Inter-Galactic News

Issue 47, May 1999

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Outer-Comm.

How I See Affiliations And How They Should Be Run!
By Ted Pratt FET PD

Now I know that this article will upset a few people, but I'm glad that it will do so. I want to start a discussion in the IGN about the merits of role playing affiliation profiles as they should be. Now players in a particular affiliation will think that they are sticking to their own personal view of how the games need to be played. I must stress that it is my own view and nobody else's within the game. I would like to see other players points of view in IGN over the next several issues (you never know, if we get a discussion going here it might get KJC to start getting IGN's out monthly for a change). I have broken down my views by affiliation.

IMPERIAL SERVICES:

The IMP are the military/police force of the Terran Empire. They should concentrate on building up a large fleet of warships to enforce Imperial laws and protect the empire from outside forces. With the combat bonuses they have this should be no problem. They can also maintain a fleet of exploration ships which can be used to extend the Empires reach by claiming newly discovered systems.
I know that there are IMP players who are only interested in the trade side of the game, and don't wish to be involved in any combat whatsoever. I think that if that's what they want to do they should have joined the likes of the AFT. With the new rules on taxation, LOMs and pay to post now in the game, the IMP have several ways to help finance their fleets/ground forces. Taxation of course is the obvious choice. Another form of income can be the issuing of exclusive rights to certain planets within the empire for a modest monthly fee. At the moment the IMP do issue such licences to other affiliations but don't charge. If all the IMP players will concentrate on running warships, ground parties and colonies for use as bases and relied on other imperially charted affiliations for resources, they would be an almost unstoppable force.

SOLAR MINING AND SMELTING:

The SMS is a Mega-Corporation who specialise in prospecting and mining. So why do they maintain a large war fleet? They should be out there prospecting, building outposts on high yield resource sites and selling those same resources to other affiliations. Or if they don't want to exploit a deposit themselves sell it on. They have the potential to become very rich and powerful if they can corner the market of the basic resources.

GALACTIC TRANSPORT AND TRADE:

Another Mega-Corp. These people have a production bonus ability. GTT colonies can produce vast amounts of equipment, which can be sold to other affiliations. The GTT could be the main customer for the resources the SMS exploit. Affiliations such as the IMP could hire GTT ships to run cargo for them (although the AFT will be after the same market). If the GTT can supply enough equipment quickly enough to others they also can become very rich.

FRONTIER EXPLORATION AND TRADE:

Yet another Mega-Corp. This affiliation was created to help the IMP against the DTR way back in about 68. It consists of smugglers and other lowlifes. FET cannot compete with the likes of the GTT or SMS in prospecting and production. FET should supply what the people want like morale boosting items such as luxuries, drugs, slaves and anything else that might be wanted but hard to obtain. With the cloaking ability FET can also hire out its ships to other affiliations to help get equipment in and out of those awkward places. FET can set up black markets to sell items at colonies without the governors knowledge. Although these markets are a waste of time as anybody can buy or produce anything they want from anywhere. This is because other affiliations who are meant to be more law abiding still produce illegal items as they know the IMP will or cannot enforce the law. FET are also explorers. They can investigate a new system or planet very quickly. Any data that may be of value can then be sold to other affiliations.

ASSOCIATION OF FREE TRADERS:

A loose federation of free traders who's main ability is to perform buy/sell orders quicker than anyone else. I think this affiliation is run almost as it should be run. Originally am imperially chartered affiliation but has since become independent, and are welcome just about anywhere. I think that they should push themselves to the front a bit more. Find out who wants what moved to where, then put in a price for the contract (GTT will also be after this sort of work).

CONFEDERATE SERVICES:

Basically the same as the IMP and should be run the same way. The CNF should be a bit more trusting when it comes to the other imperially chartered affiliations. They should remember that if one day they may actually win and claim the imperial throne, they will need the support of the Mega-Corps to keep it. I think deep down the likes of the GTT, SMS and FET don't care who's on the Throne so long as it's business as usual. So they should not attack everything in the Capellan Periphery. Why not trade with the others, even if it's through affiliations such as the AFT. After all the Mega-Corps want to make money and wouldn't you want the resources to come to you instead of the IMP? If this were to happen I know the IMP won't be happy but they've got to catch and stop whoever may want to trade with you.

