[ USAlliance ] Echelon Full Dox Typed By: Codex Warrior Operating Classifications: There are three general classifications for operation of your spacecraft. 1. Scientific: Exploration and training without engaging enemy aircraft. To activate this level of play do the following: 1 - Press the Data Link Key ( -> ) 2 - Press '2' (Game Options) 3 - Press '1' (Combat) 4 - Press '1' (No Enemies) 6 - Press 'X' (Terminate) 2. Patrol: Encounter mild resistance from enemy spacecraft while exploring the unknown. This is the normal playing level. 3. Military: For non-stop enemy attacks follow the steps outlined above patrol except in step (5) choose: '4' Medium or '5' Heavy or '6' Very Heavy You may change classifications at any time, simply by re-entering the Data Link. To return to Patrol Class, follow the same steps for the Scientific Class except in step '5' select '3' (very light enemies). Your Patrol Zone: The ZONE is a partially explored region of the planet ISIS that is 840 kilometers square. Within the ZONE are 36 smaller regions called AREAS (6 rows x 6 columns). Each AREA is 140 kilometers square and is also sub-divided into smaller regions (14 rows x 14 columns). They are called Sectors and each is 10,000 meters square. There are 196 sectors in each area. Your Base Station: Your base of operations is a fully equipped orbiting base station. The Station is located in area B3, Sector G7 at altitude 10,000 meters. The orbit is geosynchronous so that the base will always remain in a fixed location. You must return here to Dock your spacecraft and receive more munitions or fuel or to repair any damage. Your C-104 Spacecraft: This ship is state of the art technology in a space exploration and combat vehicle. Your craft is equipped with twin laser fusion drive engines and three 100 ton magnetic flux generators. Two of these generators power the anti-gravity hover system while the third unit powers the shield defense envelope. The fusion drive engines use deuterium pellets for fuel and are capable of delivering 2 million pounds each of forward and reverse thrust. Viewing Screens: This vessel is completely computer monitored and controlled. Information from the infrared and microwave scanners are fed to the computer for interpretation. The computer then displays this information on two viewing screens. The main screen shows point of view images of buildings, vehicles, terrain, etc. This screen will also display a blue grid which indicates the planet's surface. You can selectively shut off all or part of the surface grid. This is normally done to increase the rate at which the display is updated. The smaller screen is the top view or overhead view. This is the computer's interpretation of an outside view looking down on your spacecraft. Your ship is represented in outline form as 7 flashing dots. The dot in the center locates the center of your spacecraft. The green vertical and horizontal lines represent sector boundaries, the TOP VIEW can be turned on or off as needed by press 'T'. Note: When the RPV view is selected, both screens will display images from the RPV's point of view. ________________________________________________________________ | [Exploration pts] (1) (2) [Combat points] | |---------------------------------------------------------------| | - | | - | | - | | - | |(3)| |(4)| | - | Main Screen | - | |(5)| |(6)| | - | | - | | - |_______________________________________________________| - | |___|_______________________________________________________|___| | | -- -- -- | | | ======== ========== ============ | | | _________ _________________ ______ ______ | | | |___(7)___| | | |_(8)__||_(19)_| | | | |___(9)___| | Top View | ______ _(20)_ | | | |__(11)___| | | |_(10)_||_(21)_|(24)| | | |__(12)___| | (17) | ______ _(22)_ (25)| | | |__(13)___| | | |_(14)_||_(23)_|(26)| | | |__(15)___| | | (27)| | | |__(16)___| |_________________| ___________________ | | | __________________________ |_______(28)________|| | | |___________(18)___________| | |___|___________________________________________________________| 1 & 2) RPV View Indicators (Turn white when RPV View is selected) 3) Forward Ship Velocity 4) Ascending Vertical Speed Indicator 5) Reverse Ship Velocity 6) Descending Vertical Speed Indicator 7) Control Mode (C-104 or RPV) 8) Pitch Indicator 9) Current AREA 10) Bank indicator 11) Current Sector 12) X-coordinate 13) Z-coordinate 14) Heading indicator 15) Altitude 16) Shield Level 17) Center of Ship 18) Fuel 19) Pitch Readout 20) Pitch Auto-Center (On=White) 21) Bank Readout 22) Bank Auto-Center (On=White) 23) Heading Readout 24) Hover 25) Grid Display (Full = Blue, Partial = White, Off = Black) 26) RPV Indicator (Deployed = Blue, On Board = Black, Destroyed = White) 27) Tracking (On = White, Off = Black) 28) Zoom Indicator Coordinate System Your current location within the Zone is always defined in terms of AREA, SECTOR, and then coordinates and altitude within the sector. Since each sector is 10,000 meters across, coordinates are given as follows: X Coordinate = 0 thru 10,000 (west to east) Z Coordinate = 0 thru 10,000 (south to north) Z = 10,000 __________________________________ | | - North | | | | - | | Z = 5,000- West ------------------- East | - | | | | | - South | Z=0 |________________ _________________| X=0 X=5000 X=10,000 Your altitude will range from 0 at the planet's surface to a max of 13,500 meters. Your ship's computer will not allow you to leave the zone or to fly above 13,500 meters without special authorization. Velocity Indicators: There are two sets of velocity indicators on your instrument panel. The display on the left indicates forward or reverse velocity. The display on the right is the vertical speed indicator and shows the rate of climb or descent. Rate of climb or descent while hovering is also shown. Zoom indicator: Both the MAIN and TOP VIEW screens have zoom capabilities. When one of the Zoom in or out keys are pressed, these indicators will show the amount of magnification being used. Main screen zoom has a range of 1X normal to 16X max. Top view has range of 1X normal to 22X max. RPV View indicators: If these console lights are white, they indicate that the main screen is now displaying the view from the RPV camera. If lights are black, the main screen is displaying the view from the C-104. Scoring Indicators: There are two separate scoring displays. The left display is the 'E' or Exploration score. Points are awarded here based on credits received through artifact and clue retrieval. The right display is the 'C' or combat score. Points are awarded here based on enemy ships destroyed. You are also awarded combat points for target practice and combat simulation. Virtually any structure or terrain on the planet can be a target. However, the ship's computer will not allow you to destroy structures that are not hostile. If you fire at a hostile target, the computer will simulate the sequence on the screen. If the target was hit the image will be removed from the screen and points will be awarded. Weapons: Laser: These anti-matter packets are suspended in a magnetic field until fired. Once released, the disintegrate rapidly but are very effective at short range (up to 4000 meters). Photon Cannon: This unit is basically a very high intensity pulse laser. The pulse power is supplied by rapidly discharging a P.C. power cell and the cell casing is ejected after each round is fired. The cannons are good at short to medium range (up to 4600 meters). Missiles: These are medium to long range, solid fuel rockets with micro-nuclear detonators. (Acronym: LRN). They have no external guidance system which virtually neutralizes and electronic counter measure techniques (effective range 6300 meters). Teleporter: One of the most important functions of your spacecraft is teleporting objects aboard. There are hundreds of objects in the Patrol Zone that contain information needed to solve the maps and locate the Pirate Base. The RPV is also retrieved by the teleporter. To teleport objects, use the following procedure. 1. Locate an Object - Objects that are teleportable are shown as flashing hourglasses on the viewing screen. From a distance the object appears as a small flashing dot. Note: (to follow this procedure while attempting to teleport an actual object, fly to area B-2, sector J-7) 2. Approach - When an object appears on screen, it may be in the adjacent sector. Fly towards the object and adjust your controls so that the object remains in the center of the screen. When your spacecraft gets close, the object will begin moving more rapidly. Lower your speed and altitude and continue your approach. If the spacecraft continues forward when you are very near the object it may disappear from the front view as the spacecraft begins to pass over it. 3. Activate 'Down' Screen - To teleport an object, your spacecraft must be directly over it. Press the down view key ('5') to activate the down screen. The down screen shows the object directly below your spacecraft. There is a blind spot between front and down view screens and when the object passes out of view from the front screen, it is not immediately seen in the down screen. 