Inter-Galactic News

April/May 1997 Issue 29

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Outer-Comm.

To: All Interested Parties
From: Xen Tai, CLN Warrior of Ship Dea Brava

Xen Tai extends his hospitality across the peripheries to all those brave enough to participate in what the CLN calls Shen Dai. A gladiatorial sport of ancient origin and strong cultural essence to all among the clan. The Shen Dai ritual is deeply spiritual and allows the weakest among the clan to honourably die at the hands of the mighty. And thus ensuring the future remains in control of true leaders and rulers. All of whom display their ability and dominance over others by destroying those whom dare oppose them in hand to hand combat. Of course the clan clearly understand no other race in the known universe possess the required skill or physical ability essential to surviving a personal confrontation with a being of the afore mentioned race. There will be no honour lost when no other race but those of the clan amass to participate the spectacle in the Shen Dai, the most ancient and sacred of rituals, vital to the discerning of the weak among us.

Falconian Empire Recruitment Notice

Bored of travelling from A to B for an Aff. that cares nothing about YOUR needs? If so read on, if not get a life! The Falconian Empire (FCN) are the newest Affiliation in the game currently and have a lot to offer new players in the line of trade deals, colonisation and exploration....... We are currently looking for intelligent players who want to try and build the FCN into one of the games premier affiliations (be that colonial strength, military strength, wealth or even political power)! Such things could be gained quicker if the FCN affiliated itself with a superpower but we view staying neutral as a greater challenge and much fairer to our players.

Still since you will have to give up your little old Surveyor in return you gain an FCN Cygnet which is configured the same but has a 40mus hulls shift (can carry twice as much) and is faster (not to mention better design, nicer colouring and Advanced Space-fighters)! Of course why just join an affiliation JUST because they give you the best startup ship in the game.......

Here are a *few* other reasons to join the FCN :

a) Advanced Space Fighter Technology
b) 40mu hulls shift.
c) 1.3 Basespeed modifier (still faster than the equivalent human ships).
d) Highports at class 1 (instead of 5 for the other affs)
e) 3 Special complexes count as only 1 for maximum starport complexes.
f) Pulsar Beams hit twice as many Space Fighters
g) Immune to Alien Plagues.

Still in return for this we got the Alien plague.... A rather nasty disease that eats the colonists of lesser races if we come into unprotected (!) contact with them....... Still with enough Hospitals they can all be safe from it. All the major trade outlets are of course immune (the ones with decent trade prices).

Onto ship sizes :
Ship Name Ship Configuration Ship Haulage Ship Basespeed
Cygnet 6/12/6 240/480/240 1.3
Skyhawk 10/22/10 400/880/400 1.4
Raven 11/29/10 440/1160/400 1.6
Condor 4/45/10 160/1800/400 1.9
Dreadwing 16/32/20 640/1280/800 1.1

Rather cool if I do say so myself. Anyway our Cygnet is our explorer, Skyhawk general all rounder, Raven warship, Condor trader/Hauler and the Dreadwing is another all rounder (which seems to excel at derelicting ships twice its size)!

Anyway if your interested in the FCN or would like more (?) information on the Falconians write to the following address :

Peter Howells
51 Thornleigh Gardens
Bangor
Co. Down
Northern Ireland
BT20 4NW

Or call (01247) 271789 after 6pm all days of the week.
Or even for the more technically inclined amongst you email Howellers@enterprise.net

The Skirmish

"Jump in five...."
"We're hit on main shields, she can't take much more..."
"Four..."
The sound of photon fire clashing against shields is heard throughout the ship as the IMPerial Ship of the Line takes another shot.
"Three..."
Warning lights are flashing on and off all over the command console as Thrashbarg prepares for Jump.
"Two..."
Just then two more SOL's come out of a Jump directly in front of the ship. The Jump engines power down.
"Sir?"
"We can't run like this, for the love of Samuel, we're the CIA not the FET. Standby
fighter squadrons. If we're going to die, now is as good a time as any......wait, I have a plan..."

Meanwhile aboard that first SOL, the Captain was contemplating his (seemingly) victory over a CIA Runner.
"How brilliant am I ensign?"
"Utterly, sir. Taking out a Runner on trade runs with a heavily armed SOL takes skill."
"See how they're running."
"They're Jump engines are at full power, and they have....gone.", said the ensign.
"Okay everyone, stand down. Contact the other SOL's. Tell them they are no longer required. I feel like a bath...."

