X3:Reunion Manual - Steam

“With the shock of the last destroyer’s explosion still shaking the ship, the battle wasnow over. Gripping the controls, he strafed the ship into a slow swoop past thewreckage and towards the sun. Dropping the throttle down, he looked out of the shipinterface and surveyed the wondrous sight that lay before him.He remembered all the time and effort that he had put in to getting here; the fortune,empire and fleet that had been built to achieve this moment. His heart lifted, with awave of emotion, as he realised that despite all he had done, nothing could compareto the ultimate prize.”“ This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But, it is, perhaps, theend of the beginning.” - Winston Churchill2

GETTING STARTED................................................................................................................. 4System Requirements............................................................................................................. 4Installation................................................................................................................................ 5What are the benefits of Egosoft Game Registration?........................................................ 5Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................... 6Starting the game for the first time........................................................................................ 8Guide to Quick Menu Keys ................................................................................................... 10Keyboard, Joystick, Mouse and Gamepad Command Keys............................................. 11Controller Profile Configuration........................................................................................... 14Ship Control (Joystick/Mouse/GamePad) ........................................................................... 14The Options Menu ................................................................................................................. 16TerraCorp Spacefleet Pilot’s Manual................................................................................... 20Introduction............................................................................................................................ 20Trade, Fight, Build, Think ..................................................................................................... 21Getting to know your Ship Interface.................................................................................... 22How to Start............................................................................................................................ 27Where are you?...................................................................................................................... 28How to Dock at Stations ....................................................................................................... 29How to travel to different Sectors........................................................................................ 31Strategies of Play................................................................................................................... 33How to progress .................................................................................................................... 33How to start Trading.............................................................................................................. 35Building Factories ................................................................................................................. 40Where to build your factory.................................................................................................. 41Bartering for Wares ............................................................................................................... 53How to Fight and Capture..................................................................................................... 54Missions ................................................................................................................................. 67Upgrades & Equipment......................................................................................................... 71Weapons................................................................................................................................. 75Wares & commodities ........................................................................................................... 80Fight, Trade and Race Ranks ............................................................................................... 87Inhabitants of The X Universe .............................................................................................. 87Argon ...................................................................................................................................... 88Boron ...................................................................................................................................... 88Paranid.................................................................................................................................... 89Split ......................................................................................................................................... 89Teladi ...................................................................................................................................... 90Goner ...................................................................................................................................... 91The Terran Race..................................................................................................................... 92The TerraCorp Company ...................................................................................................... 92Xenon...................................................................................................................................... 92Kha’ak ..................................................................................................................................... 93Pirates..................................................................................................................................... 93Unlockable Game Start Positions........................................................................................ 94Books based upon the X Universe ...................................................................................... 95Credits .................................................................................................................................... 96 3

GETTING STARTEDSYSTEM REQUIREMENTSPlease read the minimum specifications before you install the game.MinimumMicrosoft® Windows® 98 SE, ME, 2000, XPPentium® IV (or AMD® equivalent) 1.7 GHz512MB RAM128MB 3D DirectX 9 compatible card (not onboard) with Pixel Shader 1.3 supportSoundcard4.3 GB free hard disk spaceDVD-ROM driveMouse + Keyboard or Joystick (Optional support for force-feedback) or GamepadRecommendedMicrosoft® Windows® 98 SE, ME, 2000, XPPentium® IV (or AMD® equivalent) 2.4 GHz1GB RAM256MB 3D DirectX 9 compatible card (not onboard) with Pixel Shader 2.0 supportSoundcard (Surround sound support recommended)4.3 GB free hard disk spaceDVD-ROM driveMouse + Keyboard or Joystick (Optional support for force-feedback) or GamepadEPILEPSY WARNINGSome people are prone to epileptic fits or the loss of consciousness as a result of beingexposed to strobing light sources. These people may have attacks while watching televisionor playing computer games. Fits can happen to people who have no previous history ofepilepsy. If you or your family has any history of epilepsy it is advised that you contact yourdoctor before playing. If you suffer from any of the following symptoms: disturbed vision, eyeor muscle spasm, fainting, disorientation, convulsions or other uncoordinated movements,you should immediately stop playing the game and contact your doctor.Safety Procedures• Sit an appropriate distance from the monitor, ideally as far away as the cables will allow.• Use a small monitor.• Avoid playing the game if you are tired.• Make sure the room is adequately lit.• Take a 10-15 minute break every hour of playing.4

TROUBLESHOOTINGTECHNICAL SUPPORTIf you have any problems installing this software please log on to our online technical supportwebsite at:(Europe – Deepsilver) - www.softwarehelpdesk.co.uk(United States – Enlight) – support@enlight.comGeneral System Performance:1. Check your system against the published System Requirements above.- The minimum specification is the basic requirement to play the game smoothly. At thisspecification, performance may vary or be quite slow at times and does not guarantee thatyou will always see a particular frame rate. Below this specification the game may not run.- The optimal specification (if provided) should provide smooth game play in almost allsituations. However, because the game universe is complex and varied, there mayoccasionally be situations in which even this specification is pushed to its limits.2. Make sure that your PC is configured for best performance.- Processor speed, graphics card and available memory are all important factors.- Update motherboard drivers where possible, and in particular update any additional drivers ifyou have on-board chipsets such as sound.- Keep your operating system and drivers up to date, but do not automatically assume thatnewer is faster and better. If you find that a driver version is slow or unstable, remove it andreinstall one that you know is good. Use a driver cleaner between versions.- Do not run any software in the background. In particular, switch off applications that accessthe Internet as these often check to see if the connection is still there, causing pauses.- Make sure your PC is clear of viruses and spyware, which can slow a PC down as well ascausing other problems. When playing, however, you should consider switching off your antivirussoftware, since this too can slow things down.63. Set the in-game settings so that they are appropriate for your specification.- Playing at a lower resolution is the simplest way to reduce the load on your graphics card,but there are a few cases where graphics cards seem to work better at specific resolutions sotry higher resolutions and see what works for you.- Anti-aliasing (AA) provides smoother edges to objects so that they don't appear jagged.However, anti-aliasing is demanding of processing power, so you should only consider usingit on mid- to high-end graphics cards.- The Automatic Quality Control (AQC) system is a built-in feature to try to prevent frame ratesfrom dropping too low and should be left switched on for all but the highest spec systems.- Use in-game settings rather than driver settings where possible. Many drivers allow you toforce features such as AA or vsync, but these will normally adversely affect performance.-Try switching Environmental Audio Extensions (EAX) off or on. Most systems either ignore itif they don't support it or use it fine if they do.4. The game comes with graphics settings that you can change to improve performance.At the startup screen: - Texture resolution: HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW (default is HIGH)- Anisotropic filtering: ON or OFF (default is ON)- Shader Quality: HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW (default is HIGH)In the game: - Post processing (glows): ON or OFF (default is ON)Basic Errors:1. Graphical errors.- The most common causes of graphical errors are issues with the driver, which may haveerrors, or may simply be corrupt.2. Sound errors.- The most common causes are audio codecs. Try removing, adding or adjusting theirpriorities in Control Panel.

-Sound errors can also be caused by a corrupt game installation, particularly one where thewrong updates or patches have been installed.-It’s recommended to have a separate sound card (i.e. not onboard) and drivers really canmake a difference. Many problems occur because of poor sound hardware, poor sounddrivers or incorrect audio codecs.Crashes:1. Eliminate system configuration issues first.- It is perfectly possible for problems with a game to be caused by the configuration of thesystem it is running on, even if it runs other software and games without problems.- If there is a problem while installing, make sure you switch off any drive emulation softwarethat the copy protection system might have problems with. Check that the CD or DVD isclean, update the drivers for them.- If you are overclocking any part of your system, then throttle it back to normal speed.- Check your other hardware. Hardware problems with components such as the graphics cardand system memory can show in one game even if those are fine when running other games.- Check for viruses and also for other software interfering with the game. A wide range ofsoftware can do this, from anti-virus software to utilities such as drive emulators, instantmessaging software and file-sharing tools.- Update your drivers. If they are already up to date, try older ones. Use a driver cleanerbetween versions. If you are having problems with third party drivers, use drivers suppliedwith the original hardware.- Try different audio codecs. One of the most common causes of game crashes is theinstallation of third party codec packs. Ironically, installing such codec packs can often also bea solution to codec problems because of the way Windows handles its codecs.2. Once you have eliminated system problems, check the game itself.- Make sure that you have downloaded and installed the latest updates and patches. Checkthat you have installed the right versions for your copy of the game, and that you haveinstalled them to the correct location.- It is possible for savegames to become corrupted, either by external causes or by gameproblems. Try starting a new game and see if the problem still occurs. Save regularly and useseveral save slots so as not to get caught out by this.- Try uninstalling and reinstalling the game. The installation may have become corrupt due toa disk error, or an important file may have been overwritten. After reinstalling, try starting anew game first before trying your savegames again.- A frequent cause of in-game problems is the installation of third party scripts or mods. Ifreinstalling the game, but not installing these additional items solves the problem then thechances are high that they are the cause.When submitting a fault via our helpdesk please include the following information:• Exact error message, if any.• Steps that should be taken to reproduce the error/fault.• Details of programs running at time of fault, including Anti-Virus and firewall applications.• Most importantly, email to us a Direct X Diagnostic report. Follow the instructions below:Click the START button on your Windows task bar, and then click run and type dxdiag in thebox that opens. The DirectX diagnostic toolbox should automatically run. This tool details yourwhole system and the details can be dumped to a log file by clicking on the "Save AllInformation" button at the bottom. This will save a text file called "DxDiag", which you can justattach to any correspondence. This information will best assist us in resolving your query asquickly as possible.7Additional support can also be obtained from the official X³ website: www.x3reunion.com.You can also visit the official forums here and read through questions sent by other X³:Reunion players. Here you will also find a multitude of hints and tips to enhance your gamingexperience, plus a host of other wide-ranging topics. Please view the “Readme” file on thegame CD/DVD for the latest information.

STARTING THE GAME FOR THE FIRST TIMEStarting X³: Reunion1. From the Start Menu, point to Programs, point to Egosoft, and then point to X³:Reunion.2. At the initial start-up screen, you may change some basic settings, such as ScreenResolution and other Graphics Settings. It is recommended that settings such as antialiasingare selected here rather than on your graphics card settings. The Effectsfactors (4x etc) are automatically selected for your graphics card, raising thesenumbers above the suggested ones will decrease performance, lowering them willimprove performance. You will also get the chance to alter some of these graphicssettings from within the game.8

EAX - stands for Environmental Audio Extensions. This Creative Labs technology provides animproved audio experience including special audio effects such as "occlusion". You can readmore about it on the page: http://eax.creative.comIgnore last settings and start with default – is an option for resetting the game start optionsto their default settings if you experience any start-up problems, for instance after an upgrade.Run as Benchmark – will provide you an output of FPS (frames per second) performancemeasurements of the game.3. Click Start X³. You may skip the opening sequence, if you wish, by pressing the [Esc]key.Note: The game name will have the version on the above start-up screen, which will berelevant for Technical Support and for any upgrades that may be available.Getting StartedWelcome to X³: Reunion‘Say goodbye to social life and/or sleep’It is recommended that you at least play through the combat training whether you are new tothe X-Universe or not, before progressing into the game proper.Otherwise, pressing NEW GAME will start a new game from the beginning. If you have asavegame, then you should instead select CONTINUE.From here, you will be taken through the first parts of the storyline in X³: Reunion. You willmeet one of the main characters and they will help you to get started. Once you’ve finishedyour introduction to the plot, you’ll be flying your new ship in no time at all.From this point on, it’s all up to you. You can follow the plot or go off and have your ownadventures. You can jump in and out of the plot, as you don’t have to respond to the requestsimmediately. This will allow you to start building your resources by trading, building, fightingand exploring the universe, as parts of the plot may require considerably more than what youstart with. A little tip: you can delay meeting friends on missions until sometime later into yourtravels. They will wait for you, and so you don’t forget, they will send you a remindermessage every now and then.Keys, Controller settings, Profiles and Menus will be detailed in the following sections or youcan jump to the Main Menu if you are very familiar with the X series already; even so, you areadvised to familiarise yourself with the controller profiles, which are new to X³.With such an open-ended X universe, many have joined the very extensive and helpful onlinecommunity at the Egosoft forums. Exchanging their experiences, providing help and answersto each other and producing topics with ideas and hints, they have taken their gamingexperiences much further. Join the community in the X Universe at http://www.egosoft.com/9“Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In eithercase the idea is quite staggering.” Arthur C. Clarke

GUIDE TO QUICK MENU KEYSThe Quick Menu provides quick and easy access to the various commands that you require.You can access all other menus using the same commands, either with your M.O.U.S.E(Mobile Online Universal Sector Engagement device ) or by ship data interface.Pressing Esc on your ship data interface will bring you back one level, pressing it again will dothe same. Once you have pressed Esc twice you will now be at the main menu. You can alsouse the down arrow to go back to the previous menu; this serves as an alternative to the Esckey. You can use the arrow keys to quickly navigate the available menus.To access the Quick Menus press the Enter key on your ship’s Data Interface. You will nowsee an Information Panel appear, labelled Main Menu.After selecting Pilot and highlighting Statistics, you will see it is highlighted. This indicates thatStatistics is currently your selected option.Pressing Escbrings you backto the Main Menu.Selecting Shipwill bring up theShip menu.Pressing Esc again and selecting Options from the Main Menu will display the game options.These allow you to change the configuration of your data interface using the Controls menu.10As you will see, the Main Menu will change when you are docked at a station, as will themenu optionsthat arerelevant towhat you maywant to do.By selecting Station for instance, you can then go to the Bulletin Board for News, Missions oreven use the Barter system to exchange what you have in your cargo bay for some otherwares.

KEYBOARD, JOYSTICK, MOUSE AND GAMEPAD COMMAND KEYSThe key controls listed below are the X3 Default Profile keys for the controls, there also is theAlternative and Classic Profiles available. If you choose different controller profiles or changethe keys for actions, the list below will not reflect what you have set in your game.Controls – Ship Interface Controls[ Joystick ] Steer ship or turret[ Mouse ] Steer ship or turret[ Joystick Z ] Roll ship[ Throttle ] Ship speed controlGame - Flight Controls[ DOWN ] Pitch Up[ UP ] Pitch Down[ LEFT ] Yaw Left[ RIGHT ] Yaw Left[ q ] Roll Left[ e ] Roll Right[ x ] Accelerate[ z ] Decelerate[ TAB ] Boost Extension[ BACKSPACE ] Break to Stop[ u ] Toggle autopilot[ Shift+d ] Dock with target[ Shift+m ] Switch gravidar modes[ Shift+e ] Eject from ship and Re-enter a ship[ a ] Strafe left[ d ] Strafe right[ w ] Strafe up[ s ] Strafe down- Weapon controls[ L Ctrl ] Fire weapons[ LMB ] Fire weapons[ Joystick B1 ] Fire weapons[ k ] Laser targeting mode (auto target)[ m ] Select/cycle missile type[ Joystick B2 ] Fire weapons[ Hold Joystick B2 ] Launch Missile[ L ] Launch missile[ 1,2,3,4 ] Select weapon group[ g ] Weapons Menu- Targeting[ t ] Track target[ Shift+t ] Target nearest enemy[ PGUP ] Target next object[ M Wheel Up ] Target next object[ Joystick B3 ] Target next object[ PGDown ] Target Previous object[ M Wheel Down ] Target Previous object[ Joystick B4 ] Target Previous object[ Insert ] Target next owned object[ Del ] Target previous owned object[ Home ] Target next enemy[ End ] Target Previous enemy11

- Information[ I ] Identify selected object[ u ] View details of selected target[ y ] Current ship menu[ p ] Player menu[ . ] Sector map[ , ] Universe map[ g ] Show selection on galaxy map[ r ] Owned property[ L ] Message log- Commands & Management[ Shift+c ] Command console of current ship[ m ] Rename object[ Shift+6 ] Command wingmen: Attack target[ Shift+7 ] Command wingmen: Protect me[ Shift+8 ] Command drones: Attack Target[ Shift+9 ] Command drones: Protect me- Ship & StationsQuick Menu only- Freight[ f ] Freight menu[ o ] Open/close freight bay door[ none ] Freight exchange- Upgrades[ j ] SETA time accelerator[ Shift+j ] Activate Jumpdrive (repeat keys to cancel jump)[ Shift+d ] Docking Computer[ Alt,MMB ] Video enhancement goggles[ 5 ] Best selling price locator[ 6 ] Best buys locator[ g ] Toggle Ecliptic projector12Interface - General[ Num enter ] Main Menu[ RETURN ] Quick Menu[ Shift+o ] Options Menu[ Shift+l ] Load game[ Shift+s ] Save game using salvage insurance[ Shift+q ] Quit game[ RMB ] Toggle mouse cursor- View Controls[ F1 ] Select view mode[ F2 ] Select external view[ F3 ] Target View[ Shift+h ] Toggle Hud display[ F4 ] Select monitor[ F4 hold ] Select monitor arrangement[ F5 ] Toggle all monitors on/off[ + ] Zoom in[ - ] Zoom out[ NUM 0 ] Select camera mode

- Menu[ Default View ] Num 5[View from Northeast] POV up-right Num 9[View from East] POV right Num 6[View from Southeast] POV Down-right Num 3[View from South] POV Down Num 2[View from Southwest] POV Down-left Num 1[View from West] POV left Num 4[View from Northwest] POV Up-left Num 7[ Esc ] Skip cut scenes, remove screen tips[ LMB-JS1-Enter ] Select Option[ POV Up-MW Up-Up] Scroll Up[ POV Dn-MW-Dn-Dn] Scroll Down[ Left-POV Left ] Scroll Left[ Right-POV Right ] Scroll Right[ Home ] Empty selection[ End ] Fill selection[ Delete ] Close all Menus- Editing[ Delete ] Delete character[ Backspace ] Backspace[ Home ] Home[ End ] End- Archival[ F9 Print Scrn ] Save in-game screenshot – These pictures are saved into[My Documents\Egosoft\X3\Screenshots] in .tga format.- Maps[ Num 4 ] Move cursor left[ Num 6 ] Move cursor Right[ Num 8 ] Move cursor up[ Num 2 ] Move cursor down[ Num 7 ] Move cursor up and left[ Num 9 ] Move cursor up and right[ Num 1 ] Move cursor down and left[ Num 3 ] Move cursor down and right[ Insert ] Change map axis[ Home ] Zoom Map in[ End ] Zoom Map out- Factory Positioning[ Ins ] Change to Z Axis[ Ins,2,8 ] After Ins use 2 & 8 to change elevation[ 1,3,7,9 ] Change orientation of station[ 2,4,6,8 ] Position station on grid[ Home/End ] Zoom in/out at factory position13- Additional hotkeys[ Pause ] Pause game[ a-z ] Select sector in universe map by first letter[ 1-9,0 ] Select amount in trade menuMouse control special KeysFor switching between in-game menus, you may use the interactive assistance system andship interface. You can select targets and menus using mouse control. To do so, right-click toactivate mouse control, then left-click on the desired target icon. Right-click again to restorenormal control.

CONTROLLER PROFILE CONFIGURATIONIn the game it is now possible to map the controller buttons and keyboard keys to a range ofactions. The same keys can be used again in different modes (Flight, Docked and Mapmovement).You can create different Profiles, and switch between them for different types of game play.The profiles can also be renamed and made the default profile when the game starts. Theycan be accessed from the Quick Menu, [ Options ], [ Controls ].Create New ProfileThis option allows you to create aprofile by giving it a name; thenediting the Controls, Game andInterface tabs.In these tabs, controls can beconfigured for each action. If you want just one control for an action, remove the originalcontrol first and then add a new one. If you add a control that is already assigned, that controlwill be removed from its previous assignment, so it is important to check all the controlsbefore you save. Certain controls are locked. The "apply" button will be disabled for keys andcontrols for the main menu that cannot be unmapped.After you have changed all the control settings, they can be saved to the profile. Additionallythe profiles can themselves be organised via Switch Current Profile, Save Profile, Renamea Profile and Select Default Profile. The three main profiles are the ‘X3 Default Controls’profile, a ‘Alternative Controls’ profile, and a ‘Classic Controls’ profile.SHIP CONTROL (JOYSTICK/MOUSE/GAMEPAD)You are free to use any combination of the flight control methods that best suit your style. Thefollowing diagrams show the default settings and these may be further configured or adjusteddepending on your model(s). Please consult your manufacturer’s documentation forconfiguring your input devices. Note that the POV “hat” can be used to navigate the menus ifyou have one available.Joystick Control14

Mouse ControlThe mouse is by far the most powerful instrument to play X³: Reunion. The Mouse operatesin two modes, Semi-automatic and Manual. You can switch between these modes by clickingthe RMB (right mouse button). Use the Wheel to navigate the menus and the LMB to select.Press the RMB again to exit the current menu and return to the previous menu or, if you wishto exit the menu system altogether, press and HOLD the RMB.X³ supports two input methods: Manual ship control and mouse cursor mode (aka. semiautomaticmode).You can switch between these two modes by pressing the right mouse button by the (X3Default Controls profile but can be changed to any key).In manual control, the left mouse button fires your selected lasers, whereas the mousewheel can be used to switch targets. In semi-automatic mode you activate a mousecursor, which you can use to control all elements of the game with simple mouse clicks:- Quick menus- Context menus- Laser configuration- Mini monitor activation and configurationThese and many more things can all be controlled with simple mouse clicksGamepad ControlsYou can change all the above controls to ones you prefer using the Controller profiles15

THE OPTIONS MENUThe Options Menu is accessed within the game by pressing Quick Menu [ Return ] [ Options ].This enables you to change some features, such as Graphics, Audio, Controls, Gameplayand the Monitors.GraphicsFast Menu ControlThe Fast Menu Control option changes the key repeatbehaviour in menus. Specifically, enabling the optiondecreases the delay between when you first press akey and when it begins to repeat, and increases therate at which the repeat occurs.Use Postprocess FilterPost processing defines how some effects are implemented and rendered, giving the universea softer look. If you have performance issues with slower/older graphics cards, you can alsodisable this with the ‘Glow enabled’ option in the Start-up screen Graphics Options.3D: AQCAutomatic Quality Control is a system that attempts to keep the frame rate of the game abovea certain minimum by reducing the visual quality gradually.AudioVolume: EffectsChange the volume of in-game sound effects.Volume: MusicChange the volume of in-game music.Volume: VoiceChange the volume of in-game voices.Show SubtitlesToggle the subtitles on or off for in-game announcements or dialogue.Verbose Ship computerToggle to turn on/off the computer voice.Gameplay16SETA FactorAllows the increase or decrease of how muchSETA actually speeds up time. The defaultsetting is 6x. For players with systems relativelyclose to the minimum specification, if the gameslows whilst SETA is engaged, try reducing thevalue here. Anything more than 10x is notnormally achievable.Gravidar View RangeChanges the scale of the radar in the interface. The default setting of Auto will adjust the viewaccording to how close objects are to you. Players managing a large fleet in the same sectoror players stuck in very close combat may find changing the values to a fixed range veryhelpful.

Auto. Save at Stations:When you dock with a station the game can auto-save, allowing you to retrieve one of the lastthree auto-saves in addition to your own manually saved games.Show TipsIf you are a new player you may prefer to leave Show Tips with the setting of Beginner, asthis will mean anything you do for the first time will cause a helpful tip to appear. To remove atip from your screen, you just press the [Esc] Key. Changing this setting to Veteran will stopsimple tips from being displayed, however more complicated features will be explained whenyou first use them.Confirmation of EjectToggles the confirmation warning you receive when ejecting from your ship.MonitorsThere are two monitors available, one on the topleft and another one top right. The left one isalways set to auto target, the right monitor ismappable.Monitor Layout will enable you to position yourin-game monitors on your screen.Show Monitors F5By pressing the F5 key you can toggle theminimized and standard Monitor views. Afterusing F4 to select a monitor, pressing F3 willthen enlarge the monitor view.Active Monitor F4Pressing F4 will cycle you between the openmonitors.Default External View Mode the [ F2 ] keyallows you to toggle between Auto and Manual.The Manual setting will allow you to rotate theview around your ship using the keypadnumbers.Monitor Mapping allows you to select exactlywhat appears on your monitors when you bring them up."To consider the Earth as the only populated world in infinite space is as absurd as to assertthat in an entire field of millet, only one grain will grow." Metrodorus of Chios (400BC)17

Main MenuNew GameThe first three games start with the plot storyline enabled and the main character, 21 year oldJulian Brennan. You can jump in and out of the plot, as you want to; this gives you time tothink about your game strategy, and about how you will build your trade and fight ranks.The starting difficulty level affects which upgrades and equipment are installed on your ship(s)and how many Credits you start with. It will also affect your initial reputation with the otherraces. It has no effect on any other aspect of gameplay. If your goal is to reach the difficultto-obtainX-treme ranks (see the Fight, Trade and Race Ranks section), you might want to(but don’t have to) start the game the way you would wish to end it, as X-treme.18NormalDifficulty: Average.Jump right in to the action and discover the exciting events that arebrewing in the X Universe. Trade your way to wealth, fight off yourruthless foes and build a lasting legacy.Julian BrennanPlayer characterQuick startDifficulty: Easy.Wield the developing power of your fledging fleet and face the X universehead on. You are well equipped for your journey, but there may beadvantages to doing it the hard way.X-tremeDifficulty: Hard.Conquer a harsh and unforgiving universe with the pure power of yourwill. Struggles will present themselves at every turn. Even your enemiesloathe you with an unusual intensity.

There are a number of optional game starts, which present the player with character-basedstyles, but do not include the plot storyline. Each has its own differences in game startconditions that have their own unique difficulties and rewards.Aspiring ExplorerDifficulty: Average. Species Argon. Argon Prime, 12,000c, M5 DiscovererYou have the tools and the passion to discover the riches of the myriad worldsaround you. Follow your lifelong dreams and uncover the mysteries of the XUniverseHumble MerchantDifficulty: Not all that hard. Species Argon, Argon Prime, 9,500c, TS Mercury +M5 Discoverer.Leverage your business skills to master and dominate the trade lanes. Amass theultimate fortune and spread the fingers of your empire to the far reaches of thestars.Bankrupt AssassinDifficulty: Most assuredly hard. Species Argon, Family Pride, 0c, M3 Split MambaYour combat skills are formidable, but your bank account is not. Your capacity fordestruction is your only tool for clawing your way above the rest of the world’spetty scum.Custom GameStart your own universe with none of the above-defined game styles; this game will not havethe plot storyline, except for the one you create in your own X Universe.Galaxy EditorThis is for dedicated fans that wish to produce and load custom universes.ContinueWhen you want to continue with a saved game, this menu selection will list your savedgames. These files are located in the [MyDocuments\Egosoft\X3 \Save] folder.SimulatorThe Simulator / Tutorials section is basically a mini universe where you can try things withouthaving any consequence on your game. Likewise, the Pilot Test Combat is a quick actionlevel where you can test basic combat skills.OptionsThis will allow you to adjust several settings within the game. Video will allow you to changesome of the in-game features. Sound enables different surround sound and stereo options.Controls enable different controller set up options.IMPORTANT NOTE: The screen resolution cannot be changed from within the game. If youwish to change the resolution, it should be done at the X³: Reunion start up menu.19Resolutions less than 1024x768 are not supported because they do not provide sufficientspace for the user interface, particularly some of the larger menus. Regardless of theresolution chosen, the game will be displayed at a 4:3 aspect ratio so widescreen formatsmay look slightly stretched.MoviesThis will play the X3 introduction. Cut scenes may be unlocked here as well as other contentadded in the future.