CONFEDERATE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY:

Set up to be the eyes and ears of the CNF. Some people say that the CIA are the Darkfold equivalent of the FET. I don't agree. FET are a Mega-Corp out to make money, the CIA are a political organisation who aid the CNF in trying to take over the Imperial Throne. With their ability to place agents into colonies without having to actually go to the colony makes these people very dangerous indeed. I can't help wondering why their agents haven't destroyed more IMP assets than they currently have. Used properly this ability could cause havoc with IMP production. Use of the cloaking ability can help get CNF or their own ground forces (special covert forces) onto a planet to attack IMP colonies. The CIA should not be running large warships, that's the CNF's job. No, they should use Runners and the like to land ground parties (see above) to take out enemy outposts, conducting guerrilla warfare whilst the CNF conduct the more conventional sort of war.

BROTHERHOOD:

Religious fanatics who's morale never drops below 70. With this ability the BHD can be the main producers of equipment in the Darkfold powerblock, but I don't think that fits their profile too well. The main aim of the BHD is to convert everyone to the worship of the True One. As the game stands now this means that they would have to capture an awful lot of colonies from other affiliations. Maybe they could ask Mica to set up a couple of new abilities to help them. In return the morale ability can be lowered a bit. I have two suggestions. The BHD could set up an underground church movement in others colonies, something along the lines of FET black markets. These 'sects' could start to recruit colonists to the True One. In game turns the colony morale would drop as a result, thereby reducing production. The colony governor would have to track down the 'sect' and close it down. The second ability could be that if the BHD controls a colony for more than a set amount of time, either setting one up from scratch or capturing one, the colonists would never work for whoever took over as they had been brain washed for want of a better word to worship the True One.

DETINUS REPUBLIC:

The original rebels. This affiliation would love to see the Empire and the Confederacy smash each other to pieces, then set up a republic. Currently allied to the DOM and DEN (the 3D Alliance), they're waiting and watching. They are a formidable fighting force, who in my opinion will soon be making their presence felt again. The PD plays his part very well. Recently I tried to open up trade links with the DTR, but because of our affiliation profiles and what has happened in the past (before game time that is), his answer was no. Good for him, this affiliation is being run how it should be.

DOMINION:

This affiliation was originally based in the Cluster, and are the descendants of a lost Imperial prison ship. With their hull shift and being able to quad coat the Thorlium abilities, they're a very versatile affiliation. They could choose to do anything they want. The DOM can be large scale cargo carriers, mercenary ships able to carry more weaponry and/or ground troops. I think the DOM has the potential to be the biggest and best affiliation in the game. They have so many options available to them. Go for it I say.

RAIDERS OF THE INTERSTELLAR PERIPHERIES:

Pirates, a damn nuisance. The RIP are doing exactly what they should be doing, stealing anything they can get their hands on. In the past the affiliation allied itself to the CNF, not playing their profile at all. Mind you this was due to mates helping each other more than anything else. The current PD has steered the RIP into a more neutral group. They will now attack anyone stupid enough to get caught out, and hire themselves out to do other peoples dirty work. Another affiliation that is being run as it should be.

DEWIEK ELDER NATION:

An alien race of wolf like beings based at the far end of the Cluster and the Noctollis/Acrux Periphery. At the moment they're rediscovering their lost technology and slowly building up their forces. Basically another 'Empire building' affiliation they should be run along the same lines as the IMP and CNF. From what I know about them they get on well with most other affiliations except the Hexamon, and they will probably one day go up against the CLN. The DEN do let others into their territory to explore, but don't charge anything. With the new rules in place which means stellars will be more important, this would be a great source of income.

CLANS:

A feline alien race which claims all of the Cluster. Another affiliation which allows others to explore and set up colonies in their territory so long as their permission is asked, but again at no charge. The CLN are reputed to be a very aggressive race, another 'Empire builder'. If this is the case why aren't they out there claiming more systems?

