From: koziol@void.ncsa.uiuc.edu (Quincey Koziol)
Subject: Conquest & Destiny news
Organization: Nat'l Center for Supercomputing Applications
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1992 01:29:24 GMT

 Conquest and Destiny is a for-profit PBEM game, let's get that out in
 the open right away.  However, I've been playing now for several
 months and having a damned good time. :-)  It's a galactic empire game
 ala Galaxy, although on a _much_ bigger scale.  I've posted a couple
 of times here about it and just thought I'd throw in another note
 encouraging other people to join.  
	Also, if anyone here is already playing and wants to discuss
tactics a little, (besides other members of the UU alliance, hi Jack! :-)
I'd be interested (I'm about fifteenth ranked currently (out of ~100)).
	I've attached the monthly newsletter to this post, so people can
see a little about how the game is going.  Also, if you'd like an
electronic copy of the rules, I can send those to you also.

		Quincey Koziol
		koziol@ncsa.uiuc.edu

=============================================================================
 
                        - Saggitarian Sagas -
                    - Issue #6 - StarDate: 0075 -
                      -------------------------
 
    Welcome, all you players to the sixth issue of the Saggitarian Sagas.
  Much has happened since the last NewsLetter, so sit back and prepare to
  be amused, informed, and outraged.
 
    First off I'd like to announce a Christmas season promotion.  Do you
  have a friend of yours that's interested in the game, but he/she simply
  never has the $10, or the time.  Now, during the month of December, any
  new player package that is sponsered by another player, currently involved
  in the game, will cost one half the normal price, just $5!  Plus, instead
  of the usual $10, you'll get $20 in free game credits for starting up a new
  race.  So if you want to start a friend adventuring in The Saggitarian Arm,
  this is the time to do it!!
 
    Many players have suggested additions to the game that I thought I'd
  throw into the mainstream, and see what all of you thought.  I'd 
  appreciate any additional enhancements that you may suggest.
 
    *** Thanks to Quincey Koziol, Chris Houck, Jack Vinson, Brian Hogue, ***
    ***     and the Beta Testers for a good portion of the following     ***
    ***        suggestions.  Sorry, if I've not mentioned someone.       ***
 
    1- Psionics: a special class of spy?
    2- Galactic Storms: navagational hazards, subsector wide Black Hole,
         or sector wide SuperNovas that destroys anything passing through.
    3- Alien Artifacts: technological wonders, or deadly items like the
         Doomsday Machine from Star Trek.
    4- Farming: a planet attribute that will provide food for pops, possibly
         allowing more populations to be built, and having automatic shipping
         trading routes for excess, Agricultural Centers, coomodities market,
         disrupting supply lines.  population limits based on Agriculture
         rather than planet size.
    5- Governors: specialized planetary managers allowing better taxing,
         efficiency, and planetary income.
    6- Fuel for ships: refueling depots, limited ranges??
    7- Task Force Patrol Routes: automatic movement of battle Task Forces
         to prearranged points within a Sector.  Tactical, and Kinetic scans
         are the only thing allowed.
    8- Automatic withdrawl from the Investment account to cover overspending.
    9- Galactic UN: diplomats (spies??), automatic captured documents (rumors)
         to "due" paying participants, protection for new races
   10- More Environment Ranges: more variety (F-K??)
   11- Orbital Industrial Center: income producing centers that orbit
         around the world.  Zero-Gee Industries??
   12- Combined Orbital ShipYards: Construction Yards that can combine
         the Mineral Plants in the whole system for an increased firepower
         base capability.
   13- Prisioner Transfer: allow races to transfer captured prisioner
         between one another.
   14- Unlimited Planetary Shield Centers:  to make planets more defendable
         against those huge Task Forces.
   15- Kidnap Spies or Commanders: rather than kill them or having to wait
         to capture a particularly annoying individual.
   16- Allowing Traders to Trade at each others trade routes, if allied
   17- A special Battle Task Force that would follow attatched Tracers.
   18- Option on the Navagation Computer that will move a Task Force to
       that position.
 
  Please let me know what you think of these ideas and any others that may
  occur to you.  The human imagination is an unequaled force.
 
    There will be a slight change to the way Action Codes 046, and 047 work.
  Races initiating a strength count will now have the option to center the
  strength readout around their position in it.  For example if a race is at
  position 52 in the count they could see the names for positions 42-62.
 
   047 -Strength Count 
       This action will list the top twenty races in the galaxy, and their
       relative strength, regardless of their racial type. The report options
       are: "1"- will give you the top 20, and "2"- will center it around
       your position.
 
                 owner #,turn #,event #,action #,report option
 
                          ex:  S0010,0001,001,047,1
 
  I'm also going to be changing the way that Action Code 046 works.  I
  believe that that race's type should be a secret, if they want.
  Therefore 046 will only give you your position in the heirarchy, and
  will not list other race's names.
 
