DEEP SPACE DOX brought to you by Device Driver 2/9-13/87 Deep Space is an interstellar adventure encompassing warfare and exploration. You take charge of a STRIX fighter, an advanced long range raider in which you embark on a journey to find fame and fortune. Working for the Agency as a freelance buccaneer you venture forth to earn Credits for you daring deeds and with them purchase the energy and weapons to enable you to tackle some of the most deadly adversaries in the known universe. Negotiate meteor clusters and storms, clear minefields, steal communication satellites from out of their orbits, dog fight with Kogon interceptors, encounter the awesome Vexon mothership. These and other adventures await in DEEP SPACE. Deep Space was produced by Psygnosis in assembly language especially for 68000 computers. AGENCY GUIDE FOR FREELANCE OPERATORS BRIEFING: Stardate 97-81-24 Following the recent antics of certain persons all operators must note that the agency will under no circumstances tolerate the following: Star Trek groupies. Do-gooders. The stranded & impoverished bumming energy drones. Idiots who burn up skimming fuel from gas giants. Anyone who earns too many credits. Xenophobes. Mirfaks. Any of the above silly abhorrent aberrations will results in immediate termination. Automatic bounty allocators have now been fitted to all ships. All have been calibrated so any claims for extra credits because of inaccuracy will not be accepted. Anti personnel devices have been fitted to them so tampering must be a deep philosophical decision for anyone contemplating interference. Agency scientists can now confirm that the indiscrimate firing of QUARK bombs through Stargates into alien systems serves no useful purpose as no damage ever appears to be inflicted. The agency is therefore not prepared to pay bounties for this feat. For those who consider alien observation posts to be easy target practice 1500 cedits each, the Agency would hasten to remind you that their purpose is observation and they do have sub-ether coms links. The Agency is currently extremely keen to examine captured aliens. A bounty of 500 credits will be paid for any specimens. Operators are expected to clean their own scoops. Alien satellites are the subject of intense Agency interest. Bounties of 1000 credits will be paid for communication equipment, 2000 credits for observation equipment and 4000 credits for military hardware. Recent reports now indicate that civilised worlds now have this technology. Alien skirmishers have been messing up the star lanes with mines again. A bounty of 500 credits will be paid for each one destroyed. Recent analysis has shown that ramming, whilst being effective is not the most efficient method of mine clearance. The Agency will under no circumstances pay extra bounty to those heroes who attempt to clear homing mines or those with long-range proximity fuses. __ _______\ \ The Agency recommends that all rookie operatives /\ \ / /~~~~~~~~\_\ should operate entirely within the Al-Nair system. \/__________| \_\ Vexon scout ships are now pretty obsolete in their weapons technology and carry a bounty of 2500 credits. __ ________\ \ An increasing number of Vexon fighters have been |\ ~~\ \ \_________\ reported in the Giobek system and some even in the \|________\_\ \|| Al-Nair system. It is believed these heavier crafts are using a system of disposable fuel pods to increase their effective range. Vexon fighter ships are worth 5000 credits each to the Agency. __ A number of Vexon Killer class ships found operating /\_\ /\/_/-------\ in the Kogon system have been found to be fitted /\/_/---------> \/_/---------/ with anti-matter screens. This class of craft is only surpased by interceptor class star ships ____ _______/\___\| which have so far not ventured beyond the Inogal /\________\___\| \/________|\___\ system. Killer class ships are worth 7500 while \|___| \_\ Interceptors earn a bounty of 10000 credits. Loses of Agency operatives haas been highest amongst those who have penetrated the Vexon system. It is believed that the Vexon have finally perfect their much heralded mothership. Destruction of this vessel will be rewarded with 250,000 Credits bounty. Our scientists assure us that the new QUARK bombs are capable of demolishing planetary bodies and so this fabled edifice should be no problem (once it is reached). STRIX FIGHTER INSTRUCTIONS MANUAL The STRIX fighter is a deep space raider produced specifically for long range seek & destroy operations. It is a highly sophisticated craft with many specialised functions which require detailed study and practise to ensure success. This manual is required reading for all trainees wishing to gain profficiency in the piloting and efficient use of this machine. BASIC FAMILIARISATION The system console is devided into several main sections each with a major functional use. +------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | +---------------+---------+-------------------+----------------+---------------+ | | F | | | | | +---------+ | | | | +-----------+----+ | | B | | | | +---------+----+-+ | | | | | | +----------------+ | | | | +------------------+ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------+ | | | | +---+ +-----------+ | | | | +-----+ | | | | +---+--------+ +--------+ # +------+ # | | | | | | | | |oooooooo| # | | # | | ++ | | | +--+ D +--+========+------#--+ +--#-----+ C +-||-+ E +-+ | | | | ###### | ############## | | ++ | | | | +------------+ | ## | A +____+ | | | | | | | ## | +-----+ +-----------+ | | | ## | === ##### | +------------------+--------+--------------------------------------------------+ CENTRE CONSOLE (A) +--------+ # +------+ # The Centre console allows for |oooooooo| # | | # +========+------#--+ +--#- positional and speed control. The | ###### | ############## | ## | +____+ control column allows for directional | ## | | ## | change whilst the speed leaver controls +--------+ velocity. STATUS DISPLAY (B) +-------------------+ The status display shows system messages, | | | | current alert status and a readout of the | | +-------------+-----+ energy in the ships main storage banks. | | +-----+-----+-+ | | +-------------+ FUNCTION POD (C) +---------+ The functions pod contains switches for a number | ### ### | | | of functions including shields, weapon select, | ### ### | | | and vision direction. | ### ### | +---------+ SHIPS COMPUTER (D) +------+ The ships computer is multi-purpose and consists | #### | +------+------+ of a head-up display with options for navigation, | ### ### ### | | | scoop control, ship status, re-fueling and | ### ### ### | +-------------+ communications. SHORTRANGE SCANNERS (E) +-----------------+ | \ | / | The short range scanners allow for variable | \-----+-----/ | | \ | / | range scanning of the areas immediately around | +---+---+ | | | | | the ship and give accurate position information | | | | | +---+---+ | on objects detected. +-+ | / | \ | | | | /-----+-----\ | +-+ | / | \ | +--------+--------+ ## ## ## ## ## MISSON CLOCK (F) +----------+ The mission clock shows a readout of mission | ##.##.## | +----------+ elapsed time. ACTIVATING CONSOLE SWITCHES Console buttons and switches may in all cases be activated by moving the mouse pointer over them and depressing the left hand button on the mouse. A successful activation will then always be indicated by a change in the colour or the graphics of the button. All buttons also have keyboard equivalents. The table at the end of this manual gives a complete list of key to command mappings. ALERTS AND MESSAGES Messages from the ship which are of such importance that they may require your attention are imaged on the status display. An audible warning will announce their presence. The small square underneath gives an indication of the importance of the messages: red for "urgent", yellow for "may require action" and green for "information which may be of interest". The readout below this is the ships master energy display. If this ever reaches zero the ship will cease to function and will self destruct. +---------+ The communications computer, which is selected by | ## #### | | #### ## | pressing the central button on the bottom row of | ####### | | ### ### | an activated ships computer console, will always give +---------+ an expanded explanation of status messages as well as any extra information that is not deemed appropriate to be presented on the status display. MOVEMENT Movement of the STRIX fighter may be accomplished in any one of three ways. Using the mouse you simply move the pointer over the graphic of the control column in the direction toward which movement is desired i.e. left moves the ship left and up moves the ship up. Movement with a joystick is a case of pushing the stick in the direction required. The joysticks only function is to fire weapons or change direction and may be used in parallel with the mouse and/or keyboard. Movement from your computer keyboard is accomplished using the arrow (cursor) keys. Press the key which corresponds to the direction in which you wish to move. In all cases the longer you hold a directional change the faster your ship will move in that direction. Providing the ship has forward momentum of the control column will always alter the direction of motion (not just the display window). +----------+ It is posible to detach the viewing window from the | /___\ | | / | | \| direction of motion and look in other directions | \ |___| /| | \ / | whilst not disturbing that motion. To achieve this +----------+ press the top-left button on the pod. When it locks and the button changes colour, viewing direction will be independent of motional direction. You may now look around without disturbing and course which has been set. Clicking the pod button off will immediately return the window to looking along the direction of motion. This operation may also be obtained with the keyboard key +----------+ "W". A further option which is useful in combat | +-----\ | | | +---/ | situations is the 'rear-view' button located in the | | |____ | | +______| | button right position of the pod. When activated +----------+ the window is automatically freed and instantly swung round to point directly away from the current direction of motion. The 'BACKSPACE' key will also activate the function. SPEED CONTROL Speed is controlled using the Thrust lever to the left of the centre console. Downward movement of this lever causes deceleration, upward movement acceleration. The display above the level has eight lights showing graphically the amount of the acceleration/deceleration being applied and a sliding bar which registers current velocity. To move the lever simply move the mouse pointer over the lever and depress the left button. Whilst keeping the button held down move the mouse in the desired direction - up for acceleration and down for deceleration. Alternatively the keyboard may be