GB JAZZ MAN

"Human, man, human," replied GB Jazz Man in stereotypical jive when asked what race he would like his character to be. He grinned and dropped the facade, launching himself immediately into the basic description. "That would be about five feet, ten inches and average build to be specific.Um...short red hair and a goatee - no mustache...blue eyes. Glasses too.Might as well toss in a little realism. Clothes...damn," mused the player."We'll be messing around in the bush right? I guess I'll stick with jeans and a t-shirt. Sturdy boots. That kind of thing."

"Character designated 'GB Jazz Man' is saved," said the voice of 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."

"Weapon?" frowned the Jazz Man. He hadn't considered that. "Hunting knife I guess. One of those large ones...probably good in a general purpose kind ofway. Would I be able to bring a bass guitar as my second item?" he wondered, unsure of whether such an instrument would be allowed within theThundercat universe.

"Of course," said the voice of Bast. "This is merely a game. If it is portable, it will function correctly regardless of the technology."

Not quite the answer he was looking for, but GB Jazz Man imagined that it was a preprogrammed response set to answer a number of similar questions.He then followed the computer's instructions and adjusted his attributes.He considered keeping his musical skill as his primary one, but opted instead for chemistry, followed closely by tactical history. His musical talents he saved for last. "That should just about cover it," he told the computer when he was satisfied with his choices.

"Attributes designated to character 'GB Jazz Man' are saved," replied Bast."Thank you for joining the VR2L test group. I hope you enjoy your stay on Third Earth."

"My pleasure," replied the Jazz Man with a smirk and a mock salute as the wall behind him raised. With only a moment's hesitation, he turned and walked out of the chamber and into the brightness beyond.

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THUNDERWOLF

"I choose the form of a Thunderian Lion," bellowed Thunderwolf with conviction, bringing his fist down heavily on the surface of a stonepillar.

"Plee-plee-please d-d-d-d-do not...not...mishandle the surfaces of the antechamber," said the voice of Bast, stammering, but otherwise nonplussed."We are in the most delicate portion of the game. Would you like to be male or female?"

"Male, of course!" roared Thunderwolf with pride. "And an ANCIENT Thunderian Lion at that! Brown mane, long tail, and VERY sharp teeth and claws!"

"Very well, Thunderwolf. Would you like to adjust anything else?"

Thunderwolf carefully eyed the humanoid model presented on the right half of the monitor. "More muscular," he grunted in character, making a little chuff of satisfaction when the model reached the desired proportions. In keeping with the spirit of the animatde program, he dressed his character in a close-fitting outfit with basic upper body armour and padded guards for his wrists, arms, and legs.

Very Grune-like now that he thought more about it. Ah well...all the better. He had always admired Grune.

"Character designated 'Thunderwolf' is saved," said the voice of 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."

Thunderwolf thought for a moment. Swords seemed to be the focus of the series, but he wasn't sure if his character would have his own talent for sword play or if he would be given a basic weapon skill. Ah well...might as well continue the Grune impression...a bashing weapon was easier to use any way. "I'll take a studded mace," he decided, "and a hunting knife for my second weapon."

Claws might be useful, but they were still inaccurate.

He accepted that the mace would be his primary weapon proficiency and moved right along to the balancing of his attributes. He chose hunting and animal knowledge for his first and second skills, adding a contridictory technical knowledge as his third. But then Thundercats had always been a rather contradictory cartoon.

"Attributes designated to character 'Thunderwolf' are saved," replied Bast."Thank you for joining the VR2L test group. I hope you enjoy your stay on Third Earth."

"Yes! It's about time!" roared Thunderwolf in excitement as he ducked under the raising wall, eager to start the game.

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SUZENE

Suzene declined to take a screen name. "I've had so many!" she explainedwith a grin, moving on to her description.

She chose a form that was female, five feet and two inches, with a bushey mane of short-cropped, soft brown hair and hazel eyes. Her eyebrows grew to a point, giving her a permanent look of sly humour. Clothing-wise, she opted for comfort, wearing jeans, a T-shirt, a light jacket, and sturdyshoes as she expected to do a lot of walking.

"Character designated 'Suzene' is saved," said the voice of 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."

Suzene cocked her head to one side. "Machete," she stated simply. It was defensive, offensive, and could cut brush like a weed whacker. It took hera little longer to decide what her additional item of equipment should be.She finally decided on a bag of vials, each containing a mysterious essenseor oil.

"That would be more than one item," said the voice of Bast firmly. "Please choose again."

"Bullshit," shorted the player. "They all go together! You can't say that they add up to more than one item if they're all part of a kit!"

There was a moment of silence as the computer processed this new statement.

"A kit is acceptable as a single item," stated Bast finally. "Please name your kit so that it may be added to the database."

Suzene shrugged. "Call it a body care kit," she told the computer. It was close enough to the truth...it's items COULD be used in a healing capacity.

She went on to choose her attributes and decided that her proficiencies would include body knowledge as a primary skill followed by various hunting skills and plant knowledge as her final option.

"Attributes designated to character 'Suzene' are saved," replied Bast. "Thank you for joining the VR2L test group. I hope you enjoy your stay on Third Earth."

"That remains to be seen," Suzene smiled wryly. "It all depends on who else is out there."

She watched the wall as it lifted into the ceiling, squinting in the brilliance as she sheilded her eyes. Then - cautiously, but without hesitation - she stepped out of the chamber and into Third Earth.

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