Smugglers Run - The Galactic Inquirer 4/95 From: kevin@netspace.net.au (Kevin O'Neill) Date: Tue, 04 Apr 1995 00:00:00 +0000 <<< INTERGALACTIC NEWSWIRE SERVICE >>> SUBJECT: The Galactic Inquirer, Volume 3, April 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 >>> ALF Virus Eradicated; Most Guides Clean by Lorant D. Ari, Saiph Correspondent Sigma Major, March 06: Over the past two months, more than 92,500,000 Bigelow's Guide units have been recalled in one of the largest trade-in programs in history. Millions of copies of the best-selling electronic book, Bigelow's Guide, were infected in January by a devastating virus which had infiltrated the publisher's master computer. The virus, code-named BIG ALF, was created by Alien Liberation Front terrorists to disrupt trade throughout The Core. Fortunately, many merchants and interstellar traders were wary of the erroneous data being spewed forth by the defective units. With BG Publishing, Ltd. having a quick response to the sabotage, most of the infected guides were traded in for new, virus-free devices. But there are still concerns by many in the interstellar community. "Over 7 million infected guides are still out there in the mainstream." claims one source. "They're in shoppes and bazaars across the galaxy, and they're in the hands of merchants today. And that means that the virus is still out there!" According to Arklo Maynard Beeks, chief programmer at Megafalagon University, the BIG ALF virus is capable of infecting other equipment, including hand computers and ship's mainframes. "Until all copies of the visus are eliminated, which is a virtual impossibility, the virus is here to stay." he said. All citizens of The Empire are urged to trade in their Bigelow's Guides for new ones if they haven't already done so. >>> Imperial Marines Strike Back At Activists by Lothar B. Enoch, Sol Correspondent Earth, March 12: Imperial Marine forces raided a wilderness training camp outside of Munich, Germany and seized over 3,500 weapons, 2,000 pounds of explosives and various other unnamed objects 'd war. The location had recently been put under heavy surveillance by imperial Dark Intelligence troopers after several leads from last month's Vanguard Munitions bombing brought agents to the forest location. The Imperial Bureau Of Law, Justice and Security took 17 alien suspects into custody, including 6 Brogians, 3 Geckos, 2 Mechbots, 1 Piil, 4 Rhesians and a Zephyr. All 17 of the suspects had past criminal or civil records, and were sporting paraphernalia that is claimed to be directly related to the Alien Liberation Front, including "Death To Terran Oppressors!" tee-shirts and ALF sanctioned lunchboxes. The Zephyr, K'lapo M'kerkin, was thought to be the brains of the group, but was accidentally shredded by a marine trooper with a razorgun during interrogation. The other 16 suspects were also interrogated for several days before they were all accidentally shredded by various marine troopers with an assortment of razorguns. >>> Arena Construction Begins In Hel by Proinnsias Cecil, Cor-Caroli Correspondent Macovia, March 28: Ground-breaking ceremonies were slightly delayed by 2 weeks as the Hel city council squabbled over precise zoning rules and a definite location for the new arena being sponsored by Muchawa Concrete And Steel. Lugg Muchawa was there, along with other dignitaries and political puppets, to drive a solid gold