FALCONIANS:

Falconians are an avian alien race and carriers of the plague. Another 'Empire builder' this affiliation had the right idea from the start, to tax people to enter their territory to set up colonies or explore. Unfortunately I think they've set the taxes too high. Most affiliations think it's not worth paying that much for the amount of work needed to establish a colony in the system, as the bigger a colony gets the more tax you pay. So of course people stayed away. The proper way to run an 'Empire building' affiliation, but please rethink your tax rate.

FLAGRITZ:

Yet another alien race. These loveable aliens see themselves as superior to all other lifeforms. If they see a weakness they can exploit (attack and destroy) they will. The FGZ are out to conquer everyone else. If played correctly they would not ally themselves to anyone. They have the massive Baseships to help them in their quest for total domination, plus their morale never drops below 70. Their ships never need maintenance either. Basically another 'Empire builder', but will trust no one as only the Flagritz are worthy to live.

HIVE:

Hivers are another alien race mostly connected to the FGZ now. Each HVE colony normally has a Queen which produces eggs which hatch into Warriors or Workers. The Warriors are slightly better than Human Veterans in combat. Workers can be put to work in special complexes. I don't know if any HVE colonies are player controlled at the moment, but I don't think it's right that they're allied to the FGZ, because the FGZ should not trust any other lifeform.

HEXAMON:

Hexamon are an alien race which left the Titan system when the star went nova. They're somehow connected to the TCA/Architects. The HXM appeared in the Acrux system and started fighting the 3D Alliance. I must admit that I don't know much about them to tell how they should be run. I think that they are not players controlled at the moment, but they were to begin with.

KRL/WMB/SQM:

I don't know much about these at the moment to make a judgement.

I must remind you all again the above is my personal view. When I advocate that affiliations charge others to come into their territory does not mean that me as FET PD will be happy to pay these fees, if FET can get in and out without paying we probably will as that kind of thing fits our profile. In recent months the game degenerated into a war game to the exclusion of all else. BSE is an easy game to learn, but hard to master. It has great depth if played as it should be played. It just takes one affiliation not to be run as it should to affect the whole game and spoil it for all players. Affiliations have tended to go their own way, relying on their own resources. This has led to a game that has become stale. If affiliations open up more the game that will most certainly fold if all we do is interact with others in our own affiliation. If I've offended anyone please send in your views so that everyone can compare how different players perceive the game. All you players on the net please remember that a lot of players are not, so any views should be sent to the IGN as well as for Forum. Right I've finished my sermon, you can go out to play now.

Explore New Worlds

Do you want to explore new worlds? If yes then join the Ultramarine Empire and colonise new systems and become a lord under the Ultramarine's flag and help expand this empire to become the largest most powerful but peaceful force in the galaxy. In this non racial discrimination empire you can go on crusades and discover more new worlds to expand this empire even further. If so contact the pride of Ultramar (2700) and be a part of this empire. Or for more details contact: Mark Smith, 45 Linton Road, Dundee, Scotland, DD2 25Y.

Poetry Corner

In the beginning there was light,
The light shone down so bright and true,
Monk by monk into crew by crew,
The Brotherhood sharing light with pain,
The Brotherhood reducing IMP gains,
In Brotherhood there is Syool,
Spiked with Thorlium coated nails,
Yoyo's of Steel,
Order of Chaos to add to all systems,
In the beginning there was light,
In the present there is unrest,
In the future there will be Syool.