     I've got two corrections in the serious "DUH!!" area.  The first one
   occurs on KC 5 when you receive Freighters, and can load Interceptors
   on them.  However, I don't allow a way to Land them after Loading them.
   Thus below, Action Code 093 is brought into being.  Before this it would
   have been handled in the transfers once you received Carriers.  The other
   mistake is in Action Code 356 (Assassinate Commander or Spy), I forgot to
   include in the description, where the name of the enemy agent went.  Below
   the new format is indicated.
 
  093 -Land Interceptors
      This action allows you to land Interceptors from a Task Force onto
      a planet.
 
         owner #,turn #,event #,action #,task force landing from,
          planet landing on,number of interceptors landing
 
              ex:  0010,0001,001,113,093,AABB11,15
 
  356 -Assassinate Commander or Spy
      This action works pretty much the same as 355, except that instead of
      trying to assassinate the leader (much harder), you're trying to get at
      a military commander or a spy.  Again you must know the location of the
      Capital world of the race that own the individual you're trying to
      assassinate.  Also it is a lot easier if the commander in question is
      not currently on an assignment.
  
          owner #,turn #,event #,action #,agent number,capitol world,
            enemy agent name,risk factor
  
                     ex: S0010,0030,015,356,1,AABB14,Mask,1
 
 
    Three Action codes have been deleted. 246 - Declare war against
  Consortium, 247 - Declare Alliance with Consortium, 248 - Declare
  Neutrality with Consortium.  One of the secrets of a Consortium is its
  membership.  With these actions codes some could use them and then sit
  back and see who allies, or declares war on them.  If you want to declare
  alliance, war, or neutrality  with a Consortium, you must do it on a race
  by race basis.
 
    There has been a change to the way Companies get interest in their Company
  Funds.  The base interest is 1.5%  The company then gets an additional .2%
  for every different race that owns at least 1% of their stock.  This is
  called the Diversity Index, and the interest is allowed to be as high as 7%.
  The reason behind this is to try and help to discourage "closed companies",
  where the Majority Share Holder keeps 100% of the stock, and never puts any
  on the open market to be bought and sold.  We will see if this helps.
 
    Most of you have probably noticed a new money source in your header
  information, Tax Base.  Many players mentioned to me that there should be
  automatic taxing of the populations a race owns on a turn by turn basis.
  The formula for determining TaxBase is:
 
      number of pops x (1+(total KC of worlds with pops/worlds with pops))
 
  If somebody has a better idea for a formula that encourages world
  development, please tell me.  Ed Greenwood I'm not.
 
    This section is for players that are communicating through CompuServe.
  For purposes of ease, and expense, the CompuServe players receive their
  turn information through InterNet.  InterNet is hooked up to CompuServe,
  and it is possible to send message two ways.  This is how to send me
  messages on InterNet.  The Asterixes indicate the choice you should enter
  when queried.
 
-------
     BASIC COMMUNICATION SERVICES
   ** 1 CompuServe Mail
      2 CompuServe Classifieds
-------
   ** 2 COMPOSE a new message
      3 UPLOAD a message
-------
     Enter message. (/EXIT when done)
      1: This is my turn for Conquest & Destiny.
      2: I'm going to send it INTERNET.
      3: /exit
-------
   ** 1 SEND ($)
      2 EDIT
      3 TYPE
-------
     Send ($) to (Name or User ID): >INTERNET:DCANHAM@ELVIS.NCSA.UIUC.EDU
     Subject: S0001 turn
 
     To:   >INTERNET:DCANHAM@ELVIS.NCSA.UIUC.EDU
     From: Dan Canham
     Subj: S0001 turn
 
     Are your message and address correct? (Y or N)! y
 
     Message sent to >INTERNET:DCANHAM@ELVIS.NCSA.UIUC.EDU
-------
 
  Please try it, and let me know if you have problems with the routine.
  Also, post some messages in the Forum, nothing says that you have to
  communicate only through the game.  As a matter of fact you could even
  advertise your User Account number in the "Public Messages" section.
 
    For those of you that are playing on INTERNET and wish to send a message
  to someone playing on CompuServe, it is handled in the following fashion.
 
    Ex: CompuServe User ID  71202,2523
    INTERNET address: 71202.2523@Compuserve.com
 
  Be warned that, for some reason, every once and awhile, messages get lost
  on the way to the CompuServe gateway.  Where they go, only the UserGod
  knows, so you may want to make several transmissions of your message.
  CompuServe players who wish to send messages to people on INTERNET, use
  the same format as indicated in the section detailing how to send me
  messages on INTERNET, but substitute the new INTERNET address in the
  "To:   >INTERNET:DCANHAM@ELVIS.NCSA.UIUC.EDU" part.
 