shovel into the selected site in Hel's Central District. Much fanfare accompanied the event, and, although there were several attempts on Mr. Muchawa's life, none were successful. Imperial Guard troops were called in to secure the area while the festivities continued on into the morning hours. "Mr. Muchawa is very pleased that the project is under way, and is currently hoping to have construction finished by early summer." claimed Muchawa's bookkeeper and personal council, D. Heinric Vurm. "Then, let the games begin and the blood flow!" Vurm said. Already, 100,000 beings from around the galaxy have sent in resumes and vid disks extolling their talents to work at the complex. Rumors continue to circulate that the arena will sport games of personal combat, but officials would not comment. >>> Oganza On The Town by Oganza Busasa, Entertainment Reporter OK, so perhaps over the past few months (so my editor says) I've gotten off the real topic of my column, which is to rate the entertainment hot-spots in The Core. So this month, I am beginning a galaxy wide tour of the great bars and taverns, alphabetically, of course. This month's stop is Vidvoodl 16 in the Achernar system Without a doubt, the best place to go is Dr. Varth's Fat Gorilla, known planet-wide for its wickedly talented bartender Dr. Varth, who is not really a doctor, but was given an honorary degree in Biochemistry from Megafalagon U. for his inborn talent to mix drinks. If you want a Widowmaker that's truly worth killing your spouse for, it's the place to go. I highly recommend Varth's, and although the food can be nauseatingly greasy, the extra lubrication actually acts as a buffer between your innards and the dangerous cocktails they serve each night. The decorum is quite nice for this sort of place, with sawdust sprinkled liberally on the hardwood floors and red-and-white checkered tablecloths. It reminds me of some of the little ethnic cafes I have visited over the years on Earth and other deep imperial locations. Terrans seem to have a flair for the international that they have taken to interstellar proportions. Of course, among the sawdust, you'll find a plethora of broken glass and busted furniture, as brawls and knife fights are frequent. Although there is a definite bent toward the dark side in the clientele, the local imperial police are just around the corner, so be careful of who you tangle with. All in all, it's the first, middle and last stop for me whenever I trip out to Achernar. If you make it out that way, say hi to Varth for me, and toast your better half with a Widowmaker! QUICK RATING: (***Hot Spot **Not Bad *Yawn) Dr. Varth's Fat Gorilla, Worpenudle, Vidvoodl 16, Achernar (17:34) = *** >>> Ask K'Yaryup by K'Yaryup Smith, Personal Advisor Dear K'Yaryup: For the past 25 years, I have been a freelance writer of articles and short fiction. I love to write, and it seems that the words just flow out of me like a rich stream from deep within. I don't have a real job, and so I supplement my regular income from the local MacBeefo's hamburger restaurant with my writing money. Lately, however, I have been having problems coming up with ideas. At first I thought it was a simple case of writers block, but after 17 months, I'm beginning to think that it's something deeper and darker, Like a cancer in my soul. I feel empty, sad, depressed, worthless and scum-like. Life really stinks and I want to die. Any