Inter-Galactic News

Issue 51, September 1999

Anything for inclusion for future issues of the IGN should be sent direct to me at the following address:
Graham Orford, 2 Horseshoe End, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 7XE.

Otherwise you can include your articles with your BSE turn cards making sure that they are clearly marked FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE IGN EDITOR.

For a quicker turn-around, and perhaps even a response you can contact me at the following Email address: ign@gorford.screaming.net or if you want to publicise something straight away to a number of BSE players with Email access you could leave a message on the BSE forum:
uk-bse@pvv.ntnu.no

To subscribe to the BSE Forum, send a message to uk-bse-request@pvv.unit.no with the following text in the body of the message (NOT the header): subscribe

Outer-Comm.

From the Office of the Periphery Director

In spite of New Atlantis being established in the Yank system and under the benign protection of the Kastorian High Command, it was recently the scene of RIP duplicity. This resulted in the destruction of a RIP warship. In discussion with the Kastorian High Command after this incident, we sought, and obtained, the offer of full assistance from all the colonies sharing this planet. Further an official of the High Command informed us "Our laws have been broken one time too many". He further confirmed that the system weapon was being brought up to operational readiness. I give notice that any RIP that attempt to orbit any GTT colony will now be destroyed, regardless of who actually claims the system the colony is in. If the RIP scum are not willing to respect third party authority, then the GTT is no longer willing to extend any form of trust to them.

To: All
From: Ted Pratt (FET PD)

I'm glad that there were a few replies to my article which appeared in IGN#47. I know that it ended up in Sub-Space Static as not everyone received a copy, myself included. I thank Stephan Jaroschek (DTR) and Blair Watt (CIA) for their views. I do not however agree with Stephan's suggestion that players be able to run positions in different affiliations. Players in FET like to do things that are less than legal, we also maintain a small fleet of warships to help defend our assets. If we were not allowed to run these ships unless they were under IMP control it would take the fun out of doing something illegal, as we would know where the police are all of the time. It may sound silly, but for most FET players the possibility of getting caught in the act gives us a buzz and makes the game exciting for us. I know it's odd but we would like the IMP to make a few more things illegal just to give us something to do. We in FET have tried and tried to come up with a better way for our ability to run black-markets to be more useful. At the moment they are just not worth the effort, as nobody will use them. Most affiliations can either make or purchases what they openly without fear of IMP or CNF action, even items that they are supposed to be illegal. If anyone out there has some suggestions on how to improve black-markets please let me know. Stephan also suggested that GM colonies pay good prices for certain drugs to encourage smuggling again. The IMP could then collect a GM bounty on any ship caught smuggling again. The IMP could then collect a GM bounty on any ship caught doing this. This is a great idea but with one drawback. The IMP would properly smuggle as well, they would make more money this way than trying to stop the trade.
Something that didn't appear in the IGN replies were some disagreement about FET being described as a Mega-Corporation. It should be, it was argued, a cartel of like minded people. In the original rulebook there were affiliation profiles for all the original affiliations (IMP, GTT, SMS, DTR, FET, SSL, IND). FET was set up by the Emperor to help in the fight against the DTR. To give it an air of legitimacy, FET was given an Imperial Charter to become a Mega-Corp. The cartel idea came about a few years ago when a former PD wanted FET players to set up subsidiary companies within the affiliation. This idea proved to be unpopular and has been dropped. FET is now run like a Mega-Corp. It has 5 board-members (politicals) running different departments within the company. These are exploration, colonisation, intelligence and company security. Overseeing all these departments is the Exec Vice President (PD). If a major decision has to be made a vote is held within the board with the PD having the casting vote in the event of a tie. So you see FET is very much a Mega-Corp.
Recently I've been talking to Mica about trying to work out how much an affiliation is worth and what sort of incentives there could be if an affiliation took actions to increase its market value by role playing its profile. Maybe we could total up all the items an affiliation owns and give each item a stellar value ($1 per Mu would be easy) add to this any cash owned. This would be what the affiliation would be worth that month. If an affiliation reaches or exceeds a target value it could then be rewarded in some way. The IMP could get extra combat bonuses against smugglers. Others could get production bonuses and /or trade bonuses, i.e. better prices when selling items to GM colonies. These are a few suggestions, what do you think? Please do keep the conversation about role playing going in the IGN (groan <g> [ed]), as all players views are important (plus it will keep Graham busy). Sorry this article is so long.