    Hey!!...Alright, there are a few wise guys out there.  Ordinarily I
  dont get involved with player messages, as long as there isn't excessive
  bad language.  Some wise acre sent a message to another player that
  simulated a bunch of passives that indicated disasterous encounters with
  that players Task Forces, and planets.  This in turn got me a bunch of
  messages on my anwsering machine wondering what the @*!? was going on!
  Very cute, please give me a break!!
 
    The "Events Processed", and "Amount Spent this Turn" section of your
  turn header has been acting a bit flaky from time to time.  I think I've
  fixed it, but keep an eye on it, and make sure that you're not being
  overcharged!  Not a thing I want to do.
 
    I normally try and process on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings.
  Which means, to those of you playing electronically, that the turns
  would normally be available the following morning.  HOWEVER!!! sometimes
  there are unavoidable delays (believe me, I'm interested in getting your
  turns to you as fast as possible) involved with processing.  Please be
  understanding, and try and avoid flooding me with inquiries on where the
  turns are.  If they are going to be later than a day, I will try to send
  an explanatory message.  As an additional note I usually start processing
  at 1800 (6pm) on those days, so you must have your turns to me by then
  if you want them included in that day's processing.
 
    There have been a couple of price changes that you should know about
  in the WormHole section.  At KC 13, WormHole Fortresses now cost 800
  credits.  At KC 15 WormHole Sensors cost 75 Credits apiece.
 
    Finally, in the next few StarDates, I'm going to institute the 
  Security System.  This is to avoid forged turns for players.  We haven't
  had any problems with that yet, however I wish to try and close the barn
  door before The Elder Barrians get out.  This could happen ecspecially
  easily for those playing electronically.  I've instituted two Action Codes
  that will not cost anything to use.  If you don't want a password, simply
  never institute the first one using 419.  If you do want one, you enter
  the first one using Action Code 419, then you must always use Action
  Code 420 in the very first event of every turn following.
 
 419 -Change Password
     This action will change the password which allows your turns to process.
     Once you enter this event, the password is immediately in effect, as of
     the next turn you process.  For those of you that don't yet have a
     password, this Action Code is used to establish your first one.  On the
     turn following the use of theis Code, you must enter a event "000" using
     Action Code 420, or the turn will not process.  This action Code costs no
     "real" money to use.  The limit on the password length is 12 characters.
 
              owner #,turn #,event #,action #,new password
 
                    ex:  0010,0001,001,419,Gleeble
 
 420 -Enter Password
     This action MUST be used every turn once you have established a 
     password.  You must enter this as event "000" of every turn.  If this
     action isn't used at the beginning of every turn, the turn WILL NOT
     PROCESS!!!.  This action code costs no "real" money to use.  For those
     of you that don't have a password, you don't need to use this Action
     Code until the turn following the first time you use Action Code 419.
 
                owner #,turn #,event #,action #,password
 
                     ex:  0010,0001,001,420,Gleeble
 
 
                            Public Messages
                            ---------------
 
     ATTENTION IGNORANT MASSES OF THE GALAXY:
 
  The Magnificent Khana, in Its Learned Benevolence, has decreed that the
  Sacred Teachings be available to all, for their enlightenment and growth.
  All races will send 250 credits and the coordinates of their home planet,
  so that Its Imperial Emmisaries may personnally grant the boon of knowledge
  in the Gallactic Truths.  Transgressors and those who refuse to hear the
  Sacred Teachings will be eliminated.  ALL HAIL KHAN IMPERIUS!  BLESSED
  TEACHER OF THE MASSES!  PROTECTOR OF TRUTHS!  EXPLORER OF LEARNING!
  CREATOR OF LIFE!
                       The Khanate Imperium
 
-----
 
    To:The Universe At Large
    From: Aellwen
    Subject: Statement Of Existence
    Gentlebeings,
         I would like to take this time to make you all aware of
    the existence of our race.  We are a peaceful society, devoted
    to the pursuit of knowledge.  We welcome all peaceful contact.
                                       Jah-mes
                                       Praetor-Elect
                                       Aellwen
 
-----
 
     To:The Galaxy at Large
     From:Salarian Alliance, Galactic Alliance of Races
 
           We are now willing to sell out multiple services to any races
 that have the Credits. These services include, but are not limited to the
 following: 
 
