Read Universe Online - Enter the Game: Complete Edition for Free Online Page A

Your account is locked to the race Drune Rex.”
     
    Even as the voice speaks about the character race I already knew about, a holographic image of myself appears in front of me, dressed in the newbie gear.  It consists of a tight fitted space suit and clear visored helmet.  The suit is also covered in black metal composite rods and straps with a power unit strapped to the back.
     
    The mechanical suit is bare and ugly, looking more like a full body brace than anything cool and sleek.  I'm definitely going to have to work on that as soon as I can.  Still, the character is basically a mirror image of me, and given that I'm thin and lanky and only 5'9”, the guy before me is too.
     
    ”Do you wish to make any changes?  As an Advanced User with an undiscovered race, you are permitted to change more of the character features and have them saved as racial features.”
     
    I blink.  That was something I hadn't expected.  Actually being given the ability to change some of the features of a race?  Wow.  I waste no time on doing just that.
     
    I have the program remove the suit and the brace and start going over the details, pulling up a list of available features.  Most of it is cosmetic, but some of the things are more in-depth.  Like having a tail!  But I decide against that.  With the weak bone structure of this race, a tail would HURT as soon as something went bad.
     
    Instead, I change some of the skin tones, jotting down notes about a combination of European, Asian, and Indian descent that matches with the racial history I'd been provided with earlier.  I change some of my character features, and add pointed ears that are tilted back at an angle.  Kinda like a space elf.
     
    That fits too, given the races high intellect base.
     
    If anyone has played the Psilon race from the Master of Orion games, you know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you?  Hahaha.  Or maybe Spock from Star Trek.  Heh.
     
    I also add a cosmetic glow to the eyes, which is just to make it look cool.  Not that anyone would normally see it behind the helmet.
     
    “There we go, done.”  I announce, satisfied.
     
    ”Racial traits saved.  Race history has also been amended with your notes.  Final approval can take up to twenty four hours.  Your character is approved.  Next up is the Advanced User selection of Attributes, Aptitudes, Aspects and Traits.  Would you like more information?”
     
    Now it’s getting serious, and as soon as my character is approved, it disappears and I start to glow, only to end up looking just like I had chosen; along with the equipment.  Even I have to grimace at the sudden weight I feel on my body, although the mechanical augmentation of the suit adjusts almost instantly to deal with it.
     
    Good thing I plan to go through the tutorial.  Starting out in this thing is going to be a hassle.
     
    “Yes please.  Start with the Attributes.”  I request as soon as I've caught myself.
     
    ”Attributes are the physical characteristics of your character.  They are divided into Physical Attributes, Mental Attributes, Applied Attributes and Bonus Attributes.”
     
    “Physical Attributes are Strength, Agility, and Vitality.”
     
    “Mental Attributes are Intellect, Psyche, and Awareness.”
     
    “Applied Attributes include Health, Stamina, and Psi; which is psionic energy.  Psi is used to power all sorts of devices as well as some Aptitudes and Aspects.”
     
    “Bonus Attributes include Luck, which everyone starts with, and can then be expanded as you travel, work, or fight.  You cannot spend Attribute points from leveling up in most Bonus Attributes.  There are a few that you can though.  They tend to provide passive bonuses.  You can have an unlimited number of Bonus Attributes.”
     
    Okay, so it was mostly still the same as before.  Most of it I already knew from the manual that had been released months ago.  Some of the bits about the Bonus Attributes though was new to