used. The key labeled 'RETURN' is equivalent to up movement whilst the key underneath will cause downwards movement of the lever. +----------+ The shpip can be stopped quickly by pressing the | /|-- | | / | |___ | retro thrust button on the pod. This requires twice | \ |----| | | \| | as much energy as using the thrust level but is far +----------+ faster at killing the ships motion. NAVIGATION Navigation uses two special computer functions. The long range map the navigation computer. The map shows all large objects within the confines of the navigable system and their spatial relationships with regards to your ships. It also allows a specific location to be pin pointed. The navigation computer then displays graphical information to help find this location. +----------+ The long range map is activated by pressing the | ## ## | | ## | ship's computer's top left button whilst it is | ## | | ## ## | switched on. Two screens will now be visible +----------+ framed by a green border. Each screen shows the same data but from a different viewpoint. Your position is indicated by a white square in the centre of both screens. The leftmost screen is imaged as if looking down on your ship from a great height i.e. objects in from of you are towards the top of the screen, objects to your left are on the left of the screen. There is no indication of above/below on this screen. The other screen shows your ship from behind, with above being towards the top of the screen and left being to the left of the screen. All large objects are displayed as dots and positions are updated in real-time. As your ship moves and changed direction the dots follow suit. The meaning of the dots is: Yellow The systems Sun Shimmering colour Stargates Pale Red Alien mother-ship Dark Red Alien space-ship White Alien observation post Pale Blue Planet Dark Blue Planetary moon Dark Green Energy Drone Green Repair Drone Pale Green QUARK Drone Black Alien missile There is also a small white cross displayed. This is the destination point for the navigation computer. Clicking in either screen with your mouse moves this cross. Click in the left screen to set its left/right front/back position and in the right screen to set its up/down left/right position. +----/\----+ The navigation computer is selected by pressing | /# #\ | | / \ | the computers top right button. This displays | \ / | | \# #/ | a screen with two important components both of +----\/----+ which are to help reach the destination reach the destination point set with the long range map. On the left is an indication of the distance to the point plus an estimate of the energy units required to reach the point. On the right are a series of squares. The course you are steering is correct when all squares line up perfectly. Your destination is reached when all squares are the same size. The normal colour of the squares is yellow but if your destination is behind you then they will be red. The exact course to steer is marked most accurately by the smallest square which should be followed i.e. if it is to the left then you should steer left. SCANNERS +----/\----+ The Short Range Scanners are activated by pressing | / \ | | /_ _\ | the up-arrow button on the right side of the pod. | | | | | |__| | This will cause a screen to rise. The scanners +----------+ will not be active unless one of the range buttons (labelled 1-5 underneath) is also selected. The scanners may be de-activated by pressing the same button (now a down arrow) again. The range of the scan is selected by the buttons (labelled 1-5) which are located underneath the scanner screen with one being the lowest and five the highest range. Each increase in range doubles the effective area which is scanned and doubles the scanners energy consumption. The scanner screen shows a cube with your ships position signified by a central white dot. The scan is imaged looking forwards. Any large object within scanning range will be represented within this cube by a stalk with a dot on top. The dot is the object whilst the stalk gives an indication of depth by the position itt joins the floors of the scanner. All scanned objects have their positions updated in real time. DEEP SPACE REFUELLING Deep Space refuelling of a STRIX fighter is most easily accomplished through the use of automatic drones. Three types are available and can be ordered using the ships computer. An energy drone carries 25000 units of energy. A repair drone carries all need spare parts to repair or replace any vital ship functions which may have become damaged or destroyed. It also carries 10 missiles which automatically replenish ships board stocks. A QUARK drone carries 2 QUARK bombs. This is the only way to gain possession of such weapons. These drones have to be purchased from the agency who will then dispatch them on auto-pilot providing that you have enough credits for the purchase. +----------+ Drones are ordered through the computer by pressing | /~~~~\ | | | |~~| | | the left most button of the computer console whilst | | |__| | | | \____/ | the computer is activated. The display shows your +----------+ current credit rating with the agency. To order select the type of drone you require by clicking with the mouse on the required line until it is highlighted. Then click on the order line. If you have the required credits the cost will be debited from your account and the drone will be despatched. You must then use your scoops to retrieve it. The