He also wasn’t quite sure how eating, drinking and what not worked if he was in a virtual world inside a virtual world, but didn’t question it. Instead he asked for a cup of coffee, got it, then resumed the test. He hoped the end was in sight.

Three hours later, Alan finished the final section about alien politics, that is to say, he answered every question with “I don’t know,” and a message popped up:

Sighing, Alan sat back, and a white bed appeared. Not questioning it, Alan climbed in, and fell asleep.

***

When Alan awoke he found himself in the same white space he began in, although it now had a desk and computer similar to his own, along with a table to eat at, a toilet and a bed. The clock in the top right hand corner of his vision said it was 3 p.m. He had no idea what time zone he was in. The female robot remained motionless, standing in the same spot.

Yawning, Alan got up, walking up to the android to inspect it.

A message appeared:

Yes, thought Alan.

The android turned to look at him.

Welcome, traveler, to the Game! I am an Administrator, at your service. This introduction has been designed based upon your answers to the test and actions thus far.

Used to Eve speaking within his mind, Alan wasn’t too surprised this administrator did so as well, though it sounded more robotic. He sat down at the desk. This would probably take a while.

As you know, the Game was created to replicate the real universe, but it still differs greatly from reality. It would best be likened to a virtual reality MMORPG, where the entire universe was copied and put into the Game, many years ago. For your information, Earth was first scanned approximately six months ago, and this version was then put into the Game. Since then, the Game and the earth have taken a divergent path from reality. For one thing, the resources within the Game are virtually infinite, as creatures, materials and entire worlds spawn at various rates, unending in number.

Currently, you are in a capsule within the Game, a virtual space within this virtual space. Where you currently are is known as your Home Base. Any capsule you enter within the Game will return you to this Home Base, the space you see now.

The Administrator gestured about, pointing at the few pieces of furniture that had appeared when Alan expressed his desire for them.

Uh, can I rename my Home Base? Alan asked.

Certainly, your Home Base may be customized as you desire, though apart from basic amenities, additional environments and furniture will cost additional credits.

Uh, great. Rename it to um, uh… call it Home.

Rename confirmed. Additionally, death within the Game is never the end. Instead, you will be respawned within a capsule after a death timer, wherever you set your last spawn point. A loss of credits and other penalties depend on the circumstances of your death. Please set this capsule on board the Titan ship as your spawn point now. Simply do so by expressing your desire to set this capsule as your spawn point. Any capsule may be set as your spawn point once you are here at Home.