Librium - GP Archive: Traders Almanac

[Harry Krishna]

Strange Lights in Livstar.....

Dateline 11-07-2665
The residents of Livstar spaceport 2025 reported seeing strange lights in the galaxy during the last 27 days in a row. The local Nijarin ore miner D'Skeezit Luonguo-Jones indicated the following observations:
"Me and Skippy were coming off our usual 16 segment shift when we saw this strange light circling overhead. We rushed to the spaceport to warn those helpless people when all of sudden, there was a bright glowing light that was so bright you had to squint both sets of eyelids. Then me and Skippy were lifted off of the ground and it felt like we were swimming in air, but like we couldn't move our arms or legs or even our skeezbots. We were knocked out cold and when we woke up, we were subjected to horrible tests. There were amazing looking females with inviting bank accounts, and all we had to do, was click on their pictures and they would be ours. Only problem was each time we moved the mouse, terrible insulting screens would appear promising to reduce our working debt and provide easier long distance carriers and to lengthen our.... um our lifespans. When we finally waded through that crazy maze of mirrors, we were transported back to the mining base and I was left with a slight buzzing noise in my ears and Skippy said he had double vision and his palms had some hair on them. We looked around and there no other signs of the ship were in sight or any other indication it had been there......"

Sounds like another sordid case of focus group testing.....
This is.... Twice Daley... reporting to you from Livstar



Librium and all other things being Equal

All is new. New universe, new alliances, new names. It is all the rage, all the talk. Let's talk of the old, the skilled hunters that have been around the galaxy a few times and lived to tell the tales, the players that send even the best traders running for Fed space or flying off in a pod. Old faces are easy to recognize but many have chosen a path of secrecy. Changing their player and Hall of Fame names to disguise and deceive.
And so begins another chapter in this bloody fight to conquer the universe. Much has changed, with the only returning powerhouse being the Crusaders, which have picked up notorious hunters along the way. With them comes the stacked hunting alliances such as Virus and The Hollows. Behind them roams the Chill Factor with a number of vets from SM. Lastly bringing up the middleweights comes The Black Hand, which is is said to be a new look for the Elves and company.

With the dissolution of Death Control, the universe is up for grabs. Former DC members sit in almost every major alliance. Political analysts are unsure what effect this will have, but it seems likely that an all out war may break out that will encompass every galaxy and every alliance. If you didn't come here to fight, then you best leave now.

Yet the hunters of the universe are among you still. Hunters with new names but the same ruthless ambition and drive that created the most revealing statistic, one for which no change can hide -- Kills! Many of the top alliances have at least a handful of the elite hunters. Legitimate Businessmen, The Hollow, Chill Factor, Crusaders, Virus, and even The Black Hand have people talented in the dark art of hunting.

Most of these alliances have broad followings, with vet players of every discipline: trading, fighting, building. The lone exception is the lineup of Virus, which contains some of the most dangerous players in the game. The roster and Hall of Fame reveal the destructive history behind so many members of this strain of Virus.

This Librium universe and much in it is new, but some things will always remain the same, no matter the name.



MGU: New Navigational Aid

Recent developments in computer technology within the galaxy have led leading scientists to create a program they call ‘MGU’; Merchant’s Guide to the Universe.
According to the lead scientist and developer, Vladdy (aka ‘Creator of MGU’) this new software enhancement for any ship will enable both traders and hunters to better utilise their galaxy maps in order to find good trade routes, arming routes or other highly critical information. Although some have said it’s just a reworking of an older program ‘SMC’, the new features, small installation size and ease of use are ideal for all pilot’s in the galaxy.

‘LotuS’ commenting on the new enhancement to his IST’s command console said “It’s very nice” before pointing out where a couple of new features could be added to make the program more useful for alliances.

In response to this and some unconfirmed bug reports chief scientist Vladdy has already started uploading free software upgrades to all trader’s who dock at a recognized federal port or who visit http://forums.asianfilmarchive.com/forum/default.asp

Commenting on the news, this reporter has learned that someone has already uploaded full maps for this game to the ‘password maps’ alliance. Most pilots believe that due to this people can start on a more even footing this game.
-YN



Newbie Human Pilot Killed in Port Raid

An Ik'Thorne port was attacked in what has been described by witnesses as a bizarre and stunning spectacle. Federal port authorities say the attacker was a lone pilot, identified as Cpt. Ickba, a member of the Human Newbie Alliance. Apparently he approached the port in a light space ship and proceeded to open fire. Eyewitnesses are not clear on the make and model of the ship, but by most accounts it was small and not heavily armed. The port defenses responded with a single shot and reduced the ship to rubble.
Longtime portmaster Dringo Belcholamech, who was on duty at the port when the attack occurred, commented, "I've been in port management for 25 years, and have seen literally hundreds of ports raided. I've heard of these things, but couldn't believe my eyes when it happened."

Pilots are killed in port raids more often than most people are aware. FPA spokesman Aramo T'lko says that the usual reasons for such deaths is inexperience and curiosity. "It would take a number of ships to blast through the defenses of a port like this one. This pilot didn't understand that. It's a classic case of 'what does this button do?'. As we've seen today, curiosity killed the port raider."

The defense rating of the port, located in sector 527 of Ik'Thorne space, is a level 4. Level 4 ports are typically armed with 4-6 laser turrets and at least 400 combat drones for active defense, plus powerful shields and armor protection. Officials won't comment on how many ships and what type would be needed to successfully raid a port, but inside experts are said to recommend a minimum of one ship per port level.