelter in no time flat and probably make furniture for it as well."

"Okay," said the player, "I'll take that one!"

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

Though startled by the wall's sudden upward movement, Aschi didn't retreat in the least and even went to far to duck under it - eyes shielded against the bright light - before it could reach the top. Then she disappeared into VR2L Third Earth.

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

The group tumbled out of the hold even as the Thundertank was still rolling to a stop. Ruka, Xahji, and Rhythm were engaged in a discussion of the best music system to have installed into the tank - with Panthro's permission of course - and where to get said music. It was a difficult conversation to maintain as references to the game and its internet connection had to be carefully veiled, but they needn't have worried. The adults were too focussed on the fact that the procedure would require modifications to the vehicle to wonder exactly how the procedure would be performed.

"It's just speculation," Ruka assure Panthro for the umptieth time with a feral grin. "We wouldn't *dream* of messing with your full supervision."

"Unless we could get away with it," said Xahji to Rhythm in a low voice. The latter laughed and both were forced to don expressions of exaggerated innocence when Panthro turned to glare at them.

With the panther's attention otherwise occupied, Wilykat nudged Ruka. "Do you think we're the first ones to get here?" he asked with devilish delight. "It would be great to have something to lord over everyone else."

The tiger couldn't help grinning. "I don't see why we couldn't be...they didn't mention any other strangers having arrived..."

"Now what are you two whispering about?" said Snarf suspiciously, ambling over to where they stood. "Mrrr...don't think you have free run of the Lair just because you offered to help out. You're still under probation, snarf snarf."

"Aw, Unc...don't be an old stick in the mud," said Snarfer merrily, scrambling out of the back of the tank to join the older Snarf on the hangar floor. "They're just talking about music...that's okay, isn't it?"

"If you can call that stuff you youngsters listen to music," sniffed Snarf.

"Well we can only get what music they play in the villages," said Snarfer defensively. "Yep, just what they play in the villages. The Wollos play pretty good music, snarfer snarfer, but it's nothing like Snarf music, no sir," the young Snarf confided in the newcomers.

He was interrupted by a cry of "JET!" from the cab of the tank. Gatotrueno was having difficulty climbing out of the tank as the small white cat she had been holding attempted to use her as a ladder. She was currently trying to pull herself onto the sabertooth's head as Gato pawed at her and leaned forward to dump her on the seat. "I'll help you out when I get up on the edge, Jet! Get down!" Trapped behind them, Lion-o could only look on with amusement.

Finally satisfied with her purchase, Jetkitten wiggled her hind end slightly and pounced for the edge of the vehicle, landing only momentarily on the edge before leaping down to the claw and finally to the floor. Huffing and blowing hair out of her face, Gatotrueno followed her.

"You didn't have to do that, you know," she snorted at the cat who merely sat and groomed herself nonchalantly. "I could have helped you after I was done."

"She seems to think she doesn't need help," said Lion-o cheerfully.

"Meow," said Jetkitten.

"Yeah? Well see if I do you any more favours," sniffed Gato.

"Now, now," soothed Tygra in an attempt to keep the peace. "I'm sure you've all had a long journey. Perhaps we should all gather in the council room to discuss the terms of this probation over refreshments."

"I'm all for that," said Lion-o and the others murmured their own agreements.

"Mrr...more mouths to feed," sighed Snarf, looking put-upon.

"Now, Unc...they're our guests, yep, uhn-huh! You shouldn't talk like that! Besides, I'll give you a hand."

"As will I," offered Tygra. "I'm sure Lion-o can show everyone to the council chamber and lay down the ground rules of the Lair without my help." The tiger gave his young lord a look of amused exasperation.

"I'm pretty sure I can handle that on my own," replied Lion-o with a grin. "Thanks, Tygra. Alright everyone, fall in and follow me. Panthro, take up the rear so that no one gets lost. We'll call Cheetara and the kittens to council when everyone else is settled in."

Faced with the prospect of a long journey on foot, Jetkitten leapt up and caught Gatotrueno's clothing with her claws. "Oh sure...*now* you want me," said the sabertooth sourly, trying to dislodge the cat. But she clung like a burr until the attempts stop. "Fine," sighed Gato finally as she got in line. "But jump on my head again and you'll find out they call machines of war 'cat-apults'."

"What'd I tell ya?" smirked Wilykat, nudging Ruka as they all filed into the hallway. "First ones in! Man, are going to give the others a surprise..."

"Quit gloating and start paying attention to where we're headed," grinned the tiger in reply. "There may be a test."

"If there is, I'm acing it," replied the other amiably, taking in the sight of the Lair's interior with devoring eyes. "Man, is this place cool or what?"

Wilykat's hopes were swiftly dashed when they arrived at the council chamber. The newcomers didn't even need to see the occupants of the room to know that they had been beaten by other group. Even as Lion-o was stepping into the chamber, Wilykit's cheerful voice could be heard yelling, "Guess what, Lion-o? We have *visitors*!"

"Damn," said the player, Wilykat.

"Well, you can't have it all," grinned Ruka, shrugging philosophically. "We were the first to ride in the Thundertank..."

"True...true," mused the other. "I'll let them off easy this time."

But if Lion-o was aware of the quiet conversation, he tactfully ignored it. "So I see," he said fondly. "And if you're happy with five visitors, then you'll be extatic to see that we have even more. How about giving up your chairs for our guests?" the young lord said to the kittens as he stepped aside and allowed the others to pour into the room.