You can contact me direct at: 10 Kefford Close, Horndean, Hants, PO8 9JR or phone me on (01705) 715354. Sorry, no email.

To: All
From: FET Exec VP

Want to run a colony? Cannot be bothered with setting it up from scratch? Ever thought about leasing one? Yes, that's right, leasing a colony. FET are in a position to help you out. He company has available a small number of colonies at various locations within the Capellan Periphery that it is willing to rent out for a modest monthly fee. Interested? Contact FET Exec VP. Contract subject to status. Ted Pratt, 10 Kefford Close, Horndean, Hants, PO8 9JR or phone me on (01705) 715354.

Deep Space Combat

Fariq Shirazi is sitting in his command chair, overlooking the bridge.
-"Commander, we have a full scan. Ready to engage."
-"Thank you, Sid. Attention bridge, stand by for combat. Com?"
-"Go"
-"Nav?"
-"Go"
-"Engineer?"
-"Go"
-"Weapons?"
-"We're go Sir!"
-"Com, ping Swift Star."
-"Positive Sir."
-"Initiate contact in 20 seconds on mark...mark. Sid, make sure we capture this on video."
The Nebulon, Predator and Deep Explorer close onto the defenceless Pioneer. They open fire simultaneously. Photon Gun fire streak across the evading Pioneer. Fariq Shirazi is studying the console closely.
-"Now, that's what I call a clean hit. Scan, confirm status N-command."
-"Shields are breached, hulls are 40%, no living crew detected. Target is derelicted, Captain."
-"Bridge, disengage. Weapons, stand by level 3. Nav take us outside blast radius. Keep shields at 110% until post battle. Com, order Swift Star to continue target internal main until 2% risk of live defenders survive."
-"Done, Sir."
Fariq studies the screen and monitors the progress.
-"Sid, log primary objective accomplished. Now, lets see is if Ensign Rache Magellan can stand the test."
Swift Star and ********* continue to hail ***** with photon fire. The main section is glowing. Suddenly, Swift Star starts to drift. The already damaged command is showered with blazing light. A thrust engine on Swift Star is shut down and the Predator regain the position.
-"Damn, not more damage to command! Com, order Swift Star to disengage."
-"Sir, Swift Star is already broadcasting end of battle."
-"Scan, status on target?"
-"COMMAND HULLS = Heavy MAIN HULLS = Critical ENGINE HULLS =Heavy"
Fariq sits down again, breathing deeply.
-"It looks like that drifting saved the target. Sid, inform Ivan that Ensign Rache Magellan performed admirably. Engineer, brief me."
-"Captain, we got to get the ship to maintenance. This is the last week that we're qualified. We will experience 3% breakdown each week from now. And the damage from our previous battle is still bothering me."
-"I know, but we had to stay an alert until Avenger of Solaris was repaired. By the way, I wonder what they will call that ship now? Boys, lets head home..."

To: General public
From: Bureau of the Governor, DTR Babylon

Gentlebeings, we hereby present you with the unique chance to purchase a class five colony in pristine condition and situated in an excellent location for mercantile pursuits. The colony in question is DTR Babylon (2350), situated on Mobile Bay (space square 2951) in Yank (146). It is to be sold with more than 10000 lifeforms (no more than 500 colonists!), and the following colony complexes present in the starport:
- 1 Hiport;
- 11 Hospital complexes;
- 3 Security complexes;
- 1 Restaurant/Gambling/Recreation complex each;
- 1 Boot Camp;
- 1 Military Training complex;
- 15 Special complexes producing 10x20 Luxury goods, 5x55 PSUs
Items present at the colony when it is handed over will include more than 10000 PSUs and 20000 MUs of food as well as about 30000 Power units and any excess ore supplies.
The colony sits on a 10.2 metals deposit, likely one of the best found on Mobile Bay.
The price for this fully operational class 5 colony will be only ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND Stellars!!
All other items will be removed from the colony, as will be all stellar wealth. However, if you wish you can purchase the following items which will be then left at the colony for you:
Factories (up to 50 for sale): 8000 Stellars each;
Farms (up to 50 for sale): 3750 Stellars each;
Mines (up to 100 for sale): 4500 Stellars each;
Jammers (up to 300 for sale): 50 Stellars each;
Colonists (up to 6000 for sale): 5 Stellars each, lifeforms will then be reduced accordingly to reach a total lifeforms number of just over 10000!
The reason for Babylon being sold is that the DTR is currently building another trade centre on the moon of Mobile Bay, Lunk. Once this new colony is up and operational and has built a hiport (which is scheduled to be in week 42/199) the role of Babylon as the primary DTR trade centre will come to an end.
In turn this means, of course, that the colony cannot be handed over any earlier that the completion of the Lunk colony which is expected in week 43, provided that construction can proceed as planned.
Contact the subspace address below if you are interested. For the greater glory of the Republic.
Stanley Tweedle, Governor of DTR Babylon
OOC: Stephan Jaroschek, An Johannes Junker 6, 52388 Noervenich / Germany.
email: frabby@spacious.com