"Success, sir. the other two SOL's are Jumping and the remaining has powered down all her weapon systems."
"Okay, on my mark, de-cloak and perform attack plan gamma four."
The cloaked Runner came to bear on the broadside of the SOL, and launched the fighters within the cloaks' radius.
"Now!"

"Sir, I'm getting some anomalous readings from the sensors. No, wait a TU.........it's the runner coming out of cloak, she's launched fighters and..."
The next sound heard was the scream of the crew as the beam weapon from a fighter ripped through the command section of the ship, followed by the unearthly silence of space.

***

"Report, Thrashbarg?", asked HÂkon the Horrible.
"One SOL derelicted sir, heavy damage to our shields, minimal hull and squadron damage."
"Good. Another one down, at this rate we should be knocking at the gates of Jax soon. However, we have a problem, we need more operatives. Having the firepower is all well and good but what is the use of it without a commander?"
"Sir, surely there are some fresh captains straight from the Inner Empire who have seen the Emperor for what he really is, and willing to fight for the cause?"

"I hope so, Thrashbarg"
"Captains willing to take control of some of the most advanced ships ever constructed and willing to fight, trade, explore, or colonise for the greater good of the Rebellion."
"I believe so."
"Then where are they sir, why haven't they joined the Confederate Intelligence Agency then?"
"I have no idea, only time will tell, time will tell"

***

Help disrupt the lives of the rather bored IMPerial SOL captains, join us today. Just contact our Terran official for details of the chance of a place within one of the most highly acclaimed confederate affiliations, the CIA. "If intelligence lived and breathed, then we'd be the result"

To: All parties and affiliations in Clan Space
From: Patriarch Kyrt Furey, CLN Keeper of Wisdom(3710), Leader of the Clan Council

I once again take this opportunity to remind you that - whilst you may explore Clan Space freely, without even sharing the results of your work - at the minute = the exploitation of those resources is a different matter. Exploiting resources in Clan Space - whether by outposts, field labs, crew actions or any other means requires the explicit approval of the Clan Council.

Those who have exploited, are exploiting and will exploit Clan resources illegally will face the full wrath of the Clans. We know how to deal with thieves.

Mares Nest MR 197.19 Market Report

Minister Vitellius, Governor AFT Mares Nest (848) Pegasus (167) system, space square 647 on Carrier. HIPORT AVAILABLE

No Sell Price Item No Buy Price
98 200 BCM (39) 0 0
1000 10 Colonists (1) 0 0
10 2000 Farms (28) 0 0
1399 40 Green Troops (113) 0 0
65 75 Ground Bomb (34) 0 0
38 50 Ground Fight (35) 0 0
40 10 Jammers (15) 0 0
5338 15 Luxury Food (10) 0 0
2400 15 Luxury Goods (61) 0 0
240 10 Missiles (92) 0 0
90 50 Miss Launchers (91) 0 0
10 500 Plasma Projectors (96) 0 0
40 125 Pulsar Beams (99) 0 0
24 750 Pulsar Tanks (164) 0 0
34 100 RDB (106) 0 0
14 1 Small Arms (69) 0 0
8 75 Thrust Engines 0 0

To: CNF Prelate
From: Ned Noctunatus, DEN Pack Lord, Minister of IND Blackjack City

I have just received a battle report: on 197.19, my Trader DEN Jack of Diamonds (549) was attacked and derelicted by two CNF ships in the London system, space square 851, when returning home from a trip to Solo. The Infiltrator CNF Now You See Me (4937) and the Nebulon CNF Regulator (1388) opened ion cannon fire for allegedly "unlawful entry into Confederate territory". The Trader, a peaceful ship, tried to flee on round one but could not. So the crew used the photon guns on cargo to fire back, in a desperate attempt to defend their lives. Before being ruthlessly exterminated, they managed to inflict 1660 points of damage to the engine section of the CNF Now You See Me. Two other ships, the Cheetah CLN Dea Brava (1056) and the Survey Cruiser CNF Comet (216), witnessed the battle without participating in it.

I want two things from the CNF Prelate, who had personally guaranteed that my ship would not be attacked:
- a formal apology
- a guarantee that the DEN Jack of Diamonds will not be boarded, that its cargo will remain
intact, that it may be rescued and that the rescue ships will not be attacked

(I am not asking for any kind of material compensation because the five Dewiek lives destroyed by the CNF are priceless and will be mourned forever.) The CNF Prelate has one week to answer.

