The Cold Equations

This is the fourth postal (PBM/PBeM) game of Star Trader GMed by Mike Dommett and published by Pevans in my postal games 'zine, To Win Just Once. This is the web version of the turn. Follow the link for an introduction to Star Trader.

Turn 7

Previous reports: Turn 6 Turn 5 Turn 4 Turn 3 Turn 2 Turn 1 Start-up

Sections: Report, Corporations Table, Press, GM Notes, Star map (separate page) PDF map (22k)

    "What's that disturbance?"
    "Looks like ships coming through."
    "We weren't expecting anything."
    "And they don't seem to be decelerating enough."
    "They aren't - quick, hit the alarm!"
As the sirens chimed out over the spaceport, the first missiles were being launched from the pirate squadron.

The Pirate Strike at Mu Herculis was a surprise to many of the Corporations, though by good fortune all the ships in the Spaceport managed to lift and escape the attackers. MCRADIE's ship was waiting in System Space, which was where GATES LEARJET were caught. The Dagger Hull was opposing a semi-armed Merchantman and, once it was obvious the Military Hull wasn't able to quickly overwhelm its prey, the Natasha started to knock lumps off the Dagger. The fight became much more even when the Heavy Weapons pod was crippled and shots started to hit the hull. MCRADIE's eventually boarded the Natasha, but the cost was great.

At Gamma Leporis HOUSTON FEARLESS became Dealers by buying 18 Alloys for 5 HTs each, shutting out bids of 1 from EON FLASHCORP and MONOGRAM.

HOUSTON were bidding for Isotopes at Tau Ceti, buying 7 for 1 HT each. GATES-LEARJET would have been selling Isotopes but for the loss of their ship to MCRADIE's. HOUSTON were left alone to buy 8 Monopoles for 11 HTs each and to gain a Dealership.

MONOGRAM did manage to pick up 4 Alloys for 1 HT apiece at Sigma Draconis.

MONOGRAM were selling Monopoles at Beta Hydri, first selling 12 for 14 HTs each, which made them Contractors, and then selling 6 more using Crip. HOUSTON FEARLESS closed out the trading by selling 4 Isotopes at a price of 10 HTs each.

HOUSTON FEARLESS increased their Reputation and bought warehouses at Beta Hydri and Gamma Leporis. The new ship was rolled out, the Ur-Lead, with 6 Cargo pods and an Augmented Jump pod, crewed with A class crew. They are still very grateful for MCRADIE's ignoring their ship as it hung in Mu Herculis System Space after evading the Pirate attack.

MONOGRAM's new ship was launched too, called Trump Change, with identical equipment.

EON FLASHCORP were grateful to Agent Willy, who enabled them to raise a huge price for their Tempus. They then spent money raising their Reputation and Business Connections.

GATES LEARJET lost one ship to interception, but did at least knock it around a fair bit. The surviving hull has now got A class crew and a better chance of escaping interception.

ARCHANGEL's ships were unbothered this Quarter, but they still show nervousness and not all of their fleet loaded passengers.

MCRADIE's obtained legitimate papers for their captured liner from last Quarter to ARCHANGEL's barely concealed fury.

Corporations Table

Corporation letter & name		Conn'n Levels Bus/Crim/Pol			Init Bid	Turn Order	Cash	Rep'n	Player
A	Archangel Lines	4	0	2	0	5th	246	40	Jerry Elsmore
B	Eon Flashcorp	5	8	8	0	3rd	659	35	Paul Evans
D	Gates-Learjet	9	5	4	0	4th	142	28	Dominic Howlett
E	McRadie's Crew	5	9	0	10	6th	55	0	Martin Jennings
F	Monogram Industries	10	0	7	1+4	2nd	221	40	Michael Martinkat
G	Houston Fearless	10	0	5	15	1st	263	38	Przemyslaw Orwat
H	GamLepCo	5	0	4	N	7th	129	26	Gina Teh
'N' under Initiative Bid indicates No Move Received; ‘F’ indicates the Corp was floated

Press

Remember 50 HTs is not too high a price to pay for your safety, think about it - McRadie

Something or someone bothering you, apart form me? Got an itch you need to scratch, with dynamite?
All jobs considered, the dirtier the better - McRadie

GM Notes

EV 12 Pirates Raid Mu Herculis and EV13 Federal Tax Imposed took place this turn.

There are two new News chits –shown in bold:
    Turn 8 P1
    Turn 9 B10, P3
    Turn 10 C5