To: All
From: Emperor Sarek (FCN PD)

The Falconian Empire (#70) are interested in newbies and experienced players, to help maintain and expand our Empire. We are a race of peaceful Avians, who try to maintain neutral relations with all aliens that we meet, which is not as easy, as one would have thought. We can offer you equipment, ships, information and role-play and due to our relations, then do we have access to almost all systems in the game and we can interact with almost anyone. When you join the FCN, then should you not worry about the RIP, because even them do we maintain neutral relations with and only once have they done something, that includes us and that was to attack an alien ship in our system of Acropolis, but we do still need players interested in maintain ships, in case that combat or war breaks out. Our abilities may sound a bit strange, but they are not, its just not easy for me, a Dane to always describe it in English how they work. First our ships, we have the largest number of small ships of any affiliation, our smallest ship is the Cygnet, it has 24 hulls, our biggest ship is the Dreadwing a mere 68 Hulls, but we compensate by being able to have 40mu cargo per hull, where normal affiliations can have 20mu, on a more military side of our ships, then will space fighters do double normal damage, which makes us very tough in combat and Pulsar Beams can shoot down twice as many enemy Space Fighters, but to compensate for the great number of engines that we can carry, then have we got a 1.3 speed modifiers, which still makes our ships a bit faster then human ships. Second our Colonies, we can construct hiports at size 1 already, which makes colonisation of high-g worlds more easy, also we can make more special complexes then anyone else, 3 specials count only as 1 complex, for the colony size, a normal colony can have 5 complexes, but if its used by us, then would we have 1 Hiport and 12 Special complexes, 3 specials count as a single complex, also on the military side, then like our ships, then will Space Fighters do double normal damage and pulsar beams will shoot down twice as many enemy Space Fighters. And last we have the ability to make Alien Factories, a small factory only 250mu in size, so more easy to build and transport, but it also means that we cant use nor produce normal factories, that everyone else uses. To make us pay for some of our abilities, then have we a few bad abilities, 1. We cant make Farms, but we can use them, so we normally colonise worlds, where one can make Food complexes, and the largest disadvantage is the Alien Plague, that our Ships and Colonies have, but we will provide you with simple guide lines, so that you can avoid spreading it. So you know that our abilities, so we can supply you with our easy to build ships or give you help to make colonies and you can help us guard the Empire and help us find more ore and equipment that can make our Empire become stronger. So if you are interested in joining or wants more info, then contact me, and we can talk future about it.
Contact: Dan Larsen, Sebbersundvej 30, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark.
Or Email Sarek@post3.tele.dk

36/199 HOSTILE ENCOUNTERS

Venice - This week saw a dramatic increase of pirate incursions into DTR space. After their murderous assaults on DTR explorer ships in recent weeks the DTR had grown wary of the RIP. Patrols in the Venice system located a Nemesis, the 'Baloo Bear', which had attacked a Dominion Carrier in the Venice system the week before. The raider was trapped and intercepted by a detachment of the DTR Home Guard, who derelicted the ship but lost the entire bridge crew aboard DTR 'Chimaera' to an ion cannon salvo in turn. The CO, Vice Admiral Iblis, was wounded but is expected to return to duty any day now. Reinforcements to this battle had been diverted on their way to assist a DTR freighter which had come under attack from a RIP Ship-of-the-Line; RIP 'The Bear' was destroyed but all crew aboard DTR Tempest 'Cotopaxi' were killed, including the respected CO, Commodore Graham Jardin.
Elsewhere in the Venice system a lone RIP Battle Cruiser was engaged and destroyed by a strong task force with no losses to the DTR. Lieutenant Kato Konami of the aptly named DTR Yacht 'Lucky Escape' is to be commended for reporting this encounter and surviving two pirate encounters in one week completely unscathed: The 'Lucky Escape' could bypass the Battle Cruiser and proceed to the Solo system where it witnessed another merciless attack, this time the DTR Carrier 'Red Russian' was running from another RIP Nemesis. Fighter attacks to the command section killed six crewmen aboard the 'Red Russian' but no further damage was taken. The 735 DNA refugees in the cargo section were unharmed.
Nearby in the same system DTR Belter 'Long Island' was not so lucky. Assaulted by a RIP Predator and a RIP Runner with ion cannons and space fighters it took heavy damage and lost 40 crew but in the end escaped the pirates. The explorer ship even inflicted minor damage to the RIP Runner 'Flashing Steel' by attacking its engine section with space fighters. At the end of the day, another RIP Runner chose to flee at the sight of an unarmed DTR Yacht on survey duty in the T.tauri system. It is hoped that after this week's losses the RIP will be forced to withdraw. While this week saw some successful action against the raiders we are also mourning for almost a hundred crewmen killed in the battles this week alone.
- DPB, Porta Capella

