Odessa StepsThis is a postal (or PBM) game of Star Trader run by Mike Dommett and published in my postal games 'zine, To Win Just Once. Below is the turn 5 report, as published in TWJO 37 (September 2003). Follow the link for an introduction to Star Trader. Sections: Report, Corporations Table, News, GM Notes, Star map (separate page) Previous reports: Turn 4 Turn 3 Turn 2 Turn 1 Start-up Latest Report Turn 5
"Where did that one come from?" The harassed commander asked his damage control officer as the Flute hull rocked to a blow to the hull.
It is debatable which was the biggest event. For most Corporations, the massive forgery, which halved all cash assets, and all debts was devastating. A couple of Corporations seemed to have been aware of the machinations and acted accordingly, being high on debt, and low on cash. For NEKEKAMI and THE CULTURE, it was the combat in Tau Ceti system space which left all 4 ships battered. As they're all in THE CULTURE's hands, NEKEKAMI was hit very hard. The combat swung each way, but the early surrender of Fire and the bad luck suffered by NEKEKAMI's attempts to board meant that all the ships fell, though every one damaged the armed Monarch Hull, and left it with a bare third of its pods intact. Once the loss of the ships was confirmed by a courageous communications officer, the failure of the Tau Ceti Planetary Patrols to intercept any of the ships (though they came close) was further bad news for NEKEKAMI. GRAND LARS THENI were said to be "sympathetic" though no-one would be more specific. The apparent immunity of TAU CETI XPRESS from interception suggests that someone at least may have been paying for protection. For INTERSTELLAR METALS the failure for a second quarter to pay interest on their loan was embarrassing. Perhaps they are hoping for more forgery. Better Red, as the CULTURE has renamed their captured Flute hull, landed at Mu Herculis and raised 240 HTs selling Weapons. An attempt to increase THE CULTURE's Reputation failed, but Political Connections were increased to 8. The Vibrant was re-crewed with an A class crew. The existing loan was repaid and a new loan for 890 HTs over 4 turns was taken out. Most of this was spent buying 11 Monopole factories at Mu Herculis. SHYLOCKS were also on planet, at Gamma Leporis, and sold their weapons for 30 HTs a unit. The money was used to improve Reputation and increase Political Connections. Another Corporation received a cash payment and the ambassador still hasn't arrived at his destination, which will teach him to take the 25th century's equivalent of Connex Southwest. KATKORP sold their Alloys factories at Gamma Leporis and 2 of their Isotope production facility at Tau Ceti. They used the money to increase their Political Connections. They paid off their (smaller) existing loan and took out a new one for 395 HTs for 4 turns and bought warehouses at Delta Toucanis, and the first warehouse purchased at Beta Hydri. NEKEKAMI had a massive increase in Reputation after their debacle, but it is of little comfort. Their press release was unceremoniously removed from all public shipping offices. At least their outstanding loan is smaller than it was. TSTI took OP 27 and bought 4 units at Sigma Draconis on Planet. Criminal Connections were increased to 8, and an A class crew was hired for Fiacre. Alexis, whose hire was mis-reported last Quarter as the laying down of a Phoenix hull, has joined TSTI and the misogynistic director has already ordered her to Sigma Draconis, far from fashion shops. Apparently her contract is up for sale. TAU CETI XPRESS repaid their loan, and decided not to take out a new one. INTERSTELLAR METALS bought a second warehouse at Gamma Leporis and watched their loan get bigger again with the missed interest being added to the principal. NEWBIE increased their Business Connections and took out a 160 HT loan from the banks for 4 turns. They also announced that Agent Tender and Agent JB were for hire, contact to be made at the Corporation offices. TOTAL TRANSIT 2070 took out a 300 HT loan over 8 turns - to finance expansion. SMF were quiet and THE UNIVERSAL repaid their loan and are now free of debt. Sigma Draconis saw INTERSTELLAR METALS buying 9 units for 7 HTs each and becoming a Contractor. The UNIVERSAL and BLAND & BRASS both failed to buy Monopoles as the price rose. IM sold 1 petroleum for 8 HTs, and then finished by buying 5 Spice on their contracts for a good quarter here. KATKORP failed to buy Alloys at Alpha Centauri as the price rose. INTERSTELLAR METALS were selling Spice, 12 units for 17 HTs each and a Dealership. THE CULTURE sold 7 Monopoles at 18 HTs, but no market position. SWISS MERCENARY'S FLEET sold 3 Liquor for 10 HTs apiece, the last of their factory's production. Passenger carrier TAU CETI XPRESS sold 6 Isotopes for 5 HTs and gained a Dealership, their first market position. Beta Hydri saw THE UNIVERSAL failing to sell Alloys as they wanted more than the market thought they were worth. TCX sold a single Isotope for 7 HTs. TRANS SOLAR TRADING sold 9 Petroleum at 12 HTs and gained a Dealership, and IM sold 3 more using Percent. KATKORP bought 9 Alloys at Gamma Leporis and no recognition. Epsilon Eridani saw KATKORP selling 2 Isotopes for 7 HTs each and TCX selling 1 for 6 HTs. THE UNIVERSAL bought 1 Spice for 15 HTs. Delta Toucanis was busy. First INTERSTELLAR METALS sold 7 Alloys for 5 HTs each, then KATKORP sold 12 Isotopes at 8 HTs, followed by TSTI selling 2 more at the same price. TOTAL TRANSIT 2070 were undercut by these two and sold nothing. Petroleum was also active, IM buying 10 for 10 HTs apiece and a Contractorship, THE UNIVERSAL selling 3 for 6 HTs each and then KATKORP buying 3 at 9 HTs. TT2070 did manage to buy 4 Spice for 14. Tau Ceti saw much trading in Isotopes, NEKEKAMI selling 2 for 1 HT each, and then TCX selling 7 at 4 HTs. SHYLOCKS sold 5 on Contract, but KATKORP's bid of 5 to sell was ignored. Mu Herculis saw BLAND & BRASS selling 6 Alloys at 10 HTs, and TT2070 selling 6 Liquor at 17, this gaining a Dealership. INTERSTELLAR METALS bought 6 Petroleum for 13 HTs apiece, emptying their coffers. Finally, Isotopes saw GRAND LARS THENI buying 16 for 8 HTs each, filling the Monarch hull, and becoming dealers. SHYLOCKS sold 9 for 4 HTs apiece and gained a Contractorship. BLAND & BRASS then sold 2 more at 6 HTs. Only TT2070 were disappointed as no one sold them anything. Corporations Table
NewsThere were no new chits this turn. OP 27 was taken by Trans-Solar Trading.
New chits are shown in Bold:
GM NotesShips are not assumed to be trying to intercept unless stated in your orders; You do not need to write "avoid interception" in your orders. Combat can take place if a player succeeds in intercepting an incoming ship jumping to a spaceport. Orders like "return fire with missiles, and then guns" mean you will fire missiles at a ship until they are all knocked out, and will continue to fire with guns after that point. You can jump into system space and accept interception, as THE CULTURE did this turn. Illegal goods, such as Slaves, can only be loaded on Planet. Legal trading takes place in spaceports: you cannot therefore buy legal and illegal goods for the same spaceship on the same turn. You can load in the spaceport on one turn, then jump to the planet the next turn and load the illegal commodity. Agents are transferred between ships in Spaceports or On Planet only. You can pay back a loan and take out a new loan in the same turn. Page created 28th September 2003. Last updated 7th June 2004. This website produced by Paul Evans. © Copyright Paul Evans 2003. All trademarks acknowledged. Problems, comments and feedback to the Webmaster. |
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