<<< The Smuggler's Run Startup Kit >>>
    This is the Smuggler's Run Startup Kit. You must also download the latest
issue of The Galactic Inquirer, the official monthly newsletter for Smuggler's
Run, to play the game. The file name for the latest issue will be GI-MONYR.TXT
where MON is the first three letters of the current month (i.e. JAN or DEC) 
and YR is the last two digits of the current year (i.e. 93 or 94). The 
earliest available issue is GI-NOV93.TXT, the Novemver 93 issue. You may 
download old issues to read up on previous articles, stories and features, 
but only the latest one is needed to play. Have fun!

Mark W. Martin, Distant Vistas

E-Mail Address: Internet: d.vistas@aol.com
                America Online: D Vistas
                Aquarium BBS: (714) 549-2258, Account #4

<<< Smuggler's Run Ordering Information >>>
    To order a complete Smuggler's Run start-up kit, which includes everything
you need to start playing: a printed rulebook, a character creation sheet,
the latest issue of the Galactic Inquirer, and a lovely map of The Core (which
would make a tasteful accent to any home), send a $10.00 check or money order
to: Distant Vistas, P.O. Box 90993, Industry, CA 91715-0993

<<< Attention BBS Users! >>>
    Distant Vistas is now online on Aquarium BBS and America Online! In our 
on-line Distant Vistas support conference, you can leave questions and 
suggestions about Smuggler's Run, as well as keep updated on the latest 
offerings from Distant Vistas. Support programs can be downloaded free of 
charge to Smuggler's Run players, as well as the latest economic information 
and news bits from around the galaxy. 
     
    Distant Vistas is now accepting turn orders via E-Mail. Just enter your 
orders in a text format with one order per line. Do not number each line, just
make sure order #1 is on line 1, order #2 is on line 2, and so on, up to line
15. Name the file ORDERS.ACT where ACT is the 3 digits of your account number. 
So the orders for Account KP-593 woudl be ORDERS.593

The file might look like this:

JU 1111 / You can enter comments after a slash...
JU 112
EX
DO /There must be a leading space before the slash.
SC 15 10 /But make sure there are no other slashes!!!
PC 23 08
BH
SN 
GA 03 100
JU 78
DO /Docking on Sol.
UI 34
SC 23 08
TI +03 -07 +09 +32
LS -3500 /Paying back that darn loan.

Please note that all numbers under 10 begin with a 0 (i.e. a 7 is 07 and a 2 
is 02). The only exception is jump orders where the numbers are all strung 
together as one (i.e. 8877 or 1112). Attatch the file to any message to 
D Vistas on America Online or to Account #4 on Aquarium BBS.

Please remember that every error YOU make in your orders has to be corrected
by us, and that slows things down. Make sure you enter your orders correctly,
don't forget your DOCK orders, be careful with JUMP orders, and make sure 
that each order is on a separate line! Continued errors may result in us not
taking your orders by e-mail.

<<< How Much Is This Gonna Cost Me? >>>
    That's a darn good question. Your first two turns of Smuggler's Run are 
FREE. Yes, that's right, FREE.  No, you're not imagining things. Pinch 
yourself; it's not a dream. FREE FREE FREE. After that, each wonderfully 
exciting turn of Smuggler's Run is $3.00. Yes, that's right, $3.00. No more, 
no less. No hidden charges, taxes or fees, ever. Where in the universe could 
you ever find a better deal than that? That's what we thought you'd say.

<<< Smuggler's Run Payment Policy >>>
    Personal checks should be made out to Distant Vistas. Please include your 
account number on the check and the number of credits being purchased. A 
minimum of 5 credits ($15.00) must be purchased at a time. For every 10 
credits purchased at one time ($30.00), you will receive one FREE turn credit 
for your account. Yes, you heard right. More free stuff!
    
<<< Player Referrals >>>
    Referral requests for the Smuggler's Run Startup Kit will receive the kit 
for only $5.00, a 50% discount off our regular price. This includes a printed 
Technical Manual, a character creation sheet, a map of The Core, the latest 
issue of The Galactic Inquirer and 2 free turns. Just include the name and
account number of the referring player with your order. If the new player
continues for at least 5 turns, the referring player will receive a FREE turn
credit to their account. Cool, huh?

<<< Late Checks >>>
    If for any reason your credits drop to 0 and you haven't sent in your 
payment, please let us know. We can process your turn on time if you expect 
your check to arrive late.

<<< Bad Checks >>>
    If a check is returned to us by a player's bank, the player will receive 
a $20.00 penalty on his account for the returned check. Continued problems
with checks may result in the player being expelled from the game.
=============================================================================
<<< Sample Turn Results >>>
* The following is a text version of an actual sample turn for Hanover Fist,
* a Male Terran smuggler. The name of the actual player has been excluded to 
* protect the innocent.