To: All
From: Governor Lord Cowin Ambrai

In order to concentrate on maintaining and improving colony facilities, as of this week (38.199) Ariel's open market is closing. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
The starport at AFT Ariel (on Eridani in ss 2049 of Solo (121)) is still open. Ships from any affiliation (except the RIP) are welcome to land and make use of the colony's Gambling, Maintenance, Recreation and Repair complexes.

########## Public Messages from the Military Office of House Raven ########

As of Star-Date 39/99 the Asteroid Aeriana in Space Square 2139 in the Acropolis System (162) is now considered a Restricted Military zone and under the sole Rule of House Raven.
Any Non Alien Federation member who attempts to land anywhere on the Asteroid or Colonies there will be immediately attacked with no warning. There will be no further warnings......
As of Star-Date 39/99 the following Laws will apply in all star-ports under the direct control of House Raven (you can identify one of our colonies by the Market message or our information site) The following laws must be followed while in the starport of a house raven colony.
1a: Any position who uses an agent in a house Raven colony will be immediately posted by all House Raven colonies and a official posting request will be sent to the emperor.
1b: If any position attempts to harm a Falconian citizen that position will be immediately posted by all House Raven colonies and a official posting request will be sent to the emperor.
1c: No ground parties are to be set up or used inside the starport of house Raven without express permission of House Raven.
1d: Any position found to have set-up a black market at any colony controlled by House Raven will be immediately posted by all House Raven colonies and a official posting request will be sent to the emperor.

These laws may be changed at any time with only 1 weeks notice given.

House Raven is the Military section of the Falconian Nation. The Profile of House Raven is as follows.
1: House Raven will Always keep a active military force stationed on a rapid response craft ready to defend any Falconian Citizen or Asset.
2: How Raven will respond with deadly force if any of their laws (shown below) are violated at any colony under House Raven's rule.
3: If a friendly affiliation is attacked in the confines of the Acropolis or another Falconian controlled system, the rapid attack force will be despatched to aid the defence of the friendly position.
4: Each colony controlled by house Raven has it's own laws that must be followed at all time.
5: All colonies controlled by house raven can be identified by the market message.
6: House Raven will always support the Emperor if requested in any way possible.
7: The Asteroid known as Aeriada is considered the territory of House Raven and any position that lands on the surface or colony who is not a member of the Alien Federation will be immediately attacked without warning.

########## End of Public Messages from the Military Office of House Raven ########

