Orion Outreach (Revision 0.79) Player's Online Help 
(c) Copyright 1989-91, Triskelian Simulations.  All rights reserved.


>> INTRODUCTION <<

ORION OUTREACH is a strategic game of cosmic conquest.  The goal is to 
expand your sphere of galactic influence until you control the entire 
quadrant.  There are numerous hindrances (like natural hazards and 
opposing players).  And the Th'rax Hegemony -- a charming race of 
xenophobes who have the outlandish notion that they own the quadrant!

You start the game at a random location, equipped only with a small
fleet of ships and a few measely credits.  As you explore and dominate
various sectors you will receive additional credits as income.  The
more you control, the more income you receive.  Different types of
territory (empty space, stars, planets, etc.) yield different levels of
income.  You also receive income for ships, bases, and colonies.

Your level of technology is equivalent to Terra circa 2100 AD.  This is
referred to as TECH LEVEL 0.  As time passes your TECH LEVEL will
increase. The higher your TECH LEVEL the more efficient and varied your
equipment becomes.  You may also spend credits on research to increase
your TECH LEVEL.


>> THE MAP <<

The playing field is a grid of 40x40 "sectors".  The map ends at the
edges (no sneaking around the corners in this game!)  Looking at the
entire map is free (unlike SR or LR scans).

       Map Symbols (in order of importance)
       ------------------------------------
       ?    Unexplored (or controlled by enemy)
       :    Empty sector in nebula (owned by you)
       .    Empty sector (owned by you)
       a    Allied sector (controlled by teammate)
       P    Sector with your Probe (nothing else)
       f    Sector with your fleet (nothing else)
       +    Star without planets
       *    Star with planets
       $    Star with base or fleet
       E    Enemy controlled (scans only)
       T    Th'rax controlled


>> SCANS <<

There are three types of scans: Short Range (SR), Long Range (LR), and
Probe.  Scans can investigate a sector without risking combat or disaster.
Beware! ECM platforms and nebulas can intefere with scans!

SR scans show the general contents of each sector adjoining your current
location.  LR scans show the exact contents of *ANY* single target sector.
PROBE scans show the general contents of each sector adjoining a probe
location.  These scans do not show the level of detail revealed by a
normal SR scan.

                  Probe and SR Scan Symbols
                  -------------------------
            ?     uncontrolled sector
            Sn    star system with n planets
            B     base (any type)
            F     fleet (any size)
            P     probe (probably yours) 
            T     Th'Rax controlled sector
            ...   an empty sector
            ***   a sector beyond the edge of the quadrant
            :::   a sector obscured by a nebula
            ???   a sector obscured by an ion storm
            HOLE  black hole
            WARP  Warp


>> COMBAT <<

If you enter an occupied sector you will be shown the Combat menu.  This
consists of several fight or flight options.  The owner will be informed
of your arrival whichever your decision.  Other players in the game will
be alerted if you attack.  Attacking removes any "New" player protection!

If you retreat the defending force gets one last shot as you leave,
albeit at a terrible disadvantage.  If your fleet is eliminated you must
transfer to another fleet or base.  Once you have eliminated the enemy
fleet (and/or base) you gain ownership of the sector.

*WARNING*    You will be ELIMINATED from the game if you    *WARNING*
*WARNING*    are reduced to ZERO fleets and ZERO bases.     *WARNING*
*WARNING*    at *ANY* time during the game!  Your credit    *WARNING*
*WARNING*    balance does not matter!                       *WARNING*


>> TH'RAX HEGEMONY <<

The Th'rax are a technologically superior xenophobic race that has claimed
the entire quadrant.  Once they detect you they will take steps to 
erradicate you.


>> NATURAL HAZARDS <<  (Registered version only)

Black holes  --  scratch one fleet
Ion storms   --  stalls fleet, blocks scans, but prevents attack
Nebulas      --  blocks scans
Novae        --  scratch one star, and anything else in the sector
Warp         --  better and shorter than a straight line (but random)
Worm Holes   --  temporary warps


>> SHIPS AND FLEETS <<

Each ship type has a different cost and TECH LEVEL required to build it.
Ships and other nifty, nasty, and deadly items are built using the 
CONTRUCTION menu.  Each ship has an associated ATTACK and DEFENSE value.

There is almost no limit to the number of ships you may have in a given
sector.  Each group of ships in a given sector is called a FLEET. 
Fleets may be split by establishing a GARRISON.  Fleets may be combined
by moving Fleet A into the sector occupied by Fleet B.  All ships in a
given fleet are moved by a MOVE command.


>> BASES <<

Bases are fixed defensive outposts.  They may be located in any sector
but only one base may be located in any given sector.  Bases start as
SPACE DOCKS and can be upgraded subject to TECH LEVEL and credit limits.
Higher level bases are stronger defensively and withstand more damage.
These are the only places repairs can be made and colony ships built.
Bases are built using the CONTRUCTION menu.  Bases may be disabled by
your Sysop.  


>> COLONIES <<

You may start colonies on planets whose climate is close to standard
Terran.  You must move a colony ship and at least one escort ship to the
sector.  The colony ship is cannibalized to start/upgrade the colony.


>> MINES <<

There are two types of mines available: dumb and smart.  Mines are built
using the CONTRUCTION menu.  Mines are a one shot device, not permanent
features.  Mines may be removed by mine sweeping ships.  A dumb mine will
explode when any ship enters the sector.  A smart mine will only explode
when an enemy ship enters the sector.  ECM does not affect mines.


>> PROBES <<

Probes are intelligence gathering drones.  They are given a target
destination and velocity and left alone.  They move a fixed distance
towards their destination each round.  Default velocity is one sector
per round.  Each turn they may report the contents of the sectors near
their current position.


>> TEAMS <<

You may form teams with other players.  This has numerous advantages.
A teammate's smart mines will not detonate on your ships.  You may
transfer credits to teammates.  You may use a teammate's base to repair
your ships, etc.  There are certain restrictions to team play.  You may
safely pass through a teammate's sectors but without changing ownership
of those sectors.  Mines may be deployed in a teammate's sector, but
they assume that player's ownership, not yours.  You may not enter a
sector containing a teammate's fleet.


>> STANDARD OPTIONS <<

Certain options are active in every level of the game.  These options
are detailed below.

[H] - Prints this document in a multi-screen format.
[I] - Displays information on you current sector.
[Q] - To exit the current menu level.  [ESC] also works.  If you are at
      the main menu this option will quit the game and return to the
      BBS.  You will be asked to verify this is your actual intent.
[X] - Toggles Expert/Novice style command prompts.
[Y] - Displays your player statistics.
[!] - Displays time remaining in game.
[?] - Displays a list of available options and a brief explanation of
      their functions.