advice? - Bitterly Blocked, Sol Dear Bitterly Blocked: You are being one of the most pitiful things on the Earth I have ever read from. In fact, you are being the most pitiful, by far. You are so pitifully pitiful that I am thinking that I will be sick very soon. But enough about me. You actually took 17 months to figure out that you are being succumbed to writer's block? It seems to me that you are not being blocked, but you are being walled in, buried and covered up in 3 feet of quick-drying concrete. You need to get a life. You must have some other talent you can be relying on. You are a fry cook, right? How about learning to be a chef! Or perhaps you can get into the high-powered field of fast food management. That sounds like something you'd have a real knack for. But now that I am really thinking about it, you would be perfectly suited to stand-up comedy. I must admit that I am being very sore from laughing at your letter. >>> 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: Are the ships listed on Starship Obituaries destroyed by other smugglers, pirates, imperials or all 3? - Shaastaak'k Jack, #244 A: Most of the ships are destroyed by pirates or smugglers, but a few may have been destroyed by imperial ships, either on purpose or by accident. Q: I found cargo floating in space...I was full and could not pick it up...If I go back, will it still be floating there? Assuming no one has picked it up! - Ssilvertail Ssmyth, #427 A: There is a possibility that you could find it again, but it is extremely unlikely. Either someone else will pick it up, or it will drift into another quad, or perhaps get sucked into a nearby star or a wormhole. Q: Last turn, I sold 30 pods of tools and supplies at EPS with an IND of 1.26. I got a lousy price of 6,606 QPs per pod. This seems awfully low for an IND of 1.26. What gives? - Vinny the Swank, #174 A: The reason you didn't make very much money on your tools & supplies cargo is because you tried to swindle the merchant, and you failed. Merchants will often give you a poor deal when this happens. Just be happy he didn't tell the authorities. You could have gotten your docking privileges revoked on that planet! Q: I've been digging in the Traal Ruins 4-5 times and have discovered nothing...why haven't I found any item? - K'Ment'Tat T'Lano, #210 A: The ruins are very ancient, and have been scoured for decades by treasure hunters and xenoarcheaologists alike for their artifacts. So, as should be expected, it's not easy to find anything there. Also, you should beware of brigands and other dangerous alien creatures roaming about the desert lands of the Traal. Q: Does armor eventually wear out with use? Will I know this before it finally gives out in the middle of a fight? - Shaastaak'k Jack, #244 A: Armor, like weapons, is of the "hero" variety. That is, you never need to worry about repairing armor, just like you never need to worry about reloading your weapons. All of this is considered basic maintenance and is done automatically for you, so you can go out and enjoy the pleasures of mortal combat. Q: Why aren't stocks that you own included in a smuggler's Net Worth value? - Gorman Tontos, #225 A: Basically speaking, stocks aren't counted in your net worth because they are not included as cash-on-hand when The Cargomaster's Guild charges your dues. This is a good thing, because stocks can be used to "bank" your money in a relatively safe manner. Sure, you might lose a little money in the stocks, but it's far safer than hauling huge sums of cash around! 