QuitQuits the game, but do you really want to?“It's human nature to stretch, to go, to see, to understand. Exploration is not a choice, really; it's animperative”. Michael CollinsTerraCorp Spacefleet Pilot’s ManualINTRODUCTIONWelcome to TerraCorp, space pilot. You are now a member of the largest spacefleet in thewhole of the Argon-controlled territories.You will find in these pages the basic flight controls of your craft that are based upon the“unified flight-control system” designed by TerraCorp. This enables you to easily move fromone ship class to another, while retaining some familiarity with the control mechanisms.Read and learn these well, for knowledge of the Universe is of great importance, especially ifyour travels take you outside of Argon-controlled space. Good profit to you and in the wordsof our founder “Never travel empty, a journey without profit is a journey with no purpose.”Terracorp – “The History”In 2912, following an accident which took him far beyond the frontier of Earth, Capt. KyleWilliam Brennan arrived in the X universe in his experimental gateless jump ship. Kylebecame instrumental in the attack on the Xenon mother ship, almost bringing the Xenon raceto extinction. His heroic deeds were recognised by the naming of the sector Brennan’sTriumph.By 2913, Kyle’s well-earned Credits allowed him to create Terracorp as an extension ofhimself to finance his research and find a way home to earth. In the year of 2934, while hewas deeply involved in the tracing of the AP Gunner, he learned about his long lost son, thenknown as Julian Gardna. Both of their lives then became entangled with the threat of theKha’ak and the destructive forces inflicted by them. This resulted in Kyle ending up in a comaand Julian Brennan coming to terms with the fact that his valiant role in stopping the Kha’akthreat came with a heavy price, the heroic self-sacrifice made by his closest friend Bret Serra.Over the last two Jazuras, as a response to the continuing Kha’ak attacks, all the races in theuniverse have heavily invested in new technologies, while replacing their ships and rebuildingtheir stations. There has also been the additional benefit of a newfound cooperation betweensome of the races’ scientists, producing greatly enhanced shield and missile innovations.Many shipbuilders, now under new pressures never faced since the Xenon war, have awokenfrom a developmental slumber to produce stunning new ship designs.20As the universe approaches the end of 2935, Julian, having lost all of his factories and mostof his ships to the Kha’ak, now has to consider Ban Danna’s request for help again. Manymysteries begin to unfold when a reunion with an old friend takes Julian on a journey ofdiscovery, which links a mysterious ship with the power to disappear, the ruthless Yaki piratesand a machine left by an ancient race. The fate of more than the known universe relies on theultimate discovery of the truth by Julian, with all the fighting skills and the strategic resourceshe can command.2912 X Beyond The Frontier - 2913 X-Tension - 2934 X 2 : The Threat - 2935 X³: Reunion"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it." - William Arthur Ward

TRADE, FIGHT, BUILD, THINKTradeWhile docked at factories or trading centres, you will find various ways of interacting with theother races. Bulletin Boards may have news items about events in the universe, profitabletrade opportunities and even entertainment. They will provide many chances for you to takeadvantage of the dynamic economy by responding to news. There will be additional chancesfor you to strike good trading deals, carry out missions or haul resources or products for othertraders.Sometimes you might even read about interesting rumours of potential profits that you willhave to be quick to respond to, in order to cash in on them. Good opportunists, who arewilling to take risks, will also find value in salvaging what others have missed or have seen noCredits in. Despite the risks, there may also be gains to be made from various shadycharacters that might provide you with new possibilities for wealth and recognition.FightWhether you are a pirate, assassin, warrior or trader, even if you are just minding your ownbusiness, the fight will come to you. Having to fight for rewards or just for your own right toexist, you will find the universe a hard place to survive in, let alone prosper and grow. It will beup to you to explain in your own forceful way that you intend to stay.Pirates will view you as a target, Xenon will just want to terraform you and the Kha’ak willattempt to erase you. If you prove yourself to be a worthy opponent with deadly skills, you willgain recognition from the high and the low, who will want to pay highly for your services to dowhatever dirty work they require.As you enhance your skills, new avenues will open to you, as long as you have improved yourranks and the ships that you own. You may even become one of the few with the extremefighting ability that can build a force strong enough to take on any enemy.BuildIn between your adventures it would be wise to start developing your empire by buildingfactories and complexes to increase your financial resources. It would be wise to explore allthe new and interesting places, and find additional markets for you to increase your statusand wealth.Building and trading in all the sectors of the different races, for instance the Paranid, willprovide you access to many of the technologies that only they produce, while also improvingyour race rank with them at the same time. Spinning your corporate web all over the universewill not only enhance your status with everyone, but will at the same time ensure thatwhatever perils the universe faces, you will be included in any unstoppable changes itexperiences.Your Credit-making skills will develop over time from your first factory to your multi-sectorempires. As you become aware of all the possibilities to improve your profits, you will be ableto take your ambitions to new and exciting extremes.21ThinkThere are many discoveries to be made by exploring sectors to find their hidden mysteriesand the possible treasures or secrets that the less observant may have missed. The mistycorners of strange and unusual formations will give you the chance to seek and find manynew things that could enrich your travels and possibly your Credit account.On your travels, you will find places or information that could even help you decide to setup ahome base, which you can protect and build as your empire grows. Even when many greatevents have happened, you will find new adventures, challenges and personal goals to enrichyour experience.

Your journey and interactions in the universe will affect all that exists to become a reflection ofyour own ambitions, in wealth, construction and combat. From thousands to millions ofCredits, management of corporate strategy, to heroic battles; your successes, skills, andabilities will shape the universe in your own image. The universe is made for you; thechallenge is to make it yours.“Who am I? I am but the sum of my experiences… and today I am more than I was yesterday”.TerrabyteGETTING TO KNOW YOUR SHIP INTERFACEThe controls of each ship are positioned in the standard layout whichever the vessel, but youwill find that the visibility from of all ships to be slightly different dependant on the ships hulldesign. In this instance the view from the ship, the interface and associated briefings beloware taken from the Argon Nova M3 class ship.The Interactive Assistance System.This feature of your ship computer will automatically present information about common tasksyou may wish to perform for the first time you do something, based on your current locationand situation. Data will be streamed to your onboard computer should you encounter speciesor items requiring further information essential to your survival. If at any time you wish todisable this data-stream, you may do so from the Options-Gameplay menu of your shipinterface, by changing ‘Beginner’ to ‘Veteran’.Main Ship Interface22The image above is the whole of the ship interface in view. In the following section you willsee different parts of this explained in more detail. There are a number of information screensshowing various readouts. These have been summarised into the Overlay for ease of reading.

The overlay will also appear on the screen when in any external view as well as the interface.It can be disabled in the options menu. The overlay can be split down into three distinct areasof data.1. On the bottom left is the Shield and Hullindicators. The top one (Blue) indicates theshield strength. The lower one (Green) showsthe hull strength.Damage to the shields will repair as theyrecharge, but damage to the hull will slow yourship and will need repairing at a shipyard.2. The front of the bar shows the digital speed, while the arrowindicates if the direction is forwards or backwards. The bar willactively show the speed and will indicate if SETA is in use.Apart from using the keys, the ship speed can also set byclicking on the speed bar.3. On the right is the Radar display. This showsthe real-time 3-dimensional radar. The Radarcan be set to varying scan distances. Clickingon the icon next to the Radar loads the quickaccess icons. The Radar, sector map andnavigation systems all use the same icons.There is a mini menu available in the bottom rightcorner of the radar. Double-clicking this icon will opena mini menu, with a list of icons for other menushortcuts including original mode command console,Quick menu and other items.Context MenusWhen you double-click on anytarget object, either in the radarcircle or on the screen, itexecutes the first icon of thecontext menu, which will haveopened with the first click. Thataction is the default for the objectyou are clicking on. E.g. if it’s aship, it will cause you to followthat ship, if it’s an enemy it willcause you to attack, if it’s astation it will cause you to dock.Examples of context icons:ContextAllEnemiesYourShipsStationDefault ActionsFly to (default for ships)Dock at (default for stations)Map to mini monitorAttack (RED icon)Attack (default)Fly to (not default with enemies)Follow meProtect meKill enemiesMap cockpit to monitorDock at (default)23

Radar SymbolsIn the interface view you will see the multi–target radar symbols. Grey coloured ones aresector ships. Red ones are enemies. Greenones are your ships and missiles. The three ormore blue dots at the side of the symbolindicate the ship status. The current target hasa directional arrow as shown on the graphicon the right, which is also pointing in thedirection of the ship. Using the [ PgUp ] and [PgDn ] keys you can change the active target.You can also select a target using M.O.U.S.E control. To do so, simply right-click to activatethe M.O.U.S.E control. Then left-click on the desired target icon. Once more right-click theM.O.U.S.E to restore normal control.The symbols indicate the class of Stationsand ships.L.Tow. Sat A.Sat Rock. Astro Mine Station Dron. M1 M2 TL M6 TS M3 M4 M5Flying by M.O.U.S.EIn M.O.U.S.E cursor mode, clicking somewhere on the screen (outside any icon areas) willturn off the autopilot if it was on and will then set a direct course towards a spot underneaththe M.O.U.S.E cursor location several KM in front of the ship. This means the ship can beturned in steps of 45 degrees (at a 90 degree POV) relatively fast.The M.O.U.S.E is the most effective input device for interacting with the Ship Interface. Apartfrom being able to direct the ship to fly with double-clicks on ships, factories or anywhere onthe screen, it provides command control over all the ship controls and weapon systems.The context menus will respond with the most common actions like: Communications, Map tomonitor (only top right monitor), Stop playership (which was executing a command), Protectme (your ships), Enter (One of your ships either from suit or with Transporter device)… andmany other actions.24HUDThe “head up display” is situated in the middle of your view and has variousfunctions to aid your navigation and combat. The two numbers on the top leftare your current speed and selected target speed.This is an image of an active HUD.The HUD is “active” when you have a target selected. The number in the topright is the target’s current speed and at the bottom is its current distanceaway from you. Graphic of docking with speed above limit:When an enemy is targeted the same data appears on the HUD, but thistime in red. In combat a series of red, decreasing size markers point in thedirection of the enemy vessel to aid target acquisition. The target ship issurrounded by the laser-targeting computer indicator (brackets), whichcalculates where you should fire to hit your foe.This is referred to as ‘leading’ the target. If you fire where your foe is then your shots will miss,as the enemy will have moved by the time your shots get there. So you need to fire ahead of

the target where it will be when your shots arrive. This is what the laser-targeting computerachieves. It can be disabled in the options menu and like most equipment, upgraded. Allenemy objects will appear as red in the Radar.Below is an active HUD trackingA single click on a symbol of the target system or on a bracketed object will set the activetarget and open the context menu for it. A double click will activate the default action in thecontext menu.1 2 3 4 5Images 1 to 5 show different versions of the bars holdinginformation for tracked objects:1 - A ship icon as seen in the target brackets. Only has short shield energy bar.2 - The active target icon as part of the target brackets. Shield and hull + brackets.3 - A ship on screen and in range but not actively targeted: Shield and hull.4 - Active target on screen: shield and hull5 - Ship with surrounding onscreen brackets at max sizeThe size of brackets marking an object in the players view scales depending on the visiblesize of the object onscreen. It has a minimum size that is just a little bigger than the bracketsaround the active target icon in the target system circle and a maximum size for closeobjects.You can also open multiple “mini-monitor” views andtarget them via the function keys (see keyboard section)that enable you to track and control many objects and/ortargets at once.25There are two potential monitors one left one on theright. The left one is always dedicated to auto target; theright one is the only monitor than can be mapped toanother action.

Weapons Control SystemThe Weapon Control System originally required ships to be docked in order toinstall lasers into laser slots and then while flying, when docked it would only bepossible to use the laser groups to select which combinations of laser to use at anyone time. The WCS now has advanced features that allow lasers on board the shipto be installed while flying in space.In this example with the graphic on the right, there are four weapon groups aslisted at the bottom 1,2,3,4, with eight lasers in-group one.The weapon location grid indicators on the left of each lasershow to which group the weapon is allocated.The group number like the number 2 group on the right as is highlighted on the listof 1 to 4. When group 1 is selected, all lasers that are in-group 1 will fire andthose that are not in that group will not fire.First, click on the weapon location grid indicator to relocate thelaser in to another group like the next graphic on the right. Byselecting one of these the weapons in that group will now beavailable by selecting the group by selecting 1,2,3,4.A weapon can exist in more than one group, but remember if your ship cancarry eight lasers, you can have four groups with two lasers, or combinationslike two groups with three and a group of two.It is important to balance your weapons into groups, so you can use different powered lasersagainst different classes of ships, like light lasers against M5 ships and heavier group oflasers with a M3 or M6. You can even have all of the lasers listed in group four for shortpowered bursts against a larger more powerful ship.By clicking on the laser, the currently installedweapon is highlighted in the menu, any weaponsthat can be installed in that slot are listed normally,and any weapons that on board, but cannot beinstalled in that slot (either because its too big, orbecause there are none left) will be shown with a red symbol over the top of them.This upgrade now makes it possible to change weaponswhile in flight; Note, it is important that the groups of lasersare setup carefully, as it won't be quite so easy to enableor disable weapons from the current group in the heat ofbattle. Here is a possible layout a ship could have……..Group 1 = 2 A-HEPT;Group 2 = 1 A-HEPT+1ID;Group 3 = 2 A-PAC;Group 4 = 2 A-PAC+2 B-IRE.26Weapon Energy IndicatorsAs you fire your weapons you will see the red bar aboveeach weapon drain. When the bar is back to the originalposition on the right they will be fully recharged.Remember that due to laser energy limitations it is important not to fire all of the lasers atonce. Higher-class weapons consume a lot of energy. Using lower-class lasers may allow aship to fire more or less continuously, because the recharge rate will be higher than theenergy consumption. So in certain types of combat it may be to your advantage if you use alower-class of laser in higher-class ships, enabling you to shoot for a much longer time.

MissilesJust below the icons for thelasers, is the missile icon. Itshows the installed missiles andeach missile can be clicked on thechange the active missiles.Turret ViewIf your ship has a turret, you can click on the icon below the missile, andanother icon will apear on the right, clicking on that will change your view to theturret weapon."I've seen things, you people wouldn't believe, hmmm.... attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.I've watched C Beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate.All those moments, will be lost in time like tears in rain...""... time to die ...”From the album "Blade Runner" - Vangelis - Tears In RainHOW TO STARTThe next section has the basic details to help you chose which game start to use and to alsohelp you understand where you are, what the universe has out there and how to Trade, Fight,Build and Think in the X Universe.So when you start a new game, you will find yourself in a small ship flying in a huge universe,like a small boat floating in the middle of a vast ocean, you might be not sure about whichdirection to go or what to do next. Your goals may not be small either; your aims might eveninclude universal domination, a massive trading empire, be a hero to all, or to be all of thesethings and more.These are not small goals for such a basic starting position, but they are all very achievable,this universe was made for you and if you are up to the challenge, you can make it yours.Game Start OptionsThere are three main game start options, which also include the Story Plot. There are bonusgame starts, some of which are available immediately and others that can be unlocked byachieving various goals within the plot games. The different storyline plot start levels onlyaffect the equipment you start with; they do not affect the rest of the game play. The non-plotstarts not only change the ship and Credits you start with but also how friendly or hostile theuniverse is to you.The Quickstart is good for those who are starting out in the X universe for the first time andeven those who have played the previous versions as it has good ships that are wellequipped to get you off to a good and quicker start to greater riches.27The Normal game is a reasonable good start for those who are familiar with previous the Xgames and those new players who like not have it too easy as it gives you a basic start shipwith some challenge still left for you to achieve.Finally in the X-treme start, you are given the nearest thing to a spacesuit and a rucksack,and it is aimed at those who like to climb steep and very vertical mountains, but if you areaiming to end up with the X-treme ranks, it is good to start how you intend to carry on and itlooks good in your stats.

Quick Start 2 x Salvage insurance Quickstart Quickstart Normal X-tremeCredits 100,000 5000 450Ship Buster Mercury Buster BusterBeta Particle Accelerator Cannon 4x 2xBeta Impulse Ray Emitter2x5 MJ Shield 3x 2x 2x 1xFlight Command Software MK2 XFlight Command Software MK1 XTrade Command Software MK1 X XTriplex ScannerXDuplex ScannerXBoost Extension X X XBest Selling Price Locator X XBest Buys Locator X XSingularity Engine Time Accelerator X X X XVideo Enhancement Goggles X X XEngine Tuning 175.86-175.86 75-100 163.3-175.86 163.3-175.86Cargo Bay 108-108 3000-4000 108-108 23-108With any of the levels you start there are a few recommended upgrades that are helpful tohave installed, above what the ship is equipped with:Trading system extension, Navigation Command SoftwareIf you are starting Normal and X-treme modes the Best Buys and Best Selling upgrades arealso recommended for you to purchase and install.WHERE ARE YOU?You start in Argon Prime the main sector of the Argon race, there are four gates North, East,West and South (NEWS). This sector is in the middle of a number of Argon Sectors, whichextend to the borders of other races and their territories.Races and their sectors (What’s it like out there?)Argon - This is where you start (you are here) in the sector of Argon Prime, which isat the centre of their main territory. Argon sectors are fairly law abiding, well-policed andreasonably safe places to be. The Argon ships have a very industrial and functional lookabout them, reflecting the nature of the Argon. There is the odd pirate, but fairly active patrolships let them know they are not welcome. Argon sectors offer a fairly safe haven for you tostart your trading, and have nearby pirate sectors for you to develop your combat and shipcapturing skills without damaging your good reputation too much.28Boron - Sometimes referred to as the boring Boron, they are in fact a very peacefulunderwater race that are allied to the Argon. They are disliked very much by the Split, whoare their exact opposites. Boron ships have an organic feel and look to them, often lightlyshielded, average weapons but reasonably fast, and despite their good looks, are oftencheaper than similar classes of ships elsewhere. There are only a few pirates in these sectorsas like the Argon ones they are well patrolled, and pirates find them too mundane for theirtypes of business.Teladi -Traders by nature, profits and commerce drive their sectors’ interaction with all otherraces. Their sectors can be infested with pirates and as a result can be both profitable anddangerous places to deal in. Teladi ships are built with other-race technologies, and aredesigned with profits in mind, having larger than average cargo bays but good shields. Whereother races place restrictions on what ships and equipment they will sell you, the Teladisectors only apply this rule in a limited fashion. You can't directly raise your Teladi rank bykilling pirates, as the Teladi do business with them.Split - The Split sectors can be relatively safe places to trade. Although they are mildlytolerant of some illegal trades such as space flies and slaves, and hence have some minorpirate activity in their sectors, they are not too friendly to anyone, including pirates. Their ships

are usually light on shields, with good weapons and fast. If you want to dock with theirstations you will have to get on their good side by proving you are worthy of respect, usuallyby showing your skill in combat. Try removing some pirates and see how they respond.Paranid – An arrogant race, who look upon all others as unworthy of their attention. They maychoose to raise their opinion of you to a mere unholy miscreant should you catch their goodside by killing the odd pirate or two. Doing so might allow you to soil their presence bydocking at their stations. Their ship technology is very good, producing fast ships withadvanced weapons, but low cargo space. They provide fairly save havens for trading andpolice their sectors with fleets of ships that remove any hostile forces with speed. Theirsectors are like those of the Boron, - in that they are good places for safe trading andadvanced equipment.Pirate - These sectors are lawless territories and wastelands. Do not take them lightly. Beingrisky places to travel across, ensure your transporters are protected should they choose tonavigate through such sectors in their trading ventures. You will not find any police patrolsscanning your ship for illegal wares, but this freedom is balanced out by the greater risk ofattack. Their ships are generally well equipped with weapons, fast and deadly in packs ofRaider, Vanguard, Sentinel, Hauler and Standard fighter class ships.Xenon - These sectors are only for those who have ships armed to the teeth or fast enough toevade Xenon interceptor craft. Your combat skills should be formidable, your nerve all butunbreakable. In some of their sectors you will find enough Xenon present to test your skills innavigation and evasion. With the ability to calculate intercept and attack vectors far fasterthan any organic being, your best chance of survival may well be through brute forcetempered with a greater than average degree of luck.Kha’ak - You will find here your place to die, many times over. When your reputation is highenough you will be able to access the Kha’ak sectors through the purchase of sectorcoordinates. Should you be foolish enough, you may consider jumping to them. Here you canimprove your fighting skills and ranks, albeit at great risk to your well-being.HOW TO DOCK AT STATIONSDocking with stationsDocking of ships with stations can becompleted optionally under manual control(only to be carried out by skilled pilots) orautomatically by using the Quick Menu,[ Target ] [ Dock ] or by keyboard [ Shift+d ](Docking Computer required) if keys aremapped, or the [ Shift+u ] keys for AutoPilot. The station’s docking clamps willsecure the ship, protected from harm withinits extremely powerful shields.All stations have implemented the upgradeto external clamp docking, which thoughoriginally designed to allow larger ships todock at all stations, became more widelyadopted when it was made a political issue, with heavy lobbying from the Teladi and Split.Their disagreement was about the continuously rising costs of repairing internal stationdamage, caused by young unskilled pilots who, often intoxicated by space fuel or other illegalsubstances, damaged the station while entering or leaving the docking bays.29Many suspect that this is really motivated by the Teladi’s desire to increase internal storage ofall their stations, so they can use large surplus stocks to influence the markets.

Others have suggested that the Teladi and Split realised that this development would result inless ships parked in stations, and this would force stations to be more reliant on free traders,which has been seen to be the case since docking clamp installations became the norm.The Command Console is one of the mostpowerful functions within X³: Reunion. Here youwill find many features that will allow you tomanage your ships and factories. You can chooseby default which races are your enemy with theFriend-Foe recognition system. The CommandConsole is accessed from the Main Menu andthen pressing Enter, Ship or by [ Shift+c ] whileoutside of the menus.Eventually, you will have to dock at a station, and especially early on, you’ll need to do thisfrequently. If you have selected a target station, select [ Target ] [ Dock ] which will tell yourship to dock with it.If you have read the section detailing the keyboard then you will know some of the keyboardshort cuts by now. After selecting a Target Station, by pressing the [ Shift+d ] keys will alsotell your ship to dock at your target depending on the installed software upgrades your shiphas. After this selection, your ship will now start its docking procedure, leaving you free to doother things in the other menus if you want to, such as control other ships and managefactories.Other Console CommandsBy default every ship you acquire (legally or illegally) will have the basic command consolesoftware installed that allows you to navigate your vessels. However, there are variousupgrades that can be purchased that will enhance the functionality of the console and enablethe automation of your fleet of ships.The graphic shows a ship with the “Trade”,“Special” and “Combat” software extensionsinstalled. Of course, these upgrades can be allinstalled together.Once an upgrade has been purchased, your shipwill have additional sub-commands available asthe following examples show. There are twodifferent (I and II) upgrades that can be acquiredfor your ships that add functionality in eachsection. For example there is Combat I and II.30Once a combat upgrade has been acquired you can setthe intelligence of each weapon turret (if available),including missile fire probability, on the ship. Since thelarger ships can have many turrets it is entirely possibleto establish a mix between missile defence andoffensive posture around your vessel. Bear this in mindwhen you are “shopping” for weapons to mount into yourturrets. High powered, slow firing lasers are no match forsmall nimble fighters and missiles, so mix in lowerpowered faster firing ones. You will need to seek out thevarious upgrades, as not all are necessarily available atthe same place, so you will have to travel to other race sectors for some."When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasyhas meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge." - Albert Einstein

HOW TO TRAVEL TO DIFFERENT SECTORSThere are two very important functions of your ships systems that you will not be able to gettoo far without. These are the Sector map and the Universe map accessed by the comma [ , ]and full stop (period) [ . ] keys respectively or the Quick Menu by selecting [ Navigation ]. Thedisplays are overlaid onto your main view and you are advised to keep your eyes focused onyour trajectory. Some pilots find it beneficial to stop their engines while accessing thenavigation aids or indeed they do this from the comfort and security of docking clamps at alarger ship or station, so avoiding collisions while otherwise distracted.The sector map is divided into two main sections. The left part is the real time “top down” viewof the sector and is always orientated in the same direction. I.e. The North is top and theSouth is bottom.Navigation and travelling across big sectors31The Universe is big, and can be very big in some sectors. To give scale to the size of some ofthese, the above pictures show the scanning range of a Triplex scanner in two different sizedsectors. The screen on the left has two ships in an unknown sector, the left one has noscanner and the right one has a Triplex scanner. The picture on the right is the same ship,with the same Triplex scanner in Argon Prime. You can get Duplex scanners from most of the

aces but you will have to have a good reputation with the Boron or Paranid to get Triplexscanners.How to Find Distant GatesTo complicate the navigation, many Gates are not positioned in exact North, East, West andSouth (NEWS) locations and can also be positioned well outside the sector grid, with as muchas 200 km or more between them. Additionally some sectors have dust and nebula fog thatmake many objects and factories almost invisible until you are almost on top of them.Most but not all gates, where the opposing gate is also well outside the sector range, can benavigated by continuing in the same direction as you entered the sector.If you detect ships in your scanner range, you will sometimes see long lines of ships, whichseem to be coming from far out of the sector. Heading in the direction they are coming fromwill reveal the gate that they entered the sector by.Alternatively in some very large sectors where gates are in difficult to find locations, you canfind Navigation Beacons that you can follow to find the main ship traffic lane.The complications of navigation in large sectors has resulted in some abandoned ships andcargo drifting well outside the normal traffic lanes and never being recovered or discovered, iffound these can then be claimed.Object MenusThe right hand side of the sector display has “ALL”, “STATIONS” and “SHIPS”. “ALL” showsboth stations and ships. A busy sector can contain hundreds of objects so the “STATIONS”and “SHIPS” tabs can be filtered respectively.From any menu you can highlight the object and select it. This will open that object’sproperties screens, from which all further options will become available, these are dependenton the object type and ownership. All your owned objects appear in green in the sector mapsand menus and the shield strength of owned property is updated dynamically.Universe Map -This is a visual impression of all thesystems in the Universe that you havevisited so far. Like the system display,the Universe map is updatedautomatically for all areas you havevisited so far or have Satellites in.32You can use the arrow keys to move themap view from system to system orpress the first letter of a system name tojump straight there, repeat to go to thenext system that begins with the letter.Information and the history of theselected Sector is displayed on the right."The journey is the reward.” - Taoist Saying