       Planetary Sales:  Varies with planet sold
       Transforming of planets:  1,500 Credits
       Moving of Planets:  1,000 Credits per area moved
       Maxing out of Mineral and Refining Plants on Class-A worlds
          Item costs + 5%          
       Maxing out of Mineral and Refining Plants on Class-C worlds
          Item costs + 5%
       Trade Centers:  500 Credits
       Power Centers:  7,500 Credits
       Fleet Building (These vessels are all currently KC-40)
          Cost of Vessels + 5% 
 
          If you are interested in any of the previous Services, then contact
   the Salarian Alliance, leader of the Galactic Alliance of Races
 
-----
 
     To:The Galaxy at Large
     Re.:Arains
     From:Salarian Alliance
 
           We are now at war versus the Arains.  This is a private battle.
Any who interfere had better check their alliances first.  Any that offer
support to the Arains will suffer similar punishment. Besides, who wants 
this race of barely sentient amoebas as a friend?
 
-----
 
Greetings!  We are DORSAI, traders, offering our services to all new and old
Races in the Saggitarian Arm.
     Have you considered the advantages of having trade centers installed
on your planets?  When we install a trade center on your planet and trade
there it not only increases the morale of your populations, but it nets you
a nice income.  You will gain from 3,000 to 10,000 credits (depending on
planet size and development) every time one of our trade fleets calls.
     We offer also the following incentives.
       1. The turn the trade center is landed, we will transfer 5,000
          credits to your race.
       2. You are given a KC 101 Standard Scout, Class 4 with 12 firepower.
       3. That world comes under our empires' protection.  Upon your
          request, anybody attacking that world will be removed and
          "punished".
 
     We are currently servicing both the N and # quadrants.  Size 7 and
larger planets only, please.
     Send game message to DORSAI
 
-----
 
  Sentients wishing to join the Galactic Alliance of Races:
 
  We currently wish to recruit in our alliance Miners, travellers,
  transformers, marauders, power corporations and another trader
  (for a little good competition).
 
   Policies are as follows.
            1-Help any fellow member ASAP.
            2-Report any major incidents witnessed.
            3-Keep yourself out of trouble.
 
   Recent activities are as follows.
            1-Declaring war against the Arains, an impudent race of pirates.
            2-Building up of fellow members.
            3-Exploration of the galaxy.
 
   Why join? For the reasons above, plus the following reason.
   Can your race survive an attack at a major planet with
   minimal loss overall? Before you answer, my race lost its homeworld
   because of a misunderstanding.
      The planet was obliterated by 100,000 KC-392 Interceptors, and a
   Planet Buster Vessel. But my race is still a superpower, nearly
   2,000,000 strength and 6th place overall. We await your reply to our
   offer.
 
                   - Salarian Alliance
 
-----
 
Transformer needed for the upgrade and optimization of worlds belonging
to miners. Must be able to work in 'J' quadrant. No references needed,
confidentiality a must. Contact 'THE ELDER BARRIANS' for details.
 
-----
 
  By:  Galactica News Service
From:  Ponyets Mercantilist Republic, Terminus
Subj:  Diplomatic stumbles addressed
 
        Public opinion on Terminus is mixed towards the recent achievements
        of the republican corporation.  The first material steps of
        CEO Larry Hardin's expansion plans have been successful, but
        recent allegations suggest the government's diplomacy has not
        been as effective.  Larry Hardin held a press conference today
        to respond to these concerns.
 
Press:  Mr. Chief Executive, is it true that the corporation has
        been collecting files on other races in the galaxy?
 
Hardin:  It is true that the Encyclopedia Office has been compiling a catalog
        of race descriptions.  It has surprised us, however, for these actions
        to be interpreted as suspicious.  The only information we have on a
        race was prepared for the Elder Races Consortium by the race's own
        diplomats.  If any race would still doubt us, they are free to request
        a copy of the catalog at no cost.  We are sorry if our curiousity
        has been mistaken for distrust.
 
Press:        Distrust would seem to be a constant problem for your office,
        Mr. Chief Executive.  Your own diplomatic efforts have backfired.
 
Hardin:        Unfortunately, the Republic's first attempts at contact may have
        given the impression of duplicity.  Shortly after Incorporation Day,
        I instructed my secretary, Quartz Pirenne, to draft respectful
        letters to several other races.  Pirenne took my instructions too
        literally or imaginatively; he practically kowtowed to the galaxy
        with his pen.  From now on I will be writing my own letters and
        hope to reverse this unfortunate attitude.
 
Press:        What effect will this have on expansion?
 
Hardin:       Hopefully, none.  Up to this point, we would have been hard put
        to respond to trade offers.  As of now, the corporation is
        positioned to respond to requests immediately, in 3-5 stardates,
        or even sooner.  The corporation hopes that our promptness will
        encourage other races to consider us before maxing a new planet,
        because the added efficiency of a trade center can cut hundreds
        or thousands of credits off large builds.
 