drone will travel to the location you occupied when you ordered it. The time the drone takes to reach this position and its cost in credits are directly proportional to the number of Stargates it must traverse to reach this position. For any impoverished and fueless pilot there is another option which can be taken to replenish energy stocks. This involves scooping the surface of any nearby gaseous star. This process is hazardous in the extreme and totally beyond description. AUTO SCOOPS +----------+ To retrieve objects from space the auto scoops must | # # # # | | # # # # | be used. To activate, first turn on the ship's | # # # # | | # # # # | computer and then select the second button from the +----------+ left on the top row. The screen will show an image with your STRIX fighter in the centre. The yellow square underneath is a representation of your extended scoop. All objects in the vicinity will now register their location on this screen. The nearer the object is the whiter it will be. Only objects in front of you will register. With the scoops extended satellites, drones and even life forms may be taken within your ship by ensuring that their image falls within the yellow square whilst it is at its whitest. The scoop will then automatically detect their presence and tractor beams will draw them in. The scoop's imaging system is also a very good aid for negotiating meteor clusters, mine fields and for dodging enemy fire. WEAPONRY Your shields are your most important aid to staying alive. Without them you will take massive damage and possibly be destroyed by an enemy weapon. The shields absorb energy and so will protect you from individual hits from energy weapons but they can be overloaded by multiple strikes in a short space of time. +----------+ The shields may be switched on by pressing the centre | /------\ | | | # | | right button on the pod. Unless they are destroyed | | #### | | | \______/ | they will automatically repair themselves over a +----------+ period of time. Shields are heavily energy intesive whilst in operation and will draw large amounts of extra energy to deflect potential impacts. +----------+ Normally standard Pulse weaponry is selected. The | | | ## | only limit to how often they are used is again the | ###### | | ## | amount of energy you have in store. They are however +----------+ of limited effectiveness against shielded ships requiring multiple hits to break down their shields. Missiles which are selected by the centre left button on the pod have far longer +----------+ ranges and can pierce shields. The QUARK bombs are | | | # #### | the only things able to pierce the shields of alien | ###### | | # #### | motherships. QUARKs are selected by activating +----------+ the lower left button on the Pod. Weapons are fired with the right mouse button, the keyboard space bar or the joystick button. BATTLE DAMAGE Whenever damage is inflicted upon your ship the damage control computer will use energy to protect vital areas at the expense of others. The shields will absorb whatever energy they can if they are active and not destroyed. The damage allocator then allocates damage in the following order - scanners, computer, pulse weapons engines. +----------+ A visual indication of the ships status may be | -------- | | |_O O_| | obtained by activating the right most button on the | = |__| = | | = = | bottom row of the computer console whilst the computer +----------+ is on. The display shows each major area of the ship and it's percentage functionality. 100% means perfect working order. Generally things are regarded as damaged and not to be trusted as reliable when their effectiveness drops below 50%. Also shown are weapon quantities and current energy consumption. ENERGY USAGE All ship functions require energy. Without it your ship will perish. Energy is used by your ship in the following way: Basic ship functions - 10 units per second Shields on - 15 units per second Pulse weapons - 30 units per firing Acceleration/deceleration - 5* rate (1-8) units per sec Scanners - 10 units per second if on Scanner ranged - 5* range (1-5) per second Computer - 5 units per second if on Map computer - 20 units per second Scoop computer - 10 units per second Navigation computer - 5 units per second Drone computer - 10 units per second Comms computer - 10 units per second Status computer - 5 units per second Stargate Entry - 50000 units per passage Remember also that any damage inflicted will also use energy. KEYBOARD OPTIONS All ship control functions may be controlled directly from the keyboard. The following table summarises the keys to use. MOVE UP - (UP ARROW) MOVE DOWN - (DOWN ARROW) MOVE LEFT - (LEFT ARROW) MOVE RIGHT - (RIGHT ARROW) INCREASE SPEED - (RETURN) DECREASE SPEED - (LEFT-SHIFT) FIRE WEAPON - (SPACE) SELECT MISSILE - M SELECT QUARK BOMB - B WINDOW LOCK/UNLOCK - W LOOK BEHIND - (BACKSPACE) RETRO-THRUST - R SHIELDS ON/OFF - S COMPUTER ON/OFF - F1 SELECT MAP DISPLAY - F2 SELECT SCOOP DISPLAY - F3 SELECT NAV DISPLAY - F4 SELECT DRONE DISPLAY - F5 SELECT COMS DISPLAY - F6 SELECT STATUS DISPLAY - F7 SCANNERS ON/OFF - F10 SET RANGE 1 - 1 SET RANGE 2 - 2 SET RANGE 3 - 3 SET RANGE 4 - 4 SET RANGE 5 - 5 PAUSE - (ESC) GAME OPTIONS - (HELP) --------- I would like to thank the following for making these dox possible: my dog, AC/DC, HEART, DOKKEN, Coca Cola Bottling Company of New England and last but not least MicroEmacs. Device Driver - President NEAPG, member 2400AE