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 8

Previous reports: Turn 7 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)

“Scramble, Scramble!”
Crew dropped to the ground around the Beta Strike as it lay under going repair on Gamma Leporis 4’s sandy surface.
“We’re going into action.”
The voice continued over the loudspeakers as latecomers rushed from the temporary domes, though the last stopped and then retreated as the Dagger hull readied for space, closing the doors before them. The cause was the ARCHANGEL’s armed Merchantman, Gabriel, coming over the horizon, missiles already visible as bright dots. A few beams winked from MCRADIE’s ship before the first missile salvo arrived and the Dagger Hull, still bearing the scars of combat from Mu Herculis, started to implode, drifting back towards the surface, open to space.

EON FLASHCORP bought 10 Alloys for 8 HTs each at Gamma Leporis and gained a Dealership, after which MONOGRAM sold 7 for 3 HTs apiece, without further reward.

At Epsilon Eridani HOUSTON FEARLESS sold 3 Isotopes for 11 HTs each. MONOGRAM then sold 5 Monopoles on Contract. Tau Ceti saw HOUSTON FEARLESS selling 6 Alloys for 13 HTs each and then shutting MONOGRAM out of the Isotope Market by using its Market Managership to buy 17 Isotopes at 2 HTs, 5 of which came on Contracts.

EON FLASHCORP bought 5 Monopoles on Contract at Mu Herculis. MONOGRAM sold 10 Isotopes for 12 HTs each and was unrewarded. HOUSTON FEARLESS sold 9 Alloys and became a Dealer.

MONOGRAM was successful at Sigma Draconis where they bought 10 Spice for 10 HTs each and were awarded a Dealership.

Finally, at Beta Hydri MONOGRAM sold 11 Monopoles – 5 on Contracts and a further 6 using Crip.

ARCHANGEL LINES swapped pods between the Gabriel and the Jophiel and, with one of MCRADIE’s ship destroyed, returned to its passenger carrying.

HOUSTON FEARLESS paid the contribution to MCRADIE and delivered the Ambassador to Mu Herculis, collecting a substantial sum. The crews for Ur-Tin and Ur-Zinc were upgraded to A class.

MONOGRAM bought the Killer Change, a Dagger Hull (believed to be with a Battle Comm Pod) on Tau Ceti (OP 16) and changed some passenger pods for cargo pods on Big Change.

EON FLASHCORP hired agent Badger for 50 HTs and also spent money improving their Political Connections.

MCRADIE got new papers for Natasha at Mu Herculis, and sold the ZADKIEL for 140% of list price, which must cheer them after the loss of their Dagger Hull at Gamma Leporis.

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	15	1st	399	40	Jerry Elsmore
B	Eon Flashcorp	6	8	9	0	4th	479	38	Paul Evans
D	Gates-Learjet	9	5	4	N	6th	152	28	Dominic Howlett
E	McRadie’s Crew	5	9	0	0	5th	357	0	Martin Jennings
F	Monogram Industries	10	0	7	1+9	3rd	219	40	Michael Martinkat
G	Houston Fearless	10	0	5	15	2nd	572	40	Przemyslaw Orwat
H	GamLepCo	5	0	4	N	7th	134	26	Gina Teh
'N' under Initiative Bid indicates No Move Received; ‘F’ indicates the Corp was floated

GM Notes

There are three new News chits –shown in bold:
    Turn 9 B10
    Turn 10 C5, B4
    Turn 11 C6
    Turn 12 B5