May 95 Galactic Inquirer From: dvistas@aol.com (D Vistas) Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 00:00:00 +0000 <<< INTERGALACTIC NEWSWIRE SERVICE >>> SUBJECT: The Galactic Inquirer, Volume 3, May 95 TO : All Cargomaster's Guild Members FROM : Edited by M.W. Martin, Megafalagon University, Sol (dvistas@aol.com) *** H E A D L I N E N E W S >>> New Mining Project Ends In Disaster by Eye-Vee-Tee-881, El-Nath Correspondent Quigly's Place, April 03: After just recently starting a new drilling and deep-shaft mining project near Hilly Burrows, an entire mining crew of 12,000 was killed in a tremendous seismic event. Also lost was over 2 billion QPs of equipment and supplies. Scientists are still at a loss as to what caused the quake, as Quigly's Place has been geologically inactive for centuries. "Ve are not shure vat iz goink on at ze moment." said Krause Von Kilinken, a noted interstellar geologist and saxophone player. "Ve are very puzzled at an unuzual amount of rezidual radiazion zat haz been fount in ze vicinity!" Some have speculated on the possibility of a spontaneous nuclear explosion, which is a very rare natural phenomenon. Imperial security specialists have been called in to investigate the scene for the likelihood of terrorism. So far, no political organizations have stepped forward to claim responsibility for the cataclysm. >>> The Guild Reveals Its Generous Side by Lothar B. Enoch, Sol Correspondent Earth, April 25: In an unprecedented act of sheer generosity and kindness, a spokesman for the Cargomaster's Guild announced that from this moment on, any ships rescued from acts space piracy will share in the imperial bounty. Eligible ships must be members of the Guild in good standing. "We feel that, since our loyal members pay dues into the guild, and since so many of them are often struggling against unfair imperial taxation and over-zealous customs agents, that they need a financial break." said the spokesman, a well-dressed Rhesian who remained anonymous. "It is our opinion that our members often cannot easily afford the expensive ship repairs that often result from such skirmishes, and so we will donate 1/3 of the entire bounty to any individual whose ship we rescue in order to facilitate their quick reintroduction into the interstellar trade market." he droned. The new program, dubbed "Operation Rescue Refund" has actually been in effect since mid April, and has increased the Cargomaster's Guild membership by 13%, a figure which most analysts say will more than make up for any fiscal loss from reward income. "I tink is belly good!" said Bevox Abhaouun, an independent trader and long-time Guild member. So far, this reporter has not found very much negative talk about the new program, except for one lowly Piil who exclaimed "One third! Why not Half? What a gyp! What a rotten gyp!" >>> Pandemonium Circus Preps For Debut In Hel by Proinnsias Cecil, Cor-Caroli Correspondent Macovia, April 30: Construction has finally been completed on the largest sports arena complex in the entire galaxy. The complex, christened "Pandemonium Circus", will be opened to the public on May 01. The Muchawa Construction Company finished the project in record time with funds provided by the Macovian planetary government and local business interests. The arena includes 100 Rings Of Stone, where fighters of all species and walks of life will duke it out in games of personal combat. Over 500 beings from every sector of The Core have already applied for positions as arena combatants, and many thousands more will operate a plethora of concession stands, ticket booths, and the vast 200,000 vehicle carpark. Hanover Fist, the noted Earth