4. Maneuver Your Spacecraft Over The Object - If the object is in front of your craft, begin moving slowly forward so that the spacecraft passes over the object. The object should now be visible on the down screen. If the object passes outside the down view are, use the other views to locate the object again. Use the down view teleport sight (small cross hairs) to line up the object. Maneuver the spacecraft so that the object is still partially visible when you are at or below 50 meters. Note: Objects cannot be teleported unless your altitude is 50 meters or below. 5. Begin Teleportation Sequence - Once the object is within teleport range (inside the screen are with the spacecraft below 50 meters), press the Teleport Key ( <- ). This will activate the teleport sequence and bring the object on board. If the object is not properly lined up, the message "No object within range" will appear. This means either your craft is too high (over alt. 50) or not enough of the object is inside the screen area. Combat If you wish to battle enemy spacecraft, enter the Data Link Combat Section and set enemy strength to a value other than 1. The Planet is broken down into a number of Patrol Zones. Since there is only one C-104 per zone, it's up to you to defend it. When your ship comes under attack, a small audio signal will sound. Enemy spacecraft should be visible on the top view screen. They will be identified as small dots moving toward your spacecraft. Activate one of your weapons by pressing 'B', 'N' or 'M' and get ready for combat. The only direction your weapons fire is directly ahead. Look at the top view screen and identify which of the enemy aircraft is the closest and position your spacecraft to view the approach from the front screen. When you are hit by an enemy weapon, the screen will flash white and strength will be taken from your shields. The RPV The RPV is a remote piloted vehicle and is used for all types of exploration and observation work outside the spacecraft. The RPV has its own propulsion system and can fly in much the same manner as the C-104. It also has a camera that allows the pilot to monitor the RPV's viewing area. RPV Controls: To deploy the RPV, the C-104 must be at alt. 00. Once on the ground, press the '9' key. A message and the small figure in the lower left corner of the panel will change color. The RPV will always be deployed to the north of you. The RPV is operated by using the same controls that are used with the C-104. To switch the controls from the C-104 to the RPV, press 'C'. The control indicator should read RPV. Press 'C' again will change control back to the C-104. To switch to RPV view, press '6'. If you have not moved the RPV from where it was deployed, you will see the outside view of your spacecraft. To switch the view back to the C-104, press one of the Ship View keys. You can use the RPV to explore buildings and structures or to fly around the sectors. The RPV responds to the controls in the same manner as the C-104. If the RPV collides with the C-104, the RPV will be destroyed. To retrieve your RPV, press the teleport key ( <- ). The C-104 must be in control and you must be stopped. Remote Control Flying The tracking function allows you to fly the C-104 like a remote control aircraft. To try this, do the following: 1. Set your altitude at 00 2. Deploy RPV 3. Switch to RPV view ('6'). You should see the C-104 in front of you. 4. Switch the controls to the C-104 ('C') 5. Press the Tracking Key ('0') With the tracking on, the RPV will follow the C-104's flight pattern. If you get disoriented or lose track of your position, simply stop the C-104, switch to front view and press the teleport key. Your lost droid will be beamed aboard. Training Courses There are six different training courses designed to improve your skills in flying and operating the spacecraft. 1. Touch and Go: The object of the touch and go course is to set your spacecraft down on landing pads that are located in Area C-4, sectors H-6 through H-10. Start on the arrow ( ---> ) located in sector H-5 and at altitude 200. The landing pads are small yellow squares with a red X inside. They are located in the sectors directly east. Begin moving forward and try to set your spacecraft directly on top of the landing pad. This requires using the down screen view. Positioning your spacecraft over the landing pads is very similar to positioning your ship over teleportable objects. This course will improve your skills. 2. Floating Tunnel Obstacle Course: This course is also designed to improve maneuvering skills but you also need to watch your altitude and pitch carefully. The course is in Area A-3 and starts in sector F-7 at X=369, Z=1029, alt=534. The course is a series of rectangles that you must fly through. 3. Aerial Target Range: The aerial target range is to increase your proficiency in the use of weapons. There is a target range located in Area A-2, Sectors H-4 through H-10. Start at Sector H-3 X=7884, Z=5281, alt=5175. The object is to fly through the range hitting as many targets as you can in the least amount of time. There are 14 triangle type figures staggered from Sectors H-4 to H-10. 