AFT Reports the Loss of the Viceroys Chair

... Aboard True Sky:
-"What? But I've just left!.."
Ted is upset. He has just been told to return to AFT Qnase.
-"Are you sure the hiport will stay up this time? I don't want my Queen to get scratched by falling debris... Ok, ok, I'll come back, but you'll have to invite me for dinner... bye."
Ted turns to nav:
-"You heard it, we're going back."
-"Sir, we have not completed the sector scan. It will take another 10 minutes."
-"We can do that later."
-"Sorry Sir, but we can't abort now without the log noticing it."
-"Ok, lets wait ... look, there are several ships in this sector..."
-"I'll focus on them... The id should show up now...no it can't be?.. oh no!"
-"Take it easy. Let me see ... RIP SHIP THE BLACK TULIP (1930) ... RIP SHIP COALA BEAR (3934) ... RIP SHIP BLACK BEAR (4638) ... RIP SHIP BALOO BEAR (4332) ... RIP SHIP THE BEAR (3746). That's a handsome collection."
-"Handsome? They're gonna kill us!"
-"No, they won't. They will leave us alone. They know my deal with the King. Anyway, they won't catch up on us."
... Later, at Eclypse Traffic Control:
-"He should have shown up long ago. Get me Mona at AFT Qnase ... Hi Mona, this is ETC. Have you heard from Ted? ... Dinner with you last night? ... Yes, he is ... What?... pirates?... Yes, he's mad... Ok, thanks"
The officer at ETC turns to his collegue and sighs.
-"Mona told me Ted had returned to Qnase and shifted factories. He's on his way again, but apparently he will pass through a square filled with pirates. He was not afraid of them he claimed. I am afraid we will have to wait for a very long time..."
... Aboard True Sky again:
-"They haven't left Ted!"
-"Hmm, how strange, open up a channel for me."
-"Neg. They don't respond...Sir, they're in battle formation!"
-"Quick, send them the sequence."
-"Done ... No, they don't ack it."
Ted sits down in the Viceroys Chair. He taps a button and speaks into a mic. His voice is heard all over True Sky:
-"This is Ted speaking. All crew to command. Startroopers, prepare for anti-boarding action. We are facing four pirate ships. We can only hope that True Sky will hold until reinforcements arrive."

The two Predators, the Nemesis, and the SoL start the battle by sending rays of ion beams upon True Sky. Horrified screams are heard from the main section. The battle klaxons cannot conceal the anguish from dying
men.
-"Sir, all Startroopers are dead."
-"Keep moving"

The RIP ships open their fighter bays and 44 fighters are launched. They all aim for command. Almost everyone hit. Although a Super Carrier can load three times as much as a normal Carrier, the hull structure is not stronger and hence the command section is almost shattered by the intense strain.

The fighters regroup to repeat another attack. Ted looks upon his crew members. He cannot contain his anger. This was not his plan! He had been tricked. He, the last honourable captain had been tricked by the Pirate King. How could this have happened? His crew was fighting uneven odds. The command section will not hold another attack. There was nothing he could do. His ship was doomed and he could not escape. His eyes was full of tears as he watched the fighters close in a final attack. As they opened fire, Ted pulled the lever beneath his chair and two powerful thrusters ignited. He broke through a weak spot in the hull and crashed out into the space. He almost hit a fighter sweeping a few meters above him. Then he was clear from the battle.

Ted overrode the security program and activated the attitude thrusters on the chair to point him toward his ship. The computer told him that the chair cannot shield him any longer if True Sky exploded. Ted didn't care. He wanted to share the final moment with his only true love. It didn't take long. Death from the fighters rained upon True Sky and she could not defend against it. Several explosions shook her and the command section was almost torn loose. At last, a final blow, and the sky was filled with fireballs. Ted was swept into intense heat as the engine section detonated. He survived, but only for a few minutes. He started to count in his head... No, he wouldn't make it. He was 1.8 million short. He would not be allowed into the Temple and the Godess of Greed would not accept him. He opened up a small hatch on his chair. There was a big red button and Ted prepared to press it. "I have always wondered if this button works. I will tell you, Gabe, when we meet in hell..."

