**>> SPYNET BULLETIN **>> EARTHDATE 91.03.31 **>> AN H-by-A SERVICE **>> STILL TIME TO WIN! Our very special Easter competition closes on Monday April 1 at 8.00 am Eastern time. The closing date was brought forward by 24 hours due to the confusion over whether Monday is or isn't a public holiday... it is on Rigel (home of Our Illustrious Leader) but not on GEnie. But if you are reading this news on Sunday, there is still time to try to put yourself in the running for the magnificent prize of a large, signed picture of a Federation spaceship. All you have to do is become the richest player at your rank, so you appear on the LEVELS list. The game will be reset at the start of prime time on Monday morning, and the new LEVELS list calculated. The eight players appearing on the list will have their names put into a space helmet, and the winner drawn out. The results of the competition will be announced on Monday evening. **>> EXECUTIVE TOY Our teaser last week about a new toy for very rich people certainly caused speculation. Many people tried to bribe reporters to disclose the details of the new gadget, but being fine, honest, upright, incorruptible (HA!) people the reporters all kept quiet. Guesses from intrigued Fedders included a personal cloner, a sex aid (especially for Oxcart), and an object finder. No- one, however, guessed correctly! It is... A SPYBEAM SCREEN! Yes, this remarkable piece of modern technology will block out those prying beams from people who are of the same rank as you - so if you are an Explorer, this invaluable device will render you completely safe from prying eyes. Except for Bella, of course! The cost of this superb miracle of science is a mere 50 meg. Gasp! Choke! Yes, we did say 50 meg!! The command to purchase one is . Once purchased, it will become part of your personal kit. There is a very small chance that it will be destroyed if your ship gets hit in a fight, but it's less than a 1% chance. We would advise anyone who is trying to get themselves on the LEVELS list for the competition not to purchase a spybean screen until after the competition closes, since they are valued at only 25 meg. However, we are sure you will all want to rush out and install one after that. The super deluxe, very desirable, VERY expensive item is now available from an electronics shop near you. **>> THE RUMOUR MILL A very vague rumour from Our Illustrious Leader indicates the possibility that the Federation II team might, at some point in the future, consider the possibility of thinking about implementing some kind of front end terminal software for Fed. In other words, it will happen, but don't hold your breath! **>> PROMOTIONS NEWS A couple of new GMs - George and Oddball. Well done chaps. Ghost is trying hard to crack the GM puzzle, but he doesn't seem to be having too much success. In fact, he keeps dying! He's well on the way to breaking the record for the highest number of deaths. Polar has made Explorer, and is now working on his planet. Presumably it will be an arctic world with lots of fish! Congratulations to Argonaut, Mouse and Flatlander who are this week's new Traders. Don't forget to mail us (using the FEEDBACK option from the main Fed menu) if you would like your promotion mentioned in the weekly News Bulletin. **>> EXPLORER STUFF Bella held another Explorer's Masterclass this afternoon, answering questions about planetary construction. The edited highlights will be uploaded to the library in a few days. **>> LOST AND FOUND You will all, no doubt, be relieved to know that Oxcart's mind has been found, alive and well. Apparently Oxcart had been sitting on it all the time! **>> RELIGION IN FED There is already a Church in Fed, but the priests tend to keep quite a low profile - they wait for pilgrims to come to them, rather than knocking on doors trying to convert people to the faith. The Martian Ruins is home to the Temple, a remnant of a particularly bloodthirsty and unpleasant sect. Unwary visitors are likely to find themselves sacrified on the automated altar. That homicidal maniac, Pegasus, is the inspiration for a crack-pot bunch who call themselves 'The Order of Saint Pegasus, Defender of the Meek' and try to find virgins to sacrifice. Funny, they seem to have real difficulty finding anyone who will admit to being virginal! And now there is a new Church available for those with a religious bent. Jimhuge is starting The First Church of Saucily Benevolent Hugeness, also known as the First Church of Partyin' and Cuttin' Loose. He is looking for believers to join his Church and will personally bless all converts, bestowing on them a new religious name. **>> VENUS SHUTTLE DROIDS 'UNSAFE' The Galactic Administration has received numerous complaints about the erratic behaviour of the droids which run the Venus Shuttle Service. Last night someone increased their dosage of dexadrine, causing them to run amok, circling the four stations faster and faster so that no-one had time to get on or off the shuttle. Dizzy and sick, the trapped passengers finally managed to jump off the shuttle as it whizzed past Cargon City, and were taken to St. Kenneth's hospital on Earth for treatment. No-one was seriously hurt. The Galactic Administration is setting up an enquiry to look into the matter. Which means, as usual, that nothing will get done! **>> 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