Priority Markets

S.O.	Colony	Sys.	S.S.	Item	Buying	Selling	Price
CLN	CLN Constantinopolis (1265)	25	839	Fissionables		2781	10
				Pulac Crystals	2000		20
CLN	KAS Black Pig (4912)	35	1834	Life Supports	30000		35
				Structural Units	30000		40
CLN	CLN Skypoint (1824)	38	3032	Slug Juice		2000	40
CLN	CLN Sabeltand (1412)	97	2349	Chemicals		1000	30
				Fibrillium	300		300
CLN	CLN Gomorrah (3170)	98	1555	Fissionables	1209		20
				Pulac Crystals	5000		30
CLN	IND High Star (1971)	103	1841	Condensed Metals	4000		12
				Metals/Non-Metals	30000		2
CLN	CLN Lunar Eclipse (4805)	138	2239	Colonists		6000	0
				Structural Units	2783		22
CNF	CIA Serpent's Hold (4341)	4	251	Chemicals	10000		100
				Mines		78	3000
CNF	IND Weregild (2332)	4	2349	Hive Eggs	100		200
				Mines	10		3000
CNF	CIA Shadowland (4748)	4	2349	Colonists	1500		15
CNF	CIA Langley (2301)	17	1636	Fissionables		10000	5
				Untooled Factories		10	5000
CNF	IND Thorn (140)	17	2258	Ambrosia		500	50
CNF	CIA Armoury (179)	17	2456	Waste	2000		30
				Luxury Foodstuffs	6000		8
CNF	BHD Osgiliath (1440)	17	3047	Fissionables		9500	40
CNF	BHD Opacus Custos (3012)	18	2352	Indigon	100		500
				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	Condensed Metals		2000	10
				Luxury Foodstuffs		19300	4
IMP	IMP Jax (2990)	1	349	Furs		3000	4
IMP	FET Tortuga (4734)	1	349	Colonists		10000	7
IMP	GTT HQ (467)	1	1440	Colonists		10000	1
				Pulac Crystals		10000	6
IMP	EEM Hypso (4802)	1	1939	Ambrosia	500		50
				Luxury Goods	1000		5
IMP	FET New Kyoto (4297)	1	1939	Luxury Goods		10000	4
IMP	FET Dragonnest (227)	147	2832	Colonists	10000		20
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	Ambrosia		800	250
IMP	IMP Sevastopol (4997)	159	2438	Medical Supplies		7324	50
IMP	IMP Leeward (4871)	159	2438	Clothing		10000	4
IMP	IMP Alexandria III (2790)	160	433	LBCM		100	500
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
				Luxury Foodstuffs		30000	5
IMP	DEN Aslan (1665)	163	2856	Stargate Key 163		2	30000
				Teleporters		4	25000
IMP	FET Falconhaven (4806)	165	2259	Colonists	10000		10
				Luxury Goods		2000	4
IMP	GTT Liberty (3240)	165	2936	Korondite	625		80
				Xbureaucrat		80	500
IMP	IND Amity (1831)	166	1745	Metals/Non-Metals		6180	5
IMP	FET New Hope (951)	166	1745	Strion		7527	160
IMP	Heartbreak Ridge (2963)	172	1642	Condensed Metals		500	35
				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
				Veterans	10		1000
IMP	GTT Thermopylae (1152)	178	1742	Colonists		10000	2
				Fissionables	2000		40
IMP	SMS Farcry (3392)	178	1742	Maintenance-Bots		1	30000
KAS	CIA Sin City (209)	146	631	Veterans	70		500
KAS	EEM Balmoral (4100)	146	2857	Condensed Metals	1000		6
				Untooled Factories	10@8000	5@10000
KAS	CNF Sarajevo (3874)	146	2857	Celesium	100		30
				Crew		100	40
KAS	KAS Rubis (4063)	146	2951	Processed Thorlium	6000@30	29938@55
				Jacium	8920		350
KAS	GTT New Atlantis (2069)	146	2951	Fissionables	1000		35
				Super Conductors		150	190
KAS	AFT Blackbird's Nest (4428)	146	2951	Colonists	1700		30
				Food		3200	3
KAS	FET Alliance Station (604)	146	2951	Jac/Thor Alloy	100		50
KAS	DEN Minotaur (1322)	146	2951	Stargate Key 121		10	30000
				Teleporters		4	25000
KAS	DTR Babylon (2350)	146	2951	Small Arms	1770@10	4122@12
				Veterans	70		400
KAS	DOM Mycenae Sound (3114)	146	2951	Jacium	250		325
KAS	KAS Azreals Peak (789)	171	1433	Life Supports	30000		25
				Structural Units	28922		50
KAS	CIA Atlantis (3315)	171	1433	Colonists	19950		10
				Condensed Metals	5000		15

Space Academy XXIV

This months new arrivals to BSE are as follows:

Ship Name	Ship Number	Address
Mad Max 1	2011	N Brimble, 52 Curl Curl Parade, Curl Curl NSW 2096, Australia.
Rampage	4108	Andrew Fraser, 10 Duntreath Drive, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, G15 6SB.
Thursdays Child	1523	Roy Richards, 31 Hawthorne House, Clover Ley, Wolverhampton, WV10 0HE
HMS Ratatosk	297	Thomas Nilsson, Bjaerkegatan 4a, 461 33 Trollhattan Sweden.
Maelstorm	3277	Matt Westcar, 186 Shawbridge, Harlow, Essex, CM19 4NS.
Winged Nemesis	952	Mark Hadley, 112 Clent View Road, Bartley Green, Birmingham, B32 4LY.
Damocles	380	Gary Brown, 18 Meriden Grove, Lostock, Bolton, Lancs, BL6 4RQ.