STRATEGIES OF PLAYIn this section there are two main general routes or strategies for you to start your game play.In both of these the main aim is to obtain more Credits, to buy upgrades, bigger or differentships. You also need a good reputation with the races from which you are buying theseupgrades and ships.The first strategy is for you to go through the basic steps in using Trading for your Credits,which can be supplemented by also completing Bulletin Board missions. When you trade anddo missions in a race sector, your reputation will increase the more they get to know you.The second route that can be equally or even more profitable is to fight your way to riches bygaining reputation and rank, while you take on the baddies by destroying or even capturingships. You can take the equipment of these captures to upgrade your own current ship oreven obtain bigger ships, by claiming, repairing and swapping your current equipment intothem. Information about capturing and claiming are detailed just a bit further on.You might also mix both of these strategies and by alternating between them, ensure that allyour race reputations, trading and fighting ranks all increase together.HOW TO PROGRESSReputation is everythingTo get what you want, as mentioned, you have tworoutes, one is to buy good ships and equip them withadvanced upgrades, but you will need a goodreputation with that race to buy some of theirupgrades, weapons and an even higher reputation tobuy some of their more classy big ships.You can do this by trading with them and or by helpingthem to remove hostiles like Kha’ak, Xenon or Pirates.In the trading menu on the right you can see someitems are listed in red as you do not have a highenough race rank to buy them.At the bottom left you will see your current reputationwith the Argon is in this case ‘Argon Trusted Ally’ butto buy the Beta Flak Artillery Array weapon, you cansee on the bottom right that the rank of ’ArgonFederation Marshal’ is required, which is a further twosteps away from the current ranking.There are a number of things you cannot do or are restricted in doing because of your currentfighting rank and race notoriety. If you improve these you can:33• You can earn more on combat missions if you have a higher fighting rank• Buy or sell higher-grade tech and weapons obtained by any means• Barter for better trading profits with ill-gotten cargo• Gamble your wealth for higher gains• Get paid more Credits for trading missionsIf you want to impress a particular race, so you can increase your status with them quickly tobuy that M3 or M6 class ship you want, there are a few additional ways to achieve this:

a) Obtaining a Police license will in itself require a reasonable status to be able topurchase one. They are only available when a race trusts you, after you haverepeatedly removed the unwelcome from their sectors.With a Police license you will then get paid for each of your kills and you will also beable to use a Freight Scanner legally, which should also provide the less honest withadditional bonuses of cargo you force smugglers to drop.It is not easy to discover a smuggler as they naturally do not advertise what they aredoing and when you have scanned a ship and you find illegal wares you can/mustask them to drop the wares.Most smugglers will be sensible and drop the illegal cargo, but some who are naturalfoes of the local race may try to avoid dropping the cargo. Sometimes when scannedthe smuggler may turn out to be a pirate. Scanning of large ships is recursive so ifillegal cargo is in a ship that is docked within another, it will still be revealed.If you are successful with scanning and in making them drop their illegal wares, youwill gain additional reputation with the local sector race.b) By accepting Xenon Taxi missions to escort shady characters, you will then have thechance to impress the locals and gain reputation at the same time, by clearing up theXenon mini-invasion you provoked by doing this mission.c) Jumping in and out of Xenon sectors and destroying Xenon ships will cause theXenon to call for replacements. As these replacements then travel through other racesectors to reach the Xenon sectors, you will then have the chance to help the localrace remove these invaders, which will benefit your recognition with them.d) You can enlist in Xenon Invasion missions that not only provide substantial Creditrewards, but they also give you the chance to improve your reputation with the locals.e) The destruction of Kha’ak clusters is a great way to improve reputation as theyprovide a reasonably large number of ships for you to gain notoriety by eliminating.f) Trading by selling goods or containers to a race will also improve your standing withthem. Setting up factories in their sectors also has the same effect.34g) Placing standard or advanced Satellites in sectors provides a very effective way tolocate Pirates and other enemies in transit. You can jump to the gate they areheading towards and make your kill or capture, increasing your fighting and racerank. For best placement of Satellites, when you enter a sector, nose-up your ship 30degrees and place well above the middle of the sector.h) Reputation can be earned by understanding the conflicts of the different races in theuniverse. If you are prepared to lose or lower your reputation with one race, you cantarget ships from their traditional enemies.Gain rank withArgonBoronParanidSplitTeladiBy killingParanid, Kha'ak, Xenon or Pirates in Argon spaceSplit, Kha'ak, Xenon or Pirates in Boron spaceArgon, Kha'ak, Xenon or Pirates in Paranid spaceBoron, Kha'ak, Xenon or Pirates in Split spaceKha'ak or Xenon in Teladi space (No rep gain for killing Pirates)

HOW TO START TRADINGTrading is one of the most important features in the X Universe and essentially there are twodifferent levels to it. The first level is the easiest and most straightforward, that is buying,transporting and then selling goods at the various stations (at a profit of course!). The nextlevel is buying and managing your own factories, keeping them supplied with their requiredresources and then selling the finished product to other stations which need it. You may alsodecide to command other ships in your fleet to go out and trade automatically for you. Fornow though, we will stick with basic trading.The key to good profit margins is understanding stock levels; the higher the stock a factoryhas, the cheaper the selling price is, so these are the factories where you should buy. Thebest places to sell this cheaper stock is to factories with low stocks, as their buying prices willbe higher than others. Factories selling or buying with average stocks will only provideaverage profits. The Best Buy and Sell upgrades are essential for trading as they provide avery quick way of finding the cheapest items to buy and the best place to sell them in asector. They can be purchased at Teladi Equipment Docks.A beginner’s guide to a trading runYou will soon find that there are ships better suited thanothers to trading. Some ships cannot trade certain goodsdue to the size of the cargo. You can discover these, butfor now we’ll just concentrate on how to trade. We’regoing to buy some Energy Cells from a Solar PowerPlant in The Wall and sell them to the WeaponComponent Factory Alpha in Argon Prime. Once dockedat our chosen Solar Power Plant, the price of the EnergyCells will be revealed to us. We have selected The Wallas it is normally easy to find a well-stocked station filledwith Energy Cells.You will soon learn to recognise a specific station fromits appearance, and also how it is depicted on yourRadar (Solar Power Plants have unique symbols). Youmay also find it useful to look for the station logosadvertising their wares.Your ship’s computer will tell you once you’ve targetedand locked on to a Solar Power Plant – you now need todock there. Once docked, you can select Station, Tradeto trade with the station. This will reveal the trade screen as right:You will now be able to see the status of the factory, in terms of how much stock it holds, theselling price, how many units of resources it has, and the buying price of these resources.Without giving too much away, as a guide a good price for purchasing Energy Cells is 12 – 16Credits per unit. To buy the product, highlight it and then you have several options to tell thecomputer how much you want to buy:35All the Trade menus can be controlled with M.O.U.S.E cursor or you can use the standardData Input Interface.1. Enter the number of units and hit Right Cursor and Return. If you have sufficient Credits,the cargo is bought and transferred to your cargo hold.2. Press End and then Return. If you have sufficient Credits, and the station has enough ofthat product, this will fill up your cargo hold to the maximum available.3. Use the Left and Right Cursor keys to increase or decrease the amount required and thenhit Return once you have decided.

You might notice that after you have made your purchase the selling price for the Energyincreases because the factory now has less to sell.On each option you will be able to see how your Credits are affected. If you refer back to theprevious picture, you will see how many Credits we haveat the start.NOTE: It is important to remember that you can only buyproducts and not resources in any factory. Similarly, youcan only sell resources and not products to any factory.Now, after our transaction of buying 2970 units ofEnergy Cells, the screen will change to reflect thepurchase. You can also see from the status bar near thebottom that there is no longer any space left in our cargobay. So we need to sell the Energy Cells as soon aspossible and make some money on our trade. You willremember that we had planned to sell this cargo in theWeapon Component Factory Alpha in Argon Prime. Thisnow is a key part of trading. On one hand, you may spota trade opportunity and act accordingly to fill the need(you have to be quick though – someone else might getthere first!). On the other hand, you may simply spot agreat buying opportunity at a price that is too good to resist, and then start looking around forsomewhere to sell your goods afterwards.Arriving at the Weapon Component Factory Alpha, we again enter the Trade Menu, but thistime we wish to sell our goods instead of buy. Again, the commands to sell the goods are verysimilar to those used to buy:1. Enter the number of units using the Left Cursor and then hit the Return key. The cargo issold and transferred from your cargo hold. The Credits are transferred to your account.2. Press Home and then Return. This will transfer all (if the factory is able to accept thatamount) of your cargo of that ware. The Credits are transferred to your account.3. Alternatively, use the Left and Right Cursor Keys to increase or decrease the amount youwish to sell, and then hit Return once you have decided. The Credits will be transferred toyour account.The picture (right), after our trade, shows our newaccount balance of 148,790 Credits. We bought 2970units of Energy Cells at 12 Credits and then sold themall for 19 Credits. That short trade run gave us a profit of20,790 Credits and we only started with 128,000!36Larger, dedicated transport ships can carry far more andalso more varieties of cargo so you may find that hugeprofits can be made once you can afford one of theseships.Example of a One Million Credit Trading runThe Quick Start is a well-equipped start level with100,000 Credits that provides a good start to trading. Asthis is a trading run, we will move some equipment fromthe Argon Buster to your Argon Mercury Transporter.Dock at the Equipment Dock and from the menu select[Station], [Ship], [Freight Exchange] to transfer the BestBuy Locator, Best selling price locator, Boost extension, Triplex Scanner and NavigationCommand Software into the Mercury, then change ships with the menu [Personal] [ChangeShips].

While docked, go to the trading menu and buy:• Trade command software Mk2 3,508• Trading extension 8,984• Rudder Optimisation x5 2,085• Engine Tuning x5 10,550Total 25,127You can leave the Buster at the docking station, rent-free while you trade or you can sell itsshields and weapons to increase the cargo capacity of the Mercury from 3000 to 4000, thiswill result in a 20% increase of the figures listed in the example below, which would have thenextended these profits to about a million Credits.Your trades will not exactly match those in the trading run below, as each game starts withslightly different stock levels. When you undock use the Best Buy upgrade with the menu orthe number [ 5 ] key. This will nearly always highlight the Meatsteaks in an Argon TradingStation as a good buy. After you have gone to the Trading Station and bought the Meatsteaksand you have undocked you can press the same key or Quick Menu to get the best selloptions, which will show you who will pay the most Credits for your Meatsteaks.Example trade run with starting funds of 74,873 (100,000-25127 purchases)Sector Station1 Product Buy Quantity Price Sold Sector Sold Station Sold @ Trip TotalProfitArgon Prime Trading Station Meatsteaks 748 72 Argon Prime Quantum Fab 106 25432 100305Herron’s Nebula Ore Mine Ore 374 136 Argon Prime Seeker Plant 184 17952 119680Home of Light Trading Station Meatsteaks 748 72 Argon Prime Crystal Fab 101 21692 141372The Wall SPP Energy 2994 15 Argon Prime Laser 19 11976 153348Argon Prime Swarm Plant Wasp 134 1145 Argon Prime Equipment 1348 27202 181003The Wall SPP Energy 2994 14 Herron’s Nebula Cahoona Bakery 19 14970 195973Herron’s Nebula Cahoona Meatsteaks 748 47 Argon Prime Swarm 97 37400 233373Argon Prime Swarm Wasp 90 MK 1235 Argon Prime Equipment 1348 10170 243543Herron’s Nebula Ore Mine Ore 374 96 Argon Prime Weapon Comp 172 24354 271967The Wall Trading Station Meatsteaks 748 72 Argon Prime Chip Plant 89 12716 284683Herron’s Nebula Space Fuel Space Fuel 121 M 748 Herron TS 1252 345667Herron’s Nebula Rimes Fact Rimes 1243 278 Argon Prime Weapon Comp 660/353 60984 403329Argon Prime Trading Station 583/292Home of Light Trading Station Stott 799 72 Home of Light Cahoona Bakery 77 3995 407324Ore Belt SPP Energy 2992 12 Ore Belt Ore Mine 18 17952 425276Ore Belt Ore Mine Ore 374 50 CBSE HEPT 127 28798 454074Ore Belt Ore Mine Ore 374 Argon Prime Weapon 133 456698Herron’s Nebula Space Fuel Space Fuel 448 605 Herron’s Nebula Trading Station 1252Atreus Clouds, Brennan’s Triumph, Priest Pity, Bad Debt Pirate Base 1252 746554Excerpt from Trading Log Rank improved to Retailer Trading covered six SectorsThese first trading details quickly netted a very good profit and they built up a good cash potfor larger purchases. The last trade in buying the Space Fuel from Herron’s Nebula tookadvantage of a large stock that could be sold to a range of high-paying buyers at the TradingStation and Pirate Bases in other sectors, pirate bases will buy/sell at very high prices, waresthat are illegal in the sector that the pirate base is in.37Making Better TradesThe Free Traders are actively seeking the same opportunities that you are, they are verycompetitive, and will often have an advantage with the large cargo bays of their SuperFreighters. Here are some options that will help;• Place Satellites in sectors that you intend to trade in a lot, the advanced satellites inthe larger sectors as they have a wider scanning range. Place them in the middle of agroup of factories or the sector, well above the highest factories. They will allow you

to look for more and better profit margins, when buying or selling, as the Best Buyand Sell upgrade will allow you to then look each sector in turn to see a good deal,without having to be in that sector.• Bartering spare stocks is an effective way to sell goods you do not have animmediate market for, and with a good rep also pick up some good bargains to sell.• Buy the largest transporters you can afford, for example a basic Mercury with 4,000cargo space full of resources that you can sell at 20 Credits profit per unit makes80,000. But a cargo bay of 11,000 will make you 220,000 profits.• Make sure you upgrade the speed optimisations of your ship, so you can deliverfaster, time is money and delay is lost opportunity and sometimes you will have torace against a Free Trader to get your stock delivered first.• Make use of the Trading Extension upgrade and check before you dock to make adelivery in case a Free Trader has wiped out the margin by delivering to the factoryjust before you do, if they have, use the Best Sell option to sell elsewhere, in that oranother sector.• Factories can hold very large stocks, so the largest cargo bay and expansions youcan add to your ships will mean greater profits per trip. For instance Ore can bebought at low prices and sold for very high prices, especially in Boron sectors. Youwill however need a very large 4000+ cargo bay to buy all the stock in one go as Oretakes up a lot more space per unit than other wares.• Exploit smaller sectors for quick profits with your slower freighters, and send yourfaster ones to the bigger sectors.• Explore other sectors like the Boron’s and find additional trading routes for items likeBoFu, this applies to the other race sectors and their main food resources.Opportunities also exist for good deals as mentioned in the BBS as transportingDelexian Wheat from Argon sectors to Boron Sectors will also produces good profits.• Trading in food and bio offers good profits, trading in Minerals like Ore and Siliconprovide even better profit margins. High tech and some illegal wares can yield veryhigh profits, but you will need a high reputation.• Complexes create additional benefits of multiple products being sold by them and aone-stop shop for you to deliver large volumes of resources. Upgrading to a SuperFreighter with 11,000-cargo bay will provide a faster return for its purchase price.38Understanding the X Universe EconomyThe economy in the X Universe is unique in that it is dynamically priced. What this literallymeans is that the prices of goods are affected by supply and demand or by wars and theft. Asan example, if a Solar Power Plant is well stocked with Energy Cells then the selling price willbe low – this is the principle of supply. However, if a Weapon Component Factory is low onthe Energy Cells that it needs to continue producing Ammunition, then that factory will pay apremium price for any Energy Cells delivered to it, as the demand is high.If you spot two stations stocks that match this criteria, then congratulations – you have justdiscovered a very profitable trading opportunity. You may find that some sectors have whatcan be classed as ‘milk runs’, that is where there is (nearly) always a profit to be made. Traderoutes such as this will be very important to you as you strive to gain more Credits. Later, asyou gain more Credits, you will find methods and upgrades that will make trading even moreprofitable and easier. In addition to factories, you will also find Trading Stations scatteredaround the X universe which will buy and sell a limited amount of products at fixed prices.

Each race has a hierarchy of goods it manufactures. Some are common across the races andothers specific to a race. At the bottom of the ‘technology pyramid’ are the widely availableraw materials like Energy, Bio and Minerals. At the top are the luxury goods and technologicalsystems including weapons, with various products in-between.If the local availability of a product is low, its price will increase. Likewise, the price willdecrease when quantities are increased through the manufacturing processes of eachfactory.Other Useful Trading ToolsAs we mentioned, the economy in the X universe is dynamic and inter-dependent. A shortageof one specific resource can have knock-on effects throughout the whole universe, especiallyif it is a base product that all stations require, such as Energy Cells.The Teladi are a race driven almost solely by profit and their trading secrets are well guarded.The Split curator of the Profit Guild, Hut F’Naak did however commence work on a valuableresource known as the Trading Pyramid, but he has since vanished. Rumours that the Teladiassassinated him cannot be substantiated, however the early parts of his work still exist asshown below:39Hut F’Naak’s notes, that formed the basis of the above, are detailed below. You are remindedthat this information may not be entirely complete or accurate.Most of the factories that produce end-products like missiles, shields or other weapons rely onprimary resources like energy, ore and food products. Primary resources are what a factoryneeds to build its end-product, but it can also use secondary resources where the primaryresources are in short supply.As most Teladi hatchlings learn in their first lessons, although it can be profitable to just keepbuilding factories to supply primary resources, the demand for these products will decreasewhen the market reaches a point of saturation, seriously reducing your potential profits.

So, in practice, building factories based on an initial winning formula will prove not to be asprofitable as their quantity increases.Captains of Teladi industry all agree that the building and positioning of factories requirescareful examination of the supply and demand; for instance, finding factories that arecontinually running low on primary resources and secondary resources will provide you withopportunities to name your own selling price for these goods. Where these opportunities canlead to even higher profits, is when you find that the surrounding sectors are also short ofthese resources.Traders, who are either a profit liability or successful company directors, will know that theeconomy can not only rise and fall in response to supply and demand, but also due to theft,war or natural disasters. These events can make some trading lanes too dangerous to beprofitable for those who don’t take risks, but a well-protected and nearby supply can lead tohigh long-term profits for those with a wise head and a strong arm.“Don't tell me that man doesn't belong out there. Man belongs wherever he wants to go - and he'll doplenty well when he gets there“. Wernher von BraunBUILDING FACTORIESThe response to the threat of the Kha’ak has produced a whole range of innovativedevelopments and technologies employed in station building. These hi-tech advances haveresulted in larger and more powerful stations. The revolutionary new designs for integratedfactory complexes were designed to reduce the reliance on transporters and their loss due toattack.These have now been upgraded with the more powerful 10 Gigajoule shields that arecapable of protecting them and their docked ships. There have been rumours that the Teladihave been fitting these station shields to their destroyers. This strategic change in attitudeand building development has recently inspired ever larger and more extraordinary designs,transforming station building.40Deciding to go it alone and building the first of many factories or complexes is a moment ofgreat pride. You may or may not have the funds for your own TL station carrier, or you mightbe ready to create a group of factories that supply each other and provide an end product.Whatever you intend to do, big or small, setting these up and even going further with aninterconnected factory complex, your first start to empire building will be a lasting memory.

WHERE TO BUILD YOUR FACTORYWhen you set up your factories you should manufacture a product which is in demand in thatsector. If there are too few Solar Power Plants to supply the energy resources or evenenough local Crystal Fabs to supply the power plants, this is when you may consider settingup multiple factories, which can then produce these resources.There are many factors to be considered when setting up multiple factories, the productselling prices and resource buying prices, the distance to available resources and the localdemand for your product. This is best done after you have checked what is beingmanufactured in the economy of nearby sectors.You will have to set up the prices and decide if your factories are restricted to buying theirresources exclusively from your factories and/or for them to be supplemented by localsupplies. Another very effective way to meet your energy needs, while increasing your profitsis to set up a factory loop.Factory sizes of Small (1xS) Medium (2xM) and Large (3xL) provide the opportunity to setupresource to supply those factories with quantities that meet their needs. An L sized factory willhave the production of three standard factories and will require proportionally the sameresources. A larger mine will also produce three times the resources of a typical mine.Location, location, locationFactory placement is all about finding the most profitable place to market your product. It isbetter to identify a need that you can fulfil by building a factory for, than to find a place that willbe best for the factory product you want to sell.Low Priced Food = Average profitsA good first factory in the Argon sectors bordering or in Boron space is a Delexian WheatFarm and it is best placed where there are a reasonable number of Cahoona Bakeries in thesector. There are no other Delexian Wheat Farms in the vicinity but choose one with nearbyEnergy supplies. Another good starting product would be BoFu in Kingdom’s End or BoGas inOcean of Fantasy, which has a number of badly supplied BoFu plants.Mid Priced Silicon = Good profitsThere is good demand for Silicon in Argon Prime and most hi-tech production areas, but noasteroids in it, so locating a high yield asteroid South of there with nearby Energy supplies isimportant. A good place for one of these is in Ore Belt where there are plenty of asteroids andsome good yields and high stocks of Energy in the same sector. A Silicon mine can produce300+ Credits profit per unit, when factories have low stocks and are buying at 700+.High Priced Shields & High Tech – Very high profits1GJ and 10 GJ Shield Production Facilities are best placed in sectors with nearby EquipmentDocks. So a good place for one of these would be Home of Light as you then have threesectors nearby that have Equipment Docks i.e. Argon Prime, Red Light and Cloud BaseSouth East.Always check out the local demand for resources before you build factories. If they are foodfactories make sure they are needed. In many Argon sectors there is a shortage of CahoonaBakeries and most races have insufficient Energy Plants, Silicon/Ore Mines and Crystal Fabs.As mentioned the Boron sectors are good places for Delexian wheat. Additionally by placing afactory near one that already sells the same product will allow you to entice some or a lot ofits customers to your factory, especially if you selling cheaper.41If you buy a Large factory complex that has the same production of 3X factories, it is veryimportant that you checkout the market in the sectors you might want to put it in, as the outputwill be high, your profits can be very high if there is good long term high demand in that sectorand in the sectors next to it.

How to hire a TL-class large transport shipStart the setting up of a single station by hiring a ‘Transport Large’-class ship. Theseenormous ships with ST cargo bays are required to carry the construction kit, materials anddrones for factories and stations around the sectors. These huge ships are amazing to watch,as they transport three or more stations at a time, but it wise to keep clear of their path asthey are slow to stop or turn and will just plough through you if you are in their way.A checklist of items for your first station. Ensure:• You have researched where you are going to place your factory by ensuring thatthere will be a demand for your products.• You have enough Credits to:oooooBuy the factoriesPay the TL Captain up to 10,000 Credits for each sector they travel through.(Warning if you do not have enough Credits for the whole journey, yourfactory might be sold by the captain, and you might lose your Credits).Buy one or more well equipped TS class transporters, to buy resources foryour factories.To invest in the initial raw materials or alternatively have a large starting stockof resources to get it startedHave a 200,000 Credit start-up fund for your station to pay for resources.Factories may cost between 400,000 to almost 20 million Credits, so in deciding to go for oneof the basic factories with all the above, a rough figure of about 1,000,000 Credits would berequired.Class TL – Argon MammothThe first step is to contact a TLCaptain by getting within 8km ofthe ship and using the comm.Instruct the Captain to followyou. Then head to the Shipyard.As you arrive comm. the TLCaptain again and ask them tomove to the shipyard, and thenselect the Shipyard from themap. If you select the shipyardfrom your flying ship and press[ I ] you will be able to buy andsell without docking (if TradingSystem Extension is installed).42The factories available will turn from unavailable red to available white when the TL hasdocked with the shipyard. Purchase the factory and comm. the TL Captain to follow you or tomove to the sector you want to set your factory up in. Take this opportunity, by using the[ PgDn ] key, to purchase the TS ships that you will need to get the resources for your factory.Remember that you have to be in the sector where you need your station, to get the TLCaptain to place your station. Should your hired TL be destroyed while carrying your preciouscargo, you will receive a message to that effect.When the TL is in the immediate area of where you want it to be, comm. the TL Captain andask them to drop your freight here. Use the Factory Positioning and [ Insert ] keys to positionit in the X and Y-axis and set it’s orientation. (More info at Command Keys - FactoryPositioning)Alternatively if you are constructing a Silicon or Ore mine, you have will have to ask the TLCaptain to move to position, by selecting the target asteroid as the position to move to. Whenit gets within 4 km of the asteroid ask the TL Captain to Drop your freight and select theasteroid.

