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 13

Previous reports: Turn 12 Turn 11 Turn 10 Turn 9 Turn 8 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)

    “So what are our orders?”
    “To load passengers to fly to Epsilon Eridani.”
The Captain looked out of the window. The Spaceport was bustling. The large fluorescent Double E signs glowed.
    “But we’re on Epsilon Eridani right now.”
    “I’d noticed that too.”
    “I think we’d better give the crew shore leave while I try and sort this out.”

At Gamma Leporis EON FLASHCORP bought 5 Alloys for 1 HT each. HOUSTON FEARLESS bought 5 more on Contracts.

Epsilon Eridani saw ARCHANGEL gaining a Dealership by selling 6 Isotopes for 2 HTs apiece. We then saw HOUSTON selling 5 Isotopes on Contract. ARCHANGEL sold 10 Spice at 11 HTs each to gain another Dealership, while EON FLASHCORP sold 3 Monopoles for 12 HTs apiece.

Beta Hydri only had ARCHANGEL trading, selling 11 Spice at the price of 14 HTs and gaining a third Dealership. Speculation was rife that the Passenger line had decided to change its main business, which would have explained the decision not to take Passengers this quarter.

Both HOUSTON and EON were selling Alloys at Tau Ceti, HOUSTON 7 for 13 HTs each and EON 3 at 14 HTs.

Mu Herculis was the busiest Spaceport this Quarter. HOUSTON FEARLESS sold 10 Alloys for 13 each and became Contractors. MONOGRAM sold 8 Isotopes for 7 HTs and gained a Dealership, after which HOUSTON sold 5 more for 8 HTs each. HOUSTON and EON each bought 5 Monopoles on Contract.

ARCHANGEL LINES sold the Azazel at Mu Herculis for 140% of list price and went to the Federation Banks to repay their loan. Having delivered their Passengers this Quarter, they then tried to load passengers to where their ships were, which of course was assumed to be a publicity stunt. All their ships are free to fly anywhere next Quarter!

MONOGRAM INDUSTRIES launched both its new ships, PIC-1 and PIC-2. TRUMP seems not to have been a lucky name.

HOUSTON loaded two passengers to fly to Beta Hydri from Tau Ceti.

EON FLASHCORP sold 4 units of Weapons on Mu Herculis and then laid down two new Flute Hulls at the Epsilon Eridani, each with an Augmented Jump Pod and an A class crew.

Corporations Table

Corporation letter & name		Conn'n Levels Bus/Crim/Pol			Init Bid	Turn Order	Cash	Rep'n	Player
A	Archangel Lines	8	0	2	0	5th	134	40	Jerry Elsmore
B	Eon Flashcorp	7	9	9	0	6th	69	40	Paul Evans
D	Gates-Learjet	9	6	5	0	4th	164	29	Dominic Howlett
E	McRadie’s Crew	5	10	0	0	3rd	39	0	Martin Jennings
F	Monogram Industries	10	0	7	3+5	1st	269	40	Michael Martinkat
G	Houston Fearless	10	0	5	10	2nd	723	40	Przemyslaw Orwat
H	GamLepCo	5	0	4	N		139	26	Player wanted
'N' under Initiative Bid indicates No Move Received; ‘F’ indicates the Corp was floated

Press

"Your competitor getting too greedy? Has too many goods?
No problem, just contact McRaidie at 555-BOOM and we will resolve the problem for you.
Cheap and Dirty, prices on demand."

Do you have problems? That other Corporation is just doing too well? Why not call upon MaCRADIE Solutions, the grit that gets results.

GM Notes

A replacement player for GamLepCo would be welcome—it’s a chance to learn the game.

Eon Flashcorp used OP 23 this turn.

There are three new News chits this turn (in bold):
    Turn 14 C3, P8, B3
    Turn 15 P8, B8
    Turn 16 C4, B1