4. Target Range: The target range located in area B-2 starts in sector J-10 and goes through several connected sectors. The object is to increase your weapon proficiency by flying through the sectors hitting as many targets as quickly as possible. The Data Link Press --> to request up-link to Echelon Headquarters. When the link comes on line you have 4 selections from the main menu. 1. Docking 2. Game Options 3. Pirate Maps X. Terminate 1 - Docking 1. Docking procedures: This gives instructions on how to re-dock once leaving the base station. Any time during flight you can return to the base station to re-energize your shields, get more fuel, ammunition or droids. Any damage that your craft has sustained will be repaired. 2. Weapons and Fuel: This option allows you to select the amount of fuel and the amount of ammunition for each of your weapons. This can be done up to the maximum capacity (in weight) that can be held by the ship. To activate a category press the Space Bar. Use the (+) or (-) keys to add or subtract the amount of ammunition or fuel. To exit press '/'. 3. Default weapons/fuel: This option automatically selects the normal loading of ammunition and fuel. You may then make adjustments if you wish. Press '/' to exit. 2 - Game Options: 1. Combat: There are two choices you can make under this category. - Enemy strength - This allows you to vary the enemy strength between 6 different levels. - Structure Display - This allows you to either leave the structures or buildings on screen during combat or to not display them during combat. Having the structures not displayed speeds up game play. 2. Load/Save/Restart: This option allows you to SAVE a game in progress, LOAD a previously saved game and resume play, FORMAT a disk, or RESTART a game without re-booting. Please follow the instructions outlined on the screen carefully. You cannot save games onto the Echelon disk. 3. Controls: This option allows you to select between keyboard and joystick controls. The Default is keyboard. If you wish to use a joystick, you must use this option to select joystick mode. 4 - Pirate Maps This allows you to view the pieces displayed on the pirate maps. The maps start with no information but gradually fill in each time objects are teleported. There are six different maps and each is used to help locate the Pirate Base. Docking 1. The main base is located in area B-3, Sector G-7. Fly to this location at an altitude of 10,000 meters. 2. To get to the docking area, you must fly through one of the four entry bays. 3. Line your spacecraft up (at alt. 10,000 meters) directly in front of one of the bay entry doors and slowly begin to approach the opening. 4. As your spacecraft begins to enter the bay, your speed will automatically be reduced. 5. Keep your ship in the center of the entry bay. If you hit the sides of the bay, you'll hear a thud. You cannot fly through the walls of the space station. 6. Keep an eye on your X and Z coordinates. When your coordinates are approximately X=5000, Z=5000 at altitude 10,000 meters you have reached the docking bay. 7. Rotate the spacecraft to a heading of 00 and the docking system will automatically be engaged. ISIS - The 10th Planet History if ISIS Scientists had long suspected the existence of a 10th planet. In 1821, 40 years after the discovery of the seventh planet, Uranus, French Astronomer Alexis Bouvard noticed that Uranus' observed position did not agree with its calculated orbit. Uranus was being pulled slightly off course by the gravitational attraction of an outer planet. This led to the search and discovery of Neptune, the eighth planet. But the mass of Neptune did not account for the distortion in Uranus' orbit so a search began for the ninth planet. When Pluto was discovered in 1930, it's mass was much too small to fully account for Uranus' wobble, so an earnest search for a tenth planet had been continuing at the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) since the early 1980's. In 1996 a research team from the USNO announced the discovery of Isis, the 10th Planet in out solar system. The Planet's mass, approximately five times that of earth, was so sufficient in size to effect the gravitational field of Uranus. Isis has a thin atmosphere made up of primarily Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen and Argon. Its orbit is elliptical and it takes over 340 earth years to orbit the sun. The biggest surprise however, was yet to come. In 2011, the first unmanned landing probe reached Isis. The photographs and data sent back finally verified