Once the factory is positioned, you need to do a few more things:• Transfer enough money for its transporters to buy supplies with.• Assign some transporters by setting the new factory as their home base. Then, usingthe command console, use the trade menu to order them to buy resources (musthave Trading Software installed).• Set the buying price for resources and the selling price for products.• Define the jump setting. This determines the maximum number of gate jumps a shipis allowed to do to buy or sell goods. If you increase the buying prices for a resource,the jump distance for the available factories selling at that price will decrease.• In the Command Console’s additional command slots you may set the ‘Auto moneytransfer to player account’ funds limit.Note: If ships are allowed to travel too great a distance, your factory may often run out ofresources or your ship might have to travel across too many hostile sectors and getdestroyed. Remember that Free Trader ships will never sell to your station; they only buy yourproducts if the price is right.Moving Factories with a Tractor BeamThere are many reasons you may want to reposition yourfactory, for instance changing its position for better complexjoining, deciding to organise their locations according forgrouping by manufactured goods or you simply change yourmind where you wanted it to be sited.The Tractor Beam can be used to pull objects you own from oneplace to another. Attempting to tow away someone else’sproperty may earn you some unwelcome company. Firstly you'llneed to have a ship capable of mounting this device, either a TLor an M6, and then once acquired, install it in the appropriateweapon bay.The range at which the Tractor Beam (TB) locks onto an object can vary according to theobject's magnetic field density. Generally a lock can be achieved up to 3.75km distant. Whensufficiently close fire the TB at the object, bear in mind that some objects may not evenappear to be in range of the beam, due to the weapons systems not being optimised for thisnewly developed technology.Once the TB has been established you shouldsee a green energy beam linking your ship withthe object being towed. The optimum towingspeed is between 1-10m/s (forward andreverse). Due to inertia, travelling at speedsgreater than 10m/s will cause the TB to loseintegrity and eventually the beam's lock will bebroken (you will notice an unwelcome change inthe beam's colour before it disconnects). Toavoid a break of lock, you can simply slow downand allow the object to catch up. The beam'sintegrity will also return to nominal levels.43The magnetic field of the object, coupled with the effect of the Tractor Beam, can cause thetowed object to rotate in reaction to fluctuations in the magnetic field. Pilots should be wary ofthis. There is sometimes a 'sweet spot', especially when towing mines, in which the TB is not

so affected by the object's magnetic field and the object actually stops rotating. Finding this,for most pilots, involves trial and error.Setting up Factory LoopsA factory loop is where you have for instance an end product like Energy, with all its requiredresources supplied by your factories, which may also solve any local supply problems. Theuniverse can often have an economic downturn and if you want to have lots of your factoriesworking effectively, a closed loop may help supply the energy they need.There are three types of factory loops that can be set up, according to the requirements of thelocal supply and demand.(a) Closed loops, where only your factories supply each other.(b) Mixed loops, when some factories are open to trade with local traders.(c) Open loops, where all of your factories are open to local traders like the multiple factoriesabove.Here is an example of a basic energy-supplying closed loop:1 Solar Power Plant - Your end product and supply to your other stations1 Crystal Fab - Supplies the Crystals for the Solar Power Plant1 Silicon Mine - Supplies the Silicon to the Crystal Fab1 Cahoona Bakery - Supplies the Cahoonas to the Crystal Fab1 Cattle Ranch - Supplies the Argnu Beef to the Cahoona BakeryThe last two are food resources that will be different for the Crystal Fabs for each race. TheSolar Power Plant may not use all of its output for factory resources, which could allow it tosell the remaining portion to free traders.The above very simplified definition of basic factory loop set-up would require a number oftransports to move resources between them, but there is an alternative. This is to build factorycomplexes where all of these factories have supply tunnels interconnecting them to eachother, almost completely avoiding the need for TS Transporters altogether.How to build your first Super Factory ComplexComplex Building – Why is it better?Using a Boron Dolphin as an example with rounded up figures to make it easier to work out.A BoGas and BoFu factory would need 3 freighters to work. The cheapest and thus mostlikely to be destroyed costs 600,000 Credits each.A Complex construction kits cost 260,000 Credits to link 2 factories.So a small complex including a BoFu and BoGas factory linked by 1 construction kit wouldneed 1 freighter to buy energy and that’s it.44Cost of 3 freighters = 1,800,000Cost of kit + 1 freighter = 860,000Which makes the Construction Kits a cost effective solution for making food, and if you totalthe costs for other factories you build you can work out the same cost effectiveness of thekits.When you set up factories, and set the home base of the transporters to that factory,remember to limit their range to three or four sectors from it. Should you choose to increasethis, they may well take too long to deliver much needed resources. The end result being yourfactories may run out of supplies to keep producing. You will find more info on this andfactories elsewhere in this Manual.

How to connect FactoriesDoing this is quite straight forward. If, for instance, you hired an Argon Mammoth to carry aCattle and a Cahoona factory, you would also be able to load a Complex Construction Kit intoit for connecting the two. This construction kit will allow you to join two or more stations withinclose proximity together (at least once or twice the width of your station away from the otherconnecting station) to form a station complex and is comprised of a Complex Hub thatcontrols power distribution, central command and control, commodity exchange and centraldocking clamps to the complex. When the TL captain has been ordered to drop the twostations, and you have positioned them relativity close to each other, you can instruct the TLCaptain to drop the Complex Construction Kit, and instead of a position grid, a sector listing ofyour factories will pop up.Select the first factory to combine. The list will change to display the remaining factories.Select another and the Complex Construction Kit will build the tunnels between them.The Hangar Complex transports supplies between the stations, so you can create a loop offactories that are dependant on each other without the need for lots of transporters deliveringresources between them. Hangar complexes cost a lot less than the use of transporters, buthave a weakness, you will have to protect these complexes from attack, for if they aredestroyed, the stations will not be able to get the resources they need, until you buy anothercomplex builder or assign transports to them.Selecting the command console for the HangarComplex will show you the stations and theproduction cycles that are currently running.All the factories in it will use a single pool of Creditstransferred to the complex. You can still set factoryprices as you would a single factory and change themaximum distance that transporter ships can jumpacross sectors for resources.The solutions for choosing the right location will varyaccording to what resources are available in thesector, i.e. which factories are included in your build for the complex and the availableresources in other nearby sectors. There is no hard and fast rule that will apply. You can savea lot of resource effort for your complexes by choosing your location based upon the needs ofyour new factories, so even if resources in the factories become low, there will be localresources to supplement them.As mentioned, the one weakness of complexes is the vulnerability of the tunnels that connectthem. It would be advisable for you to set up sector patrol ships around your factories andtheir complexes to protect them from pirates or other enemies.Transporter ships ‘home based’ to the complex can be assigned to buy at best prices from acollective list of resources for all the factories in the complex. When you add a factory to acomplex all ships with Buy/Buy Best will stop and restart this command, but ‘owned’ shipsfighters though lose their original command, so you will need to re-command them with theirnew instructions.45Transporter ShipsThe different TS class ships are the backbone of the economy and have a range ofspecifications. Some have large cargo bays, but may be slower in speed; these would be bestassigned to buy large volumes of resources from nearby factories. Other ships with smallercargo bays, but much faster, would best be assigned to buy resources that are a few sectorjumps away like Crystals.

Class TS Paranid DemeterTS ships can be bought atShipyards individually orin quantity. It is importantto ensure that not only doyou have the Credits for anumber of ships, but alsoenough to purchase all theshields and upgrades.If you press the [ i ] keywhile in the Shipyard trademenu you will get to seethe full details of the ship,including the upgradesthat it does and does not come with. Setting up all the transport ships can be easier, if youbuy them in bulk, allowing you to select the upgrades for all the ships in one go.Ships will be available from the Shipyards in S, M, and L specifications, the S ships haveminimal equipment; M have medium-level; L have high-grade shielding and weapons. If youdo not want your transporters to engage enemies (the weapons that they can fit are only lowclass defensive one), don’t equip them with fighting upgrades or weapons. Ships travellingacross dangerous sectors can have fighter escorts as well as defensive weaponry.A typical Transporter configuration would be:5 or 25MJ Shields – important if travelling across dangerous sectors.Engine Tunings - time is money, speed for resources is good.Rudders – good turning will reduce accidents and aid evasive manoeuvres.Cargo extensions – to suit the cargo, the standard install will work for most.Duplex or Triplex Scanners – duplex will suffice for most.To assign a transporter to a Station so it can buy resources or sell products you will need tomake sure it has either or both of the Trade MK1 or MK2 software installed (available at allgood Equipment Docks). To assign that station as the ship’s home base, while targeting theship you press the [ c ] or [ i ] keys, select the Command Console, scroll down to theconfiguration section and select Home base, then select the sector and station that you wantto assign as the home base for that ship.46Universe Economy GuideThe rebel Teladi economic guru, Hilibis Yalos Trosulis IV, broke with Teladi custom bypublishing the ‘UEG’, the manual that Teladi students use on their first trading exercises. Asummary of the guide contains an overview of the differences encountered when you tradewith the different races.Ware Price Variation (WPV) - is essentially where the profit margins can be found. Thedifferent race economies have variations that tend to work across those races sectors.Factory prices may also differ across races depending on what strengths a race has andwhat it specialises in. For instance the Boron, whose strength is energy and speciality isshields, may sell those types of factories for much less than a different race.ArgonA free market with healthy competition.The Argon have an above-average price variation in bio and food. This means that techfactories may give good margins on profit and performance. There are good profits to be hadfrom well-run Argon tech factories, despite the effort needed to transport the requiredquantities of Meatsteaks.Factory PricesAverage across the board, with some specialities.

Basic materials:High tech commodities:Weaponry and shields:BoronHeavy government regulation with a risk-averse culture.Average: Solar Power Plant and mine costs.Average: with some specialities.Capital-class: Argon are not very good at producing the lowertechnology weaponry, instead preferring the construction ofthe larger, more involved, capital-class weapons.Boron have a low price variation in bio and food, therefore tech factories will have tightermargins on profit and performance. Trading profit, though safer, is lower in Boron space. Thisprovides a steady and low-risk market. The Boron are not good diggers so their mines tendto be expensive, but they have great energy technology.Factory PricesBasic materials:High tech commodities:Weaponry and shields:Excellent defensive and non-combat technology.Average: Cheap Solar Power Plants but expensive MinesExcellent: Boron specialise in non-aggressive higher techitems like crystals, microchips and computer components.Shield mastery: Boron excel at shield technology (and theion disruptors to neutralise them). They also pioneered thetechnology for the defensive Flak Artillery Array weapons butare poor at most other offensive weaponry and rockets.ParanidSlight regulation by the Priest Emperor but a generally well-run economy.Average price variation in bio and food. Tech factories will have average margins on profitand performance.Factory PricesBasic materials:High tech commodities:Paranid excel in what they can keep to themselves.Poor: Above average price Solar Power Plants and Mines(Paranid prefer lesser beings to handle trivial commodities)Average: Paranid are not very good at some of the morecommon items (excepting the warheads to go into theirmissile complexes), but they excel at some of the technologythat others do not produce, like Advanced Satellites.Weaponry and shields:Secretive: Technologies that were developed by the Paranid,like PACs, PSGs, and many rockets, are very cheap for theParanid, and very expensive for other races, due to the lackof free-flowing information.SplitLittle government intervention in the economy.Average price variation in bio and food. Tech factories will have average margins on profitand performance.47Factory PricesBasic materials:High tech commodities:Weaponry and shields:TeladiThe ultimate trader’s marketplace, where anything goes.Research feeds the war machine.Fair: Expensive Solar Power Plants, but cheaper Mines, dueto the use of forced labor.Low: Split do not use much non-combat technology.Excellent: The Split are generally poor at missileconstruction, preferring to get up close and personal. Theyare above average in shield construction, but however excelat producing most forms of lasers.Extremely high price variation in bio and food. Tech factories will have a very wide range onmargins and profitability. It’s extremely easy to make money in Teladi sectors, but just as

easy to lose it. The Teladi are not very inventive, tending to borrow tech from other races,but are excellent in exploiting what they get, and are the masters of producing and tradingall base commodities.Factory PricesBasic materials:High tech commodities:Weaponry and shields:Teladi squeeze the last drop out of common items.Excellent: Cheaper than average Solar Plants and Mines.Good: Again, the Teladi are above average in many types ofcommon technical commodities.Budget gurus: The Teladi excel in manufacturing lowerpriced, "lower tech technology" that has been around forever.They don’t really do cutting edge technology."No profit grows where there is no pleasure taken." - William ShakespeareBuild and Trade GuidanceWe have been able to offer a rare chance to gain some experience of the best factory andsystem traders at the annual convention and lectures of the Guild of System Merchants.The first of these are extracts from the questions asked of the famous Argon Tidi Onetree,who has defined the current understanding of energy on his famed guide for Solar PowerProfits. After his lengthy and very interesting lecture, he opened the floor to questions.FactoriesQ: Factories; are they expensive?A: The price varies greatly, dependent upon the technology level of that factory, e.g. Foodfactories are much cheaper than Laser Tower factories. Remember also that the price of afactory may vary between races, even if it is of the same type. Stations become more andmore expensive for the same amount as you 'climb higher up the tech ladder'.Q: Can I place my own factories anywhere?A: Just about, yes. A few words of advice though before you place a factory. There is no pointin placing a factory producing goods in an area where there is an over-supply already of thosegoods as you are immediately against the competition (unless this is what you intended ofcourse). Conversely, there is no gain to be made in positioning your factory in an area thatdoes not require what you sell.The stations and complexes in the systems you visit will be relatively close to each other.There is nothing stopping you placing your factories anywhere in a sector. Please bear inmind that your ships need to fetch resources and your customers need to travel to you.48Q: So I purchased and deployed my own factory and I’m on my way to “Mogul” status.But my factory isn’t making any money and it flashes yellow in the system map. Help?A: The yellow flashing is warning you that the factory in question is in need of some attentionand is probably too low in resources or Credits to make its product. It does not specify whatthe problem is; only that something is stopping the factory from operating (note: your propertywill flash red when under attack).This could be a lack of resources, a lack of Credits to purchase resources, a lack of ships togo and fetch/purchase the resources or a combination of any coupled with the fact that thesettings you have applied to the factory are stopping it from working correctly, for examplehow many systems in which you will allow the ships to go searching for resources.Q: I have transport ships and Credits. How do I get my factory to get what it needs?A: Firstly, transfer Credits to the factory from your account. Every factory requires workingcapital to buy its resources. You must then assign your transport ship(s) to that factory. This isknown as their “homebase”. Once you have assigned a ship its homebase, a whole set ofnew command options will become available.

You can purchase fighter craft and “homebase” them to a station, where they willautomatically protect it once they arrive there. The same homebase settings apply to lasertowers and mines for area defence and also to assign fighter escorts to protect your tradingvessels.Q: Any help for a budding trader just starting out?A: Sure, try a Wheat farm in the Wall or Crystal Fabrication Plant in Argon Prime. Both ofthese sectors have the protection of capital patrol ships and have access to a good supply ofcheap energy cells. A factory here should be able to trade unmolested (although there is noguarantee that pirates or other enemies won’t come) and if you stay in close proximity early inits life, you can personally protect it until such a time as you can afford laser towers andfighter patrols.Q: How do I make my factories auto transfer its profits to my account?A: Go to your station Command Console, Station Commands, Slot .. ‘Auto money transfer toplayer account’, then enter an amount such as 200,000 and any funds the station createsabove that amount will be transferred to your account.Q: Why have the factories in some sectors changed?A: In a word, war. The truce between some of the races is sometimes put aside due to somelocal issue on race borders. This will occasionally spill over into a dispute that will only besettled with fleets of ships from opposing sides and this will inevitably result in some tradersloosing their stations, which other traders will take advantage of by setting up their own.TradingThis was followed by a greatly applauded lecture by Iyes Di, the famed Gunn’r who, afteryears of dedicated cartography of the universe, became a strong advocate of theharmonisation of factory economic cycles and proponent of factory looping techniques.Q: How do I increase my trading ranks?A: There are many ways your trading rank can be increased, essentially by you or yourtrading assets buying resources below the average price and selling your products at anabove average price, this is the definition of profits, so the more you make the higher theincreases. Additionally if you come across various artefacts or alien enemy technologies andsell them to the friendly races, you will also improve your notoriety. If you also have otherraces buying your products and you’ve successfully completed trading missions from theBulletin Board messages you will also increase your trading rank, additionally with these lasttwo, you will also increase your reputation with those races.Q: How do I use the Mobile Drilling System to collect Ore?A: You are able to mine precious metals and minerals from asteroids once they have beenbroken up into small enough pieces.Only some ships can be equipped with a Mobile Drilling System Laser, for instance in the TSclass using the turret, like the Demeter Miner fromParanid Prime, Vulture Miner in Ianamus Zura andthe Caiman Tanker in Family Tkr. Those with ahealthy Credit balance and a desire to do it in stylecan use a M6 class ship with a Super Freighter intow for extra storage, using the Goner Transporter totransfer collected minerals.49For mining you will also need an Ore Collector, anda Mineral Scanner, additionally if your TS miningship has not got them fitted, install extras like theTriplex Scanner for finding Asteroids and the BestSelling Price to help quickly turn that rock into hardCredits.

When you target an asteroid you can identify its yield by using the Mineral Scanner within10km distance and initiating the scanning by pressing the [ i ] Key.An asteroid’s yield denotes how rich the asteroid is in its particular mineral(Ore/Silicon/Nividium) Generally, the higher the yield, the more material you can get from theasteroid per cycle in a static mine or the amount of material that will be released from it whenyou are mobile-mining.Approach the asteroid and fire the Laser or Hornet Missile within five kilometres distance.After the asteroid has been fragmented, you will then need to break the larger and mediumsized rocks with either the mining laser or other laser weaponry into small rocks. To tell themapart from the ones that need further fragmentation, target them and press the [ i ] key. Beaware that these small rocks will vaporise if fired upon.Eventually you will be able to scoop up the rocks that are small enough to be refined by yourOre Collector.To operate the Ore Collector you will need to open up your freight bay doors by pressing the [o ] key and collect the rock as you would do with standard cargo crates.Be sure to check the fragment first with the [ i ] key or the fragment will damage your hull orequipment if it is too big and needs to be broken up more.Nividium asteroids, which can be found in remote sectors, are highly prized as the mineralcan be sold for very high prices in Paranid sectors.Command: Collect rocks in sectorLike the command to collect wares in sector, this command allows ships under your control tocollect rocks in a given sector. The command is available in the Special Commands menu, ifyou are in a suitably equipped ship. Don’t forget for effective mobile mining, your ship shouldbe equipped with a Mobile Drilling System, an Ore Collector and a fairly large cargo bay. TheSplit-built Caiman Miner is optimised for this task. The Mobile Drilling System will be neededin order to break bigger asteroids into more collectible chunksQ: How do I sell a ship?A: Target the ship, then press the [ Enter ] key, select Ship or [ Shift+c ] key. This will bringyou to the Command Console. From there go to "Navigation" and then to "Dock at...". Selectthe sector, and then select the shipyard. Now the ship will travel to the shipyard and dock withit (make sure you’re not in the ship you are trying to sell). Then trade with the shipyard (muchlike you would to buy a ship) and the ship you want to sell should now be in the menu. Usethe [ Left Cursor ] key and then press the [ Enter ] key to sell it.50Q: How to transfer cargo between ships?A: You can get a device from the Goner temple called a Transporter Device (FreightBeamer), which will allows you to beam the goods into your cargo bay. If you do not have oneof these, you can order the ship to drop its cargo, which you can then collect by opening yourcargo bay doors. Alternatively when you are docked at a station, you can transfer the cargooff the other ship using the station menu.Q: How can I make more money out of missions?A: Simply, the better your trading ranks the higher the payments. A good tactic is to have arange of ships with a Jumpdrive. Many missions require a M4/5 or TS class ship. Having yourother ships available at short notice allows you to switch ships and take that lucrativecontract. To find these missions dock at a station and select ‘Station’ then ‘Bulletin Board’ andcheck for opportunities.Q: How do I capture Spaceflies?A: You need to purchase a Spacefly Collector from Split Equipment Docks and an IonDisruptor, found at Boron Equipment Docks. To capture them simply fire the Ion Disruptor and

this will stun them, and then allow you to collect them as any normal piece of space freight.You may have to repeat the stunning after collecting a few, as they will wake up after a shortwhile and fly away.Q: How do I set-up Sector and Universe traders?A: The Trade Command Software MK3 is a software upgrade that allows you hire a trader towork for you, buying and selling resources and products for profit. Once you have properlyequipped a ship, the pilot can then be assigned to a sector to build up their tradingexperience, i.e. learn on the job. When the pilot’s experience has reached a good enoughlevel (Level 8) they will be skilled enough to become so-called Universe Traders. You willhave to issue a new command at this time for them to start universal trading. Note: if the shipdoes not meet the requirements for trading or you have not given it all the correct equipment,the Sector and Universe trade commands will be unavailable.The pilot’s skill level can be viewed by selecting the ship and the level can be seen inbrackets after the pilot’s name, from Level One upwards. After being assigned a sector theTrader will start to look for profitable opportunities and start to make some trades.Initially they will need to learn to check their current station for products to sell before flying toreduce empty runs. Then they will recognise a profit opportunity if the selling price is abovethe buying price and later they will take the ship to the closest shipyard if it has beendamaged. A good training sector for new pilots to develop their skills is Home of Light.At level eight onwards the pilot is able to check neighbouring sectors for good tradeopportunities, so at this time you can activate the "Universe Trader" command. The pilot maydemand better payment and a better-equipped ship, as their journeys into many sectors couldbe hazardous if pirates or other enemies are there.Good employers will ensure that the ship has at least one 25MJ shield or the maximum shieldstrength the current ship supports and that Fight Software Mk1 and MK 2, a Triplex scannerand Jumpdrive are installed from the beginning, because if you have not installed the Fightextensions, Jumpdrive and 25MJ Shield, the pilot may not get around to ordering one untilthey reach level twelve when charges for equipment delivery are higher than average.Additionally, the Trader will order up to twelve Fighter Drones over time, which he will use inemergencies to distract attackers. In such emergencies the pilot will try to escape to thenearest station or use the Jumpdrive for an emergency exit, to get away from the dangerzone. If a Trader is attacked, they will tell you the ID of the attacker so you know whom to lookfor, should you feel the need to take revenge. The pilot may also hail you for assistance andstay at a station until you give the all clear to continue trading.The jump distance for buying and selling increases as the Trader continues achieving higherlevels until the ship’s range more or less covers the entire universe (dependent, of course, onthe number of energy cells being carried).Q: How do I move a MK3 pilot to a new ship?A: Have your new ship (all optimisations installed, but not the MK III or any Fight Software)and have it and the other MK III ship move to your position.51Make sure you have the Special Command Software installed. You can a access the movepilot option by using the Menu Ship, Orders Special or the [ Shift+c ] keys, then Special, thenselect ‘Move Pilot to New Ship’.Select the sector and the MK III ship and repeat with the new ship. Then choose the sectorand station where the move is to take place. After the above has been done, you just have togive the pilot the Universe Trading command again.Q: Is there any good advice you would give to a new trader starting out?

A: There are a few things, which any good trader should try, if they are to take advantage ofthe full range of opportunities.• The Economy: The economy is dynamically changing in response to over/underproduction, wars and theft. In various sectors of the universe this will produceshortages and surpluses on an ever-changing basis, giving those wise traders whokeep up to date with the latest Bulletin Board News a clear advantage over those whodon’t.• Local wars or border disputes will provide many additional opportunities for a quickand resourceful trader who can command transports or salvage equipment to collectresources and equipment while battles are underway, before others do the same.Salvage Merchants or Scrap Dealers in yards are always willing customers and willexchange Credits or Ore for your scrap. Additionally there is great wealth to be hadby looking out for opportunities to set up missile and other high-tech factories close tonearby war zones, as the local supplies may not be able to keep up with the demand.• Various merchants and station traders will be looking to make mutually satisfactorytrading opportunities. These may be in Bulletin Board announcements or tradingagreements from local merchants.• Well-armed and protected traders can jump into enemy sectors to scoop up missilesand wares that the less fortunate lost, and although the risks are high, the profits aretoo.• Make sure you harden up your ships with good shields and weapons at the earliestopportunity; it is a harsh universe out there with plenty of bad pirates who would liketo get rich by taking what you have. If they try, return the favour and take what theyhave and sell them and their ship as punishment.• Exploration and attention to rumours have a place in a trader’s portfolio; there havebeen many tales of traders who wandered off the main space lanes to stumble upongreat riches in the misty voids by finding containers of Credits and weapons, lost inskirmishes with dangerous enemies. If you obtain coordinates for such finds use thefly to position navigation command and with the [ 2,4,6,8 ] numeric keys to target thecoordinates and press the [ Enter ] key and your ship will fly to that location.• It is good to develop and improve your status with various races, as this will makeadditional equipment and ships available to you. Their improved trust in you will resultin them giving you bigger trading deals and at the same time greater rewards.52• Be aware that when you are carrying goods you are subject to random scans fromthe local system police. These inspectors usually travel in scout class, highperformanceships which are difficult (but not impossible) to outrun. As certainproducts (particularly Space Weed, Squash Mines and Space Fuel) are illegal insome systems, trading in them is done at your own risk. If caught, you will be requiredto ditch your illegal cargo, you will lose your police license if you have one and yourreputation will suffer. But if you get away with these smuggling jobs, the profits can bevery rewarding, especially if you decide to become a full-time pirate.• Short journeys increase profits, so if the journey seems to take a while make sure youhave installed the SETA device with Enter, Navigation, Jump Drive or the [ j ] keywhich will speed travel by compressing time, remember time is Credits.• Mobile mining is very profitable because after the ship and equipment are paid for,anything you mine can be sold for pure profit.• Being able to remotely trade with distant sectors will produce opportunities for profit,which can be missed by travel. You can remotely trade with a sector if you have an

Advanced, standard Satellite or a ship with a Trading System Extension travelling inthe sector that you can use to trade with.• Tour bus missions can provide good bonuses if you take the tourists to excitingplaces within nebulas, and very very short trips to enemy sectors.• Fitting the Special Command software to a TS Large cargo bay capacity will allowyou to command it to pick up and salvage cargo floating in space.Transporter Personnel/Passenger. Thisshuttlecraft can be found all over the universeferrying passengers from one place to another.Their development was necessary as the use ofcargo compression techniques causedunexpected long-term physical damage. Hencethe construction of all passenger transportswithout the internal compression system.Q: Are there any good strategies to use?A: In two words - ‘higher ranks’, you need themfor everything you want to have and need to do.If you want certain factories, ships and high-techwares, your ability to buy them depends on your reputation with the race you want to buythem from and your trading or fighting status will also affect some purchases you may wish tomake. Additionally the higher your ranks the higher the payments will be for missions asdealers will then know that they will be able to rely on your abilities."You aren't wealthy until you have something money can't buy." Gar’th Bro OksBARTERING FOR WARESSo you have a cargo bay full of Cahoonas but you wished you had some Cloth Rimes, asyour profits would be higher. Or you desperately need a 25 MJ shield and most of yourCredits are tied up in the cargo bay full of Nividium. At Trading Stations you will be able to findDealers and Merchants, who may want to offer you a deal for your cargo and have what youneed for sale. You can trade the goods straight up without any Credits having to changehands.Bartering is universally the most accepted form of making deals where Credits do not have tobe part of the arrangement. It will present unique opportunities to get rid of cargo that youhave obtained by fair means or foul and get wares that you really need or could use better.When you dock at a Trading Station and decide to barter with your cargo, you will be able tochoose from the sell or buy wares deals that are available at that station.53

With the ‘buy wares’ you can buy from the merchants wares that are on offer, with details onthe amounts and the size of cargo bay required. You can equally use the ‘sell wares’ to barterwhat wares you have that the merchants might be willing to buy. If you don’t have the rightgoods that the merchant is interested in, you could try cash and see if you can still get a goodprofit out of the deal. Or you even may spot good value opportunities from other merchants,who may sometimes be trying to get rid of surplus stock, at a discount price.There is additional information from the ‘merchants’ listing where you can select a merchantand an information screen will show a list of the wares, on that merchant's buy and sell lists.You will have to have enough goods to roughly equal the value in a ‘fair’ trade. Themerchants that inhabit these stations have personalities as diverse as their range of wares.Though some of these merchants might be willing to take a small loss on a trade, othersmight offer you a bad deal, by trying to milk as many extra Credits out of you as they can.If you have been trading a lot in a particular sector, you may get to know some of thesemerchants, as they will have probably benefited from your sector activities.HOW TO FIGHT AND CAPTUREIf your intention is to make fast Credits by taking what others have, you are best advised tofamiliarised yourself with your Weapons Control System in the earlier Interface section.Why capture ships?For many the first aim will be to obtain a decent M3 Class fighter with 25MJ shields and if youhave chosen the ‘QuickStart’ you already have an Argon Mercury Transporter. Powerfulshields are one of the first survival must-haves, but an M3 equipped with them can cost twomillion or more Credits. Additionally, at the start of the game, you do not have a high enoughreputation to buy one. But there is a quick way to get one on the cheap.Fight/Capture Pirates = Credits, ships, rank and notoriety. These factors work together toproduce faster financial gains than other options, but at a cost - your life (salvage insurance)and hull damage.This is a more risky choice but with potentially quick and profitable returns. You start with aArgon Buster with four Beta Particle Accelerators Cannons (PACs) and three 5MJ Shields.With the Buster you can take out Pirate M5’s, M4’s and M3’s with 5MJ shields. If you are verygood, with missiles and cannons, you might even capture a M3 with 25MJ Shields intact. Ifyou capture an M3 class fighter you can then repair and it kit out with the profits from sellingother ships and equipment from your smaller captures.54TargetingWhen you first target the ship it can be useful to make sure theauto-target is switched on with the [ k ] key. At a distance it willshow as a red X on your targeted ship. When you are withinweapons’ range it will change to the auto-target reticule.To use the Auto-Target feature (Fight Software I & II) press the[ k ] key once for basic Auto-Target (FS1) and twice for theimproved Auto-Target (FS2). As you fire, aim for this auto-targetreticule as that will compensate for the direction and speed ofthe ship that you are aiming and firing at (leading the target).Fighting and FiringThe best way to use your weapons is first to keep your selection of lasers to a couple ofpowerful ones like Alpha HEPT’s and a couple of basic ones like Beta Particle Cannons pergroup. If you also have some Ion Disruptors in another group (Note: Ions can hit locals anddamage your rep if you are not up close and in line of sight with the target) you can use theseto quickly knock down their shields. With your different groupings, you can quickly select yourweapons of choice mid-fight.