sports announcer and commercial personality, will be the official sportscaster for Pandemonium Circus. IGAL Radio is contracted to transmit the fights via interstellar radio on Monday nights to over 100 billion households across the galaxy. "It's all very nice for the people of Hel." claimed Fist. "Their cities are in dire need of funds, and this sports arena should do the trick, less my salary, of course!" Advertisers for products such as Kludge Cola and Deneban Gold Whiskey are lining up for the brief commercial spots that are broadcast between the 10-round fights. Lugg Muchawa will be in the stands on opening night, as well as many hundreds of other noted celebs, dignitaries and moguls. >>> Oganza On The Town by Oganza Busasa, Entertainment Reporter Adhara is a planet after my own heart. Perhaps it's because the lush, tropical forests remind me of my own homeworld. Or maybe it's the quiet, cool wind that continuously blows across the treetops. Nah. I think it's the beautiful Rhesian babes who work at Madam Lorza's Bed And Breakfast. Singularly the most popular rest stop on the entire planet, Madam Lorza's is a welcome sight. The building is reminiscent of old-earth style architecture, circa 1920, which is good, because it helps the place keep an innocent look about it. What goes on inside, however, is another story! Unfortunately, it's a story that my editor won't let me publish, so I'll have to stick with the cantina. Madam Lorza herself tends bar with a smile and a wink. She mixes a good draft, no doubt, if not a little watered down. But, since the rainfall is high on Adhara, and the humidity is often in the 90's, perhaps it just "seeps in", as she puts it. In any case, the planet isn't a bar hopper's paradise, but if you're stuck out here with nothing pressing to do, I would recommend Madam Lorza's over most of the other local hangouts. It's worth a look or two. Actually, it's worth a lot more, but I can only rate the cantina in this article. Other services available are first rate! >>> Ask K'Yaryup by K'Yaryup Smith, Personal Advisor Dear K'Yaryup: My boss, who is a 38 year-old Zephyr, has made several lewd "advances" toward me in the workplace. It has been so upsetting! I have turned him down each and every time without any reservations. Now, all of a sudden, I am being forced into early retirement because he's angry at me. I am almost 200 year old, and I was going to retire in a few years anyway, but it seems to me that there is a principle here. A principle that I should be standing up to for womenbeings all across the galaxy! What should I do? - Working Wrinkled Dear Working Wrinkled: Be getting real, girl! You should be being flattered that a man of your bosses age would even be giving you a second look, other than to rub his eyes to be making sure he wasn't seeing a zombie. In my opinion, dear, he should be the one seeking help, not you! >>> The Guild Is Our Friend, So Stop Whining! by K'Ment'Tat T'Lano, perceptible Zephyr (Ship 210) Recently, a fellow space pioneer, Fisster (#358), asked a question about paying high Guild dues. Well I'm here to give testimony to the benefit of The Guild. On stardate 25+, I was minding my own business and doing some exploration near Quad 44:30, when out of the blue, my sensors picked up a ship; The Mulberry Nit of Mirphak (#581), a Level 2 privateer. My shields were knocked out in a single blast. I tried to escape, using my newly purchased maneuver engines, but they failed to engage. I managed to get off a couple shots, with the help of my copilot robot, and damaged his keel and bulkhead. My maneuver jet system was damaged. It looked hopeless!! Then, a Cargomaster's Guild ship