that Earth was not the only planet where life has existed. Signs of an ancient civilization were observed on the surface of the planet, but life was no longer present. Evidence indicated a great cataclysm had taken place and large areas of the planet showed incredible devastation. Upon analysis of the information, general consensus among scientists was that since conditions were too harsh and too cold for life to have evolved on the planet at its current position in our solar system, Isis must have been part of another star system in the Universe. The star exploded or died and the planets were released from the stars gravitational pull and wandered off to different parts of the Universe. Isis traveled through space until it was caught by the gravitational pull of our sun, thus becoming the tenth planet. Statistics for Isis: Mean distance from Sun 6.5 billion km Period of orbit 341 earth years Period of rotation 47 earth hours Diameter 28,940 Km Mass relative to Earth 5.3 Surface gravity relative to earth 1.25 Historical Time Line 1996 - Discovery of 10th planet. 2011 - First unmanned landing probe reaches Isis - Discovers ancient civilization once flourished on Isis when it was part of another Solar System. 2012 - United Nations organizes the International Space Federation (ISF). 2015 - First manned spacecraft sent to Isis. 2017 - Scientific team arrives on Planet. Discovery of Dylidium, a new element. 2020 to 2030- Five more scientific expeditions are made to Isis. 2031 - Development of Laser Fusion Drive, cuts travel time to planet to 1.2 years. 2035 - First Martian Colonies developed and settled. 2037 - Miners arrive to collect Dylidium and other precious metals on Isis. 2041 - Alphan War Period begins when an ISF spacecraft accidentally destroys and alien vessel. Skirmishes between Alphan spacecraft and ISF spacecraft continue. 2043 - Major battle of Alphan war takes places over what is now Zone 106, Area A-2. Five ISF spacecraft destroyed; three Alphan spacecraft destroyed. 2045 - Contact finally made with Alphan officials and a non-aggression pact is reached. However, isolated random attacks still occur. 2054 - McAdams Penitentiary established on Isis. Prisoners of this facility are used to mind Dylidium. 2056 to 2081 - Exploration and mining continues - Many new colonies established between earth and Isis. 2082 - Prison riots occur at McAdams Penitentiary, 350 prisoners escape. Over 200 prisoners and guards are killed. ISF closes the Penitentiary. 2083 - Pirates begin raiding ISF facilities. Many pirates are believed to be escapees from the prison. Others are colonists who have grown disenchanted with ISF controls and regulations and want to set up their own systems of commerce. 2093 - Raid on Isis outposts continue. Pirates begin to control and dominate the area. Pirates have developed sophisticated disruption equipment which allows them to block communications between ISF spacecraft and their bases. In addition, Pirate space craft are equipped with stealth capabilities and are undetectable on long range scanners. The Pirates are not strong enough for a full attack on the ISF, but their guerrilla tactics have become increasingly more effective. 2094 - Establishment of ECHELON headquarters on Isis. Patrol Zones are set up to cover selected areas of the planet. Eight of the more strategic Patrol Zones have stationary orbit Base Stations for refueling, maintenance, supplies and sleeping quarters. These Base stations are fully automated and have a level 3 perimeter defense system. Only top military personnel are assigned to Echelon. Its presence on Isis will hopefully help the ISF regain control of this are of space from the Pirates. 2095 - Major Thomas Allen attempts to infiltrate the pirate organization. He is not heard from again. 2096 - The completion of a new combat and exploration vehicle, C-104 Tomahawk. The C-104 spacecraft has the latest in advanced weaponry and scientific equipment. A limited number of new spacecraft being delivered to Echelon will be flown by only the best ISF pilots. Your Mission - Classified Briefing: Space pirates have been a problem to the ISF since their appearance over a decade ago. Their past raids had mainly been restricted to isolated spacecraft and outposts. Then three years ago, major technological improvements in their equipment and weaponry occurred. Since then, their raids have become more daring. Equipped with electronic disruption equipment and stealth capabilities, they have caused an increasing amount of damage to ISF facilities. The ISF established Echelon two years ago to regain firm control inside the area. Progress, however, has been marginal. Major Thomas Allen was given the task of infiltrating the