To: Whom it may concern
From: Regon Itch, CLN Warlord(2186)

All ships travelling in CLN space in the Cluster are required to report any and all sightings of DOG ships to the CLN Warlord(2186) or the Keeper of Wisdom(3710). A bounty of 5,000 Stellars will be paid per ship spotted if the report leads to a DOG ship engaged in battle by the CLN. Failure to report DOG ships spotted in the Cluster is interpreted as support of the DOG and may be considered sufficient grounds for posting. Captains and Governors are once again reminded that CLN space in the Cluster is defined as the systems of Avalon, Crossley, Enigma, Forest, Hazzard, Lucifer, New Sussex, Nexus, Onwards, Skye, Twinkle, Void, Winter and Wolf. The CLN Warlord can be contacted at:
Henrik Asplund, Nyckelvagen 4, 17135 Solna, Sweden.
Email: henrik.asplund@era-t.ericsson.se

To: All
From: High Inquisitor Pyros, Grand Master, Sacred Order of the Cleansing Flame, The Brotherhood of the True One.
Scottish Pub Meet

To coincide with a visit to these Fair Isles by a couple of Norwegian Players (inc. the DOM PD), the inaugural Scottish Pub Meet will be held on Saturday 30th August in Edinburgh. The meet will start at 1pm in the Claremont Bar, 133/135 East Claremont Street (about 10-15 minutes from Waverley Station). For details of how to get there, or any other information contact:
Kevin Stewart, 2F1/59 Marchmont Road, Edinburgh, Lothian, EH9 1HT
Email: LordPyros@btinternet.com

ASSOCIATION OF FREE TRADERS PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
To: All
From: Office of Minister Darius II, AFT Colony Perspolis (2145), Utopia MCXVI Capellan System (1).

Greetings! The Minister is proud to announce that the AFT colony on Utopia MCXVI, SS1939, Capellan system (1) has been re-named Perspolis (2145). It will be offering wonderful prices in its busy bazaar for any item you care to name. Nowhere else offers all your starship or ground party needs at cheaper prices. For up to date Market reports contact the governor.

SPECIAL DEALS ON OFFER:
1. The colony is welcoming new citizens. Passenger ships will be paid 20 Stellars per Colonist IN GOODS OF THEIR CHOOSING*.
This offer is limited to the first 5000 colonists so act fast!! RE: Hypso next door sells colonists at a mere 10 Stellars each!
2. The colony is in demand of nuclear energy sources. Cargo ships will be paid 30 Stellars per Fissionable IN GOODS OF THEIR CHOOSING*. This offer is continuos!
3. Exploration information AND outposts REQUIRED. Excellent prices will be paid for:
a) an ore deposit with world, exact location and yield except METZ.
b) existing outposts.
Payment will be negotiable depending on deposit or outpost size but EXCELLENT prices guaranteed.

* As prices on market. Arrangements must be made prior to delivery. Non-market items MAY be available contact governor for details.

To: All
From: Ludovicus de Fortis, Brotherhood Sect Leader

The Brotherhood of the True One wishes to let it be known that as of week 23 we are withdrawing from Kastorian space. This sad turn of events has been prompted by the despotic and arbitrary nature of the Kastorian Military Junta. Furthermore, we wish to make clear the fact that the Brotherhood no longer considers the Kastorian Military Junta to be a neutral affiliation. We therefore recognise neither the Yank nor the Skord system as constituting neutral space and withhold the right to dispense summary justice as we see fit to enemies of the Brotherhood traversing or colonising there.

While the Brotherhood regrets the nature of our withdrawal, we intend to establish that it is the inevitable result of ceaseless Kastorian victimisation. Until such a time as the KAS concede to a written agreement on the duties, responsibilities and intricacies of their territory, and abandon the practice of arbitrary threats, "fines" and edicts with hindsight, we pity the affiliations that have made the mistake of colonising or patronising either Yank or Skord and laying themselves open to whimsical blackmail at the business end of the Kastorian system weapon.

The Brotherhood has, and has had, no colony in either Yank or Skord. We should report that we are therefore surprised at the arrogance of the Kastorian Military Junta who have evidently taken to believing that they have somehow been appointed independent umpire of the Rebellion War, imbued with the power to threaten, blackmail and legitimately "fine" organisations from either side, whether they have settled in their territory or not.

