Global Commands

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<D> Re-display Sector

This will re-display the information about the sector where you are currently located.  Information includes sector number and nebulae name, marker beacons, port name and class, mines, fighters, planets and any other ships.  Next to the class you will see three letters signifying how the port trades in the commodities.  For example a SSB would indicate that the port sells Fuel Ore, sells Organics and buys Equipment.  The adjacent sectors will also be shown.  With a color display, the sectors you have not yet visited will show up in red.

<P> Port and Trade

This will allow you to dock at the port in your current sector.  This is the only way to trade your commodities.  You will have some choices for what action you would like to take at the port.  Most of the choices are self-explanatory.  If you are playing the game as an evil trader, the choices you see will be different than they would be if you were playing the game as a lawful Player.  When you dock at the port, you will be able to see the docking log.  This will show you the name of the last ship to do business there.  If there is a planet in the sector with this port, you will be able to negotiate a Planetary Trade Agreement.  This is a trade contract that will allow you to trade off all your excess commodities to the port without wasting your turns hauling one shipload at a time.  If you want to build a new Starport and the universe is full or if you decide that your adversaries have too big an advantage and you need to get rid of that port they have been using, you can attack and destroy a starport.  This is never an easy task.  The starports are very heavily armed and will retaliate, so you will need to have plenty of military forces with you if you decide to proceed with this selection.

<M> Move to a Sector

The sectors adjacent to your current location will be listed as warp lanes in the sector  display.  You can move to one of them, or you can choose any other sector in the universe.  If you designate a sector that doesn't have a direct warp lane, your ship's computer will plot your course, show the path and the number of hops (and turns) the trip will use, and ask you if you want to engage your AutoPilot.  You will be able to use the Autopilot in three different modes.  The default is Alert mode.  This will suspend your travel in any sector where there is a planet, port, navigational hazard or other trader.  Once alerted to one of these items, you will be given several options.  It is up to you to make the decision that will best serve you or your corporation.  The second mode is Express.  This speeds you to your destination provided there are no enemy forces in your path.  The third mode is Single Step.  This was developed by an enterprising group of pioneers.  Their group was getting smaller due to bold exploration of sectors filled with mines, so the survivors manufactured an Autopilot that would stop in each sector.  This allowed them to scan the next sector for hazards before proceeding into it.  Select this option if you feel the need for caution.

<L> Land on a Planet 

This option will enable you to colonize your planets, build a Citadel and do business there, pick up the fighters built by your colonists or pick up the production of Fuel Ore, Organics and/or Equipment.  You will see a list of all the planets.  Simply enter the number for the one you want to visit.  If you have purchased a Planet Scanner at the Hardware Emporium, it will automatically provide you with additional information about the planet.  The Planet Scanner will also allow you to abort the landing procedure if, after looking at the defenses, you feel you may not be able to land successfully.  The display, once you have landed, shows the planet number, location, name, class and a chart detailing the commodities, production requirements and current inventories.  You will also see the citadel information and any planetary defenses.

<S> Long Range Scan

If you have purchased a scanner from the Hardware Emporium, you can use it to view adjacent sectors.  All things in the Trade Wars universe have a density value and you can use your Density Scanner to display the relative density of the neighboring sectors and determine if there are any Navagational Hazards.  You will also be warned of any non-standard, undefinable mass.  You can then use that information to determine what's next door.  If you have a Holographic Scanner, you will be able to see ports, planets, hazards and other players all for just the cost of one turn.

<R> Release Beacon

Choose this when you want to launch one of the Marker Beacons you purchased at the Hardware Emporium.  You will need to decide what message your beacon will send when you launch it. (Limit 41 characters)

<W> Tow SpaceCraft

This option lets you toggle your tractor beam on and off.  The computer will ask you which trader in your current sector you wish to tow.  You can tow an unmanned ship only if you own the ship and know the ship's password.  The computer will then calculate (using the size difference between the two ships) the number of turns you will use for each sector you tow this trader and his/her ship.  You can then use the Move option to go to an adjacent sector or you can engage your AutoPilot to move you and your "passenger".  Type 1 TransWarp drives were not made to be used in conjunction with tractor beams, so if you use your Type 1 TransWarp, the tractor beam will automatically shut down. Type 2 TransWarp drives can be used with a ship in tow.  The person you are towing will not enter a sector until you have safely entered.  The tractor beam will act as a protective shield and will safeguard the towee from any damage from mines, offensive fighters or Quasar cannons.  If your ship is destroyed, the tractor beam will also be destroyed and the person you are towing will be left stranded.  To disengage the beam at any point, use this option again.

<N> Move to NavPoint 

Navigation Points are sectors of particular relevance to you or your corporation.  They are assigned from the main menu with the "<Y> Set NavPoints" option.  All Nav units are pre-programmed with info on Sector 1 (Terra), and (if the sysop wishes) StarDock Sector, and there are four other definable points.  Navigation info is available on any sector in FedSpace, or any sector containing one or more of your fighters.  This info includes any planet or port details for that sector.

 
   

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