Introduction

You are in command of an Exploration Starship. Your mission, to explore and trade in five star systems. The Empire is at "Advanced" level of intelligence. It needs the resources of the Ultimate Computer. This can be obtained from the only "super race" in existence. Your aim is to obtain it and get it to Sol.

Screen Display

The screen will provide you with all the information you require. It is divided into five sections.

Section 1 (Top Left)
This is either your "star display" or your "planet display".

The "star display" shows the five star systems, the solar system and you, represented by a square.

The "planet display" shows the planets, the Star of the system and you, represented by a square.

Section 2 (Top right)
Time, status (e.g. warp drive) and continually used items (e.g. fuel).

To survive, you must keep collecting these from planets which have them.

Section 3 (Middle)
This is the message section which gives you messages when appropriate.

Section 4 (Bottom left)
This is your Cargo inventory. These can be either trade or minings. These will become clear as you play. "Super Comp" is ultimate computer.

Section 5 (Bottom right)
This will display planet data when appropriate (e.g. when in orbit)

"Temp" is short for Temperature.
"Atmos" is short for Atmosphere.
"Pop.Type" is short for Population Type.

Moving Around The Star Systems

On both Section 1 displays, you can move around using the cursor keys.

You can move into a star system (planet display) from a star display by pressing V (to Visit).

You can move from a star system (planet display) to a star display by pressing L (to Leave).

Orbiting

When in "planet display", you can orbit the planet underneath your square by pressing O.

It is necessary to orbit to trade, mine (for fuel, etc) and to obtain water, food and air.

Orbiting also increases your score as this is counter as surveying. It is the only way to meet people.

Once a mining unit is started on a planet, it requires at least one orbit before recovery.

Mining units can be left on planets and recovered on a subsequent visit.

Data

When not in orbit, you can request data relating to the area underneath the square by pressing D.

Star Data will be displayed in the message area. Planet Data will be displayed in the bottom-right section.

Quitting A Game

When in "star display" mode, you can quit by pressing Q. This will offer the following:

1. End. A chance to start the game again with different Star Systems.
2. Save the present game, in order to continue another day. This saves the game data.
3. Load a saved game, restarting the game where you left off.

When not in orbit, you can request your score by pressing S. Score is based on surveying, cargo, etc.

Increasing Your Subjects

As a member of the Solaric Empire it is your duty to get others to join, either as members or subjects.

Since this is a game of exploration as well as trade, I shall leave you to discover the rest...

Game Controls

Cursor Keys - Movement
V - Visit, L - Leave, O - Orbit, D - Data, Q - Quit, S - Score