The exchange of greetings was a little shy and uncertain as neither group was entirely sure that they recognized the other, but after a few friendly remarks and exchanged jokes, the atmosphere lightened up considerably. Jetkitten and Woodstock touched noses and exchanged feline thoughts while Gato revelled in the presence of other females. Ruka, Wilykat, Xahji, and Rhythm lost no time in engaging MDG Calypso in a discussion of a mechnical nature, even managing to lure Panthro into their conversation. Soon even the ill-tempered panther was enjoying the presence of so many people.

Lion-o allowed them time to get acquainted before calling them to table. The nine chairs (six for the humanoid Thunderians of Cat's Lair and three for those of the Tower of Omens) were given to the guests so that Felina, Laura, Gatotrueno, Ruka, Wilykat, Xahji, Rhythm, and MDG Calypso sat around the circular table. Wilycub, Woodstock, and Jetkitten elected to sit on the floor with the Thunderkittens. Lion-o tried to give up his seat, but Panthro insisted that the Lord of the Thundercats take his place at the table; not only would he be in the thick of things, but he would also be one of the masses, putting himself on equal ground with his guests.

"I have to admit that this is a highly unusual occurrance," Lion-o began. "It's unsual for us to have mysterious strangers simply appearing before us...and never have we seen so many at once! Frankly, I should be highly suspicious...but I'm not. You all claim to know the Thundercats...many of you say that you have travelled a long way to meet us or to help us...so you should know this."

Here Lion-o pulled the Sword of Omens from the sheath at his side and put it on the table before them. "This is the Sword of Omens...and in it, the Eye of Thundera. If you know about the Thundercats at all, you have probably heard of the Sword. The Sword has not growled or given me any sort of warning," he explained to them. "This usually means that there is no danger...that *you* mean us no danger. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry." He turned to MDG. "What did you say your name was?"

"MDG Calypso578," replied the cyborg, "but most people will call me either MDG or Calypso."

"Calypso, please pick up the Sword of Omens by the hilt," said Lion-o. When MDG did so, the eye glowed briefly and then dimmed.

"The Sword can sense evil intent," said Lion-o, "if you had meant us harm, it would have sounded the alarm. Please, any who wish to remain in the Lair on probation, take the Sword in turn and prove your noble intentions."

MDG passed the Sword to Rhythm who held it until the light vanished and then passed it on to Xahji who passed it on to Wilykat and so on. It made the round of the table without a sound of protest though the light flared more brightly for Felina and the metal blade gave an almost audible purr. "You have mind powers?" Lion-o asked her as she passed the weapon on to Laura.

"Yes, many...but they are not very strong as of yet," replied Felina.

"I thought you might...Cheetara causes a similar reaction," smiled the young lord.

He made to collect his blade when Wilycub protested that she hadn't had a chance ot hold it yet. Lion-o doubted that a child could be an instrument of evil...not intentionally at any rate...and was about to say that it wouldn't be necessary when he realized that the girl *wanted* to hold it. How many times would she get to wield an enchanted blade?

He passed the blade down to the kittens on the floor. Wilycub giggled as she held the Sword aloft with both hands and the Eye of Thundera blazed with colour as her eyes filled with wonder. Then she placed it on the floor. "Now it's Woodstock's turn, then Jet!"

Woodstock put a single paw on the hilt and the Eye lit brightly, though not quite as brightly as it had for Felina. "Woodstock projects thoughts," Wilycub told Lion-o matter-of-factly. Once Woodstock had removed her paw, Jetkitten mimicked the action, but produced nothing more than the usual signal that she was free of evil intent.

"Thank you," said Lion-o as Wilycub handed back the Sword. "Well it seems as though your intentions are pure enough. Believe me, we appreciate this act of cooperation. As to the terms of probation, they are quite simple...generally speaking. We'll assign guest rooms to you," said Lion-o. "We often use the Lair as a neutral base of opperations to iron out disputes among tribes and so there are many small rooms available. These chambers...for safety's sake...are away from the regular sleeping quarters. None of you will be allowed into the control room unsupervised...that means one Thundercat for every two of you. Nor will you be permitted in the Sword chamber, weapons rooms, or similar places until the probationary time is up. Library, kitchen, sitting rooms, gymnasium, etc. are all available to you."

There was a brief murmur among the guests. "Sounds reasonable enough to me," said Ruka finally. The others agreed though it was obvious that some of them were disappointed and not being let into the fabled control room. Still, it was not entirely off-limits...if one could find a tolerable chaperone.

"There is one more thing," said Lion-o. "And this is the one that angers many of our guests. You can come and go from the Lair as you please, but you much check out...and then back in...at the door. Panthro will give you codes to use." There were a few looks of shock around the table. "This is as much for your security as for ours," the young lord quickly assured them. "If you are not signed out and suddenly appear across the moat wanting back in, how can we be sure that it's really you? Better to check out than to be stranded, don't you think?" Lion-o said with a wan smile.

"It sounds as though others have given you trouble with this system before," said Felina, recognizing the expression.

"There have been...incidents," admitted Lion-o.

"Well, I don't see why it would be a problem," said Laura with finality. "I have nothing to hide!"

"Well, I think it's a pain in the ass for nothing," said Wilykat. "I mean, what if one of us really does forget to punch out? But then I don't live here and if you say this is what we have to do, then we'll do it!"

The gathering gave a quiet roar of approval before they were interrupted by Cheetara returning with the Snarfs and Tygra in tow. With them was a silver cart full of refreshments.

"Just the thing," said Lion-o with some relief. "Everyone grab a drink and something to eat...and then maybe we can all introduce ourselves."

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