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 8 report, as published in TWJO 40 (December 2003/January 2004). Follow the link for an introduction to Star Trader. Sections: Report, Corporations Table, Press, News, GM Notes, Star map (separate page) Previous reports: Turn 7 Turn 6 Turn 5 Turn 4 Turn 3 Turn 2 Turn 1 Start-up Turn 8
"And have you reached a verdict?"
The inquiry into the CULTURE exonerated them of all charges. Indeed, the effect of the CULTURE's Political influence was such that moves were afoot to put the judge on trial for malicious prosecution, but wiser heads prevailed. Nevertheless, four ships have been handed over in Tau Ceti System Space and now fly the CULTURE's flag. For reasons of libel laws we are unable to say anything more. The non-arrival of half of TAU CETI's EXPRESS fleet resulted in a flood of claims for damages, and TCX had to pay 200 HTs to disgruntled passengers. Agent Z signed up to KAT CORP at Delta Toucanis, while their ship, Lion, took OP15 and has gone on a voyage of discovery. TOTAL TRANSIT 2070 bought a new Isotope Factory. TRANS SOLAR TRADING Inc. bought 2 new warehouses at Gamma Leporis, a new cargo pod for the Fiacre and laid down a Phoenix Hull at Alpha Centauri. INTERSTELLAR METALS increased their Political Connections to 5. THE UNIVERSAL bought 2 Liquor Factories at Alpha Centauri. SWISS MERCENARY FLEET bought 2 more Spice Factories at Sigma Draconis, and increased their Political Connections to 10. KAT CORP found legal papers for the ex-TCX07 and increased their Criminal Connections to 2. The corporation bought a new A class crew and 4 cargo Pods for Panther (ex Tiddles, ex TCX07) and paid to increase their Reputation. BLAND & BRASS increased their Reputation a little and their Business Connections as well. THE CULTURE, with its nine ship fleet, saw little reason to do more. Trading was brisk. At Gamma Leporis TSTI bought 18 Alloys at 5 HTs each and became Market Managers, as well as shutting out bids of 3 and 2 by KAT CORP and INTERSTELLAR METALS. TOTAL TRANSIT 2070 bought 10 Alloys for 10 HTs apiece and gained a Contractorship at Epsilon Eridani. Then they sold 7 Petroleum for a price of 15 HTs and received a Dealership. And finally 2 Monopoles for 19 HTs each and declared themselves pleased with the results. TAU CETI XPRESS sold I Isotope for 6 HTs, but, against the loss of 3 of their ships, this was small comfort. KAT CORP became the Contractor at Delta Toucanis, selling 12 for 8 HTs, though BLAND & BRASS did sell 2 more at the same price. THE UNIVERSAL bought 5 Spice on Contracts. At Tau Ceti opinion was agreed that KAT CORP had just avoided becoming one more of the CULTURE's victims, with the prompt removal of their ships to the spaceport from System Space. Patrols went looking for the Monarch hull detected, but were unable to locate the mystery ship. KAT CORP sold 6 Alloys for 10 HTs each and acquired a Dealership. SHYLOCKS sold 5 Isotopes on Contract. But SHYLOCKS is also missing a ship to the CULTURE, who, not content with the destructive sabotage that they carried out over the last two quarters, have added major piracy to their crimes. And still they got off! Rumours are growing that the CULTURE made many large donations to Political groupings and they have protected their own. BLAND & BRASS sold 6 Alloys at Mu Herculis for 8 HTs and TSTI bought 10 Isotopes for 5 HTs each and got a Dealership. SHYLOCKS picked up 4 Monopoles for 12 apiece, beating TSTI. INTERSTELLAR METALS sold 9 Petroleum at 12 HTs each and received a Contractorship. IM picked up 5 Spice on Contract at Sigma Draconis, but the UNIVERSAL failed to sell Petroleum at 10 as the price fell. The successful seller of Alloys at Alpha Centauri - as the price rose with the new colony (EV 21) - was TSTI, selling 11 for 11 HTs each and becoming a Contractor. Ferret sold 6 units for IM, while bids of 12 to sell from KATKORP and IM failed. TT2070 sold 10 isotopes for 3 HTs apiece, also becoming Contractor, and TCX sold 2 more at a price 4 HTs. SHYLOCKS couldn't buy Liquor at 11 - nor could KATKORP - as the price rose to 12 HTs. The CULTURE did sell 2 Monopoles for 20 HTs each. At Beta Hydri, KAT CORP failed to sell Alloys at 6 HTs as the price rose here too. They did sell two Isotopes at 7, while TCX sold 1 for 6 HTs. Spice was selling: BLAND & BRASS sold 6 for 15 HTs each and gained a Dealership, while SWISS MERCENARY FLEET sold 5 at 16 HTs. Corporations Table
Press
Financial analysts Rob Burrs & Crookes Inc issued a warning to investors in the Nekekami Corporation that it appears that the Corporation will not be able to repay even the remaining interest on their outstanding loan of 170 HT before repayment is due in Q10. The corporation's only apparent assets appear to be 22 HT cash in hand, whereas the interest payment required is 14 HT per Quarter. Tau Ceti Express have not commented on the rumours that they may be prepared to bail out their erstwhile business partner. They certainly seem to have benefited from the negotiations with The Culture as their huge assets of 1527 HT include 860 HT of shipping which are apparently now immune from Captain Kidd and his cronies. Warnings to passengers have been downgraded.
"Sir, ship on scope, matches the Tsar."
Can we stop this pointless hijacking of ships and return to good honest buying selling and gouging. I thought this was Star Trader! (Apparently not.) I'm beginning to regret signing that agreement with TSTI. Is there any truth to the rumours that the AIA are getting restless?
"Captain, Captain…"
(The CULTURE lost some 30+ Reputation this turn, but once its Reputation had reached 0, it can't fall further. With a -2 on the dice roll on the Inquiry roll, and a lucky roll, no effect was suffered.) NewsNo new News chits this turn. OP 15 was taken by KatKorp. EV 21 happened.
Current News Chits (new ones in bold):
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