-----
 
==============================================================================
 
        The consortium of Underdogs United would like to the announce of
    establishment of a planetary delivery service.  Are you tired of
    having a low racial efficiency?  Are you paying too much to raise
    the efficiency of colonized planets?  We can help!
        We have at our disposal the facilities to colonize any planet
    of your choice at an efficiency rating of 90% with the added bonus
    of having a Power Center and a Trade Center on the planet ordered.
    But wait there's more - The Power Center will reduce the cost of all
    items built on the planet by a further 20%.
        For only 12000+1000*size+100*orenodes we will deliver a planet from
    our catalog of planets which includes the following planets
    (Environ. Type/Size/Ore Nodes): C/8/29, C/1/43, C/4/20, C/2/43, E/3/29,
    C/6/34, A/5/32, D/6/27, A/4/20, E/8/30, B/4/20, E/1/40, D/3/32, B/5/20,
    A/7/21, E/9/43, C/10/41, A/7/20 and many more!
        As as additional bonus, you can have the planet you order transformed,
    for a 50% increase in the mining and refining plant income from the
    planet.  This special offer costs only 5000Cr.
        Or you can choose your own planet for us to colonize, improve
    and deliver for your enjoyment.
        Contact the leader of Underdogs United, Clawe.
 
        Our consortium also offers professional placement of Power Centers,
    Trade Centers, and Transformations of planets at reasonable prices:
    Power Centers for 5000Cr [contact Unholy Vegepygmies Ltd.], Trade
    Centers for 4000Cr [contact The Discontinuum Watchers] and Tranformations
    at 3000Cr [contact Skaran Union].
 
==============================================================================
 
-----
 
 
                      Excerpts from minutes of StarDate 60
                       meeting of the Imperial Confederacy
 
The Proellium Empire:  It is agreed, then?  Your people will make the
                       sacrifice?
 
The Aslans:  Yes...and of their own free will?  We will not force one of our
             own into near racial extinction.
 
Dorsai:  We will.  We must.  He is growing much too strong, the need is
obvious.  If we do not weaken him now, he will destroy us totally.  Our
rejection of his offers of alliance have maddened him.
 
                      ********************
 
     The Dorsai Commander watched the sensor displays with a mixture of
triumph and resignation.  Yet another wave of the Shifting Winds interceptors
were attacking the defenses.  The enemy might not get through to the homeworlds
this time, but eventually billions of his race would die.  Multiple escape
fleets had long since been sent far and hidden and the races entire wealth
safely put in investments with the consortium of Elder Races to support them,
but the main populations of the five inhabited homeworld systems would soon
be ash.
     Although the Dorsai had long been traders, their roots were that of
soldiers.  A world of mercenaries - the best in the galaxy and the commander
took a savage glee recalling the opening shots of this war.  99,900
interceptors at a KC level of 101 ripping into Shifting Winds main system.
Destroying over 11,000 hubs from the system defense center before safely
retreating to their carriers.  How the bastards had scrambled!  Unfortunately,
surprise is an advantage that cannot long be enjoyed.  The Shifting Winds'
response was, as expected, devestating.
     As one might expect a Traveller to do, the next stardate Shifting Wind
moved a planet into the Dorsais' subsector and massive waves of interceptor
attacks followed.
     "How many interceptors has he lost so far?", growled the Commander.
"Over 300,000", reported the sensor chief with evident satisfaction. 'Weren't
expecting a 360,000 hub system defense center, were you, sport?', thought the
commander, 'and still the fleets to deal with when you do get through that.'
The minimums had been met, Shifting Winds would spend at least 60 or 70 million
much needed credits destroying holdings worth less than half that.
"He thought he could stand in our way," commented the Dorsai leader, "but he
can't even afford the war.  We can outspend him three or four to one and drain
his resources credit by credit if we have to."  "Commander!," interjected
the sensor chief, "He's pulling out without destroying the homesystem worlds!"
"Shifting Winds has destroyed all fleets and space defences then left without
destroying our infrastructure and populations?" questioned the commander and
leader as one.  "Correct" replied the sensor chief, "and computer estimates
the assault cost him almost one hundred million credits."  The Commander and
Racial Leader looked at each other with first disbelief then amazed joy.  All
objectives achieved without the expected loss of the home system!!!  "Head us
back to the HomeWorld, Commander," said the Leader, "we have fleet and 
weapons production to order."  "Make it so, helmsman," ordered the Commander,
"Aye, sir, we do indeed.  Shifting Winds obviously needs some instruction
in how to properly fight a war.  He should be quite expert by the time we're
finished with him."
 