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 >>> 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 Skullduggery, Trucking & Casualty Busasa, Belt & Marlow Dedicated Rogue Spacefarers The Hidalgo Trading Company SSIF Risky Business Transports Magnum Enterprises NET WORTH LIST #174: Vinny the Swank, 13,409,155 #141: Phil Hashshashin, 9,972,530 #308: Jarn Kargad, 8,363,115 #298: Philip Marlow, 6,742,063 #176: Tal-Le'Sin Brosil'Av'Shovo, 6,460,889 #196: Her Majesty Priisciila Cartouche VII, 5,321,781 #420: Daemon Rankiil, 4,557,999 #280: Donal Jetje, 4,316,065 #450: Jell-0, 4,157,197 #375: Indika Buthalezi, 3,633,488 REPUTATION LIST #174: Vinny the Swank, 154 #450: Jell-0, 120 #176: Tal-Le'Sin Brosil'Av'Shovo, 104 #308: Jarn Kargad, 97 #375: Indika Buthalezi, 66 #196: Her Majesty Priisciila Cartouche VII, 65 #490: Jiminy Windex, 60 #280: Donal Jetje, 55 #420: Daemon Rankiil, 44 #228: OneScrewShort, 43 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 #280: Donal Jetje, 2 #146: Jake Stark, 1 #228: OneScrewShort, 1 >>> Starship Obituaries The following ships were declared destroyed this month. No declaration of crew death is implied or assumed herin. #113: Red Worm, I2 Trader #221: Angry Falcon, I2 Trader #260: The Kinkajou of Alkaid, I1 Trader #295: Enigma, I1 Trader #462: White Mountain, I4 Trader #536: The Excited Rustic Sequoia, I4 Safari Ship #542: The Putrid Aqua Hickory, E3 Medical Ship #583: Freezing Admiral, I2 Ore Barge #597: Umber Warrior, E2 Cargo Barge #598: Putrescent Careful Blackfish, E2 Biobarge #630: The Black Amphibian, I2 Research Vessel #720: The Hippopotamus of Rigel, E1 Skip #732: Mole of Epsilon-Aurigae, I2 Biobarge #751: Limb of Pollux, I1 Shuttler #759: Ultramarine Marshall, E2 Privateer #761: Jet-black Colonel of Hamal, P4 Black Raider #782: Unwelcome Copper Jaguar, P4 Reaper Mark IV #793: Sable Ram of Deneb, P2 Privateer #796: Azure Badger of Diphda, E4 Black Raider #808: Onerous Armadillo, E4 Reaper Mark IV #819: The Shaggy Growing Elm, E1 Skip #835: The Evil Chrome Dog, E1 Cargo Shuttle #898: Irksome Willow, E1 Cargo Shuttle #908: The Stunted Kangaroo, I2 Biobarge #909: Red Zebu of Aldebaran, E1 Cargo Shuttle #954: The Magician of Denebola, I1 Private Transport #956: The Dashing Nit, E4 Black Raider #957: The Stunning Damson Seagull, I2 Cargo Barge #964: Slipping Scorpion, E1 Cargo Shuttle *** 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 7.85 +0.98 --- 3.49 +0.36 SAI 6.53 +0.36 --- 7.21 +0.08 --- 7/6 ADH 8.82 -0.53 --- 3.33 -0.46 ALG 8.07 +0.77 --- 3.51 +1.15 ALZ 1/6 ALD 3.02 +0.79 MIZ 6.33 +0.68 --- 3.87 -0.78 HAM 3.36 -0.32 MIZ 3/1 ALG 2.34 -1.40 ADH 8.02 -0.95 --- 2.38 -0.90 ADH 4.01 -0.32 ALZ 2/0 ALK 3.86 -0.03 BEL 3.50 +1.48 ALD 3.91 -0.39 ARC 4.09 -3.23 MIZ 1/3 ALP 3.11 +0.25 DIP 7.98 +0.80 --- 9.28 +0.29 --- 4.57 +0.89 FOM 6/1 ALZ 4.85 -0.62 MIZ 8.08 +0.76 --- 3.61 +0.43 ADH 9.50 -0.31 --- 4/0 ALT 8.28 -0.55 --- 4.88 -0.59 DUH 3.84 -0.70 DEN 3.07 +0.38 DEN 2/7 ANT 7.52 -2.09 --- 0.49 -0.20 BET 2.41 -0.74 ACH 4.74 -0.40 POL 5/2 ARC 3.66 -0.86 PHA 5.00 +0.85 --- 5.35 -0.55 --- 3.21 +0.85 MIP 6/1 ATR 2.96 +0.89 ALT 0.72 +0.42 DUH 1.23 +0.95 DEN 8.90 +0.81 --- 3/6 BEL 6.21 +0.16 --- 8.84 +0.08 --- 3.62 +0.86 ARC 1.12 -0.43 MIZ 3/3 BEN 4.79 +0.65 SPI 6.63 -0.07 --- 6.01 -1.81 --- 2.47 +0.08 