In response to the recent Kastorian announcement, establishing that the Brotherhood will be permitted back into Yank and Skord once we can obey KAS directives at all times, I should point out that the Brotherhood has no intention of obeying any KAS directives at any time. We do not recognise the authority of the Junta to issue directives to the Brotherhood at all. Mr Broud should recognise that the peace in Kastorian territory is not maintained by directive, but by consent.

The Brotherhood does not fear the Kastorian Military Junta or their spies. We therefore await with interest the nature of KAS reprisals for Brotherhood vessels that violate Kastorian space. Incidentally, we would like to make clear the fact that any vessels suspected of reporting the movements of Brotherhood vessels in Kastorian space to Mr Broud will be considered to be acting contrary to our interests. Such vessels will be posted, hunted to earth and destroyed.

To: The owner of FET Indestructible(532), The leadership of the FET, Whomever else this may concern.
From: Patriarch Kyrt Furey, Keeper of Wisdom(3710), Leader of the Clan Council

The ship, Indestructible(532), rightfully belongs to the human affiliation known as the AFT. The theft of this vessel is inexcusable. As such, the FET - an affiliation which we had considered friendly - must now undertake the following:

1: The ship, Indestructible(532), must be turned over to the AFT Master Trader within the four weeks the Master Trader has so graciously allotted - i.e. before week 26.
2: For theft of property in Clan Space - the second in as many months - the FET will pay the Clans a fine of 545, 000 Stellars. before week 30.
3: For theft of property, the FET will pay the AFT 200, 000 Stellars - or the equivalent in goods - as compensation before week 30.

Until such time as these conditions are met, the FET Indestructible will remain on the posted list of the Clans. Failure to return the ship within four weeks, or pay the fines within 8, will result in the FET being banned from all activity in the Cluster and the confiscation of all assets, including - but not limited to - colonies and outposts. The FET will then be fired upon being sighted with no warning given. As law breakers, it should be noted that the restriction on ignoring merchant vessels will not be heeded and they too will be fired upon.

We hope that this situation can be resolved peacefully and to every bodies satisfaction.
I would also like to apologise formally to the AFT for the breakdown in communications that allowed this despicable theft to take place.

To: All Concerned Parties
From: Head of Kastorian Affairs

There has been some talk of me, my powers and role as the controller of the Kastorians, here are a few words to explain them.
ME. I'm Dave Smith, an Ex-GTT player, so I've had more contact by this nature with IMP's side, but this is slowly changing.
POWERS. I control all KAS ships and colonies you will meet, I am responsible for 'law and order' in Yank and Skord. The political position I have chosen is named above, and is accountable to the Kastorian Military Junta (Mica) who have kept in control of the system weapon.
ROLE. To expand KAS interests and maintain colonies, confirm to treaties already made, maintain KAS neutrality.

Guidelines to Kastorian Space From the Head of Kastorian Affairs.
1. Any contact with the KST will be seen as a hostile act.
2. All position and life forms are under the protection of the Kastorian Military Junta, and mistreatment will be dealt with harshly.
3. All colonies and outposts are to register with the head of External Affairs as proof of ownership.
4. The planet Shiloh is closed for exploration, mining, and colonisation unless permission has been obtained. The planet Nivana is closed for exploration, mining, and colonisation unless permission has been obtained from the CNF. The Moon Kingdom is barred from all shipping, anyone entering it's orbit we fired apon. The moon Spritzer and Hydraulic are closed as above, see the KAS for permission for mining, exploration and colonisation.
5. The requirement to have enough hospitals is mandatory, failure will result in a failure to pickup/buy Kastorian citizens from Rubis and persistent offenders will have their colonies seized. Your colonists are mostly Kastorian so I can find the information I need to catch offenders. There for as from now you are not to collect/buy any colonists you can not support, or suffer the above.
6. All land, sectors etc. are owned by the Kastorians, all positions are guests of the Kastorians and are to act as such. No position may have active enemy and support lists, so therefore no combat is allowed in KAS space/planets. Violation of this will see the offending position destroyed and their role in KAS space open to question.
The above are mostly common sense and subject to change at any time and notice. Due to the KAS requirement to build a size 7 colony on Spritzer for the GTT it has been necessary to put the price of mines, factories and farms to 25 Stellars per MU instead of the normal 15. This is instead of taking them off the market, as I have to import them from Balmoral who charge this price. This will be for approximately six months. Your tolerance is appreciated in this difficult time.

