**>> SPYNET BULLETIN
**>> EARTHDATE 95.01.28
**>> AN H-by-A SERVICE

**>> Compiled by Hazed plus a team of specialist newsdroids
**>> <SEND HAZED> your news and gossip and get paid good groats!


**>> WHAT'S NEW AND DIFFERENT?

Last week's news covered the changes that went in during the past 
week. Barons can now do their builds, but the Duke puzzle itself won't 
be in until early next week.

Dukes are now getting their income from the duchy tax, which is set at 
10% and cannot be changed.

Dukes can now expel planets, even if the planet is closed for 
business. This will enable them to get rid of planets where the owner 
has vanished, leaving room for new active planets to join the duchy.


**>> RECAPPING THE CHANGE TO JP/GM JOBS

A few weeks ago, we told you that the Rich Person jobs that have to be 
given out for promotion to Explorer were changing slightly, but 
obviously some of our current JPs have short memories (or equivalent) 
because there's a lot of confusion about it.

The way it works now is: jobs that you offer to poor people while you 
are a JP do NOT count towards the required tonnage to be shipped. Only 
jobs offered while you are a GM count. The entry on the <SCORE> 
display that lists the tonnage shipped has been removed for JPs. JPs 
can still offer jobs, of course, but they will not count towards the 
promotion.

Any JPs who previously did jobs which advanced the counter will not 
lose out. When you become a GM and the counter reappears on your 
<SCORE> display, the tonnage you have already notched up will appear, 
so you won't have to do those jobs again.

This change does not mean you have to do anything different, or offer 
any more jobs; it just changes the time at which you do them.


**>> INTERMEDIATE GUIDE

Hazed is working on the Intermediate Guide right now, and some time 
during the coming week she will be uploading new versions. This will 
bring up to date the details of how to purchase and link a planet, as 
well as tidy up some of the information about factories and companies.


**>> ACCESS PROBLEMS

We apologise to GEnie players who may have been having problems 
accessing Fed. It took us a while to cotton on to the cause of the 
problem, because it only affected a few people, and whenever we tested 
things we had no problems, but it appears the common factor is that 
those suffering were accessing via SprintNet. We have reported the 
problem to GEnie Engineering and I hope they will be able to resolve 
it.

Meanwhile, if the problems continue, you could send mail to FEEDBACK 
with the details, and explain that it seems to be a SprintNet problem. 
If you have access to an ordinary GEnie node, use that for the time 
being if you don't want to be deprived of your Fed!


**>> WAITING FOR THE SHIP TO COME IN

It was high tide when Newsdroids crashed into the wave of a mistake
they had made. They are now all disassembled. But the rumour still
ebbs and the truth must break the barrier reef. Trista is happily
involved with Sailor, that merry seaman who comes with the ships. 
Alas for poor Tofer who had to battle against Sailor when the
fishmonger found out about Tofer's feelings! Snake, that reptile in
the grass, has been hiding under a rock to get out of the heat of the
sun. The happy couple are now planning their revenge against those
delightful personages at H-by-A! Watch out for them pink torpedoes!


 **>> BUT PARADISE DOESN'T ALWAYS LAST

Not soon after Sailor had rid himself of unwelcome competition, he 
found other interests to occupy his lap whilst Trista was out of
the galaxy. Correction, not interests, but interest! And how
arresting she was! Galauriel felt at ease making her seat in Sailor's
lap at Chez Diesel.

Sailor, being the sort of roaming seaman he is, took this in his
stride (or is that strides?) It must be true that there's one in each
port! 

This time, at least, the newsdroids were able to save some recordings.
 
'So big fella, what are you doing in this part of the galaxy?', asked
Galauriel.

Sailor laughed casually as Galauriel grinned and winked at him. Not
to mention the shudders that ran down his back. Or was the shuddering
from the fact that ten paces away sat a newsdroid with its recording
light lit? Funny that since Sailor boasted that he had terminated all
newsdroids following him!


**>> IS NOT THE GALAXY SAFE FROM KIDNAPPING?

The fiendish plot that has stricken the galaxy numb came into its full
light this week. Who would ever believe that such an evil plan would
come to such a stupendous fruition? Criminologists are still in
amazement of just how this operation was conducted with such ease.