came out of hyperspace and blasted the lowly pirate! Yeeha! You ask why we pay these dues? Now you know! And it's by my urging that we can now share in the bounty on these evil pirate ships! Should any of you wish to do so, you can forward any amount of QPs, in care of ship #210. I'll see that they are given to the Guild and the ship captain who saved me. Really! >>> Smuggler's Q & A by M. W. Martin, Megafalagon University This section is devoted to player questions, concerns and rules of Smuggler's Run. Please feel free to send us your inquiries! Q: Do you have to stop at a portal for it to work? Or will it work if you just pass through the region? - Jarn Kargad. #308 A: As soon as you enter a quad with a wormhole in it, you'll get sucked right in. One good thing, though, is that an exploration of any quad adjacent to a wormhole will reveal strange radiation signals, warning you of its presence! Q: Recently, I found an Alien Relic. My "QPs for items" went up by 100K. Can I assume that would be the normal selling price for that item? - K'Ment'Tat T'Lano, #-210 A: Yes, you seemed to have found a valuable alien relic. Please note that whenever you Use Item, the item's base value is indicated with the description. Q: I have a question about smuggled cargoes. I noticed the prices are very high, obviously so, for illegal goods. My question is, do you take the base price of said cargo and multiply it by the supply/demand chart. (i.e. 18,000 per pod for poached foodstuffs on ANT is x0.7, ergo 8,400 per pod .And when they are delivered to SIR, 18,000 x 1.5 = 27,000 QPs per pod??? - Oden Do-Ray-A-Din, #131 A: You seem to have gotten things correct. Contraband follows the same supply/demand laws that regular cargoes follow. The difficult thing about contraband is making a good contact and getting the illegal goods through customs! Q: When I "SC ALL" does this mean I don't use my Haggling skills? The wording in the Technical Manual says, "You will sell all of your cargo, no matter what the production is." Is SC ALL a measure of desperation? - Felix "The Cad" Smyth, #316 A: No. It's main use is for pilots who explore space and find cargo. Since a smuggler can't know what cargo, if any, he has found until he gets his turn results, this order allows him to "dump" any free cargo he may have discovered on the planet he lands on. He isn't concerned about production, but he'll still haggle. It's also useful if you buy several different kinds of cargo, and instead of issuing multiple SC orders, SC ALL does it all in one neat, convenient order. Q: Does net worth include things like stocks or outstanding loans? Last issue you said stocks weren't included, but according to my status sheet, they'd have to be! - G'roknar Bigfist, #149 A: Yes, net worth does include any stock certificates you may own. Outstanding loans didn't used to be figured into the equation, and neither did back taxes, but now both are included when figuring out your Net Worth. I had been in error in the April issue when I reported that stocks weren't counted in Net Worth. Sorry about that! PUBLIC NOTICE: There are still infected Bigelow's Guides in circulation. If your guide seems to be malfunctioning, please return it to your local retailer and trade it for a new one. - G'roknar Bigfist, #149 PUBLIC NOTICE: Turn costs for Smuggler's Run PBEM will be reduced 50� from $2.50 to $2.00 starting June 01 of the imperial year 95. You can also continue playing by post and submit your orders by email for faster turnaround. For more information on playing Smuggler's Run by email, write to dvistas@aol.com. Enjoy! - M.W.M. >>> The Standings Lists The following players have earned a place