To: All TRN positions.
From: Patriarch Kyrt Furey, Keeper of Wisdom(3710)

The Clans are looking for new Clans to join the Great Expansion to help enforce our laws and claims in the Cluster. We are also looking for explorers, traders and colony builders to help expand and strengthen our infrastructure. With lots of virgin territory to explore, opportunities abound for those willing and able to grasp them. But - what does the Clan Star Service offer your Clan?
We are a race of humanoid felines, resembling the Great Cats of Terra. Made up of what humans call lions, tigers, leopards and a host of other species unknown to human, we are a xenophobic militaristic race bent on the protection of our territory.
On joining our Great Nations military, the head of your Clan will be asked to select warriors and crew to outfit a Cheetah class cruiser (8-20-12) and be given the freedom to do whatever your Clan decides and go wherever they want. Success will be rewarded by the Council with upgrades to ships larger and more flexible than anything built by the human affiliations.
We are aggressive, semi-xenophobic and very territorial. In the Service there is alot of potential for those who wish to join. The potential for trade, combat, exploration and colonial growth is second to none.
If you want your Clan to take part in the Great Expansion, enter the command "Join Affiliation(69) - the Clans" into your ships computer or kneel, and pray to the Creator for deliverance to the Cluster, and membership of its ruling race. For more information, please contact:

Edward Lafferty, 34 Cluny Gardens, Clady, Strabane, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, BT82 9RL
or Henrik Asplund, Nyckelvagen 4, 17135 Solna, Sweden.
Enclosing a SAE if possible.

To: All
From: T.D. Broud, Head of Kastorian External Affairs
Ref. Experiments on Bendians.

The governor of KAS Rubis started an investigation of the above subject. The governor decided not to reveal why so the junta removed him from office and the above department finished the investigation, here are its findings and conclusions:
1. Dr Maxillious in the Xeno Studies department at EEM Balmoral with full knowledge of the governor carried out studies on the Bendians which broke Kastorian Law.
2. Enticed novice star captains using greed for their own ends to obtain information from the Bendians.
A high Kastorian presence is now in EEM Balmoral making sure Kastorian Law is not broken again. The good doctor is now in Kastorian care and the colony EEM Balmoral has been fined and placed on probation. Any position attempting to reopen the studies without Kastorian permission will find them selves posted and destroyed, as will anyone aiding them. To prevent any confusion, anyone knowing about it is guilty and will be posted. c/o Dave Smith, 12 Tait Place, Gosport, Hants, PO13 01X.

To: All Traders of the Peripheries
From: A Concerned Trader

I am a trader of the Cluster periphery. I have the ability to acquire many of the galaxies rare items, at the right price of course! I will not publicly name any items or contacts that I may have, but, contact me with your Want to Buy/Want to Sell list of items, with quantities and asking prices. Freight delivery and factory production services are also available. In addition we have research capabilities, which are available for use at the right price. Contact Chris Anderson, Stumblets Mead, Crooke Road, Castle Hill, Brenchley, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 7BL.

To: Small Time Traders
From: The Same Concerned Trader

Any small new traders who need a starting boost, contact me at the above address, and I might be able to sort you out with starting cargoes, if you are willing to help with some delivery missions. Cargoes would be basic items (e.g. Metals, Food, Small Arms) and can be sold at most colonies.

To: Intergalactic News
From: SMS Deputy Company Commander
Subject: The DTR and History

I would like to bring your attention back to the article penned by the Speaker of the House in IGN issue 27, which I will briefly comment.

I am not surprised to see that the Detinus republic feels intimidated and even threatened by history. If I were in their shoes, I would probably feel the same. However, I have three points to make:

1. You can not run away from your history.
2. Your threats of violence will not stop us from telling the truth.
3. As long as people like us exist, you will have to live with your past.

To: All
From: FGZ/FET/IMP
The Flagritz Republic and the Imperial Services has reached an agreement that will end the HVE war declaration. In a somewhat dramatic way, the HVE chose the FGZ to aid them in their capitulation. The agreement saved much resources and lives and gave the HVE an honourable peace. The HVE will forthwith be under FGZ guidance, and covered by the FGZ/IMP peace treaty. All HVE assets will thus be inspected and will revert to stable leadership under the direction of the FGZ. A sensible solution by sensible peoples.