The crime: Health builds being stolen.

The criminal: Thought to have been sweet and innocent Kirchansky.

The victim: The cool and dashing Draco.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the honest truth and not the greatly
embellished journalism you have come to know and love. Kirchansky,
that beautiful Thai angel has an evil streak so well hidden, that
newsdroids are still in the malodorous alley crying their recording
circuits dry. Who would ever have suspected her of such an act? No
one, and that's why it was pulled off so brilliantly.

Draco is desperately beseeching those powers that are for divine
intervention. Who else could he turn to for such aid against such a
vile plan? Surely not the leader of the duchy he is in! What ducal
power is there to ward against future attacks? And what plans will
Kirchansky hatch after such a success? The galaxy sits on the edge of
its blackhole, waiting in dire anticipation.


 **>> IF YOU DARE!!

Kainaw, the creative marketing force of the ages, has decided to
supply a guided tour around the infamous deathtrap known as Tisnar. 
This offer is a one time opportunity. If you value your life and want
the chance to explore this forbidden planet, please make a note of
when this should happen!

The tour is scheduled for 6:30pm EST on Wednesday evening. Parties are 
to meet on Tisnar's LP promptly. Come see what others are just dying 
to see! This is a once in a lifetime offer. Don't be late, as in the 
late Tesla.


**>> AND THE POINT OF THE STORY...

This recently in. Tesla, a commods expert that has seldom been seen of 
late, made an appearance recently... only to die a tragic death!! 
It has been rumoured that the statue of Porcupine on the planet Ymris
is one of the galaxies seventh wonders. Tesla, having heard this, was
eager to behold such a site. That is when the tragedy struck. 
Literally. It struck him on the very top of his head. A quill had
become loose and decided that moment to fall from its grace to land
directly atop Tesla's head. It took his life, and the next life,
right out of him.

When the PO of Ymris was told about this, he stated, "Terrible tragedy
that is. The quill falling off and everything. I suppose I will have
to redirect a few workthingies to correct the broken quill."


**>> AIN'T IT JUST BLISS?

Or so it has been! The announcement that Bliss has been awarded the
Tungsten Tourist Trap Trophy has been heard repeatedly this week as a
continuation from last week! Trista is to be congratulated on her
efforts to keep her planet in such a state that people just don't want
to leave.

Trista is excited over so many awards and is fretting about where to
build a warehouse of shelves just to display them all. However, this
favorite of the Trungstens thinks these accomplishments will be
short-lived. It has been rumoured that Epini has a concerted effort
to capture the winnings and keep it in the duchy in the future.

Other planet owners have been heard grumbling about this. "Why can't
I ever win that?" has been heard quite a bit. Especially from the
illustrious Kainaw. One should wonder about this.

Good going Trista, and good luck to all Epini achievers who plan to
confine the trophy to Epini.


**>> DON'T HAVE A COW!

That's precisely what everyone has been telling Porcupine. But would
she listen? Obviously not! Or should that be "Obliviously not"? 
Yesterday it is rumoured that Porcupine gave birth to that prickly
little critter, Cowcupine. When Porcupine was finally accosted for
questioning, she simply stated, "But this isn't fair... I don't
remember any of the fun bits that lead to such a birth! In fact, I
don't remember the birth at all!!" This is hardly surprising, who
would want to remember giving birth to a cactus the size of a cow!


**>> 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.

The current Federation Game Hosts are: Freya, Porcupine, Grannie, 
Sparky, Zzzax, Geezer, Magneto, Syfari and Goblin. Their function is 
to answer questions, help new players get started, and make fun things 
happen.

In the event of a problem or question, you can:

* talk to Hazed or one of the Game Hosts in the game

* <SEND> a message to Hazed

* send mail on your host system to the Federation team:
  on GEnie, mail FEDII.2 or use the option on the main Fed page
  on Delphi, mail FED2 or use the option on the main Fed page
  on Cris, mail FEDERATION2

You can buy a copy of the very excellent Idiot's Guide to Federation 
for the paltry sum of $15.95. On GEnie, type ORDER from any main menu 
page.

**>> BULLETIN ENDS