                      ********************
 
-----
 
                      Playing Hints and Questions
                      ---------------------------
 
  Q: If you have more than one Task Force in the same place, and an enemy
     Task Force moves in, which one fights first?
 
  A: The Task Force that moved there last would fight first, then the
     second to last, etc.
 
  Q: What is a Candidate Information Report (332), and why do I keep 
     getting told that there are no Candidates?
 
  A: A Candidate is a "greenhorn" on a Planet or Task Force that has performed
     enough actions, and gained enough experience to be eligable to enter the
     Academy.  If they don't have enough experience, they WILL NOT show up
     with Action Code 332.  This action code is used mainly to detect
     commanders whose eligability notification you might have missed due to
     a lot of other activity.
 
  Q: What are Quick Reference Guides?
 
  A: Quick References Guides are a compilation of all the current action,
     and construction codes available to your race type at your CURRENT
     Racial KC.  For the mail players, please have mercy on me and don't ask
     for a new one every time that you go up a single KC, it costs you an
     event as well.  You get all the new codes on the KC text attatched to
     your turn.  You can then pencil them in until it gets crowded, and
     then order a new one.
 
  Q: Can I put comment lines in my turns?
 
  A: I have no problems with comment lines.  There must be 5 spaces between
     the end of the event line followed by a semicolon.  you can then put
     what ever you want after that.  For example:
 
       S0001,0010,001,024     ;advancing to Racial KC 10
       S0001,0010,002,023,2001,10,AABB11     ;raising planetary KC
 
     This format is fine for those that wish to have comments.
 
  Q: Why does it take so long for some players to anwser messages?
 
  A: The players that are playing electronically have a better reaction
     time than the people who are playing through the U.S. Mail.  Mail
     players tend to have a 2-3 day wait to get a turn in the mail, and
     then another 2-3 day wait for the response to return to me and be
     processed.  So have patience, those of you who don't receive
     next turn responses aren't necessarily being snubbed.
 
  Q: I'm a new player, how do I name my first leader?
 
  A: The anwser I have for this is weak.  Send me a note telling me what
     you want them named.  After that you'll be able to handle it yourself.
 
  Q: I keep trying to recruit a Commander off of a planet, and it says that
     there is no individual qualified.  Why not??
 
  A: As far as recruiting goes, "qualified individuals" means those planetary
     or Task Force commanders that have gained enough experience to "qualify"
     for recruitment.  When they gain enough experience, you will be notified
     through a passive.
 
 
                         News Clippings and Rumors
                         -------------------------
                    "these items are not necessary true"
 
  Officals from The Shifting Winds are supposedly arming a giant Task Force
  to try and overrun a first millenium artifact.  A scout found a star almost
  totally encapsulated by a metallic sphere, the scout had just begun its
  scanning routines when a strange purple beam dissolved it into its component
  atoms.  Calculations estimate that the globe had a radius of almost 200
  million miles.  When said officals were contacted, they denied ever hearing
  of such an occurance.
 
  The two companies by the name of Imperial Biotechnic Macronics, and
  Star-Technologies have become proxies in the next stage of the conflict
  that started with "The Debris War".  Funds in the hundreds of millions
  are being poured into the newly created research divisions to finance
  higher and higher levels of conflict.
 
  Galanon the Leader of the Supremos had a minor setback in his reign as an
  undetected assassin blew his cranial structure over the sycophant audience
  gathered to witness his taking of a Heir-Body to produce another, of an
  already prolific line of progeny.  The audience dispersed quickly in a
  desire to clean themselves off and, more likely, to avoid the assassin who
  had disappeared without a trace.  The assassins name was reputed to be
  "Mask".  Galanon (un?)fortunately was to be found to have assumed "room
  temperature (tm)*" almost immediately.
 
  The Salarian Alliance had a reality check when they they thought to
  appropraite some property of The Imperial Confederacy.  Debris from
  13 missile vessels mingled with a close packed Asteroid Belt that used
  to be Salara, the Capitol.  Military forces were caught totally unaware
  as The Proelium Empire sent a minor Carrier Task Force to deal with the
  perceived misappropriation.  Officals of the Salarian Alliance Embassy
  had no comment, although most were seen to be wearing the dark hued
  mourning vestments.
 
  There is a rumor that races, complaining that there are not enough rumors,
  have had their home starsystems slated for SuperNova Destabilizer tests.
  Which in turn should generate a few rumors, thereby fufilling their request.
 