On firing remember to fire in short single bursts, when you have the target in your direct path.Firing curved shots (aiming at the Auto-Target too much) or continuous bursts will mean a lotof wasted shots that might drain your ship’s power too quickly and leave you without anyweapons while they recharge.If you are taking on a group of Pirates, it is best to check what the ships weapons are with aFreight Scanner. If one of them is holding PSGs or Ion Disruptors, take that one down first orwhile you take on the others it will lay waste to your shields. Switch to medium powerweapons or lower if the ship is fast, as you will miss a lot more, but you will have a betterchance by being able to fire more continuously.If you are suddenly outnumbered by well-equipped M4s or Kha’ak, jump within the samesector and they will head towards your new location. Due to each ship having differentspeeds, the ships will form a long staggered line as they head in your direction, with the fastships getting to you first, so you can take them down one by one.Strafing your ship is a very effective way of avoiding incoming fire. You can also use the shipdrift to avoid hits while you turn or flip your ship to return fire.Some ships have a rear turret like the Nova and these can be avoided by twisting yourjoystick or use the [ q ] key to create a forward spin, this will reduce the number of hits fromthe other ship’s rear turret.Friendly FireYou will have to watch out for the locals when you are firing away at an enemy, yourreputation may drop like a stone and as a result you may not be able to buy certain goods orthey may even turn hostile to you. Should you accidentally cause damage, or death to a shipto which you had no hostile intentions, you can contact the local sector police or militaryvessels to declare the incident and avail yourself of any punishment.CapturingThe nice thing about flying a Pirate M3 Nova is the cool paint job that you get with pirateships. A rare and even better capture is the Raider (speed but lower shields but M5 haveTriplex scanners), Vanguard (more engine, laser bank a bit faster, weapons optimisations),Sentinel (higher shields but a little slower) or Hauler (more cargo and slightly slower) variantsthat have been customised at unknown shipyards. Extremely rare Mamba Raiders have beenseen reputed to have 2*25 MJ Shields with the speed and agility of an M4.The essential method of capturing is to remove the shields and reduce the hull to 87% orlower. To gauge the effort, fire a few shots and see how much the shield drops. If it takesthree shots of fire to reduce them to 50%, then fire another set of shots to take out theshields. You can also use missiles for bringing down the shields; wasps, which fire in swarmsof ten, are cheap and good for this.When the shields are down, change the weapon group to a lower-powered one and then useshort bursts of fire to keep the shields down and reduce the hull. If you keep doing this thepilot will sometimes bail. Most pilots will not bail if the ship is only getting intermittent shots, soa shock volley will make them fear you are going for the kill and they then might see senseand bail. Ion weapons though good for taking down shields, will destroy all onboardequipment and as a result reduce the value of the capture.55Possible capturing weapon group layouts:M3 Class use IonD and PAC for Shields and IRE for hullM4 Class use PAC for Shields and IRE for hullM5 Class use PAC for Shields and IRE for hullThe ship will then go to neutral status and you will then have totake command of the on-board computer by claiming the ship.

Claiming your captureWhen captured, the ship will have a neutral status of grey.When you have claimed it, that status will change to green, as itis then owned by you. A good approach is to park your currentship within 30m of the ship to be claimed, eject with the [ Shift+e] keys and target the ship and bring up the quick menu, Target,Claim. When done you will then get a message that the shipcomputer control has been transferred, turn and target your ownship press [ Shift+e ], all this can be done very quickly.You can also capture the pilots when they have ejected. You will, however, also need the LifeSupport System installed to keep them alive. You can then sell them as slaves to pirates butbe aware that slave trading is illegal with nearly all races, except the Split, who are ok with it.System Override SoftwareThere are obviously a few risks involved in leaving your ship in order to claim a ship in themanner described above. Those cunning pirate types, ever mindful of their own safety, havedeveloped a useful alternative. You can obtain the illegal SOS software for 600k+ Credits,which will allow you to claim the ship without having to eject from your ship.To use it you get close to the neutral status ship and select Target, Claim and the shipcomputer control will be transferred to you. The only down side is that it is illegal to have theSOS on your ship, as claiming ships that are not your property is illegal. Using computerhacking to give you that ownership is even more illegal. If you are scanned you will berequired to eject it. A way around this is to use your Freight Transporter to move it in to a fastM5 that you have following you, so you can beam it on to your ship when you need it. It’s agood idea to dock the M5 at a station to prevent it being scanned.It is better to strip your captures of shields and weapons if you intend to sell them as you willget a higher price by removing the equipment and selling it separately, which will also providemore trading rank with the extra trading transactions.Use the Freight Beamer to transfer cargo and ship upgrades on to your ship and if you aredoing very well have a TS Ship nearby so you can offload excess cargo into its very largecargo bays. Remember to send your captured ships via a safe route to the nearest friendlyShipyard or some other pirate will wipe out your 300k to 1.4 million profits.Pirate SectorsRepeatedly clearing up the pirate sectors to gain captured ships, which you can sell, allowsyou to improve your kept ships with free upgrades. Illegal goods can be taken to the PirateBase in Brennan’s Triumph with no risk of you being scanned while they are in your cargobay.56The Pirate SectorsFarnham’s LegendBala Gi’s JoyOlmancketslat’s TreatySplit FireBrennan’s TriumphDanna’s ChanceNopileo’s MemorialHatikvah’s FaithThere are Shipyards and EquipmentDocks at Argon Prime and Light ofHeart nearby for you to send yourcaptures to for stripping and sellingcaptures.

The Teladi sectors can be good places to do some capping, because they are fairly wellvisited by pirates and the Seizewell Shipyard is nearby, where you can sell your captures. Becareful of any illegal ware in your cargo bay as the local police may not be pleased and if youhave a police licence they will take it off you and make you dump the cargo.Debris and CargoAnother good thing is to have nearby a Hauler Transporter equipped with a Jumpdrive,Energy and ‘Special Command’ software, so you can give it the command to collect thefloating cargo from ships you have destroyed. Over time you can obtain a large amount ofmissiles and resources that will provide not only more Credits but also a better tradingreputation.If you are picking up the crates yourself there is a very quick way to do this. If you have theSpecial Command Software fitted, command your ship to collect all wares in the sector andthen press SETA. This will make the process quicker and safer.As mentioned earlier, even if fighting is not your main activity, it will be hard to avoid pullingthat trigger. Others will have their greedy eyes on your freight, ships and factories, so the fightwill come to you.The fighter class ships are manufactured in four main classes, M3, M4, M5 and M6. Theseships are the ones most frequently used by pilots who wish to remain alive. When it comes tocombat, practice makes perfect and never be afraid to run. “It’s better to talk about yourescape than to have others talk about your death.”Combat is about reflexes, the reading of the enemy and most of all - knowledge. If you attacka ship that has ten times the shielding and twenty times the firepower, you are likely to lose.Not always, but very often.Five small ships can easily overcome one single ship with five times their force if they do itcorrectly. The reverse is also very true. The main decision to be made if you are attacked iswhether to defend yourself or run!A quick decision is usually required and for this you need to know your adversary well. Canyou outrun them? What shields and hull strength are you up against? What weapons do theyhave? Do they have missiles and if so, what kind?Fighter Class ShipsClass M3 - Boron BarracudaHeavy fighter. Normally onlydeployed by the military or the largercorporations these ships pack apowerful punch with impressiveshielding, lasers and missile capability.An M3 is a deadly foe in any of itsguises and deserves respect.57During any combat, you run the risk ofdamaging any items on your ship,including the hull, shields, weaponsand upgrades. These are not free andyou will have to dig deep into yourfunds to replace and repair them. Addthe fact that some items can bedifficult to obtain and you’ll see why wealthy pilots have an old habit of buying more than theyneed of a particular item when they come across it.

If this sounds like bad news well it isn’t. Combat can be a Credit hole with no bottom, but thepossible gains can outweigh the risks. You might get lucky and find the pilot might eject fromthe ship, and if you are quick you might be able to claim the ship and anything it mightcontain. Keep some room in your cargo bay in case the ex-pilot only leaves you scatteredcargo and ship debris to collect.Class M4 - Split Scorpion Medium fighter. Medium shielding and weapons make the M4 agood all-round choice for the trader or bounty hunter.“But always remember this, my friend. A word of advice fromthose that have been before you. If you think you can do thejob with two ships, it would be best to take ten, you will have abetter chance of success and it will be even more fun.”Be careful though where you choose to fight. There are somesystems where no one will bat an eyelid or three if you takesomething for your own. The home systems of anyraces are usually heavily patrolled and getting into combatwithin full view will not earn you any friends. Conversely,keeping within these relative safe havens will give you the same protection and askingpassing ships or stations to assist may yield a positive response if your standing with them isgood.Class M5 - DiscovererScout. Fast and very manoeuvrable, the M5makes up for its lack of shielding and offensiveweapons with its agility and speed. Used as apatrol ship in many sectors, many systempolice ships favour them for their ability tocatch would be smugglers. They also make anexcellent ship for small passenger cargos.You can set one of your ship monitors to showyour turret interface view, and with your turretlaser set to attack all enemies, you will see thedestruction trail behind you as you race acrossa sector to safety from your enemies.Innocent traders going about their own business and avoiding confrontation will findopportunistic pirates ganging up on them with no mercy and with the local law enforcementoverstretched with smugglers, raiders and Kha’ak, means that you will often find yourselfcompletely on your own.58If you feel you need to improve your fighting skills and thus your ranks, but do not want tooffend the locals, you might even improve your relations with them by taking on some localPirates, Xenon, Kha’ak or other enemies that are using their space in which to travel.Class M6 - Split Dragon. Corvette. A ship designedfor the wealthy business mogul and used by somemilitary organisations for their special operationsdivisions and, more commonly, for overt sectorpatrols. Reasonably fast with good cargo bays,multiple-turreted lasers and ability to trade, makesthem a very versatile and sought after platform formost professions, both legal and illegal. Due to theirlarge size they lack any great manoeuvring ability.

Some not so fortunate travellers have infrequently reported encountering what seem to bedistinctive optimisations of known ships. The rumours surrounding these customised variantshave been many.A lot of shipyard technicians have formed opinions on these ships by collecting informationfrom those who have come off quite badly from encounters with them. This has often resultedin their ships needing substantial repairs to equipment and hulls.The technicians have nicknames for some of these custom ships, one they call the Vanguard,which has very aggressive optimisations, another they have nicknamed the Sentinel as itseems particularly well-tuned for defence. Witnesses claim the ship termed the Raider ismuch faster than normal. One other variant, thought to have enhanced cargo capacity, hasbeen dubbed Hauler.O’ren Rho, an aging Argon pilot, sums up his experiences:“An Alpha HEPT-equipped laser turret on the side of a Corvette can obliterate the shields ona scout ship in two hits. Not enough time to grab the eject lever, just enough time to die. “Butcan a Corvette out turn your small, nimble scout? Never.” Find a blind spot and if you canremain in it, you can unload as much energy into its shields as you can muster. But you can’tstay blind if the larger ship has an accompanying escort ships.See? Knowledge and quick decisions are the difference and ultimately decide where thespoils of the battle will go. If you have the appropriate upgrades for your ship, you can instructit to fight for you and a good job it does, if a little single-minded sometimes. However, there isno substitute for good old Argon reactions and the ability to spot an advantage and press ithome. When head to head with an enemy who has superior weapons and shielding I willlaunch a number of missiles at them as we close on one another. This will achieve two things.First, they will be more worried about the missiles than they will be about you which leavesyou free to obtain a good attack stance and secondly, there is every chance that the missileswill strike home, lowering their shield strength and giving you the possibility of a quick kill or aquick escape.”Missile TypesMissiles can be launched singularly or in swarms with multi friend/foe-recognition targeting.Though a few of the latest missile types are still currently in development, the full range ofmissile types now command an aggressive array of features.The Friend/Foe is a smart missile as it will aim for your current selected enemy or if no enemyis selected it will pick the closest one, if atarget-lock is lost, it will pick the nearest otherenemy again, using ‘Advanced ImageRecognition’.A multi-warhead Tracker missile will fly in astraight line and then split up into multiplemissiles after a short distance when it is at acloser range to the target.59Swarm type image-recognition missiles are aswarm of missiles when launched. Each aimsfor the target, with each missile working as astandard IR missile.

The Swarm Dumbfire are "unguided swarms", they do not aim for a target, but will fly aseemingly straight path at first, but are excellent for avoiding missile defence weapons. Theseare a bit cheaper than the Image-Recognition variant.Proximity Charge missiles, nicknamed "Cluster Busters”, can detonate in the proximity ofother objects. They inflict a large amount of area damage and as a result are moreexpensively priced.Proximity Tracker image-recognition missiles follow a target and, when in close proximity tothe target, work like the known tracker missiles. They then split up into several smallermissiles, each aiming for the target. It will split up in range of defensive weapons, so if youcan't catch this one before it splits up, most if not all of the smaller missiles will hit the target.The Synaptic is a special type, which flies unguided; it does area damage on detonation. On asecond press of the missile launch key, it will trigger a premature detonation, so you can timethe moment for the big bang. This missile is a bit slower than others, but the area damage isenough to cripple a decoupled Kha'ak cluster in one blast.Torpedoes are, as the name suggests, fairly big. This projectile even has some hullprotection, so it can survive a few hits before it blows up. Not unexpectedly, the big bangTorpedoes provide needs big Credits.Although you can take on ships of your own class and even ships that are the next classabove it, you will more than likely come off worse against larger ships, but it can be done ifyour fighting skills are high. An M5 will only have a few 1MJ shields and will be fitted withImpulse Ray Emitters. It will be able to take on other M5 and some M4, but it will havedifficulty with a M3 like an Argon Nova with three 25MJ shields and Beta HEPTS. Some bravepilots have reported such kills, but they may be just talking about their dreams.60Attacking with a few ships will improve yourchances when you are facing a much largerenemy. The captains of large M2 destroyerswill at first think you are playing a practicaljoke if you think you can take them on with asingle M6 ship or even a ten M3. If you persistin such silliness, they will use cannons to laserthe message across the debris of your ship’shull, so you will then understand them clearly.Destroyers can have seven or more 1GJshields; yes that is a Giga Joule not MegaJoule. So unless you have ships of equal sizeor great many of a smaller size, don’t even tryor your last memory will be watching thefragments of your ship’s hull floating by inspace.BattleshipsMaybe some pirates from a nearby Pirate Station just took a shine to your ship, or maybe youeven have a mission that requires you to have a small fleet or armada of ships, or maybe youare just greedy and want the sector that someone else has. There will be times you will wantto assemble a large fleet of big ships, to let the universe know that you are not to be messedwith. Here are a few tips to make those memories good ones.Capital ships can have an extensive array of weaponry and shields fed by their powerfulgenerators. With large stocks of lasers and missiles they can intelligently use laser loading tochange the class of laser used; so they can fire endlessly or even with the next class downfrom the optimum they will still be able to fire three or four times longer. Additionally they canre-direct power from their very powerful generators, so that the lasers on one side of the ship

can use the energy of the lasers currently not firing on the other side. Their powerful multipleGiga Joule shields provide an almost indestructible barrier even though they are very slow torecharge.Class M2 – Teladi PhoenixDestroyer. Your firstdestroyer is going to be one ofyour first 100 million+ Crinvestments. To get one youwill have to be very wealthy,will also have reached a highenough fighting rank and beon good enough terms withthe race you are buying itfrom.An M2 Destroyer costs morethan just its purchase price,you will have to buy all theupgrades and equipment,several high-grade Giga Jouleshields, multiple sets of alllaser cannons and missiles.With a destroyer costing around ninety million Credits, you can add another fifty percent tothat purchase price to the cost of fully maxing it out with everything it will need. So make sureyou are wealthy enough to bear the full cost, as there is nothing worse than seeing a slow,toothless, and half-baked destroyer limping across a sector.Carrier. Carriers are largeships with formidableshielding, point defences anda large capacity for carrying anumber of different smallerships within their hangars.They are crewed by highlytrainedpersonnel andcaptains chosen for their skilland aggression. Carriersrarely change their directionto avoid smaller ships.Class M1 Paranid ZeusRemember that due to thesize and density of the hulls ofthese great ships, to repairone percent of damage to their hulls will cost you more than what you would spend on a newM3 class ship, but that should be small change to some one as wealthy as you will be.61Yes, when you fly one of these giants other ships do look like insects and if you ploughthrough one, as well as scratching your hull and making a mess of the paintwork, the cost toyour reputation could be very high. When you arrive in a sector, it is suggested that you risehigh above the main travel lanes before you carry on flying.Plan ahead. The universe does not carry enough stock of big guns and shields for when arich player like you arrives. So set up some factories early on in your empire building, whichwill serve as stock building complexes and stores for your fleet of big ships. Likewise your pit

stops between little disagreements with some of the races should be stocked with shipscarrying equipment, weapon spares and energy, which can be beamed aboard your Carrier orDestroyer using your Goner Transporter Device.If you have been very busy building and carrying out shady missions for dirty money, you mayeven become one of the super rich with enough Credits for a fleet of M2 class ships. You mayneed them to protect your investments from invasions or even be able to succeed in gloriousbattles with acts of heroism for the highest rewards.Keep those laser banks charged, missile racks full, your wits about you and always one eyeon the scanner.Combat Guide“I don't want to know who started a fight but I know who ended it.” BurnIt!The well-known author of Survival in the Universe, Los t’Soul, has given permission forextracts from his works regarding Ship Management, Fighting, Reputation and Big Ships tobe made available to the general public. The guide has been read by over 120,000 new pilotsand is constantly updated with feedback from their experiences.Ship managementQ: How do I repair the hull of my ship?A: If your ship is not going as fast as it would normally, it may have hull damage. As thisdamage increases the slower the ship becomes. You can go to a shipyard and trade with thestation to get your hull repaired. Bigger ships have a greater hull density and will be moreexpensive per percentage of damage to repair.Q: How do I pick up cargo from a ship I have destroyed?A: Target the crate and when you get closer to it open your cargo bays with the [ o ] key andfly to it. If your ship has too little cargo space or the cargo is of a greater size than your shipcapacity, you may experience hull damage if you approach too fast.62Q: Why can I not buy some ships?A: If you want certain ships and hightechwares, your ability to buy themdepends on your reputation with therace you want to buy them from andyour fighting status will affect somebigger ship purchases. If you find youcannot buy a particular ship like an M2class, then you do not have a highenough combat rank to deserve one.Q: How do I change ships in space?A: You have a few ways to do this, ifyou have the Goner Transporter Device,you can beam yourself over to the ship, or if docked at a station you can change ships fromthe menu by selecting Personal-Change Ship, or alternatively you can eject from your shipand enter the other ship in the same way.To use the Transporter, target the ship you want you transport to, fly within 5 km and byselecting Target-Transporter or press [ i ] to bring up the target ship's menu. Scroll down withthe cursor keys. If you are in range then there will be two new items in the menu, FreightBeamer and Transporter Device. Selecting Freight Beamer brings up a screen that lets youselect which cargo to exchange, by selecting Transporter Device; it will beam you instantly tothe other ship. If you intend to move between ships, make sure all the ships you transport toalso have Transporters fitted.

Q: What is the "missile probability" that is set to 5% of the time?A: The missile probability is how often the ship will use its missiles in combat. So for 5% of thetime it will use a missile, if set to a higher number like 50%, it will use a lot of missiles incombat.Q: How do I jump a lot of ships?A: Use the command console to tell you other ships to follow you. The ships will need to beequipped with a Jump Drive and Energy and navigation software. Then use the commandconsole, then Navigation, Jump. The other ships if properly equipped and with enough energyfor the distance will then jump with you. The amount of energy required for a ship to jump isbased on the amount of sectors and the class of the ship, the bigger they are the more energyrequired per sector jumped.Q: Where can I dock an M2 orbigger class ship?A: Destroyers and Carriers can dockat a Shipyard for buying equipmentand TL class ships to buy factories.Q: How do you load energy andother goods into M1 and M2 ships?A: There are few ways to do this, (a)Request one of your ships to droptheir freight in space and then openyour cargo bays to retrieve the freight.(b) Use the Goner Transporter Deviceto beam the freight over to your shipfrom a TS ship that you keep dockedat a Power Plant for this purpose.(c) Visit Terracorp Headquarters where you can purchase energy.Q: What are the essential upgrades that should I have?A: The Goner Temple sells the top three upgrades, which are a little expensive, but makessurvival in the universe much easier. The Jumpdrive allows you to travel quickly to distantsectors to protect your assets or hunt down enemies. The Transporter Device is used forbeaming yourself or goods between ships. Finally, Salvage Insurance in case your luck hasnot been so good.Q: What if my kills have made more crates in space than I can put in my cargo bay?A: You can instruct one of your ships to collect wares in this sector. The ship will have to havethe Special Command Software Mk1 upgrade installed and also have the capacity to loadS/M/L classed crates.Q: How do I command my ships to patrol a given area of space or multiple sectors?A: You can only command M6 or bigger class ships to patrol sectors. To set the area, selectthe patrol command, when the universe map shows, then select the sector, move the cursorusing the numeric keypad to your first waypoint and pressing enter at each point. Repeat theprocess for 3 three more positions, thus marking all four waypoints.63You will then hear the "Command Accepted" when you have done the above correctly. Theship will then patrol inside the four-waypoint borders you have defined. Alternatively if there isno dangerous nebula in the sector, you can just set your patrolling ship to "Attack allenemies". Make sure you adjust the Friend/Foe settings to make them attack only ships youwant them to and remember to turn "Show as enemy if enemy to me" off.For Multi-Sector Patrols, go to the ship's command menu, scroll down to the Commandssection and press the [ Enter ] Key. Select the option to "Add sector to Patrol List". You canonly add one sector per "Add sector to Patrol List", it will exit out to the command screen andthe additional ship commands will still show none, this is normal. Just keep adding them until

all the ones you want are entered, adding the same sector a second time, clears it out of thelist. Then select the "Multi-Sector Patrol" command.Q: What is the MK1 Engine Booster and how do you use it?A: The Mk1 Engine Booster can be bought at a Pirate Base. To use it you will need to haveEnergy cells and/or space flies. At the command console select 'additional commands’ andthen the fusion injector.Q: How do I rotate the camera around the ship while flying?A: Press F2 key for the external camera, and then use the numeric arrows to rotate it. If youpress the [ 0 ] key you can toggle the view between the front and rear of the ship.Q: How do I deploy Squash Mines?A: Eject them from the cargo bay. Target them with and press [ i ] to bring up the info screenof the Squash Mine. Select the command menu and arm them.Q: How do I set up a Laser tower?A: Eject it from the cargo bay. Target it and press [ i ] to bring up the information screen of theLaser tower. Select the Command menu and set the Friend/Foe settings. It will attack any foethat comes into range.Q: How do I use Fighting Drones?A: Drones are a very good disposable that can save your pilot’s seat from getting toasted.You can eject them and set them on your enemy, which will do a few things for you; firstly, itwill totally distract your enemy into spending time fighting them off and secondly, it will giveyou time to recharge your shields, run for it or add your own firepower to the drones’ to turnthe tables on the ship that attacked you. They are pretty essential if you are just trading in aTS ship. To launch them, go to your Freight menu [ f ] key, highlight your drones and with the[ Right Cursor ] key select the number you want to use and press [ Enter ] eject them. Go toyour sector menu, select a drone, Command Console, “Broadcast to all my ships in thesector”, “Broadcast Sector, Fighter Drones”, and select command "Protect me", "Attack allenemies" “Attack…” or "Protect…". Or use the ‘Hot keys’ [ Shift+8 ] keys to command thedrones to Attack Target or the [ Shift+9 ] keys to command them to Protect you.Q: How do I get a ship to le me know that it has completed a command I gave it?A: Command complete notification. There is an option to have ships contact you once theyhave completed their current command. In the command console for the vessel in question,locate the Configuration section. The first setting there is ‘Notify me when order completed’.Enabling this by selecting ‘Yes’ tells the computer to send you a message when your remotelycommanded ships have completed the tasks they have been assigned. This ensures thatnone of your ships are left idle for extended periods, losing you potential profit.“Never arrive with two ships if it’s enough to do the job. Bring ten.” Steel64FightingQ: Is increasing my fighting rank just aboutfighting?A: Yes and no. Yes, in as much as the more killsyou make, the more your rank increases, but alsothe bigger your opponent the bigger the increase.If you also kill enemies not just in their ownterritories but also in the space of other friendlyraces and you have a police license for that race,your fight and your race rank will increase.Q: How do you use strafe drive?A: The strafe drive is standard equipment for all ships and is very effective in combat to avoidincoming fire. The direction of the strafe is controlled by the [ w,a,s,d ] keys.

