**>> SPYNET BULLETIN **>> EARTHDATE 91.03.24 **>> AN H-by-A SERVICE **>> THE RETURN OF THE NEWS-DROID Last week, the H-by-A News-Droid (who also doubles as the mail-answering droid) was unexpectedly taken out of service for a complete overhaul. It had been showing signs of malfunction for some time and had been prone to making the odd mistake, but nothing too serious - an example being that it credited Polar with the suggestion for the new check price command, when in fact it was Mick who had the idea. But then it suddenly got worse. It started making horrible clanking and beeping noises, emitting a foul-smelling black smoke, and finally stopped working all together. It had to be rushed to the engineers for a thorough working-over. It is now back in service, good as new (if not better) and the engineers have assured us that it will never, ever, ever make mistakes again. It says so on the guarantee! Many thanks to Explorer Samantha for stepping into the breach and writing the News Bulletin last week. She made a very good job of it - in fact, we were so impressed that we have decided to encourage the idea of guest newscasters. If any of you knowledgeable people out there would like to have a go at writing the news one week, please let us know. **>> EASTER COMPETITION As mentioned in a previous News Bulletin, we will be running a very special competition over the Easter Holiday period next weekend. The prize is a large colour print of a Federation II spaceship - the picture that was used for the cover of the last issue of GEnie's Livewire magazine. The picture will be approximately 29" by 42", framed, and signed by the artist. To try to win this marvellous prize, you have to play Fed. That's all! At the end of the holiday period - ie on Tuesday April 2 when prime-time connect recommences - we will reset the game, and make a note of the players who are top of each rank, as shown by the Levels list. These names will be put into a draw, and the winner will receive the prize. Thus, it is a competition that all of you have a chance of winning, no matter how long you have been playing Fed. All you have to do is attempt to become the richest player of your rank, so you appear on the Levels list. The Levels list is calculated using your networth (a much more reliable guide to your status in the game than your bank balance). The value of your networth takes into account your bank balance, any outstanding ship loan you may have, any warehouses you own, extra stats you have bought (valued at half the price you paid for them), and the value of your spaceship (including extra bits bolted on such as extra armour or weapons and spybeams). If you own a company, then the profit the company made in the last accounting cycle is used to calculate how well it is doing, not how much is in the company's bank account. You can find out your networth by typing and you can check out other people's networth by asking for a on them. **>> STARSHIP PARTY Way, way back in the mists of time, when GEnie's gateway to the wonderful world of Federation Data Space had only just opened, those jolly nice people from the Amiga Starship held a party in Fed. In fact, the Starship Cantina on Earth was constructed especially for the occasion, and was so popular that the clientele lobbied the Galactic Administration vigorously until they agreed not to demolish it again. So successful was that party, that they have decided to do it again. Next Friday, March 29 at midnight Eastern time, the wonderful Lady will be bringing her cohorts into Fed for a rollicking good time. Book the date in your diaries now! **>> OCCY IS OUR LEADER Occy has been made Category Leader in the MPGames bulletin board. She'll be encouraging people to use the Fed category (cat 14) and making sure it runs smoothly. She has started off well by brow-beating players into going and reading the BBS. In the BBS you will find "official" information, such as the instructions on running companies and building planets, and previous editions of this weekly News Bulletin, as well as plenty of areas where you can ask for help, chat, come up with ideas, tell us about your persona, and have fun. There is also a private category for Conclave members. This will be the ideal place to leave messages about cases Bella has asked for a decision on. If you are in the Conclave, mail Occy (ID: OCPAC) and ask to be admitted. In the Library, there are lots of useful files, including various maps, both in ASCII and in picture formats for different computers. **>> NEW FOR EXPLORERS Our Illustrious Leader has been continuing to work on the Explorer's Workbench and next to be implemented will be the tools to write and edit events. They are being tested at the moment and you should be able to use them in a few days. There will also be an extra option you can specify when you make changes to objects and mobiles - the ID number, which you need if you want to use events involving objects. Full instructions for using these new tools will be uploaded in the next few days. Once the event writer is in place, you are sure to have many questions about how to use events to their best advantage. In order to answer these questions, Our Illustrious Leader will be holding another Explorer's Masterclass on Monday April 1 at 3.00 EDT. If anyone missed the last Explorer's Masterclass, an edited transcript has been uploaded into the Fed Library. A reminder to people designing their planets that objects cannot be transported from one system to another - the Galactic Customs Officials will confiscate any contraband. **>> MONEY MONEY MONEY Poor Occy has been hit by the IRS - again! Appeals to the Galactic Administration have once again reimbursed her, and Our Illustrious Leader will be raising the level at which the IRS strike by 50%. The main reason that people are falling foul of the tax men is that there just isn't anything for them to spend their money on once they have increased their stats enough to make Explorer. To rectify this appalling state of affairs, Bella will be introducing a very expensive, very desirable piece of equipment that you will be able to purchase. More news on this new Executive Toy next week. **>> PROMOTIONS NEWS As we speak (or write), Oddball is taking his first tentative steps on Snark in his quest for GuildThingHood. Otoole actually completed his quest last week, and is now a GM. Mick has been promoted to JP, and Devastator to Captain. New Traders include: Slartibartfast, Hotrod and Demonizer. Congrats all. **>> LOST PROPERTY We have been asked to issue the following lost property notice: LOST - Oxcart's mind. Last seen skulking in a corner in Chez Diesel. If found, please return to Oxcart. Oxcart is also looking for a portable power source. We can't think why, and we don't think we want to know!! **>> WEDDING BELLS Occy is definitely a very eligible female these days. It was not long ago that Adol asked for her hand in marriage. Occy refused, but said he could have her left big toe on alternative Fridays (when there was an 'R' in the month). Now Masher is after the wealthy, influential beauty. Occy has not yet given an answer, but we think it unlikely that she will want to be tied down - least of all to someone like Masher! We don't think, in this case, that Masher is after Occy's money - he is one of the richest Captains in the history of history, with a networth of over 4 meg - but it could be he is attracted by her new power as category leader in the Fed BBS. Our advice to Occy is - stay single! **>>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 the new MPGames RT. To get there, type M1045,1 from any menu prompt and SET category 14. The MPGames RT also has a Federation II library in the files area, Library 5. **>> BULLETIN ENDS