Priority Markets

S.O.	Colony	Sys.	S.S.	Item	Buying	Selling	Price
CLN	CLN Skypoint (1824)	38	3032	Processed Thorlium	1000		125
CLN	CLN Sabeltand (1412)	97	2349	Chemicals		1000	30
CLN	CLN Sabeltand (1412)	97	2349	Fibrillium	300		300
CLN	CLN Gomorrah (3170)	98	1555	Fissionables	1428		20
CLN	CLN Gomorrah (3170)	98	1555	Pulac Crystals	5000		30
CLN	IND High Star (1971)	103	1841	Condensed Metals	4000		12
CLN	IND High Star (1971)	103	1841	Metals/Non-Metals	30000		2
CLN	CLN Lunar Eclipse (4805)	138	2239	Chic Clothing		7000	9
CLN	CLN Lunar Eclipse (4805)	138	2239	Structural Units	3000@22	0@10
CNF	CIA Serpent's Hold (4341)	4	251	Chemicals	10000		100
CNF	CIA Serpent's Hold (4341)	4	251	Mines		80	3000
CNF	IND Weregild (2332)	4	2349	Hive Eggs	100		200
CNF	IND Weregild (2332)	4	2349	Mines	10		3000
CNF	CIA Shadowland (4748)	4	2349	Alien Pets	3500		5
CNF	CIA Shadowland (4748)	4	2349	Colonists	1500		15
CNF	CIA Langley (2301)	17	1636	Fissionables		10000	5
CNF	CIA Langley (2301)	17	1636	Untooled Factories		10	5000
CNF	IND Thorn (140)	17	2258	Ambrosia		500	50
CNF	CIA Armoury (179)	17	2456	Waste	2000		30
CNF	CIA Armoury (179)	17	2456	Luxury Foodstuffs	6000		8
CNF	BHD Osgiliath (1440)	17	3047	Fissionables		9500	40
CNF	BHD Opacus Custos (3012)	18	2352	Indigon	100		500
CNF	BHD Opacus Custos (3012)	18	2352	Mines	56		4000
CNF	CIA Entropy (488)	24	2342	Colonists	2000		10
CNF	AFT Return (4313)	41	1850	Heaven Herb		10000	15
FCN	FCN Dark Sun City (586)	162	1148	Luxury Foodstuffs		20000	4
FCN	FCN Dark Sun City (586)	162	1148	Processed Thorlium	500		300
FCN	FCN Falencia (3351)	162	1148	Jacium	200		600
FCN	FCN Falencia (3351)	162	1148	Precious Metals	470		150
IMP	FET Tortuga (4734)	1	349	Colonists		10000	7
IMP	GTT HQ (467)	1	1440	Colonists		10000	1
IMP	GTT HQ (467)	1	1440	Luxury Goods	1000		7
IMP	EEM Hypso (4802)	1	1939	Ambrosia	500		50
IMP	EEM Hypso (4802)	1	1939	Luxury Goods	1000		5
IMP	FET New Kyoto (4297)	1	1939	Luxury Goods		10000	4
IMP	FET Serendipity (3379)	132	357	Euphoria		8000	40
IMP	FET Serendipity (3379)	132	357	Medical Supplies		8000	40
IMP	FET Dragonnest (227)	147	2832	Colonists	10000		20
IMP	IND Freedom City (2653)	149	2150	LBCM	1000		600
IMP	IND Freedom City (2653)	149	2150	Photon Guns	1000@200	1934@360
IMP	GTT Outcasts (1821)	150	1034	Artworks		10000	2
IMP	AFT Eclypse (1124)	150	2232	Photon Guns		719	180
IMP	GTT Xanadu (4810)	158	1146	Teleporters	2		17000
IMP	IMP Sevastopol (4997)	159	2438	Medical Supplies	7324		50
IMP	IMP Leeward (4871)	159	2438	Clothing		4000	5
IMP	IMP Leeward (4871)	159	2438	Green Troops		450	60
IMP	FET Port Royal (1571)	160	740	Luxury Foodstuffs		4000	45
IMP	CLN Outreach (1758)	160	740	Pulac Crystals	500		40
IMP	GTT Bannockburn (3411)	160	740	Colonists		30000	5
IMP	GTT Bannockburn (3411)	160	740	Luxury Foodstuffs		30000	5
IMP	DEN Aslan (1665)	163	2856	Stargate Key 163		2	30000
IMP	DEN Aslan (1665)	163	2856	Teleporters		4	25000
IMP	FET Falconhaven (4806)	165	2259	Colonists	10000		10
IMP	FET Falconhaven (4806)	165	2259	Luxury Goods		1000	20
IMP	GTT Liberty (3240)	165	2936	Korondite	625		80
IMP	GTT Liberty (3240)	165	2936	Xbureaucrat		80	500
IMP	IND Amity (1831)	166	1745	Metals/Non-Metals		6180	5
IMP	IND Amity (1831)	166	1745	Processed Thorlium		100	170
IMP	FET New Hope (951)	166	1745	Strion		7527	160
IMP	Heartbreak Ridge (2963)	172	1642	Medical Supplies	1000		80
IMP	Heartbreak Ridge (2963)	172	1642	Metals/Non-Metals		1000	5
IMP	AFT Amythest (282)	173	532	Life Supports		90	20
IMP	IMP Cezta (2625)	173	532	Fissionables		1996	20
IMP	GTT New Christiania (4707)	173	532	Maintenance-Bots	2		10000
IMP	GTT New Christiania (4707)	173	532	Veterans	10		1000
IMP	GTT Thermopylae (1152)	178	1742	Teleporters	3		26000
IMP	GTT Thermopylae (1152)	178	1742	Alien Pets		1500	3
KAS	CIA Sin City (209)	146	631	Veterans	80		500
KAS	SQM Windhooks (2071)	146	1947	Luxury Foodstuffs		5000	4
KAS	EEM Balmoral (4100)	146	2857	Condensed Metals	1000		6
KAS	EEM Balmoral (4100)	146	2857	Untooled Factories	10@8000	5@10000
KAS	CNF Sarajevo (3874)	146	2857	Celesium	100		30
KAS	CNF Sarajevo (3874)	146	2857	Crew		70	100
KAS	KAS Rubis (4063)	146	2951	Chemicals	1043		100
KAS	KAS Rubis (4063)	146	2951	Jacium	9370		300
KAS	GTT New Atlantis (2069)	146	2951	Processed Thorlium	500		150
KAS	GTT New Atlantis (2069)	146	2951	Teleporters	2		25500
KAS	AFT New Aurora (4428)	146	2951	Food		2000	3
KAS	FET Alliance Station (604)	146	2951	Jac/Thor Alloy	100		50
KAS	DEN Minotaur (1322)	146	2951	Stargate Key 121		10	30000
KAS	DEN Minotaur (1322)	146	2951	Teleporters		4	25000
KAS	DTR Babylon (2350)	146	2951	Small Arms	1770@10	1843@12
KAS	DTR Babylon (2350)	146	2951	Veterans	70		400
KAS	DOM Mycenae Sound (3114)	146	2951	Jacium	250		325
KAS	CIA Atlantis (3315)	171	1433	Colonists	19992		10
KAS	CIA Atlantis (3315)	171	1433	Condensed Metals	5000		15