Q: How do I set up turrets to fire automatically on enemies?A: Buy the combat software from an Equipment Dock. Then press [ Shift+c ] to call up theCommand Console of the ship select ‘Combat’, ‘Command all turrets’ and assign thecommands ‘Attack my target’, ‘Fire on all enemies’, ‘Defend ship’ and ‘Missile Defence’.Alternatively select each of the turrets for individual configurations.Q: How do I set up Wingmen?A: To make a particular ship a wingman, go into the ship’s details, Command Console andfurther down are three wingman settings, ‘Wingman: Yes/No’, ‘Missile Fire probability: X%’and ‘Formation: X’ By setting this to ‘yes’ the ship will show with a (W) in your sector listing.The [ Shift+7 ] hot key makes wingmen go in to formation or Attack target. The [ Shift+6 ] hotkey instructs them to Protect you. You can also use sector or carrier-wide commands byselecting one and ordering ‘All Wingman Attack…”Wingmen should be also equipped with Jumpdrive and energy, because if you jump toanother sector, they will then follow you, but if they do not have a Jumpdrive they will travelacross all the sectors to get to where you jumped.Q: If am under attack can I get some help?A: Yes, if you have a good reputation with the local race, you can comm. Destroyers, Carriersor Stations that are within 8km distance and tell them you are under attack, and they will thensend you assistance, if they have fighters available.Q: Which turret commands should I use for defence?A: ‘Missile Defence’ will prioritise missiles heading towards your ship and then the nearestship. ‘Protect Ship’ will target the nearest ship or missile. ‘Attack My Target’ will only attackyour target and ‘Attack Enemies’ will just attack the nearest enemy ship.Q: How do you remotely command other ships to follow you or protect you?A: To get a remote ship to follow you, you need to install Navigation software in it and installFight software for it to protect you or to be able to instruct it to attack. Go to you sector menu,select a drone, Command Console “Broadcast to all my ships in the sector”, “BroadcastSector, Fighters”, and select command "Protect me", "Attack all enemies" “Attack…” or"Protect…".Q: Where can I find out how many ships I have killed or captured?A: Pressing the [ p ] key will bring up your stats, use the [ PgDn ] or M.O.U.S.E to navigatedown the list which includes all the classes of ships, stations and other things you havedestroyed.ReputationQ: Can I get rich as a Pirate?A: In a word yes, but at a high cost. You can runillegal goods, like Space Fuel, Spaceweed,Slaves and Squash mines, while you also carryout not so legal missions from dealers at Piratestations and steal from innocent freighters. Youmay pay a heavy price with your reputation andranking with many of the races you prey on, orwhose sectors you try to take illegal goodsthrough, and also find yourself barred fromdocking at their stations or even hunted by themif they have cause to be really upset with you.65Q: How can I improve on my race ranks?A: You can get on their good side by proving your skills in killing Pirates, Xenon or Kha’akships and do race-specific and military missions. Most importantly, avoid collisions and fightswith the races you want to improve your relations with! Improving your race ranks will make it

possible for you to buy Police licences, so you get paid for your kills. You will then have an [L]after the race rankings in your pilot info, for each race you have bought a licence from.Q: I accidentally made a Station an enemy, can I make it friendly again?A: If you manage to upset a sector station, you can find a pirate station within three sectorsand look for a BBS message for any shady characters offering hacking services to changeyour status with that station.Q: I launched a fleet attack on a race whose sector I wanted, would they take it back?A: Yes they will start to rebuild their stations in that sector and if any of your freight/fighterships travel through any of their sectors, they will destroy them. You will also find they will nolonger sell you any goods or buy from your stations and it will take you a long time to earntheir trust again.Q: Why do my ships keep attacking other race ships?A: Check the ship’s command console and race settings to change the Friend/Foe details andthen make sure you have not left the ship setting “Show as enemy if enemy to me - Yes”. Ifyou have and then make an enemy of a Paranid ship, the other ships with this setting willattack Paranid ships.Q: Is my Fighting Rank reduced if I do not fight for a long period?A: Your combat rank will decrease slightly over time if you do not fight, but the decrease ismore noticeable if you use SETA for long periods other than travelling.Q: How do I apologise for friendly fire?A: Should you accidentally cause damage or death to a ship, to which you had no hostileintentions, you can contact local sector police or military vessels to declare the incident andavail yourself of any punishment.66"Dream the impossible dream, Fight the unbeatable foe, Strive with your last ounce ofcourage to reach the unreachable star." – Unk’ Nown

MISSIONSNon-Plot Missions (Got ship need Credits)When docked at a Station, select Station, Bulletin Board (BBS), read the news and see whatmissions are available. There are a number of trading and non-trading missions you canobtain from station Bulletin Boards. These can sometimes help you increase your reputationand more importantly increase your Credits. Here are some of the more basic missions youcan use to get started. It is important to note that some of these will require a particulartrading and or fighting rank for you to be accepted for them.Taxi Runs (Take me here, there and everywhere)This is a very simple mission that can make you some decent money at the start of a newgame. It requires you to take the person offering this mission to the station of his choice withina certain amount of time. If you succeed in bringing him or her to the station on time, you getpaid. If not, you get a nasty message and a bad record in your personal info screen. The timelimit is very long, so it is easy to make lots of money, albeit slowly, with these missions.The higher your rank and status the higher the payments will be, as your reputation willdetermine how reliable you are. You can use the Jumpdrive without penalty to get therequicker. Equally if you are late you will not get paid. Unlike the next missions it will be unlikelythat you will encounter hostile forces.Shady Taxi Runs (Xenon Invitations)These are like sending out invitations to the Xenon for captures, Credits and reputation. Youwill be asked by some character to help them get for Location A to Location B, but they willwarn you that you are likely to encounter some Xenon or hostile forces that may try to stopthem reaching their destination.If you have bitten off more than you can chew and are completely out-gunned, a simplestrategy is to head for the nearest gate at great speed. Then on the other side of the gate youwill be able to catch them in ones or twos at a time.Xenon Invasion Missions (Help wanted)Here is another chance for you to not only impress the locals and get plenty of race andfighting rank increases, but you will also get paid good Credits for your troubles. To find thesemissions, dock at various trading stations that are one to three sectors from any Xenon sectorand check out the Bulletin boards. The amount of and types of Xenon will increase the higheryour ranking, so they will always tax your current skills and abilities, but the rewards will alsoincrease accordingly.This is also a good way to acquire lots of race rank boosts; with lots of enemies to clear up,the locals will be very grateful and your status will improve with them.Trading MissionsThese are usually requests to collect and deliver some urgently needed resources for astation in the same or other sectors. There are usually quite strict collection and deliverytimescales, so it is important to have a Jumpdrive and a range of ships available. Somemissions may require the class of your current ship and others may need a TS Transporterclass ship.67Plot Missions 1 to 7 [SPOILER]When you start in Argon Prime you will have an Argon Buster M4 equippedwith a Jumpdrive and will receive a request from Ban Danna that you jointhe squadron that is waiting for you in the sector of ‘Home of Light’. In thisfirst mission Gamma Flight will be waiting by the north gate of that sector.

If you prefer not to do the mission yet and take the opportunity to strengthen your positionwith more resources and wealth, you will have a few couple of options. You can decide to notenter that sector until you are ready. Alternatively if you do enter the sector you can stillignore the communication from the Gamma Flight leader. Either way, as you go about yourown business, you will later receive reminder communications every now and then from BanDanna that the squadron is waiting for you to join them.To help you get on the right track, here is a guide to the first seven plot missionsMission1: Kha’ak PatrolMeet squad in Home of LightBan Danna will brief you on the mission to escort the Gamma Flight group, located in Homeof Light (HoL). You start in Argon Prime (AP) and after Ban Danna gives you the briefing youwill find your ‘head-up display’ (HUD) will target the south gate which will take you to HoL.On arrival in the sector you should meet up with the flight to the right of the North gate andbegin the patrol to Cloud Base South West (CBSW). From there, follow the patrol closely asyou take the route to the West gate, which leads to the sector, Red Light (RL).As you get within a short distance from the gate a group of Kha’ak M5 will appear from theNorth direction of the sector. Your HUD will go red and the auto-target will automatically lockonto one of the Kha’ak ships. Your task is to increase your fight rank and notoriety with theArgon by destroying as many of the Kha’ak as you can (Hint: If you want to get the first kills orall of them, fly a couple of kilometres to the right of the patrol, so when the Kha’ak appearsyou will reach them first. Otherwise, if you want to avoid the fight and want Gamma to do allthe work, fly the same distance to the left of the patrol, to arrive at the Kha’ak after they do).Escort Squad to Red LightAfter the patrol has dispatched the Kha’ak you will continue towards the West Gate into RL. Itis a good idea to target Gamma Lead and follow him into the centre of RL. Before you arriveat the centre you will get a cut scene. When the Kha’ak arrive your target will automaticallylock on to the Kha’ak M3 ship. You are advised to empty what firepower you can into the M3to weaken it; you will soon get additional support from your comrades. After the last of theKha’ak has been destroyed, the patrol will resume towards the South gate and into CBSW.Mission2: A Favour for NoahWhen you enter the North gate to CBSW you will receive a broadcast message from NoahGaffelt inviting you to the Goner Temple. You should go there and dock or comm. him.After you have spoken to Noah you will be transported into the rear Turret of a Goner ship.In the practice run you will have some drones to hit, press the K button twice to Auto-Target,this will help you target the Drones.68You will then have two waves of Pirates to attack, use short bursts of fire as they come inrange (The X will turn to the ‘In range’ target marker).You then head down onto Antigone and are chased by some miscreants. They are hard tohit, but using auto-target you should be ok. Having escaped the planet you end up floating inyour damaged spacesuit. On your left will be a spaceship amongst the asteroids, put yourspeed up full and head towards it, you will then be beamed on to it.Mission3: The White CrystalOn your way to Farnham’s Legend you will need to fill your cargo bay with Energy and have aJumpdrive, when there, head towards The Marauder shipyard.

In the next few stages you will need to destroy the pirates and attack the Talon. It will thenjump to another sector, for which Saya will give you the location. Repeat at each jump andkeep attacking the Talon to get its shields down. When the Talon gives up the crystal, Sayawill collect it.Mission 4: The RaceIn your mission to find Thomus Beckitt you will need to go to the Trading Station in Freedom’sReach, south of Danna’s Chance; it would be good to stock up on more Jumpdrive energy onthe way. The racing is fairly easy, when you start you just put the throttle on full and aim foreach marker, you don’t have to hit the marker exactly, near it will be enough, as you reach itthe next marker will appear. If you don’t succeed, you will be invited to try again.If successful, you will need to jump to Ore Belt to find Thomus in his ship, Solitas, near theEast Gate area of the nebula. After your meeting with Thomus you will need to rendezvouswith Ban Danna on the Argon One in AP.Mission 5: The ConvoyGo to Home of Light and comm. the Convoy Leader. Escort the convoy through the Southgate. When the Kha’ak appear you will be transported into a turret of one of the TL ships,again use the K key to activate the auto-target and kill as many Kha’ak as possible to improveyour reputation. Remove any remaining Kha’ak in your own ship. As there is a solar PowerPlant nearby, take the opportunity to get some more Energy for your Jumpdrive.Mission 6: Ocracoke's StormYou will need to Jump to Empire’s Edge and then head West from the North Gate intoSavage Spur and then through its South gate. In the asteroid you should take your time andwatch the cycle of the scanners to find your best window to run through them.At the first set of scanners, aiming for the middle of the two sets of beams, weave betweenthem to get to the hole in the wall. At the second set wait until the first scanner has started tosweep across and fly through it staying close to the wall on the left, which will help you avoidthe second scanner. At the next scanner you will see a Port on the wall. Time it right and flythrough it. With the next scanner, stay on the right of the wall to avoid it.After that it is fairly easy to travel through the remaining corridors, ports and scanners.When you arrive there will be a cut scene and the mission will be complete. You will then beback in CBSW and the Talon will appear with some pirate ships. Get rid of those and the Donwill, after a chat, ask for your help in finding his daughter.Mission 7: The Pleasure ComplexWhen you arrive at Thuruk’s Pride go to the Trading Station and read the BBS, which willhave a message from the Manager of the Silicon Mine. You will be directed to the PleasureComplex in Teladi Gain, near the East gate. Follow Saya maintaining >5km distance. Whenshe is captured, start destroying the mines and take out the Yaki pirates. After the cut sceneyou will enter the station for the next task.When entering the complex turn tight towards the marker and when you come to the big openarea, turn left to pick up Saya’s Ship, enter it and continue on your original path, further intothe complex. The indicators will lead you to the first generator on the left, which you will needto destroy. The corridor with the shield will now be clear and you just need to take out thelasers, if you don’t mind a bit of a shield hit you can get past them.69Go into the corridor and turn left at the next section. At the next section (on the left corridoryou will see the blue forcefield at the end of the corridor) take the right corridor that goesdown, at the next section go down again. Keep going past the laser fire until you come to across section, carry on a little further take the turn to the left, and left again into the next largearea, then destroy the second generator. Now reverse your path until you see the big bluearrows pointing you to where the blue forcefield corridor was before, now on your right.

As you get near the section with the Pods the beeping will get more frequent until you arealmost on top of them and the beep will be almost continuous. Now go through the door nowthe forcefield is down and at the next intersection turn right and right again. Go ahead andthen left and left again. Turn right and down in to the next large area with the hatches, fire atthem to release them until all six escape pod doors are blown.Carry on to the next cross-section where the red arrows indicate where you have come fromand go down the corridor with the blue arrow and at the next cross section, where it goesdown and then continue down the right corridor and the next cross section. Fly through theblue ring and then take the next corridor on the right, take out the two lasers and shoot at thesix escape pod doors until they are blown. You will then rejoin Saya with Miria and head off toThe Marauder in Farnham's Legend and contact the station.Note: there are a further seven missions, numbers eight to fourteen, that continue the plotstoryline. By using this walk-through you should now be familiar with the requirements of thenext ones.70

UPGRADES & EQUIPMENTUpgrades/EquipmentThere are many items that can be acquired to enhance your fleet and defend your property.Many of these come in different configurations of the same type. For instance there arevarious levels of each laser weapon type increasing in destructive power with the associatedcost and energy drain. Be aware that some technologies are only available from certain areasof space or indeed certain races and you may need to search hard to find the most covetedupgrades. Also remember that you can only dock with races where your standing with themallows it. The enemy of a race is not a good thing to be if you need equipment that only theycan supply.Advanced SatelliteThis satellite is the next generation of advanced communications, providing live information ofship traffic and commodity prices that are relayed to your ship computer. This model has amuch larger scanning range than the standard Satellite. It still retains many of the old featuresthat allow for navigation and information relay.Best Buys LocatorThe best buys locator can help you find the one location in your current system where youcan buy each available product for the lowest price. Very helpful for advanced traders!Best Selling Price LocatorThis Upgrade can help you find the one location inside your current sector where you can selleach of your trading items for the highest price. Very useful for advanced traders!Boost ExtensionThis boost extension allows your ship to accelerate with three times its normal acceleration.This extension is essential in some combat situations.Camera DroneNew on the public market and developed by the Argon military to acquire accurate tacticalinformation, the Camera Drone has been updated over the last decade to incorporate thenewest in video capture technology to feed live information to the person who remotelycontrols the device. Today the device is used to survey new sectors and planets, as well asspying on neighbours and monitoring enemy activities.Camouflage DeviceThis is a specialised device originally developed for spy missions by the Paranid; thetechnology behind the device is unknown. It renders the ship invisible to Radar and to sight.Because of its dangerous nature it is now considered highly illegal in most sectors as thereare fears that if the device falls into either Pirate or Xenon hands, any of the sentient raceswould be at risk to attack. There are rumours that each race military has a covert operationssquadron equipped these devices.Cargo bay extensionYour cargo bay will be extended by a certain amount of cargo units using subspacecompression technology. This extension will be more expensive every time you use itbecause of the increasing complexity of the technology used.71Cargo Life-support SystemThis life-support system allows you to transport living creatures, passengers and even slavesin your cargo bay.

CrateCrates are the universal method of transport for cargo. They come in many shapes and sizes,but all protect against the vacuum of space.Data Storage DeviceThis device can store audio and video data.Docking computerThis device enables ships to lock onto and interface with a space station's guidance beacon.The beacon transmits signals to the ship's docking computer to adjust speed and directionneeded to aid the automatic docking process.Duplex ScannerResearch and development of Radar technology has resulted in the Duplex Scanner, whichincreases the scanners range by a factor of 2. This enables targets to be acquired at muchgreater range.Ecliptic projectorThe Ecliptic Projector helps the pilot to navigate inside the system. It projects the eclipticplane into the pilot's view; this assists pilots in orientation and in gate location.Engine TuningA team of highly-trained specialists using advanced equipment in this complicated procedurewill optimise your engine, making your ship faster then ever before.Fight Command SoftwareThis is a software extension for any shipboard computer and includes a laser targetingsupport system. New commands are added to the shipboard computer's command console.Freight scannerPilots, whose spaceships are equipped with a freight scanner, can see exactly what is insideother ships they scan. Often pirates will abuse the use of this scanner before they attack andplunder innocent ships. Freight Scanners can be used to detect smugglers within 4kmdistance and they cannot be used legally without a Police license.JumpdriveThe Jumpdrive is a relatively new development. This ultimate upgrade allows your ship tojump to far distant sectors immediately. To focus on a distant jump gate through manydifferent sectors and through many other gates, it requires additional energy containers forevery sector it has to cross. The amount used per sector depends on the size of your ship.Mineral ScannerThe mineral scanner is an important add-on for every pilot who plans to exploit asteroids formining. Mounted to a spaceship it adds valuable information to the scan results of Asteroids.72Mobile Drilling SystemThe Mobile Drilling System accelerates and emits small fast rotating helical particles, whichdrill into rock and use supersonic resonance to break up the rock. Its effectiveness againstother materials is very low.Navigation Relay SatelliteThese satellites transmit all navigational data of the system they are installed in to your ship’scomputer to allow your universe map to display online information of all ships and stations.Installing such a satellite is necessary to control distant systems remotely.Navigation Command Software MK1This is a software extension for any shipboard computer. New navigational commands areadded to the shipboard computer's command console.

Navigational BeaconHazard Warning Beacons are placed by civilian militias to mark out the trade routes indangerous sectors, they emit pulses of light that show the trade lanes between gates andstations. By flying close to these beacons you can be assured of a safe flight, although piratessometimes use these trade routes as target practice.Ore CollectorAfter ore has been broken up by a mobile drilling system, the smaller rocks can be broughtinto the cargo bay using this device. It works by targeting the smaller rocks with a lowpowered gravity beam, bringing the ore into the bay ready to be sold.Police licenseAfter buying this license, pilots are accepted as a Police authority by all space stations andfactories in the given Races’ territory. They are automatically paid for the elimination ofoutlawed ships. You will need to have a good reputation with races before they will trust youenough to allow you to purchase a Police licence.Rudder OptimisationThis service is a time-limited special available only now. Specialists in rudder control willhand-optimise your ship's manoeuvring thrusters to make the ship easier to control than everbefore, allowing for complicated manoeuvres and advanced tactics.Salvage InsuranceSalvage Insurance allows valuable and vital personal, financial and tactical data to besecurely downloaded to a central database for retrieval following a catastrophic loss. Thisinsurance policy is well worth taking out at the start of journeys, trading or combat missions,as it protects a ship and its pilot from the loss of all endeavours, enterprise and acquiredknowledge.Singularity Engine Time AcceleratorThis product is based on the phenomenon of the time and space anomaly observed in thepresence of a singularity. The SETA is an attachment to the ship's normal operational engine,which can, when activated, compress time up to ten fold. Due to the constraints of the spacetimecompression technology it is not possible to alter one's course and velocity. The devicewill be deactivated as soon as any interference to the ship's controls are detected. Theinvention was clearly made to shorten travel across vast distances. No known side effectsexist but they cannot be ruled out.Spacefly CollectorAlthough illegal, Spacefly collecting has become a lucrative endeavour in the universe. Thesesmall creatures are stunned by an Ion weapon and then collected by this device for securestorage in the ship’s hold. These Spaceflies can then be sold for an easy profit to anyone whowill take them. This activity is illegal but within pirate communities it has become a way of life.Space SuitThis technologically advanced space suit keeps the wearer warm and shielded from radiationand offers some manoeuvrability but gives little protection against laser weapons.Special Command SoftwareThis software upgrade installs commands to allow ships to pick up cargo floating in space,usually after a ship has been destroyed. It is also invaluable for mining.73Strafe Drive ExtensionThis extension allows a ship to manoeuvre, using enhanced thruster assemblies, in thevertical and horizontal axes without changing aspect, making possible some advancedsteering manoeuvres. This has proved to be such an essential upgrade that they becamestandard equipment that was included in the build of all ships.

System Override SoftwareSystem Override Software, outlawed throughout the known sectors, is available only throughclandestine pirate factions. This device directly interfaces with and overwrites the uniqueownership ID and serial data of the target ship. Once initiated, the target will reset all securitysystems and allow you full onboard access.The software, though expensive, allows you to claim a ship by positioning your ship veryclose to the captured ship (within 35 m) and claiming it by selecting Target-Claim withouthaving to eject from your ship.Trading system extensionUsing the trading system extension a pilot can request detailed price information for all goodswithout actually docking to a factory or space station. This can be very useful for frequenttraders.Trade Command SoftwareTrade software MK1 is included in the standard build of all TS Class ships.Transporter Device / Freight BeamerThe Transporter device is a development based on the remains of the jumpdrive firstintroduced with the Xperimental ship and reverse engineered by the best scientists of allraces. Using this device you can get from one ship into another ship within a range of 5kmwithout using your spacesuit. It works equally well for transporting wares between ships.Triplex ScannerThe Triplex scanner increases the Radar scanner range by a factor of 3. This technologydetects greater variations in the gravitational fields generated by ships, stations and otherbodies. The processed information directly feeds both the sector map and the Radar display.Video Enhancement GogglesInvented by the Argon during the Boron Campaign it allowed their fighter pilots an advantageby being able to spot fighter crafts from long distances. Since then the product has beenadapted by the commercial sector and is now widely available in its recent shape fittedspecifically to the various races.74"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke

WEAPONSWeapons are divided into types. Each type has a version, indicating the strength of thatweapon. Most weapon types have several variants: Alpha, Beta and Gamma. The Alphacosts the least, has the fastest fire rate and uses the least energy, but does the least damage.The Gamma variant is the most expensive, slow firing and energy draining, but does the mostdamage. Unsurprisingly, the Beta variant is somewhere between the two.Alpha Electro-Magnetic Plasma CannonThe Earth Fleets powerful and highly advanced Alpha EM Plasma Cannon is the mostcommon weapon found on Terran fighters.Beta Electro-Magnetic Plasma CannonThe Earth Fleets powerful and highly advanced Beta EM Plasma Cannon is the mostcommon weapon found on Terran capital ships.Fighter DroneA fighting drone can be launched against an enemy ship and attacks the targetautonomously.Flak Artillery ArrayThe Flak Artillery Array is a new weapon that fires bursts of energy into space, acting as adefence barrier that stops most missiles and light fighter-ships.High Energy Plasma ThrowersThe radiation is so dangerous that the weapon had to go through many Jazuras of researchand development until it could be placed on the market. This was worked around by adding aradiation sink into the weapon’s main design, purging the weapon of all excess radiationbetween shots.Impulse Ray EmittersThe Impulse Ray Emitter is one of the oldest energy based weapons around. They require notmuch power to fire, and they usually have quite a rapid rate of fire. No one actually knowswhen the weapon was first developed.Ion DisruptorThis weapon is unlike any other weapon encountered. Developed by Boron scientists, thisweapon fires a steady stream of ion particles in the direction of a ship. Then the stream isignited. The result is a lightning effect that affects ship systems and shields, while leaving thehull relatively untouched. Although this weapon is relatively new, it has undergone extensivetesting to make sure it maintains high Boron safety standards.75Kyon EmitterThis weapon is of Kha’ak origin. It generates and emits Kyon particles that line up in a straightline. How these particles are generated is not currently known. They are most commonlyfound on Kha’ak ships.Laser tower

A defence installation typically found around stations or factories to help them defend againstinvaders. Lasertowers are normally equipped with a 25 MJ shield.Lasertower WeaponThis is the primary high-energy plasma beam that is used in Lasertowers. Its main energysystems make this weapon incompatible with large ships for the time being, althoughscientists are trying to find a way to remedy this situation. Argon scientists first developed thisweapon by accident when using photon-enhanced gamma radiation, which created a beamlaser.Mass DriverThis weapon is unique in that it is the only type of non-energy-based projectile weaponavailable. It consists of a rapid-feed multi-barrelled cannon, which is capable of delivering alarge number of small projectiles to its target in a short period of time. It inflicts damage notdue power of individual projectiles but because of the large numbers of projectiles delivered.Due to the unique nature of this weapon's ammunition it has almost no effect on a ship'sshields but instead delivers heavy damage directly to the target's hull. It also causes very littlepower drain due to the fact that its ammunition supplies all energy requirements. Currently theweapon can only be fitted to Argon and Split ships, as they are the only ships that canaccommodate the ammunition feed system. The true power of this weapon comes from itsammunition.Mass Driver AmmunitionThis is special ammunition for use in the Mass Driver. Each projectile is a self contained unitconsisting of the projectile itself and a small armour-piercing shell which is then encased in aunique crystalline matrix, which allows the shells to pass through ship shields unhindered, byproducing a tiny spatial distortion using the shields own energy. One pack contains 200rounds.Particle Accelerator CannonThe Paranid and Argon developed the first of its class. The particles are accelerated to aspeed faster than nearly most currently-known spacecraft. When they are then polarised andfocused into a tight energy pulse. They have been around since the Xenon conflict.76Phased Shockwave GeneratorThis weapon was developed jointly by the Teladi and Paranid. It works by sending out aphased package, which reacts and expands, creating a shockwave of phased energy. Thisarea weapon should be used carefully when friendly ships are around. It is quite effective in amissile defence role.Photon Pulse CannonFirst developed by Professor Jo Bydnah of the Argon, the Photon Pulse Cannon became afavourite of the Argon Military, who then sold the original designs on to the other races. Thisslow-firing weapon is extremely powerful and can only be fitted on the larger Capital ships. Itworks by sending highly charged photon radiation through a series of coils that multiplies thecharge, creating a very deadly pulse of radiation.Pulsed Beam EmitterThe Alpha Pulsed Beam Emitter is a high-tech weapon that uses directed beams of rapidlyfired enhanced energy to produce a weapon of devastating firepower.

