Introduction

The World is threatened with a nuclear blackmail by an evil genius known as the "Enemy".

He has developed a computer system capable of hacking into defence computers around the globe. Unless world leaders yield to his demand for total dominance, he will run the program that will destroy the world totally!

To develop the hacking system, he kidnapped top computer scientists from throughout the world, and forced them to work for him.

Now these experts, imprisoned in his fortress, would help anyone to destroy the main computer by giving one of the secret codes required to open the computer room door.

The Mission

Facing a choice between enslavement and destruction, the world leaders have created an elite strike force codenamed "Cobra".

Their mission is to enter the Enemy's fortress, bypass its defences and locate, attack and destroy the main computer.

As soon as the assault is started, the computer starts running its program and the countdown starts.

Your superiors have decided that the best chance of success will come from an attack by four members of Cobra, which you must select from the eight members.

The Fortress

There is little information on the fortress except that it is on four levels and is heavily guarded.

To overcome the defences, you must work closely as a team.

Reports suggest that the main computer is highly advanced, relying on the resources of a number of smaller peripheral computers to boost its processing capabilities.

Agents also report that small organic computers are located around the fortress and that destroying these may give you extra time to complete the mission. We have provided you with a Digital Lock Breaker (DLB). You'll need this to unlock the main computer room door.

Locate as many scientists as possible to obtain code digits.

You'll need a minimum of six of the nine code digits to stand any chance of opening the door before time runs out.

The fewer digits you have, the longer it will take to open the door.

Weapons

You are armed with a small sub machine gun and a supply of Electro Magnetic Flux (EMF) grenades. These will either destroy or confuse electronic equipment.

You are wearing lightweight body armour and can survive a number of hits, but if badly injured, seek out and use first aid facilities if you can. Some doors in the complex can be opened with a kick but others are locked by control panels located in key positions in the complex or pressure pads in the floor.

The lifts are controllable, but reports indicate that some crucial doors and lifts are controlled by switching consoles.

The consoles are marked D for door and L for lift.

Choosing A Squad

As only four members may take the assault you must select them from the squad of eight.

Use the joystick or movement keys to highlight a character then press fire to get his or her profile. You can then decide whether to accept or reject that member.

Once you have selected four members, the option to attack will appear. The game screen gives you the DLB display pad showing any code digits you may have collected (BOTTOM LEFT) the remaining life force of each member and the member under player control at the right of the screen, and the time left to complete the mission at the bottom right.

Although the cobra members are very fit, diving, jumping and crawling leads to fatigue and they will insist on a rest if you push them too hard.

Game Controls

You can control each Cobra member independently by switching control using keys 1 to 4.

T - Up Left, Y - Up Right, K - Down Left, D - Down Right
W - Jump, Q - Dive, X - Stand Up, Z - Kick, V - Fire Gun

(Other combinations of keys are available)

You may use a joystick if you prefer. If a Sinclair interface is used, use slot 2.

The Direction Keys define the direction of fire
To throw a grenade, use Caps Shift
The height of the throw defined by direction keys.

Practise with the controls and you will be able to make the fighters twist and turn even whilst jumping.

Loading/Saving Your Position

Pressing 5 will give you a status report. Whilst in 'Status Mode' you may save the game position by pressing SYMB SHIFT S. To reload a saved position, press SYMB SHIFT L.

Should a loading error occur, the border will flash black and white. Press any key to re-try.

To abort the game, enter 'Status Mode' then press SYMB SHIFT A.