  The NN# Sector received a new star in their constallation as The Shifting
  Winds indulged in a bit of overkill moving his whole starsystem in as a base
  of attack on neighboring stars.  Forces were evidentially caught totally
  unaware (clearing their nasal cavities with their digits) by this attack.
  Members of The Imperial Confederacy have no comment other than to reiterate
  that this is another example of why Travellers, as a whole, should be
  eliminated, "because they upset the natural balance of the stars!".  When it
  was asked "What do Marauders do then?", the anwser was "Entropy IS natural!
  Stellar migration is not!".  Reporters for the SS left, confused.
 
                  Casualty List for Battle         Base Cost
                  ------------------------         ---------
       750,000  SDC Firepower Hubs -------------- 56,250,000
         4,200  Light Carrier - class 5's ------- 44,520,000
            60  ECM Vessels ---------------------    480,000
           400  Trader Cargo Vessels - class 1 --    120,000
             4  PathFinder Scout - class 1's ----     14,800
       700,000  Interceptors -------------------- 70,000,000
        12,000  Interceptor Mines ---------------    600,000
           400  Planetary Shield Centers --------    400,000
           400  Fortresses ----------------------    120,000
                                                  ----------
                                    Total Cost = 172,504,800
 
  In testing some new vessel designs, The Imperium of Aquila recently
  discovered that when a planet has been Transformed, it also receives a 50%
  bonus in vessel builds in firepower capacity.  They were extremly pleased due
  to the ability to build bigger war vessels at a quicker rate.
 
  Rumors are speading that those deemed trustworthy will receive a portion of
  Imperial Biotechnic Macronics stock.  The Proelium Empire is evidentially
  scrambling to find a loophole in the new Diversity Index laws for Company
  interest accumulation.
 
  Scouts encountered several debris fields in the LOS Sector where an
  evidentialy ill-informed Travelller tried to jump a pair of planets into an
  already full star system.  The doomed planets then experienced a
  catastrophic kinetic shield failure, imploding, destroying the worlds
  instantaneously.  Commanders of several scout Task Forces belonging to the
  aformentioned Traveler were executed for reporting erronous information.
  This however was reported to be simply an attempt by some embaressed
  politicians to perform the time honored CYA.
 
  The Skaran Union has been initiating a very aggressive recruitment program
  that has produced an impressive number of Spies and Commanders doing their
  thing in different parts of the galaxy.  Beware the information net being
  laid into place by the canny intelligence master.
 
  A race of Miners calling themselves The Elder Barrians were developing a
  good market in rare earth minerals until their harvesters developed a severe
  case of indigestion after swerving to sate themselves on a platinum vein.
  They "smelt" their finer metals by ingesting the ore, then excreting out the
  finished product.  Evidentially the stench involved with the final process,
  encourages most races to accept delivery after a decontamination period.
 
  Rumors are spreading that the, subtlely named, Killer Tomato Commie Pirates
  are a race to beware of.  Raids of precise military precision have been
  plauging races in the #I subquadrant.  Raiders with a logo of a fanged
  tomato and sickle is becoming a sight to dread.
 
  The Xxaron Federation is becoming a force to reckon with as their military
  and economic might grows.  There are rumors of growing dissatisfaction in
  the ranks of the Galactic Alliance of Races as reports of impending war
  spread throughout the rank and file.
 
  The Imperial Confederacy membership morale grows lower and lower as military
  venture after venture against The Shifting Winds fail to do any real serious
  damage.  The cunning Traveller has repotedly pushed the entire consortium
  into a final desperate tactic of funneling all their resources into a front
  company called Imperial Biotechnic Macronics, that would reduce the cost of
  Technology advancement.  There will reportedly be credits in the billions
  funneled into the company, the majority share holder is The Proelium Empire,
  a race notorious for its crimes against planetary biospheres.  However
  speculators are encouraged to contact them for stock information, rumors of
  outragously high stock values are increasing.
 
  Reports of a massive scanning campaign by Ponyets Mercantilist Republic,
  is rumored to connect desires for a four quadrant domination, with the
  search for an old, Pre-Foudation, homeworld.
 
  In SubSector HE double hockeystick, a fierce battle was waged for planetary
  control as the decadant complacency of an elder race world was disturbed by
  the sudden appearance of war vessels belonging to Pendaris Planet Eaters.
  Pendaris absorbed the Lances, destroyed the Fortresses and proceeded to
  attempt an invasion.  The invasion, which lasted over 20 rounds, was finally
  decided in the favor of the planet, which belonged to the Darklings.
 
  The Proelium Empire refused to appear at a hearing to determine if they were
  responsible for the death of a member of the Slithy Brotherhood of
  Re'myeld's spy network.  While it is proper to kill millions in war, it is
  considered in bad taste to torture to death expensive, and hard to replace,
  spies. Proelium officals have no idea what this story is refering to, and
  add that furthur more, in the future any spies caught looking for the
  Capitol world will be strapped to the prow of a Planet Buster as it
  decends to the fatally curious races homeworld.
 