Repair LaserThis weapon is installed on repair drones to assist in the welding of new TeladianiumPanelling to stations if they need to be repaired.MissilesMost missiles can be obtained from the complexes that manufacture them, but some missilestypes are from unlisted locations and can sometimes be salvaged from ships that haveobtained them from their own sources.Missile ClassesDumbfireFirefly Missile – Yield (1500) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: DumbfireWith combat increasingly being fought at ever-closer range, Argon Military specialists turnedto the development of a more straightforward technology that did not require the advancedguidance systems of other missile units. The result was the Firefly Missile, a small, extremelyfast projectile. With a high exit velocity and single trajectory, it is a one shot one chancearmament.Aurora Missile – Yield (5000) – Fusing: Synaptic/Timed – Guidance: DumbfireThe Aurora is classed as a Synaptic Detonator missile, a new and revolutionary technologythat allows the pilot to choose when to detonate his missile to the split-second of pressing thetrigger. The pilot first fires his missile and then uses the fire missile trigger again to detonatethe missile before the onboard timer expires.Dragonfly Missile – Yield (9900) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: DumbfireBefore developing the Firefly missile the Argon Military refitted the Dragonfly missile withDumbfire protocols to greatly reduce the cost of manufacturing. The Dumbfire Dragonflyreplaces the now obsolete original. It continues in service to this day.Windstalker Missile – Yield (?) – Fusing: Synaptic/Timed – Guidance: DumbfireOne of the most powerful missiles in the synaptic range, the Windstalker has been proven tobring an edge to any combat pilot's weapons array. Good speed and yield make this missile awise choice for attack runs and interception of mid-range craft. Where covert operationswithout scanner use are required, the Windstalker is unsurpassed.SwarmWasp Missile – Yield (1000) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: Swarm IRThe Wasp missile was remodelled for use against the Kha'ak and was the prototype for theSwarm Image Recognition (IR) tracking. Launching missiles simultaneously or in succession,the pilot has the option to fire when not directly pointed at the target at hand.77Typhoon Missile – Yield (30000) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: Swarm IRPacking a bigger punch than the Wasp, the Typhoon Missile again allows multiple armamentsto be launched at the same target. Using Image Recognition guidance systems, the chancesof a kill are good. Launching simultaneously or in succession, the pilot has the option to firewhen not directly pointed at the active target.Tornado Missile – Yield (50000) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: Swarm DumbfireThe Tornado Missile improves on the one-shot one-chance performance of the Firefly byoverpowering the target with a hail of missiles. Using multiple projectiles, the Tornado is

launched either simultaneously, or in swift succession, allowing the pilot to strafe the targetwith a barrage of missiles.SeekersBlizzard Missile – Yield (10000) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: FF Swarm SeekerThe Blizzard Missile offers combatants the ability to effectively deal with multiple targets withthe use of one missile. While not as powerful as a one-shot direct unit, the missile will splitinto several independent components that will track separate enemies using your shipcomputer'sfriend or foe (FF) signatures.Tempest Missile – Yield (60000) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: FF Tracking SeekerDependent on the IFF settings of the ship computer of the vessel it was launched from, theTempest Missile scans for enemy targets and establishes priority of attack. In doing so, if theprimary target is lost, it will immediately lock down the secondary, and so on, until it eitherruns out of fuel, or makes contact.Thunderbolt Missile – Yield (75000) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: Heat SeekerThe Thunderbolt Heat seeker Missile uses inbuilt guidance systems to lock on to heatsignatures in both visible and infrared spectrums. Doing so allows it to track targets in areaswhere doing so would otherwise be impossible. Classically used when engaging targets atdistance, although pilots have since found other more ingenious uses for them.Image recognition (IR)Mosquito Missile – Yield (200) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: IRThe Mosquito Missile is the most commonly used light missile in space fight. The mainpurpose of this weapon is missile defence for craft without a rear gun turret. Excellent fordestroying fighter drones. Most ships can use this missile.Rapier Missile – Yield (4000) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: IRFresh from the drawing boards of the Argon Military Research Labs and not yet in officialproduction, the Rapier missile can acquire and lock down targets at speed, launching alightning-quick attack against an enemy vessel, far faster than many pilots’ reflexes. Used inclose-range combat, often in numbers, as well as through medium-range evasive routines,this device is considered to be an essential backup to any standard array of laser weaponry.Disruptor Missile – Yield (10000) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: IRThe disruptor missile is an invention of the pirate faction, the Yaki. The missile uses enhancedion particles to disrupt the electronics and engines of the vessel it hits, leaving the hull andother systems intact.78Cyclone Missile – Yield (20000) – Fusing: Proximity – Guidance: Swarm IRSimilar to the Blizzard, the Cyclone Missile offers the same ability to deal with multiple targetswith one armament. Lacking the power of a single larger weapon, this missile will split at acertain distance from the target into several smaller units that will use Image Recognitiontracking to engage confirmed enemies in the field of engagement.Silkworm Missile – Yield (24000) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: IRThe Silkworm Missile combines the quantum technology with a warhead able to destroy evenheavily protected targets. This missile will be typically used for attacks on large fighters ortransports.Banshee Missile – Yield (?) – Fusing: Proximity – Guidance: IRA powerful military-grade medium range image-recognition missile, the Banshee offers pilotsthe chance to show their enemies the true meaning of fear. While not the fastest missileavailable, its yield and strong acquisition ability allow it to be used in a wide range of combatscenarios against medium to heavy fighters.

High-YieldsHurricane Missile – Yield (6000) – Fusing: Proximity – Guidance: IRAfter some concern that this armament would be nothing more than a continuation of theSQUASH Mine's unethical usage, the Hurricane Missile firmly rooted itself in military circlesas being the ‘weapon of choice’ when dealing with large numbers of small targets. Perfect forboth Kha'ak cluster engagements as well as breaking up tight formations of Pirates.Hornet Missile – Yield (49000) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: IRThe Hornet Class Missile is the most powerful weapon known today. The gigantic resourcesneeded to produce this monster also make it extremely expensive. The missile works bysetting off a small nuclear charge causing a reaction between three differing elements that arethen combined on impact to create a large explosion powerful enough to disrupt even thelargest shields. The hornet is, on the other side, the slowest of the known missiles, and is bestused against immobile or slow moving targets.Firestorm Torpedo – Yield (50000) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: IROne of the slowest and most powerful projectile weapons in the current armoury, theFirestorm Torpedo possesses devastating destructive force, at the expense of speed andmanoeuvrability. While remarkably easy to shoot down, this weapon, if successful, can inflictgreat damage to a station, and in volume, even destroy it. Its success against large combatcraft can be equally devastating when employed on close-range attack runs. This missileeven has some hull protection, so it can survive a few hits before it blows up - needless to saybig bangs require big CreditsWildfire Missile – Yield (?) – Fusing: unknown – Guidance: unknownThe Wildfire missile is a prototype missile developed by the Industritech Corporation beforethe Kha'ak attacks. However a production stage has not yet been reached. Some missileshave reportedly gone missing, but official sources have denied that this is the case.Other MissilesRemote Guided Warhead - Yield (100000) – Fusing: Contact – Guidance: RemoteThe Remote Guided Warhead is designed to be part missile and part drone. It is firednormally however the pilot remotely controls the missile into an accurate firing line. Thisprojectile is similar in build to the Torpedo but with the ability to be guided remotely by thepilot to avoid missile defence fire. It inflicts slightly less damage than the torpedo, however ifthe player controls it well there is a good chance of causing critical damage to the target.Kha’ak Sting, Needle and Thorn missiles - Yield (4000, 7450, 15000) – Fusing: ProximityThese are fast missiles that will explode near the target ship. They have a deadly poweragainst all fighter ships..79ShieldsShields are vital for survival in space. They protect the ship from small impacting objects likemini asteroids as well as during fights. Their one weakness is that they do not inhibit electricalcurrent. Their inability to inhibit current makes them susceptible to ion disruptors. Shields arean energy field, and MJ are the units for quantifying their performance. Shields project fieldstrength of X MJ - they don't "absorb" X MJ of energy.

They are available in 1 MJ Shield, typically used by Small fighters and scout ships. Somefighters, transporters and passenger ships use 5 MJ Shields and these ships are sometimesalternatively equipped with much more powerful 25 MJ or 125MJ. 1 GJ Shields, (1 GJ =1000MJ) are used by destroyers, battleships, carriers and heavy Transporter ships. The 10GJ Shield is the most powerful protection known. Typically they are used onboard largeinstallationsSQUASH MineA very destructive mine. Typically used to protect important strategic locations. Beware: Thismine does not have friend-foe recognition!TRACKERThe TRACKER mine is developed for short-range blockades. Once triggered it flies towardsits victim. The only way to survive a TRACKER mine is to outrun the mine long enough totrigger its self-destruction.“Most people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so” - Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)WARES & COMMODITIESArgnu beefArgnu originally roamed wild over the lower foothills of the Argon mountain ranges. Argnumeat, when processed for off planet export is sold in half-tonne pressed blocks known asCahoona Meatsteaks.ArtefactsRelics of ancient civilisations can be found all over the universe. These artefacts vary in sizeand shape but most were built with sophisticated advanced technology. The origins of theseartefacts are still unclear and Argon and Boron archaeologists are working to decipher theirpurpose.80Artificial FertilizerIn recent Jazuras the Argon Agriculture Council has decided that it is unsafe to use Fertilizerfrom the Argnu Cattle. This artificial fertiliser created by the AAC contains all the essentialelements that plants need for growth but eliminates the ones that are harmful to other lifeforms.Biological Micro OrganismsThese micro-organisms are used by the Boron to create new and advanced pharmaceuticals.Using their advanced genetic techniques, the Boron have discovered many cures topreviously incurable diseases. The Boron Medical Council now controls the regulation ofthese micro-organisms in most sectors. The Boron actively search out new species and havediscovered varieties that are used to manufacture fertilizer and to treat radioactive waste.BoFuBoFu meals are known to be very nutritious and healthy. The Boron love them and it is saidthat their pilots can live on just a nugget of BoFu for almost a Wozura. BoFu is grown inspecial BoFu Chemical Labs from Plankton and other secret ingredients. Even though the

Boron are famous for their delicious Stott spices among other races, the taste of BoFu is nojoy to anybody but them.BoGasBoGas. The unusual natural resources found within the planet Boron mean that the planet isreally a huge chemical factory. From these many chemicals the Boron manufactures a uniquegas that is used throughout the universe as the ultimate painkiller and anaesthetic. After theBoron government stopped any commercial use of the natural resources of its planet Borongas is now artificially reproduced in Bio Gas Factories throughout the Boron Kingdom.Cartography ChipsDesigned and produced by the military, these cartography chips contain important informationon individual sectors or the universe as a whole. They detail the positions of all known militaryfacilities and stellar phenomena.Chelts MeatChelts are natural sea bound animals that once roamed the seas and oceans on the Splithome planet that the Split killed for meat, oil and their skins, which they processed to createtough leather, like material. However for many Jazuras Chelts were over hunted and almostbrought to extinction. Nowadays Chelts are grown in space Chelt Aquariums and are latersold to Split food factories.Cloth RimesArgon cloth is one of the most versatile items to be found throughout the X Universe. It istraded in great bolts of cloth known as Rimes. Produced by merging the stems of DelexianWheat with various animal fat based oils, it provides the raw materials for hard wearing anddurable clothing, such as work suits and leisure clothing. The Argon also use this material forall kinds of packaging. Argon Cloth is also further processed into explosive materials andused in weapons manufacture.Computer ComponentsComputer Components are important resources for the production of all modern technology.From wristwatches to gigantic spaceships, computers control everything.Construction EquipmentModern construction equipment is designed to allow the construction of vast space stationssafely and quickly. It is vital for the economic growth of all racesCrystalsCrystals are important for the production of various weapons. They are produced in CrystalFabs from Silicon wafers.Delexian WheatDelexian wheat is grown on the plains of Argon. Argon settlers have taken this plant whereverthey have colonised a planet, and nowadays even grow it on gigantic farms floating in space.It is a yellowish green plant that stands four to five feet tall. The top of the plant producesgrain which, when threshed, produces a versatile flour like substance which forms thesubstance for all Argon foodstuffs.81Energy CellsEnergy Cells are the unified energy storage used throughout the whole known universe. Theunification of the energy storage specifications allows for interstellar trading with this mostbasic of all products.Engine ComponentsEngine components are used in the manufacture and repair of spacecraft engines. Theplasma drive is the most common engine system used in modern spacecraft. It makes use ofa high-energy ionised plasma stream from a fusion core to propel the ship. These drives arevery stable and simple in construction and need little maintenance.

Entertainment ChipsEntertainment chips contain films, books or interactive entertainment. They are used allthroughout the known universe. Many Boron titles, however, have been banned in the Splitsectors.Food RationsSmall packs of food usually used in combat or refugee conditions. These packs of foodcontain freeze-dried Argnu beef, dried BoFu and water rations. Although not appetizing, thesefoods can mean the difference between life and starvation.Hand WeaponsThere are many different designs of hand weapons to allow for the physical capabilities ofeach race. They range from knives and swords to sophisticated military guns and rifles.HackerchipsA new and expensive computer chip created by some pirate factions. These Hacker chips aredesigned as an adaptive hacking tool, automatically redirecting signals, creating viruses andgenerally making a hacker's life easier. They are easily identifiable because they contain theirown power source - a small fusion battery that powers the chip for a Jazura. They cannot beobtained through the usual sources and are used by some pirates to hack station reputations.Luxury FoodstuffsMany planets produce they own Luxury Foodstuffs that are coveted by connoisseurs all overthe universe. They are packed into refrigerated boxes and shipped quickly to their destination.Because of the cost and short shelf life these foodstuffs are usually only used at importantfunctions.MajaglitMajaglit is made from the shell of the Maja snail and is a very precious material used by manyraces for creating jewellery and ornamentation. Due to its precious nature it fetches highprices. The few space jewelleries capable of processing Majaglit are famous for high qualityartworks.Maja SnailsMaja snails are found in pools and rivers deep underground on the Paranid home planet.Their shells are very shiny and, when subjected to certain light sources, produce a myriad ofdifferent colours. In Space they are cultivated on Snail Ranches.Massom powderMassom is a powdered form of Scruffin. It is a basic yellow powder produced by the Split fromthe Scruffin, a sweet potato-like food grown by the Split. Other races that use it to mix andenhance their own foodstuff trade this powder. It is manufactured in Massom Mills foundeverywhere in the Split territory and sold in large, one-tonne bulk containers.82Meatsteak CahoonasArgon Meatsteaks are traded throughout the universe. They provide a nutritious meat-basedfood suitable for most types of races. Some races prefer to use Argon Meatsteaks inconjunction with different Boron Spices. It is traded in blocks known as Cahoonas.Medical EquipmentMedical equipment can be found all over the universe. This equipment can range from smallmedicinal bottles to life support systems and portable operating theatres.MicrochipsMicrochips are manufactured from silicon wafers that are especially treated with variouscoatings to create the required conductivity. They are mainly used in the production processof computer components.Military Personnel

The military always have to move personnel around at short notice. For this purpose theyoften employ freelance pilots. These passengers usually carry weapons and other goods andtheir destinations might be dangerousMining EquipmentMining Equipment, produced by the Galactic Mining Authority, is used to repair or replaceequipment on asteroid mines. The equipment ranges from the standard mining drill toadvanced laser equipment.NarcoticsNarcotics are used widely within the pirate community. These drugs alter the person'sperceptions and brain functions. Unfortunately these effects cannot be controlled and thenarcotics can usually result in unwanted side effects and in some cases death.NividiumNividium is a rare mineral that is found in some larger asteroid fields located in the universe.Its use is limited, although it has been used as a superconductor. Nividium in its purest form istraded as a unique and valuable commodity.Nostrop OilNostrop or Teladian sun oil is the main Teladi food product. It is mixed with various spicesand sold in different flavours. The Teladi produce and mix it in so-called Sun Oil Refineriesbased on sunflowers.OreOre is the most common mineral throughout the whole known universe. It is used in theproduction process of almost all technical goods. Ore is produced in Ore Mines which arebuilt on suitably mineral-rich asteroids.PassengersAll races have access to commercial spacecraft; these ships can take large groups ofpassengers to space stations or to other planets or systems.Pirate SidearmsUnlike the military issue hand weapons, these Pirate sidearms have been declared illegal bymost races. They are popular amongst Pirates as they are very effective at short range andeven minor wounds can be fatal. The favoured pirate sidearm is the rare IMB-42 Blasterwhich literally rips the molecular structure of a living organism apart. Transporting and owningthese weapons is a capital offence in some sectors.PlanktonBoron plankton is found as a scum like surface that floats on the surface of the chemicalswamps on Planet Boron. It is produced naturally from certain chemical reactions that arefound in the swamp mixing with the ammonia-based air. This scum is collected and thentreated with additives and other Boron minerals to produce a wide range of different, andnutritious spices. Since the Boron seas are now completely protected from any industrialusage, Plankton is mainly produced on huge Plankton Space Farms everywhere in the BoronKingdom.83Quantum TubesQuantum Tubes, also called Planck Tubes, are used inside the engines and controls of manyof the larger transporter ships and destroyers. The manufacture of Planck Tubes is bothcostly and complex, making Quantum Tubes one of the most expensive trading goods.Radioactive WasteRadioactive waste is a by-product of weapon production, especially the Hornet Missile. Untilrecently the only way to dispose of the waste was to dump it in disused silicon mines. TheBoron have discovered a micro-organism in the sector Light Water that digests the harmfulwaste and excretes an inert material. How this useful radiation-resistant organism evolved isunknown.

Rastar OilRastar is oil produced from the animal fat of the Chelt, a farmed sea-bound animal on Split.This oil, once refined, is very fine and is used by most races to lubricate engines and othermoving mechanical parts. It is refined in Rastar Refineries and sold in large barrels known asGretts.Scruffin FruitsScruffin is a large type of edible vegetation similar to sweet potatoes. It is grown by Splitfarmers in large open fields, as well as on gigantic space installations called Scruffin Farms. Itis a versatile foodstuff that, when processed, provides a number of Split food types. Eventhough scruffin is traded inside and outside the Split territory it is mainly demanded by variousSplit food factories..Silicon WafersSilicon is the main mineral resource that all modern technology goods are based on. It isusually found just below the surface of asteroids and mined in huge Silicon mines in space.SlavesPilots who lost their freedom and are captured by pirates often end up being sold as slaves onillegal markets.SpacefliesThis creature is a small unintelligent spacefly that lives in the vast emptiness of deep space.They are the size of a small bird and seem to be made out of delicate shining gossamer thatreacts to light and shimmers and shines in a multitude of colours. The Markus live in vastcomplex hives in hollowed out parts of asteroids and perform a valuable function by collectingspace junk and other debris, which they capture and take back to their asteroids to be used inthe construction of their hives. They travel together in great swarms and communicate with aseries of musical notes, similar to bird song, that impossibly echo in space. Their beauty, andthe beauty of their music, is famed throughout the X Universe and all intelligent space racesdelight in seeing them. Pilots will stop to watch a swarm fly past. Creatures working on theoutside of ships and space stations have claimed that the Markus will fly near them and evenperch on them, singing all the while. However, throughout space, sightings of The MarkusSpace Fly are becoming very rare. This is mainly due to the actions of The Split, who captureand use the small space fly to power their spaceships. Currently the Foundation Guild arepressing for the Markus to be made a protected species and pressure is being put on the Splitto change their system of powering their spaceship engines. It is believed that, despite auniversal ban on their capture or trading, some pirates still hunt and capture this creature inorder to sell them to the Split.84Space FuelMembers of the Argon race never trade Argon Whisky openly. It is known as Space Fuel andis smuggled in containers known as Fuel Tanks as only few stations have a tradingconcession. A cheap imitation of Argon whisky, called space fuel, is produced in whiskyproducing plants, and smuggled into all other race sectors.SpaceweedSpace weed can be smoked or ingested through the mouth. Because of its intoxicating effect,and the fact that it is supposedly habit forming, the governments of all races, with theexception of the Teladi, have outlawed this plant. It is suspected that the Teladi produceSpaceweed in a factory they called the Bliss Place.Soja BeansSoja beans grow naturally inside large caves found throughout the Paranid home planet. Asthey grow in the dark they are white in colour and retain a large amount of moisture. TheParanid farm them and gently squeeze out this moisture, which they then use as a source ofwater. The dry beans are then mashed, and processed to produce a type of basic foodstuffused as the base for many of the Paranid different food types. It is traded as Soja husk. Thespace installations growing these beans are called Soy Farms.

Soja HuskSoja husk is the dried and processed form of the Soja bean. It is the number one food in theParanid territory. It can be mixed with many different indigenous things to produce a widevariety of flavours. Soja husk are produced in space factories called SoyeriesStott SpicesStott Spices also known as Boron spices are highly regarded by all races in the knownuniverse. They are used to mix with many different basic foodstuffs to provide tastier foodswith more exotic flavouring and different flavours and tastes. They are traded in containersknown as Stott Jagos. It is not known to outsiders how the chefs working inside Space Stottmixeries archive those delicate products out of just Boron Plankton and only few otheringredients.Super Slave ChipsSlave chips are neural implants used to allow pilots of spacecraft to have direct control overhis or her ship. The Super Slave has better range using the same hub technology, improvedperception, longer use and most importantly a built-in failsafe device.Sunrise FlowersTeladi sunrise flowers are large plants with blue leaves and stems and large white flowersthat originally grew in the vast open swamplands found on the Teladi home planet. SunriseFlowers are grown on Flower Farms nowadays because of the superior light and gravityconditions in space. These flowers provide the Teladi with a number of different resources.The stems and leaves are used as vegetable matter and provide the Teladi with their basicfoodstuff. The flower heads of these plants are gathered and pressed to produce a crude oil,which is used for cooking and for heating purposes.Swamp PlantThe Teladi Swamp plant is a small moss like plant that when dried and processed acts like anarcotic known as Spaceweed. Swamp Plants are grown on small space installations theTeladi call Dream Farms. Swamp Plants are also used as the resource for Nostrop and otherTeladi food products.TeladianiumTeladi mud is a very fine silty type of sediment found at the bottom of rivers and swamps onthe Teladi planet. This mud when dried out becomes a hard mineral called Teladianium. Thismineral later can be mixed with certain chemicals, processed and can even be added tosynthetic plastics to create a tough flexible material stronger than hardened steel but muchlighter. In space Teladianium is produced in chemical plants called Teladianium Foundries.Teladianium is used throughout the X universe by many races in the construction of buildingsand the interior structures of spaceships and space stations.Teladianium PanellingTeladianium panelling as produced in rolling mills at shipyards and when added to a ship'shull provides extra protection from space borne particles.Very Important PassengersVery special passengers who have very special requirements when travelling. They usuallyhave several security guards and travel with a large amount of luggage.85WarheadsWarheads are needed in the production process of missiles. Most technical details about theinternals of warheads are kept secret.WaterWater is transported in large gas-free containers all over the universe. Many sectors have fewnatural sources of water and have to import their water requirements for drinking andcleaning. In these sectors the water supply is the most important commodity.

Weapon Interface ChipsMore commonly known as WICs, these weapon interface chips are used in large laser-basedweapons. They are an interface between the ships computer and weapon, designed to helpregulate the energy flow and to prevent illegal modification. Weapons cannot operate withoutthese chips."And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." Friedrich Nietzsche86

FIGHT, TRADE AND RACE RANKSThere are various ranks that can be achieved for proving yourself both in combat and trading.There are also insignia that can be worn on your uniform to show your rank to your fellowcombatants/traders.Although there are many ranks available and some insignia may cover more than one rank,the insignia adorned will show others what level of ability they have achieved. The Argonpreferred way is to wear the Trade insignia on the left arm and the Combat insignia on theright; as easy to remember as “Right for Fight”. You will find that certain jobs available atstations will only be available to pilots with the appropriate skill level.Progress of Ranks for success in TradingX-TREMEPan-Galactic TycoonTycoonSuper-MagnateMagnateMogulCapitalistMaster IndustrialistIndustrialistManufacturerMaster EconomistEconomistMaster BrokerBrokerFinancierPetty FinancierWholesalerMerchantRetailerPetty RetailerEntrepreneurMaster DealerDealerTraderApprentice TraderVendorPetty VendorHawkerProfiteerJourneymanOpportunistProgress of Ranks for success in FightingX-TREMEHeroLegendOverlordConquerorBattlemasterCrusaderWarlordVindicatorAssassinWarriorMilitantMaster ChiefFighter ChiefSpecialistInstructorProfessionalEagle EyeSharpshooterMarksmanVeteranFighterSkilledGraduateCompetentTraineeRookieNoviceGreenhornNuisanceHarmlessIt is illegal in all known space to advertise and actively supply jobs to a lower rank as thelocalised Guild representative rates jobs before they go on view. It is also highly illegal towear the insignia of or impersonate another pilot’s higher or lower rank. As you increase yourFighting ranks you will be accepted for higher-paid missions. Your trading rank will also affectthe amount you are paid for trading missions. Additionally your ranks as they increase willallow you to buy better equipment and ships.87INHABITANTS OF THE X UNIVERSEThe various races that make up the X-Universe’s inhabitants come from many areas of spacenormally linked by jump gates and have varied and detailed backgrounds.

ARGONHero of the FederationProtector of the FederationFederation OverwatchFederation MarshallFederation GuardianTrusted AllyAccepted AdviserConfirmed FriendFederation AssociateFederation MemberCitizenSuspected FoeKnown AntagonistConfirmed InsurgentConfirmed EnemyEnemy of the FederationToday the Argon Federation is wealthy and encompasses alarge number of very different types of planets. Some aredeserts while others are icy wastes. The planet Argon Prime isheart of the Federation and is the residence of the governmentand all administration. It is also one of the most exciting planetsin the X Universe. As well as being the home of culture,science and learning, it is also home to the finestentertainments. In addition housing the finest geodesic holidayhomes it also has thousands of bars, restaurants, theatres,casinos, hologramic cinemas, holiday villas, everything in factthat makes it the finest rest and recreation centre in any knownuniverse.The Argon Federation is governed by an elected parliament,with each city colony and space station represented bysenators elected by their own people. The leader of the ArgonParliament is called President. Currently a male Argon calledFrann Herron holds this position.Argon ShipsThe Argon create the most balanced ships and you can see the Boron influence that mirrorstheir joint development. When you buy an Argon ship you have a good all-round versatileship. But as the Argon do not share the peaceful Boron nature they also use, together withthe Split, the Mass Driver Gattling gun. The Argon developed this weapon according to olddocuments and the Split were so impressed they paid immense licence fees for their ownmanufacture.With the development of the Nova, the successor to the ageing Elite, the Argon was the firstrace to install a rear turret into a heavy fighter. All other races except the Split followed thisnew design in due course. The use of technologically advanced shipyards enabled them tostrengthen and increase shield capacity, together with engine performance. When in the pastyou may have laughed about the old Elite, it is a different story now. She is still one of theslowest heavy fighters but her firepower will quickly silence any critics. Similar changes alsotook place with the Buster and a new type of ship, the Argon Centaur Corvette, was alsointroduced.BORON88Knight of the KingdomKing's ProtectorateKing's KnightQueen's ProtectorateQueen's KnightQueen's GuardNoble PeerTrusted CourtierAccepted FriendFriendAcquaintanceAntagonistConfirmed AdversaryEnemy of MenelausQueen's NemesisEnemy of the KingdomThroughout the X Universe the Boron’s are famous for their wisdom,wealth and for the sophistication of their space ships. These ships area shimmering green colour with powerful engines that show a whitelight and are among the fastest and most manoeuvrable ships in theuniverse. They are also armed with very sophisticated weapons anddefensive shields and, with the exception of the Argon, are the bestspacecraft in the universe.Despite being members of the Foundation Guild and holding a strongalliance with the Argon, because of their peaceful nature the Boronare friends to all races in the X Universe. They currently hold tradingagreements with the both the Teladi and the Paranid, however theyare still very wary of the Split and relationships between the two racesare very strained.The Boron have no direct contact with the Xenon, however, as alliesof the Argon, they are very much aware of them and of the dangers they present.