CAN 9/1 BET 7.44 +0.35 --- 5.36 +0.01 --- 6.59 -0.66 --- 8.96 +0.86 --- 9/3 CAN 4.62 +0.72 SAB 8.82 -0.27 --- 9.93 +0.02 --- 6.35 -0.43 --- 7/1 CAP 4.70 -0.62 MIZ 5.29 +0.25 --- 4.00 -0.58 HAM 4.42 +0.41 MIZ 3/2 CAS 3.67 -0.90 ADH 4.76 +0.08 ALG 2.52 -0.59 ADH 6.93 +0.10 --- 1/5 COR 8.59 -0.48 --- 3.77 +0.16 SHA 3.43 -0.09 DEN 6.59 +0.40 --- 0/9 DEN 8.66 +0.70 --- 3.32 -0.43 DUH 6.68 -0.56 --- 6.32 -3.22 --- 1/0 DEB 5.14 +0.55 --- 4.84 -0.50 POX 7.24 +0.80 --- 0.94 +0.71 NUN 9/2 DIP 7.26 -0.15 --- 6.86 +0.32 --- 6.63 +0.19 --- 2.11 -0.82 FOM 7/1 DUH 4.69 +2.03 PRO 5.65 -2.13 --- 5.10 +0.00 --- 7.03 -0.59 --- 3/1 ELN 0.54 -0.12 KAU 6.09 -0.77 --- 9.94 +0.00 --- 2.44 +0.25 EPS 3/4 EPS 8.43 +0.27 --- 2.18 +0.93 ELN 3.14 +0.47 ELN 8.12 -0.38 --- 1/6 FOM 2.96 +0.80 DIP 6.75 -0.82 --- 3.61 +0.15 ALP 5.97 +0.65 --- 5/3 HAM 4.37 +0.65 THU 3.58 -0.26 THU 7.36 -0.18 --- 5.94 -0.01 --- 2/2 KAU 6.94 +0.60 --- 3.75 -0.86 ELN 8.35 +1.36 --- 1.45 -0.10 SAB 1/3 KOC 7.24 +0.51 --- 4.28 -0.68 MIZ 2.86 -0.79 RIG 3.37 +0.61 MIZ 2/3 MEG 4.55 +0.17 ACH 4.89 -0.73 SAI 2.13 -0.20 ACH 2.24 -0.61 SAI 7/6 MIA 5.35 +2.73 --- 3.46 -0.52 SHA 9.28 -0.04 --- 2.04 -0.63 SAB 7/0 MIR 4.03 -0.15 ACH 4.92 -0.39 ARC 8.40 -0.70 --- 8.22 -1.49 --- 7/3 MIP 3.97 +1.68 NUN 6.98 +0.08 --- 2.81 -0.57 SIR 8.93 +1.59 --- 8/3 MIZ 9.45 +0.63 --- 5.27 -0.35 --- 1.25 -2.07 ADH 8.65 +0.62 --- 4/0 NUN 6.18 -0.13 --- 3.52 +0.83 REG 7.46 -0.58 --- 4.99 -0.26 NUN 7/5 PHA 7.75 +0.17 --- 1.34 +0.98 SIR 4.51 +0.11 SIR 0.81 +0.32 RAS 6/4 POL 7.75 +0.03 --- 4.49 +0.66 BET 4.52 -0.38 BET 5.96 -1.00 --- 6/4 POX 1.67 +1.31 DEB 6.47 +0.24 --- 7.35 -0.42 --- 1.11 +0.80 REG 8/2 PRO 5.59 -3.26 --- 9.31 -0.36 --- 5.97 -0.28 --- 3.92 -0.28 THU 3/3 RAS 2.98 -0.25 NUN 2.25 -0.75 SIR 3.13 +0.84 NUN 6.64 +0.37 --- 5/4 REG 4.80 +0.62 BET 7.92 -0.74 --- 4.01 +0.37 BET 7.81 -0.10 --- 8/3 RIG 3.77 +0.16 KOC 1.20 +0.18 ALZ 7.99 -0.14 --- 5.13 +0.72 --- 2/2 SAB 6.14 +0.52 --- 2.54 +0.19 SHA 3.38 -0.77 SHA 7.90 -0.07 --- 8/1 SAI 2.40 -0.52 BET 8.37 +0.63 --- 3.18 +0.53 BET 7.85 +0.01 --- 8/1 SHA 3.69 +0.60 SAB 7.19 -0.39 --- 8.28 -1.47 --- 3.45 +0.68 SAB 8/0 SIR 2.70 -0.03 NUN 5.94 +0.93 --- 8.44 -0.10 --- 4.01 -0.53 MIP 5/5 SOL 4.19 +0.02 SAB 7.26 +0.89 --- 4.85 +0.24 ALP 4.10 +0.82 FOM 9/1 SPI 7.94 -0.70 --- 8.63 -0.70 --- 6.10 +0.72 --- 4.63 -0.27 CAN 7/1 THU 7.42 +0.11 --- 6.24 +0.01 --- 4.06 +0.67 PRO 5.58 +0.60 --- 2/4 VEG 1.63 +0.72 PRO 2.66 +0.74 DUH 4.12 -0.97 DUH 5.18 +0.51 --- 3/2 WEZ 3.02 -0.73 SPI 4.36 -0.05 BEN 5.74 -0.83 --- 2.67 +0.00 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 435 -13 ATM AGR 895 +43 AUT MIN 342 +9 BBP IND 535 +42 CHE MIN 642 -27 CRY TEC 963 -41 DRD AGR 140 -11 DUR IND 262 -13 ELI TEC 408 -4 END TEC 230 -13 EVE MIN 342 -22 FOO AGR 693 +61 GRE AGR 527 -7 GTV IND 493 -122 GUA AGR 267 +6 HOA MIN 248 +18 HYD AGR 543 +44 INS IND 226 -15 KLC AGR 283 +1 KTM IND 382 +22 LOF IND 864 +13 MCS TEC 318 +18 MET MIN 246 +3 MNM MIN 114 +2 MYR IND 368 -14 NLG TEC 206 +16 NUK MIN 309 +3 ORB AGR 365 +5 PET TEC 236 -8 PHO IND 1346 +31 PHR AGR 625 +41 PIL MIN 278 -28 PML TEC 1135 -198 POW IND 93 -8 RAR MIN 412 -2 REE MIN 561 -51 REP AGR 776 +38 SCR AGR 513 +86 SNS MIN 944 -59 SPA IND 137 -6 SPS TEC 652 -59 SYN IND 837 +6 TAG IND 644 -52 TOX MIN 418 -25 UNI TEC 1084 +72 WID TEC 774 -26 WTO AGR 586 +39 XEN AGR 372 +4 ZER TEC 521 +12 ZGM IND 174 -2 (c)1995 Distant Vistas. 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