  *- Those races that are "right" understand whose "tm" (trademark) that is.
     .....(ditto)
 
 
                              Short Fiction
                              -------------
              "Excerpts from The First Millenium Concordance"
                        - part 5
 
     The database itself was a state-of-the-art instrument in the RNA Infuser
   series.  The Infusers imparted information to the users by introducing,
   into the body, RNA that carried the information desired.  In the earlier
   versions there were problems of "hang-on" information, for instance a user
   reviewing information received on annual mineral yields might find
   information about Padashanian mating rituals flashing across their
   conciousness, mineral yields usually lost out.  There was also a visual
   access mode to simply peruse information, looking for something of interest.
   This tended to be the more popular use because of the high initial cost,
   and maintenance problems of the RNA systems.  Also RNA induced knowledge
   tended to fade quickly if not backed up by in depth studying of the
   material presented, which would then impress it to more permanent memory.
     As Jaxxam shoke himself free of another self reflection mode, he added to
   his list of disadvantages for Infusers, the tendency to spend much free
   time re-reviewing information already known, it seemed to be almost a
   compulsion at times.  He stopped his search for furthur information,
   resigning himself to the fact that he would have to wait for the
   commander of the mission to furthur clarify the situation.
     He headed down the corridor to try and find the liquid massager that he
   knew was standard equipment on any Aquilian vessel.  The Aquilian homeworld
   was one of constant breezes and drafts, that tended, for practicality`s
   sake, to not be as powerful in the artifical envrionments where sensitive
   equipment and other items not bolted down, would be disturbed by the
   rather forceful air currents of the HomeWorld.  So the average Aquilian
   expended much more energy and effort than normal, to stay aloft and moving.
   Therefore a massage unit was necessary to offer relief to overworked cilla
   and surface muscles.
     As he settled in the massager, the salt rich liquid both bouyed, and
   relaxed him.....startled by a sudden noise, Jaxxam twitched, and realizing
   that he had a quick doze, looked at the status board to identify the
   activity.  He saw that they had already undocked and were moving out of
   proximity of the Embassy Nexus.  Nexus rules required that all vessels move
   to a distance of 2 AUs before engaging the stardrive.  The reasons for this
   being traffic control, and any vessels appearing closer were assumed to be
   hostile.  Weapon systems of the Nexus had been brought into play only twice
   in recorded history, and both times the hostiles had been evaporated, and
   the perpetrating race stripped of its ownings, FTL ability, and trapped on
   the surface of their homeworld.  Orbitting Monitors destroyed any powered
   vehicle that flew at an altitude higher or faster than predetermined
   limits.  After that there were not many more that were willing to challange
   the might of the Nexus in an attempt to unlock its technological secrets.
     Jaxxam made his way forward to the bridge, feeling refreshed and alert.
   As he entered the bridge he noticed that the omnipresent duty officer was
   busy coordinating with the jump computer.  The jump computer was a vitally
   necessary component in any M-Space maneuvers, it provided the "Folder" with
   the beginning and ending points of the jump.  Sometimes you could acheive a
   longer jump by increasing your normal space delta-v prior to entering the
   fold, but this usually involved unnecessary stresses on the vessels hull,
   and wasn't a normal practice.  When there were multiple vessels involved in
   a jump, the computer also linked and coordinated the different vessels
   entry into M-Space, as it wouldn't do to have vessels in a Task Force
   colliding when emerging from FTL travel.
     There was no sign of Chirspa on the bridge which was unusual in itself as
   there were not many places you could hide on a modified Maximar Scout.
   Knowing her backgroud as he did, he decided to go check the weapons bay.
   Normally the Maximar series could hold a crew of 10 comfortably.  The
   vessels complement usually went Captain, Executive Officer, Navagator,
   Sciences Officer, 2 Surveyists, 2 Engineers, and 2 Weapons Specialists.
     Chirspa had started her career in the military as a weapons specialist,
   and even though most of the weapons aboard this modified scout were
   automated and tied into the navagator control boards, there was a saying
   about "Pulsers" that they never really wanted to be anything else.  The
   weapons systems tied the "Pulsers" directly into the sensor net of the
   vessel, so they assumed a sometimes "god-like" awareness that was
   heightened by the controlled release of adrenelin into their systems.  The
   same sensor net that augmented their awareness also made them very
   vulnerable to energy surges through ship systems in battle conditions.
   Some had been made mindless husks by having their senses overwhealmed and
   retreating into catatonia.
 
               .....to be continued
 
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