pirate organization over 16 months ago, but his status at this point is unknown. Pirates continue to use the element of surprise and have enjoyed an increasing amount of success against ISF facilities throughout the area. Objective: Your assignment is to locate the Space Pirates Main Base of operation. According to Intelligence reports, it is somewhere inside your Patrol Zone. Your investigation requires to retrieve artifacts and information throughout the zone to find the answer. Any pirate spacecraft spotted inside your assigned area should be neutralized. Good Luck, Commander! The Pirate Code The Pirate base is somewhere inside your Patrol Zone. Finding the base will take a great deal of 'detective work'. Through intelligence reports, we know that the space Pirates have developed a secret code to encrypt all messages and transmissions. Your teleporter's material analyzer is programming to decipher as much of this code as possible. Many of the objects and artifacts that you teleport aboard will contain writings and inscriptions. Some of these are clues and many are written in Pirate Code. Breaking the code is essential to the solution of the game. The Six Steps We also know that the Pirates have developed a sophisticated cloaking system which constantly keeps their base invisible and undetectable by our scanners. Latest reports indicate that there is a special sequence of 6 steps that can be performed to de-activate the cloaking devices. Apparently the designers set up this sequence to serve as an emergency override in the event of a major malfunction in the system. These steps must be performed in the proper sequence. If any of the steps are executed out of order, one must start again. The Six Maps Each of the six steps is represented by a map. The maps are in your Data Link System. The Maps have no information to begin with, but portions of a map will fill in each time an object is teleported aboard. Each map has a graphic and text section. Every time an object is teleported, a new piece of text and graphic will be revealed. (If you cash in the object for credit). The Maps are identified by color. When an object is teleported, the computer will give its description, the number of credits available, and the color of its as xxxsociated map. _________________________________________ | | | Description: | | | | Space Debris | | | | Credits: 10 White <--------- Map Color |_________________________________________| If you cash the object in for credit, the map will be shown and the graphic and text pieces will appear. (Note: Be sure to save the game periodically. This must be done to preserve the map pieces between playing sessions.) When all the objects in the patrol Zone have been teleported, all 6 maps will be filled in. The text with each map gives instructions on how to complete one of the six steps. This text, however, is in pirate code and must be deciphered. Completing Your Mission To solve the mystery and complete your mission, do the following. 1. Fill in the maps by teleporting objects aboard your spacecraft. 2. Write down clues. Each map has its own important clues that pertain to that particular map. Most important clues will be encoded. 3. Break the Pirate code and interpret the instructions for each of the 6 steps. Scattered throughout the Zone are clues to the meanings of the Pirate Code. These clues are on teleported objects as well as written on walls or buildings. Each time you decipher a letter or number, write it down. 4. Determine the correct order of the steps. Once you finish all 6 maps and break the code, you will be able to read the instructions on how to complete each of the 6 steps. All steps involve flying to a specific point and performing specific maneuvers with your spacecraft. If you successfully follow the instruction for that step, a sign will be given. Thus you will receive 6 signs for successfully completing 6 steps. There is a problem, however. You must complete the 6 steps in a specific order to deactivate the cloaking system and win the game. Hint: Look for clues of the form: "Something PRECEDES something" These are very important and should always be written down. Hint: Each MAP graphic is important. It represents something within the zone and is related to a 'Precedes' clue. 5. Complete the 6 steps in their proper order. As each step is completed, the sign for that step will be given, but there will be no indication given as to whether or not you are sill on the correct sequence. You will have to wait until all 6 steps are completed to find out. If you find the proper order, you'll know it. If not, try again. Use the PRECEDES clues. Without them, you may have a rough time. There are 720 different combinations. -END-