**>> SPYNET BULLETIN **>> EARTHDATE 90.12.16 **>> AN H-by-A SERVICE **>> THE WAGERS OF SIN The Starship Cantina on Earth has been doing a roaring trade recently. Since it is conveniently situated right on the Space Port, Poor People hang around there looking for SlyNet Jobs, and the other bars and cafes in the Solar System have been practically deserted. Never one to take competition lightly, Diesel has decided to fight back. As well as her prized ale (Diesel's Old Peculiar), her pizzas (which, contrary to rumour, do not contain off-cuts from the Hospital), and her Executive Services (enjoyed by all who are rich enough), she has introduced a new service - gambling! Her first installation is a roulette wheel for Commanders, Captains and Adventurers. They can bet their hard-won Trader Points (gained by doing jobs) up to a maximum of 100, and if they win they receive double the amount they wagered. If they are unlucky, they lose their stake. The command is where "colour" is RED or BLACK and "amount" is the number of Trader Points they are willing to risk. Typing on its own will remind you how it works. Traders and above can also use the roulette wheel, but since Trader Points are a matter of no consequence to them, their losses and gains have no effect. We sent one of our reporters to ask Diesel whether she plans to introduce other forms of gambling. She was reluctant to talk, because she didn't want to give any ideas to her competition, but our reporter managed to sneak a look at her desk and saw documents pertaining to dice, and to some form of russian roulette! We'll find out what we can about her plans and report in next week's news. **>> MONTY PIRATES FLYING REWARD The Galactic Administration seem somewhat confused at the moment. They can't seem to make up their minds what bounty to offer to people killing the Pirate who terrorises the space lanes. Originally, Monty's reward was 1 megagroat. But a few high ranking players were blowing him to tiny pieces regularly, and making large amounts of money on the reward. The GA started to panic about excess profits unbalancing the galactic economy, and to offset this they halved the reward to 500K. Their move provoked outrage amongst those who hadn't quite managed to get in on the act. They complained bitterly that other people had made money killing Monty; why couldn't they? They also pointed out that at some point in the game, everybody has to kill Monty in order to advance. The price of missiles (which seems to be the preferred weapon) and repairs are such that 500K barely covers expenses against someone as vicious as the Pirate. After hasty consultation, the Galactic Administration relented, and set the bounty at 750K. It just goes to show that complaining does work. Sometimes! **>> PROMOTIONS NEWS Jim (ex-Slippery) is now Head of the Conclave, but Aeron is hot on his heels. The former leader, Piemur, has slipped into third place. He blames this on his complete lack of factories, but we think he's just too lazy to work since being promoted to Explorer. The above-mentioned Jim has just started work on the GM puzzle. We wonder if it will take him as long as it took Piemur? **>> NEW IDIOT'S GUIDE The online version of the best-selling Idiot's Guide to Federation II, the most amazing book in the history of history, suffered a few problems last week. It appears that aliens crept into the GEnie computers and ate the file! But all is restored, and a new, biologically approved, totally up-to-date version is now available for you to download. Well, when we say "totally up-to-date", it was when we uploaded it, but then Diesel introduced her roulette wheel without giving us any warning! Gambling is covered by the new, totally up-to-date Version Notes! And may we just take this opportunity to remind you (in case you have had your head in a bag recently and haven't been collared by one of our Salesthings) that you can order the printed Idiot's Guide to Federation II from GEnie by typing ORDER at any GEnie menu. For a mere $12.95, you can be the proud possessor of your very own copy, which contains more useful information about Fed Data Space than you could possibly imagine in your wildest fantasies. It's also got a lovely picture of Bella. You can colour it in with a green pen, if you want. **>> PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE There's a player out there who likes to live dangerously. Someone who cares nothing for convention and etiquette. Someone who doesn't give a Rigellian Dangbean whether they are popular or not. Someone who spends his time taking potshots at passing ships, harassing Poor People, insulting everyone. Someone who is at the top of everyone's death list. Stand up Blackmark, and take a bow. You have been declared Public Enemy Number One. We reckon your life expectancy is short! **>> A WARNING SHOT While on the subject of foolishness, we must mention one Commander Leroy, who for some reason took a dislike to Hazed and decided to make a nuisance of himself. Hazed was patient, and put up with his stupidity for a while. Leroy continued to be a nasty little pest, even going so far as asking other players how he could kill Hazed! Not surprisingly, he was laughed at and told not to even think about it. Finally Hazed had taken enough from the obnoxious little oik, and waylaid him on one of the shipping routes. She refrained from killing him, but he's going to get a nasty shock when he finds out the price of repairing 7 points of hull damage and 1 lost computer level! **>> CHRISTMAS FUN AND GAMES! We'll be celebrating Christmas in style in Fed Data Space. We've managed to engage the services of a very special person... Santa Claus! He'll be visiting the Solar System at least once a day between Saturday 22 December at Christmas Day. The first person to find him will receive a present of a large amount of groats. He'll also be flying around the Interplanetary Wastes in his rocket-powered sleigh (with a large red nose-shaped light on the front) so all you spoilsports can try to shoot him. Should any of you manage to kill him (unlikely!) you will receive a reward. Finishing the Christmas season with a bang, we'll be throwing a huge party on Wednesday 26 December. There'll be quizzes, competitions, treasure hunts, and a fancy dress competition. Full details will be uploaded in the Fed BBS. **>>CONTACTS The following information will appear at the end of every News Bulletin, so you don't have to read it if you already know it. In the event of a problem or question, you can: * talk to Hazed, Cryptosporidium, Bella or Clem in the game * leave a message in the game log * send mail with the Federation Feedback option from the main menu You can order a copy of the unexpurgated printed Idiot's Guide to Federation II by typing ORDER at any GEnie menu. Cost - a mere $12.95. Federation II has a category in Scorpia's Games RT. To get there, type M805,1 from any menu prompt and SET category 29. The Scorpia RT also has a Federation II library in the files area, Library 22. **>> BULLETIN ENDS