Space Academy XX

This months new arrivals to BSE are as follows:

Ship Name	Ship Number	Address
New Horizon	4312	Tim Harding, 19 Winchester Road, Brislington, Bristol, Avon, BS4 3NF.
Lady Macbeth	4174	Paul Jones, 219 Lily Lane, Bamfurlong, Wigan, WN2 5JT.
Accident of Birth	1828	Pete Byles, 264 Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 3HH.
Event Horizon	1262	Tim Jackson, 34 Kirby Road, Ripon, N Yorkshire, HG4 2HF.
Valiant Endeavour	2830	Chun-Wai Yun, 210 Long Lane, Finchley Central, London, N3 2RA.
Quietly Confident	162	Richard Hibbert, 251 Lyall Place, Upper Hale, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 0EQ.
Beware the Silence	2749	Steven Mundey, 37 Orchard Close, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 5BH.
Dream Lover	9882	Michael Elliot, Rill Cottage, 33 Brookpark, Briggswath, Whitby, YO21 1RT.
Botony Bay	1051	Shaun B Walker, 333 Bradford Road, Cleckheaton, W Yorkshire, BD19 3UQ.
Hesperus	3293	J W Medway, 5 Gainford Road, Stockport, Cheshire, SK5 6EP.
Firethorn	3073	Colin Combes, 56 Holmes Lane, Rustington, Littlehampton, W Sussex, BN16 2PU.
Aurora	2239	Andrew Steel, 40 Campbell Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 5BY.
Black Virtue	478	J M Elliot, 33 Brook Park, Briggswath, Whitby, YO21 1RT.
Stalker	1927	Stefan Segnitz, Augustr 2, 76137 Karlsruhe, West Germany.