Despite being called the Kingdom of Boron the Boron race are actually ruled by an electedgovernment. They do however have a royal family who act as figureheads of the Kingdom State.The current head of this Royal Family is the 50-year-old Queen Atreus. Her husband, King Rolk,was killed in a space cruiser when it crash-landed on a nearby space station, leaving herdaughter, Princess Menelaus, as the heir apparent.The Boron ShipsThe Boron have cooperated in the past very closely with the Argon design engineers eventhough their aggressive nature was never fully understood by them. Recently they have built anew propulsion system to keep up with the fast Split patrol ships. Parallel to this theydeveloped, with their Argon allies, a new laser weapon which simply disables ships systems.Any Split being hit with this new weapon will suffer unspeakable shame, as they will have tobe rescued. Hence the history of frequent attacks by young Split pilots has stopped abruptly.In contrast to Argon ships, the new Boron ships are fast, fairly averagely armed and weakershielded.PARANIDHonour Guard of XaarSeeker of the Holy LightEmperor's ProtectorateFriend of EmperorPriest ProtectorateFriend of Priest KingFriend of Priest DukePriest ConfidanteFriend of PriestFriendNomadUnholy NomadTainted WandererDesecrator of Holy LightEnemy of Priest DukeEnemy of Priest XaarDespite their many historic disagreements The Paranid arestill allied to the Split and, through their membership of theProfit Guild, the Teladi. In addition to being members of theProfit Guild the Paranid allow all other races to trade openlythroughout their sectors of space, however relations betweenthe Paranid and the Argon are still very strained and trade isthe only contact the two races have with each other.Even to this day their strange rites and religious beliefs are amystery to other races and it is virtually impossible tobefriend or even understand them.These rites also forbid any member of another race settlingor living on a Paranid colony, not that many ever want to dueto the fact that the Paranid prefer to settle on planets that aretoo hot for other races.The Paranid ShipsThe Paranid have always known how to construct good combat ships and they have the mostbalanced fighting capabilities of all the fleets. But their designers have little imagination andonly the required functionality is added to their ships, discarding comfort for more practicalmeans. But if you were looking for a ship to still be intact after a heavy battle, a Paranid shipwould make an excellent choice.They also developed the new Wide Laser type that has a larger area of fire. Their engineershad to sell the designs of the Wide Laser to other races during the recent recession whichsome have said, with much sneering, was caused by the small cargo bays in their ships. Onlythe resale of the design plans for their heavy Wide Lasers was prohibited by their SecretService. These are still exclusively used by Paranid battle ships.89SPLITEven now the Split still control large areas that used to be territories owned by The Kingdomof Boron. They continue to use the rare Markus Spacefly as a propellant and continue tosuccessfully trade within the Profit Guild. Whilst relationships between the Foundation Guildand The Profit Guild remain on the surface cordial, relationships between the Split and theother races are constantly degenerating and now border on the edge of war. This is due toboth the natural aggression of the Split and their continued exploitation of the MarkusSpacefly.

Honoured Strong Arm of RhonkarHonoured Imperator of RhonkarInner Circle of RhonkarPrivileged Associate of RhonkarFamily ProtectorDistinguished AssociateFamily FriendComradeFriendKnown VenturerCreatureShameless CreatureFamily OutcastFamily EnemyEnemy of RhonkarEnemy of all Split FamiliesDespite being peaceful by nature The Boron arealways eager to reclaim their lost territories back andawait any opportunity to attack the Split. The Argon aresuspicious of the Split’s supposed friendship with theXenon. The Split and the Xenon tolerate each other.They have already had one slight war, but at the timeas neither of them could see an easy victory or anyterritorial advantages they came to terms. Howeverthis treaty is very shaky and war is expected if theirrelationship deteriorates any further. The Split maintaina frosty friendship with the Paranid but will neverforgive them for not joining with them in the fightagainst the Xenon.The Split ShipsThe Split are typical warriors who if unable to eliminatean enemy with the first shot, call straight away for abigger weapon or more support. They are impatient and have to be the first in any combat. Intheir ship construction therefore, shields take a back seat. In a particular constructionproposal shields were fitted retrospectively as they were simply forgotten.Their engineers today still complain of the missed opportunity to fit 2 Gamma HEPT instead of2 Beta HEPT into their design. Nevertheless, Split ships are some of the best combat ships ifyou are prepared to live with weak shielding but have the strongest and deadliest weaponsinstead.It was with extreme reluctance that a few Split traders had Ion disruptors fitted into their cargotransporters. But then they discovered that they could use them to hunt Spaceflies. That iswhy the Split personnel transporter, the most luxurious and lavishly fitted out ship for Splithunting parties, can be fitted with the Ion disruptors. The Split M6 is the only M6 class shipthat can use the heavy, capital lasers of the battle ships.TELADI90Company DirectorVenture CapitalistVenture ProfiteerCompany OwnerCompany ManagerMajority ShareholderShareholderCompany TraderCompany HelperProfit OpportunityProfit InitiateProfit LiabilityMercantile RebelCommercial AnarchistCommercial EnemyEnemy of the CorporationMost of the races in the X Universe don’t like the Teladiand refer to them as greedy and lazy. Sometimes theyare even referred to as stupid, but that is only by racesthat have never traded with them. The Teladi drive someof the hardest bargains in the X Universe, and alwayscome out of a situation with a profit. This is the reasonwhy certain races have banned the Teladi from trading intheir territories or sectors. Hence the Teladi are alwayson the look out for trading partners. It is believed thatthey finance many of the pirate operations that operatethroughout the X Universe. Indeed many races think it isno coincidence that their ships have been captured andtheir high-tech equipment looted by pirates after refusingto trade with the Teladi.Their own technology tends to lag behind the rest of theoccupants of the X Universe but, being Teladi, theywould rather buy and trade what they need rather then spend their money in research anddevelopment. Hence the Teladi have access to all the high-tech equipment, engines andweapon technology of almost all the other races.

The Teladi ShipsThe skill of the Teladi is not the ability to sell water to a boron swamp runner, as is said bysome, but rather to adapt to anything they can lay their claws on. They have mainly oldertechnology and since they trade rather than develop they can use most anything in theirships.Consequently when looking at their fleet they have the broadest spectrum of upgrades,weapons and shields. They move rather slowly in comparison to others but with lots of cargospace and large shields you should not underestimate them. Their combat ships are usuallylate on the scene but when they do they are usually efficient in their job.As the Teladi have friendly trade relations with all organic races including the Pirates, theycan rely on their help if attacked. There is currently a rumour of a new Teladi M6 prototype,which is said to be better equipped than anything seen so far. At a secret trial run the Split,when supposedly trying to attack the ship with two of their own M6 class ships were soimpressed by it they even decided to forego their usual ridicule of its snail-like speed.GONERProtector of the GonersHoly Order Of The GonersGoner EvangelistGoner PreacherHonoured PilgrimTrusted PilgrimFaithful BelieverBelieverFollowerAccepted MemberScepticAgnosticHeathenBlasphemerHereticDefiler of the TruthThe earth colonists were trapped seven hundred years ago in the X universe. They madetheir new home on the world now known as Argon Prime, while at the same time theterraforming Xenon machines took over the sectors east of President’s End, which after theXenon war became pirate sectors. The Argon called them Gunners, taking their name fromNathan R. Gunne, who explored the universe trying to rediscover a way back to Earth. Thedetails of this truth were obscured for several hundred years, when they became known asthe Goners. The Goners often worked together with the Argon but also took the good news toother races.The Goner ship is the only ship known to be in use by the Goners. Due to the peaceful natureof the goners this ship holds no weaponry. The ship is quite fast and is also considered to bea good short-range freighter due to its cargo space. It is also capable of holding shieldscompatible with some M3 fighters. You will probably see this ship roaming the sectorsspreading the word of the Goners and Nathan R.Gunne.91Goners have the "Book of Truth" and in their temple, they have "Beholders of the Truth", theirleader at this moment is Noah Gaffelt, an old man with a white beard. Norma Gardna, a notedfemale Beholder of the Truth, died on Argon Prime due to a sickness and was replaced byLynda North. The "Book of Truth" contains lots of knowledge about Earth.

THE TERRAN RACEEarth only built two jump gates, all the others where built by a mysterious species called "TheOld Ones" In the year 2066 the Terrans of earth started sending terraforming ships out in tothe depths of space, which were later followed by self-replicating machine versions. Thoughsome years later the Terrans discontinued this practice, their attempts to cancel theTerraforming process failed and that resulted in the Terraformers becoming sentientmachines, to be later referred to as the Xenon.Sometime later these planet-reforming machines returned to Earth and tried to destroy it.Nathan R. Gunne led the machines through the Earth gate to what is now known asBrennan’s Triumph in the X universe and destroyed its gate, which led back to earth.THE TERRACORP COMPANYTerraCorp Headquarters,,this is the most important station belonging to the TerraCorpCompany, based in Home of Light. Parts of this facility are open to the public, although mostof the station is closed to personnel only. These include research facilities and companyoffices. A range of technology can be found here, and some rare devices that are only offeredby one particular race. Materials are often required and are bought by the TerraCorpCompany for a fair price. A small fleet of ships can usually be found nearby making thestation highly guarded. The station also incorporates state of the art recreation and commercefacilities, including Hotels, Sport Domes, Cinemas and Restaurants. Most races are welcomehere to trade.XENONToday throughout the X Universe there is no contact between the Xenon and any other race.The Xenon are not allied to any trading organisation or to either of the Guilds. They do notuse the Credit nor is it known what currency they use. They appear to have no interest ineither the technology or the trade of any other race.Despite many attempts to discover it, the location of the Xenon home planet is still unknown,so is the size of the territory that the Xenon control. Hence on most star maps possible Xenonsectors are indicated only by question marks. Not many ships dare venture into this territoryand unfortunately many brave enough to do so have never returned. Xenon ships are veryaggressive, their only directive is the policy - ”If it moves shoot it”. They are fast, wellprotected and heavily armed, and their engines give off a distinctive blue after-glow.92Xenon ShipsThe Xenon have also developed further still, unnoticedby all the other races. You will notice more and morenew ships and they seem to be better shielded andfaster too. The Xenon, if the robot psychologists are tobe believed, seem to be developing more of their ownself awareness, consciousness and their ownunderstanding. Whether this development is a step inthe right direction is still undecided, as the Xenoncontinue to attack first and don’t bother askingquestions after.A special undercover department, based at the Argon Federation Space Academy on ArgonPrime, has researched the Xenon for many years and is currently engaged in crossreferencing and documenting all positive Xenon ship sightings. There is some talk that,sometime in the future, they are planning to finance an undercover expedition, deep intoXenon territory in an attempt to locate the Xenon home planet.

KHA’AKThe Kha’ak are a hive race, in which individuals only exist to serve the hive, and will sacrificethemselves for that purpose. The Kha’ak are trying to destroy the universe with crystalline"cluster" ships that can be grouped together. Kha’ak interceptor, scout, and fighter vesselscan link up and break apart on demand to better engage the enemy. Despite their increasingpresence in the universe, there is still very little known about them; where they come from,how many of them there are, and what their intentions are. Their ships are unusual andappear similar to pyramids and other crystalline shapes.It is also interesting to observe how the Kha’ak act. If you have ever seen a flock of birdssuddenly change direction, you might agree it's an amazing sight. The Kha’ak fighters mirrorthis behaviour by chasing down sector patrol ships, and once their target is destroyed, theywill turn as one swarm and take on their next victim. But as you may find out yourself, yourview can change very quickly from distant amazement, to gut-wrenching horror, when yourealize that you are their next chosen victim. The Kha’ak neutralise anyone and everythingthey encounter; they take no prisoners.PIRATESNot a race themselves, but groups of like-minded criminals who specialise in various illegalactivities. They have their own bases, usually hidden from view and well defended and mostpirate bases have large fleets of ships that will send out raiding patrols on a regular basis.They are known to be very aggressive and if they spot you across the sector, they may startheading your way. If you spot pirates and you have a local law enforcement license, you canreport a pirate after you have scanned the pirate ship with the freight scanner, note you can'tsee the cargo hold without actively scanning the ship and that scanning is illegal if you don'thave a (police) license.Pirate ShipYou will also encounter Pirate vessels ofall types as the pirates use other races’ships, modified for their own ends andthe wealthy pirate groups even havetheir own custom ship designs, oftenincluding non-standard ship colours. Donot confuse pirates with smugglers theyare a bit more clever, using normal raceships to conceal their activities.Yaki PiratesThe ruthless Yaki pirates have taken advantage of the weak Argon fleet to carry out raids onArgon facilities and other sectors in the universe. The Yaki Pirates with their Yaki Disruptorare becoming a real organized force to be reckoned with. The Yaki Disruptor is quite adevastating new weapon, which they use to disrupt ship engines, before they take the shipand sell those onboard as slaves. Their activities have all the hallmarks of deliberate creationof chaos and disorder to undermine law and order throughout the universe.93They are known for the frequent attacks on remote traders as they are easy targets, oftenwithout fighter support.Egosoft would like to thank you for buying X³: Reunion

UNLOCKABLE GAME START POSITIONSEnemy of the State Name Skam BeckTolerated by few, accepted by SpeciesArgonnone. Only you will ever knowGenderMalewhether your criminal brandingis justly deserved, and only you Age 42can redeem yourself... if you DifficultyPainfully hardeven care to bother trying Storyline DisabledAnonymous Argon Name Judith UkadaSeize your rare and precious SpeciesArgonopportunity to earn a name forGenderFemaleyourself. Stand apart from yourmillions of fellow Argon citizens, Age 19and etch your name in the stone DifficultyAverageof history Storyline DisabledBoring Boron Name Lar UnuruurNot being royalty makes it SpeciesBoronexceedingly difficult to commandGenderLarany respect at all. Prove yournoble worth as a lar to the Age 29kingdom... and to the rest of the DifficultyAverageuniverse while you're at it Storyline DisabledPious Paranid Name AlmanckisllolHonour the glorious commands SpeciesParanidof Xaar and take your placeGendermaileamong the loyal saints. Shine asa beacon of holiness and purity Age 54to the benighted aliens of the DifficultyJust a bit harduniverse Storyline DisabledSavage Split Name Shoo t'MkjdClaim glory for yourSpeciesSplitdowntrodden family on the fieldGenderMaleof battle. Wield the weapons,cunning, and strength of a true Age 43warrior, and vanquish any foe DifficultyJust a bit hardwho stands in your path Storyline Disabled94Teladi Trafficker Name NopileosIt's all about the profits. Make the SpeciesTeladibig buckzoids and leave yourGenderMalemark on the business world forgenerations to comeAge 23DifficultyReasonably hardStorylineDisabledGoner Witness Name Sakurako KalvinFulfil your duties to bring truth SpeciesArgonand peace to the broken, ruinedGenderMalesouls of the universe. Spreadlight, honesty, justice, and Age 46unity... or forsake those DifficultyPretty darn hardteachings for a darker path. Storyline DisabledKha’ak Invader Name Kzkkns r’kstCrush the insolent and unworthy SpeciesKha’akrealm of inferior beings that soGender ?thoughtlessly invaded your worldand destroyed your home. Let Age ?nothing stand untouched! DifficultyAre you insane?!StorylineDisabled

BOOKS BASED UPON THE X UNIVERSEYou can follow up your interests with the X Universe with some fictional novels, written byfans, which can be obtained from the Egosoft Online Shop.It has been said that each release of the X series, are chapters in one big continuing story,and this is an accurate description.Farnham’s Legend is without doubt, the “Book of Truth” for all X-fans. It represents the firstand second chapters of the X story, brought to life in X - Beyond The Frontier and X-tension.This book successfully explains, in stunning depth, the story behind the X Universe, whilealso providing the best possible historical account of the events leading to X 2 : The Threat andX³: Reunion, the third and fourth chapters in the epic saga of the X Universe. Reading thebook will have X-BTF and X-T veterans scrambling for their copies of these games oncemore. If you want to fully understand the ‘story’ of the X Universe, there is no other greaterrecommendation I can give than ‘Farnham’s Legend’ …terrabyteAvailable for the Egosoft Online ShopA novel from the X-UniverseHELGE T. KAUTZTranslated from German language bySteve Miller and Andreas FuchsAyse continued to study the object, gripped by the feeling thatsomething was wrong and unable to put words to her fear. A craft of atype normally used for orbital transport found in deep space,travelling at near light speed? For a moment her thoughts went backto Earth and the entrancing vision of the blue planet from space.It was a sight she’d witnessed on a hundred shuttle trips and everytime she yearned for more.“John …” she started, her tongue suddenly large in her mouth.“John, there aren’t any view ports or windows, not even a cockpit!”Friedmann frowned and shrugged his shoulders. “You’re right but, butthat doesn’t necessarily… atsui!” Ayse winced when she realized whyJohn had made this outcry of surprise. She sat rooted in fear, a waveof horror flooding her body as the under-side of the rotating shiptumbled into view, revealing a large symbol emblazoned onto thelight-swallowing alloy. A simple drawing, a few distinct lines.Almost child-like. John and Ayse recognized it at once.95The symbol of the Terraformer Fleet.Other X Universe novelsThere is a list of online mini X novels, available in the Creative Universe - Fan Fiction forumand some PDF novels available to be downloaded from the Egosoft Site.Dominion (English) by Darren Astles (30188_49)X-universe: v. 1 (English) by Darren Astles (ISBN: 1412019559)Traders Tale (English) by Stephen HaworthNOPILEOS (German) by Helge T Kautz (ISBN: 3833210419)Farnhams Legende (German) by Helge T Kautz (ISBN: 3833212047)

CREDITS96DirectorBernd LehahnLead DesignersMarkus PohlChristian VogelLead ProgrammerMartin BrennerShader ProgrammingAndreas ItzeEngine ProgrammingChris Burtt JonesUser interfaceMike ‘Apoch’ LewisThomas 'Bala Gi' MaierKlaus MeyerUniverse ProgrammingTim ‘ticaki’ KiemenCarsten KrämerSebastian RouaihaSebastian SchlichtMichael 'Burnit' BaumgardtMatthias KalthoffChristian RousselleStory byAndrew S. WalshCarsten KrämerBernd LehahnScript & Content WriterIvan TefalcoAndrew S. WalshX Fictional MastermindHelge KautzCo-authorsIvan TefalcoWith thanks to Michellee ImperialMusicAlexei ZakharovVoice by Natalia YakovlevaThomas Egeskov PetersonConceptual Graphic DesignUlrich ZeidlerPressGreg 'Abyss' KingstonProject managementBernd LehahnPublisher ProducersParrish RodgersMarkus ZieglerStuart ChiplinFree artistsMark ‘Eagle’ BallantynePaul G 'Avis' HutchinsonUros 'Loco' ColovicDragan 'Jamon' JakovljevicAleksandar 'Rastaman' NovtaStéphane Chasseloup‘Imp’ Tino SöllnerSound EffectsMartin HenslerAlexander KochMap designJonathan HandbyWolfgang ‘blueshadow’ HelbingBrian ‘Brianetta’ RonaldHelen ‘Angel’ ForsterGreg ‘Abyss’ KingstonShip value calibration and names:Michael KesselMichael 'Burnit' BaumgardtEconomy DesignJeff BurianekManualMichael ‘ Terrabyte’ MaddenGreg 'Abyss' KingstonProofreadingMark ‘Toastie’ WilsonGreg 'Abyss' KingstonMichael ‘Cueball’ WilsonBBS Mission programmerKasper West-HansenAnthony ‘Anth’ AndrewsSebastian UerdingenRobert GebhardtMarkus M. ‘Thorn’ SchmidtAdrian 'spooky' JesshopeOleg KrilovSupport TeamAndrea BeckersTheo LehahnMonique BeckersSales and Publisher relationsJohn WilliamsKoch Media TeamKlemens KundratitzStuart ChiplinCraig McNicolKerri DaviesGeorg LarchUte PalmerDavid BlundellJuri VaismanSebastian LindigDaniel OberlechnerEnlight TeamPublishing DirectorTrevor Chan and Paul LombardiExecutive ProducerParrish RodgersVoice ProductionVioletmedia - Klaus SchmidThomas 'Elf' BuchhornEGOSOFT OfficeHannelore LehahnChia-Chen LehahnBBS News authorsFlorian 'unlogisch' BircherBruce BiavatiSteven VirgoBrian RonaldMichael King aka Winter Dragon’Forum and XNEWS Online editorsMichael 'Burnit' BaumgardtDarren ‘Steel’ AstlesPaul KnibbsHerbert R Hohenburger aka.‘Commander Jamieson’Tristan ‘-TD-13-’ FisherDavid ‘Apothos’ RickerbyHelge KautzOlaf ‘Stormsong’ SchweppeWolfgang ‘blueshadow’ HelbingLocalisationGermanDorian KrauseThomas 'Barron' HanglGeorg 'PIC' ArmbrusterOlaf ‘Stormsong’ SchweppeFrenchAndré 'The Fly' GauléThomas 'Thoto' SzapiroMarc 'Bugsman' HuhardeauxBenoît 'PrizzZ' BaliguetNicolas 'NalinElfleg' BraxAdrien 'Photon' SiebertPolishTomek’Sauron11’PlaczkeMarcin 'Marcybiskup' WojtulewiczItalianFederico Persano aka ‘Confucio’DutchRemco 'Merroc' JeckmansBug Tracking TeamGraham ‘Graphil’ PurseyOlaf ‘Stormsong’ SchweppeGraphicsTristan ‘-TD-13-’ FisherStewart ‘TSM’ BarnesSoundTristan ‘-TD-13-’ FisherStewart ‘TSM’ BarnesText and VoiceIvan TefalcoFederico Persano aka ‘Confucio’Mark ‘Toastie’ WilsonHelen ‘Angel’ ForsterNon plot missionsFranz ‘Ksx³’ WintzerRonald D. Nichols aka beast-masterDave ‘Seawolfe’ Musser

PlotMark ‘Toastie’ WilsonNaima ‘Differix’ SiddiqueMatthew FarmeryBrian RonaldBruce BiavatiAdriana Liana (EliteJal)Christian ‘XGamer’ FunkeBenjamin ‘UnhallowedOne’Schwabe‘giskard’ aka ‘giskard’Felix 'Selix' SeeligerScott 'Kolohe' RenfroInterfaceAlex ‘Logaan’ Boyne-AitkenRichard ‘Marvin’ DavisCliff ‘Oberon-2’ RichterGerhard Kragleder (Striker)FiredancerEconomyRoger PowellTorsten ‘Brash’ Schmidt‘fchopin’ aka ‘fchopin’CombatLV aka Reverend Paul HutchinsonRemco 'Merroc' JeckmansMark Dunn aka ‘Dunners’Gerald’ Charlie1000’ FriedrichOwen LakeFlyingRoger PowellTorsten ‘Brash’ SchmidtLevel six devnetAnthony ‘Anth’ AndrewsMike ‘Apoch’ LewisThomas 'Barron' HanglTorsten ‘Brash’ SchmidtJeff BurianekFederico Persano aka ‘Confucio’Naima 'Differix’ SiddiqueGraham ‘Graphil’ Pursey‘Imp’ Tino SöllnerJonathan HandbyFranz ‘Ksx²’ WintzerAlex ‘Logaan’ Boyne-AitkenLV aka Reverend Paul HutchinsonRemco 'Merroc' JeckmansMichael KesselReiner ‘Reinerut’ UtermarkRoger PowellOlaf ‘Stormsong’ SchweppeTristan ‘-TD-13-’ FisherIvan TefalcoThomas 'Thoto' SzapiroTim ‘ticaki’ KiemenMark ‘Toastie’ WilsonMalcolm ‘Malcolm(Cyteen)‘ LockLevel six DevnetScott 'Kolohe' RenfroStewart ‘TSM’ BarnesOwen ‘OML’ LakeFlorian 'unlogisch' BircherDorian Krause aka VassenegoWolfgang ‘blueshadow’ HelbingStreamline StudiosHector FernandezStefan BaierRenier BanningaGilles KettingHenrik BolleJeroen LeursSteven ChagnonLucas BramlageWanja SvasekAndre StieglerThe Light WorksOliver NikelowskiArne LangenbachTobias RichterDevil on a DonkeySofia, BulgariaIvelin G. 'ChieFFF' IvanovKrikor 'Koko' SarkisianKosta 'Concrete Donkey' MilevAntonio 'Tony' SlavkovAngel 'Galileo' ShumanovVasil S.'VSV' VasilevKonstantin 'Code' NikolovLiquid developmentNikitovaOlga PetrusMaksim DembickSergei IlushinMiroslav BaranenkoVadim DerkachVitaliy SmykAlexander BarsukovAnton EvdokimovArtem FanaylovEvgeniy KuklevDenis BeregechDenis TorgovenkoDmitriy BorodavkoIlya GulayevMaksim DomninOleg GamovRoman AndroshchukSergei VoluzhinVadim PopenkoAlexander KaplunAnatoliy ChechelMaksim PopovAndrei PozolotinOlya NikitovaVoice actorsEnglishAlex GoldingAGM StudiosThe Chapel StudiosAndrew S. WalshBen de HalpertBill HopeBrad LavelleCharles NevilleChris CourtenayHolley ChantJo AckermanJohn Cooper-DayJules de JonghJulia InnocentiKaren Fisher-PollardLaura Weston-MillerLiza RossMartin DurantNathan NolanNick HelmNick McCardleRichard BurnipTerence ReisTom Clarke HillFrenchDavid BerthierEmmanuel RausenbergerEric LeblancEtienne GilligJacques HerlinJean Yves de GrooteJérémy ZylberbergMarie L`HermiteMarion BillyMark BouvetPatrick PoulyRémy WibautSamira MamècheSophie OstriaYves Vatin-PerrignonGermanAndrea ImmeAndreas BorcherdingBeate PfeifferDirk MeierFrank BehnkeGerhard AcktunJorg PulsMelanie JungMichaela SterrThomas RauscherTorsten MünchowUlf Söhmisch 97This manual was written to the music of Alexei ZakharovWith thanks from terrabyte to all of the Devnet community for all their contributions and appreciation toAbyss, Toastie, IvanT, Jason and Natvilla for their assistance and support.X³: Reunion Manual Version 1.4 Egosoft ®

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