of exceptional honor and respect by competing and succeeding as first-class Smugglers. A little luck was also involved. Congratulations! LEADING COMPANIES Dedicated Rogue Spacefarers Busasa, Belt & Marlow The Hidalgo Trading Company Risky Business Transports Magnum Enterprises NET WORTH LIST #174: Vinny the Swank, 14,294,905 #308: Jarn Kargad, 11,451,994 #298: Philip Marlow, 6,742,063 #176: Tal-Le'Sin Brosil'Av'Shovo, 6,460,889 #196: Her Majesty Cartouche VII, 6,106,685 #420: Daemon Rankiil, 5,456,367 #375: Indika Buthalezi, 4,830,701 #450: Jell-0, 4,405,466 #280: Donal Jetje, 4,316,065 #490: Jiminy Windex, 3,852,575 REPUTATION LIST #174: Vinny the Swank, 174 #308: Jarn Kargad, 139 #450: Jell-0, 128 #176: Tal-Le'Sin Brosil'Av'Shovo, 104 #490: Jiminy Windex, 80 #196: Her Majesty Priisciila Cartouche VII, 78 #375: Indika Buthalezi, 74 #420: Daemon Rankiil, 72 #228: OneScrewShort, 62 #280: Donal Jetje, 55 DEMERITS LIST #176: Tal-Le'Sin Brosil'Av'Shovo, 14 #174: Vinny the Swank, 6 #298: Philip Marlow, 5 #196: Her Majesty Priisciila Cartouche VII, 4 #291: K'Rhys'Atlantul, 4 #228: OneScrewShort, 3 #280: Donal Jetje, 2 #346: Eral Finn, 2 #146: Jake Stark, 1 #244: Shaastaak'k Jack, 1 >>> Starship Obituaries The following ships were declared destroyed this month. No declaration of crew death is implied or assumed herin. #210: T'Zur T'Thain, I1 Trader #294: Enigma, I1 Trader #367: The Defiant Vermin, I1 Trader #501: The Mole of Vega, E1 Skip #566: The Royal Kid, E2 Biobarge #577: The Irresistible Laughing Termite, E1 Cargo Shtl #581: The Mulberry Nit of Mirphak, P2 Privateer #592: Copper Tarantula, P4 Black Raider #597: Umber Warrior, E2 Cargo Barge #677: Beryl Brute of Denebola, E2 Privateer #692: The Gargantuan Basilisk, E4 Reaper Mark IV #695: The Barwench of Antares, E1 Shuttler #721: Squat Umber Wildebeest, P4 Reaper Mark IV #726: Hyena of Cor-Caroli, P4 Black Raider #747: Green Dolphin of Belatrix, P2 Privateer #759: The Deceitful War Horse, P4 Reaper Mark IV #793: Sable Ram of Deneb, P2 Privateer #796: Excited Bivalve, E2 Privateer #796: Azure Badger of Diphda, E4 Black Raider #799: The Fine Tan Polecat, P4 Reaper Mark IV #808: Onerous Armadillo, E4 Reaper Mark IV #819: The Shaggy Growing Elm, E1 Skip #858: The Joyful Sleepy Feline, E2 Privateer #869: Rustic Bivalve, E1 Private Transport #875: Orange Platypus, P4 Black Raider #898: Irksome Willow, E1 Cargo Shuttle #909: Red Zebu of Aldebaran, E1 Cargo Shuttle #964: Slipping Scorpion, E1 Cargo Shuttle #966: The Golden Pine of Duhbe, E4 Black Raider *** T H E E C O N O M I C P A G E >>> CARGO IMPORTS/EXPORTS PRO: Production CNG: Prod. Change EXP: Near Exporter E/U: Emp/Und Level STAR AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY MINING TECHNOLOGY E/U SYST PRO CNG EXP PRO CNG EXP PRO CNG EXP PRO CNG EXP LVL -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ACH 8.33 +0.47 --- 4.49 +1.00 SAI 6.05 -0.47 --- 8.66 +1.44 --- 7/6 ADH 9.69 +0.87 --- 4.02 +0.69 ALG 7.63 -0.44 --- 6.83 +3.32 --- 1/6 ALD 4.44 +1.41 MIZ 6.14 -0.20 --- 3.99 +0.11 ALZ 2.63 -0.73 MIZ 3/1 ALG 2.66 +0.31 ADH 7.70 -0.32 --- 3.73 +1.35 ADH 3.53 -0.48 ADH 2/0 ALK 4.01 +0.15 BEL 2.74 -0.76 ALD 3.57 -0.34 ALZ 4.12 +0.03 MIZ 1/3 ALP 3.56 +0.45 FOM 8.55 +0.57 --- 8.50 -0.77 --- 4.39 -0.18 FOM 6/1 ALZ 6.28 +1.43 --- 8.71 +0.64 --- 6.91 +3.30 --- 9.94 +0.44 --- 4/0 ALT 8.59 +0.31 --- 5.64 +0.76 --- 4.37 +0.52 DEN 3.54 +0.47 DEN 2/7 ANT 7.99 +0.47 --- 0.24 -0.25 BET 2.70 +0.28 ACH 4.28 -0.46 POL 5/2 ARC 3.04 -0.62 PHA 3.59 -1.41 MIP 4.37 -0.98 SIR 3.53 +0.32 MIP 6/1 ATR 2.64 -0.32 ALT 1.02 +0.30 ALT 1.94 +0.71 DEN 8.23 -0.67 --- 3/6 BEL 7.09 +0.88 --- 8.25 -0.59 --- 3.06 -0.56 PHA 0.49 -0.63 MIZ 3/3 BEN 3.94 -0.85 SPI 6.39 -0.23 --- 8.19 +2.17 --- 2.10 -0.37 CAN 9/1 BET 8.00 +0.56 --- 5.92 +0.56 --- 5.94 -0.65 --- 8.30 -0.66 --- 9/3 CAN 4.13 -0.49 SOL 9.22 +0.40 --- 9.58 -0.35 --- 5.49 -0.87 --- 7/1 CAP 3.72 -0.98 MIZ 5.80 +0.50 --- 4.01 +0.01 ALZ 3.17 -1.25 MIZ 3/2 CAS 3.04 -0.63 ADH 5.71 +0.95 --- 2.19 -0.32 ADH 6.34 -0.59 --- 1/5 COR 8.48 -0.11 --- 3.96 +0.18 ALT 3.02 -0.41 DEN 5.70 -0.89 --- 0/9 DEN 8.62 -0.03 --- 3.29 -0.04 ALT 7.20 +0.51 --- 6.14 -0.18 --- 1/0 DEB 6.01 +0.87 --- 5.69 +0.85 --- 7.12 -0.11 --- 0.06 -0.88 REG 9/2 DIP 7.31 +0.05 --- 6.97 +0.11 --- 7.55 +0.92 --- 3.21 +1.10 FOM 7/1 DUH 4.99 +0.30 DUH 5.33 -0.32 --- 4.18 -0.92 PRO 6.93 -0.10 --- 3/1 ELN 0.48 -0.06 KAU 5.81 -0.28 --- 6.86 -3.09 --- 2.86 +0.42 EPS 3/4 EPS 9.35 +0.93 --- 2.76 +0.57 ELN 3.25 +0.11 ELN 7.75 -0.37 --- 1/6 FOM 6.24 +3.27 --- 8.94 +2.19 --- 4.37 +0.76 ALP 5.10 -0.87 --- 5/3 HAM 3.08 -1.29 THU 6.62 +3.04 --- 7.11 -0.26 --- 6.20 +0.26 --- 2/2 KAU 6.26 -0.68 --- 4.21 +0.47 ELN 9.27 +0.92 --- 1.50 +0.05 SAB 1/3 KOC 6.25 -0.99 --- 5.19 +0.92 --- 2.16 -0.69 ALZ 3.88 +0.51 MIZ 2/3 MEG 5.06 +0.51 --- 4.72 -0.17 SAI 2.39 +0.27 ACH 2.34 +0.10 SAI 7/6 MIA 5.14 -0.21 --- 3.41 -0.06 SHA 9.99 +0.71 --- 2.85 +0.81 SAB 7/0 MIR 4.22 +0.19 ACH 4.74 -0.18 MIP 9.17 +0.77 --- 7.27 -0.94 --- 7/3 MIP 4.78 +0.81 MEG 6.60 -0.38 --- 2.93 +0.12 SIR 6.35 -2.58 --- 8/3 MIZ 8.92 -0.54 --- 5.28 +0.01 --- 3.66 +2.41 ALZ 9.61 +0.95 --- 4/0 NUN 6.44 +0.26 --- 4.11 +0.59 REG 7.12 -0.34 --- 3.24 -1.75 RAS 7/5 PHA 8.33 +0.57 --- 1.50 +0.16 SIR 5.10 +0.59 --- 1.52 +0.72 RAS 6/4 POL 8.53 +0.79 --- 4.04 -0.44 BET 2.60 -1.93 BET 6.72 +0.77 --- 6/4 POX 3.61 +1.93 DEB 6.87 +0.40 --- 8.11 +0.76 --- 1.76 +0.65 REG 8/2 PRO 6.51 +0.91 --- 9.73 +0.42 --- 6.39 +0.42 --- 3.36 -0.57 DUH 3/3 RAS 4.91 +1.94 NUN 2.33 +0.08 SIR 3.24 +0.10 NUN 7.61 +0.97 --- 5/4 REG 5.24 +0.43 --- 7.81 -0.11 --- 3.47 -0.54 BET 7.71 -0.10 --- 8/3 RIG 1.15 -2.62 KOC 2.08 +0.88 KOC 8.96 +0.97 --- 4.44 -0.69 ADH 2/2 SAB 5.72 -0.42 --- 3.03 +0.49 SHA 3.71 +0.33 SHA 7.47 -0.43 --- 8/1 SAI 2.17 -0.24 MEG 9.34 +0.97 --- 4.69 +1.50 BET 8.80 +0.95 --- 8/1 SHA 3.31 -0.38 SAB 7.30 +0.11 --- 7.43 -0.85 --- 4.29 +0.84 SAB 8/0 SIR 2.39 -0.31 NUN 5.32 -0.61 --- 8.44 +0.00 --- 3.36 -0.65 MIP 5/5 SOL 5.13 +0.94 --- 4.45 -2.81 ALP 5.05 +0.20 --- 4.30 +0.20 FOM 9/1 SPI 9.74 +1.81 --- 6.83 -1.81 --- 5.50 -0.60 --- 4.48 -0.15 CAN 7/1 THU 8.16 +0.75 --- 6.32 +0.08 --- 4.13 +0.07 PRO 4.64 -0.94 HAM 2/4 VEG 2.50 +0.87 DUH 2.89 +0.23 DUH 3.93 -0.18 PRO 4.72 -0.46 DUH 3/2 WEZ 3.53 +0.51 SPI 4.87 +0.51 BEN 4.82 -0.92 BEN 2.30 -0.37 CAN 6/1 >>> STOCK MARKET INDEX COM: Company SEC: Prod. Sector STK: Share Value +/-: Gain/Loss COM SEC STK +/- COM SEC STK +/- COM SEC STK +/- COM SEC STK +/- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 6MB TEC 428 -7 ATM AGR 806 -89 AUT MIN 315 -27 BBP IND 459 -76 CHE MIN 619 -23 CRY TEC 919 -44 DRD AGR 159 +19 DUR IND 280 +18 ELI TEC 410 +2 END TEC 215 -15 EVE MIN 330 -12 FOO AGR 725 +32 GRE AGR 540 +13 GTV IND 642 +149 GUA AGR 291 +24 HOA MIN 245 -3 HYD AGR 525 -18 INS IND 243 +17 KLC AGR 305 +22 KTM IND 419 +37 LOF IND 879 +15 MCS TEC 348 +30 MET MIN 264 +18 MNM MIN 116 +2 MYR IND 383 +15 NLG TEC 192 -14 NUK MIN 327 +18 ORB AGR 397 +32 PET TEC 246 +10 PHO IND 1400 +54 PHR AGR 594 -31 PIL MIN 280 +2 PML TEC 1027 -108 POW IND 91 -2 RAR MIN 441 +29 REE MIN 509 -52 REP AGR 743 -33 SCR AGR 528 +15 SNS MIN 944 +1 SPA IND 138 +1 SPS TEC 632 -20 SYN IND 805 -32 TAG IND 636 -8 TOX MIN 439 +21 UNI TEC 1009 -75 WID TEC 736 -38 WTO AGR 637 +51 XEN AGR 399 +27 ZER TEC 543 +22 ZGM IND 169 -5 (c)1995 Distant Vistas. All Rights Reserved. P. O. Box 90993, Industry, CA 91715-0993 Internet Address: dvistas@aol.com Up