                   SMUGGLER'S RUN CHARACTER STATUS SHEET

SMUGGLER PROFILE: Hanover Fist, Male Terran, (Net Worth: 166865 QPs)
  Agi: +1             Str: +1             Tou: +1             Mec: +4
  Per: +1             Life: 60            Health: 49          Reputation: 1
  Bribe: 4            Cheat: 1            Fight: 2            Imbibe: 3
  Pilfer: 2           Swindle: 1          Yellow: 2           Demerits: 0
  Admin: +0           Brawling: +0        Con: +1             Dodge: +1
  Electronics: +0     First Aid: +1       Gambling: +1        Haggling: +2
  Interpret: +1       Lasers: +0          Melee: +0           Pilot: +1
  Shields: +0         Streetwise: +0      Theft: +1           Weaponry: +0

STARSHIP PROFILE: The Drifter (Ship# 193) is in Quad 28:29 (Shaula)
  Computer: 1         Jumpdrive: 1/1      Cargo Bay: 1/1      Maneuver: 1/1
  Sensors: 1/1        Laser Gun: 1/1      Shield Gen: 1/1     Hull: 1/30
  Aggressive: -5      Retreat +5          Attack Level: 0     Attack Class: I
  Decoy: None.        Nukonium Petrolex: 14

POSSESSION PROFILE: 83981 QPs, 34 Victory Points, 250 Shares of SPA Stock
  Weapon Used: Knucklethorn               Armor Worn: Riot Armor
  Back Taxes: 0 QPs                       Debts: 0 QPs

  35-Envirosuit      01-Knucklethorn    07-Nettle Gun       34-Bigelow's Guide
  26-Medical Kit     22-Plastogloves    24-Rubberoid Boots  37-Lifecom
  21-Bureau Vox      14-Riot Armor      23-Ooloorp Beast
  
  Cargo: 18-Inert Radiates (10 pods)                                          

======================== SMUGGLER'S RUN TURN 1 RESULTS =======================

SMUGGLER: Hanover Fist, Male Terran
SHIP REGISTRATION#: 193, The Drifter 

ORDER #1: PURCHASE CARGO 22 10
    The cargo docks were crowded as usual. You went to buy 10 pods of Genetic
Materials. You had 125291 QPs to spend. A Terran Merchant came over to you to
make a deal for the goods. The price was 3643 QPs per cargo pod. You accepted
the deal and the Genetic Materials cargo was loaded onto your ship while you
signed the appropriate customs documents. The total cost of the cargo was 
36430 QPs. You earned 1 Victory Point using: (Haggling & Interpret) 

ORDER #2: JUMP 77
    Start jump from Quad 27:32... End jump in Quad 25:32 (Alpha-Centauri). 

ORDER #3: EXPLORE
    You begin your exploration of Quad 25:32 with a Long Range Sensor Sweep 
out to 1 quad. The following signals were discovered: 
>>> 1) Quad 24:31............................... Planet (Spingle)
>>> 2) Quad 25:32............................... Planet (Centaurus)
Your diligent search of quad 25:32 revealed a ship. It was The Burdened Pesky
Shrew, a Safari Ship on its way to Antares. You ignored the ship and moved on
your way. 

ORDER #4: DOCK
    You were given access to land in bay 90 by Imperial Starcontrol. You
landed at the Centaurus spaceport in Alpha-Centauri and shut down your ship's
systems. The Spaceport Marshall was a firey Terran. Various docking fees,
taxes and surcharges were levied upon your arrival, totalling 647 QPs. Your
taxes came to 2147 QPs, which included an import tarrif. The transport of
hazardous cargo has made you ill. The customs officials decided to do a
spot-check deep scan of your ship! However, no illegal cargo was found, so
you were allowed to continue with your business. You paid the taxes happily
and with great enthusiasm, left the spaceport and went into the city.
    You were tired from the trip, so you went to a bar for a quick drink. 
Drinking, gambling and whatever else could be had at The Toad and the Panther
Bar. You saw merchants making deals in the back. A waiter sat you at a table.
It was hours since your last meal, so you ordered Persimmon Monkey Casserole 
and a glass of Canopian Ale. After finishing your meal, you paid the 22 QPs 
for the bill and sat back down to relax. A Terran named Yigal Adon gave you
some information about a Tools & Supplies surplus on Nibor of the Regulus
system! You gave him a few QPs for his trouble. You earned 1 Victory Point
using: (Interpret & Con) 

ORDER #5: SELL CARGO 22 10
    You headed for the Trader's Guild to sell 10 pods of Genetic Materials. A 
Brogian Guildsman, Komkham, was ready to bargain for the cargo. The final 
price offered was 7155 QPs per pod, which included a 10% hazard pay bonus. 
You accepted the deal and several cargodroids unloaded the Genetic Materials 
from your ship while you sat down and watched. The total amount paid for the 
shipment was 71550 QPs. You earned 4 Victory Points using: (Haggling & 
Interpret) 

ORDER #6: BAR HOP
    The place was called Giovanni Paolo's Starfish Bar. What a nice name. 
Several people were toasting a successful deal. Only a bum would be caught 
dead here. You were hungry and decided to order some Zephyrian Pepper Steak 
and a glass of Betelgeusean Hot Pepper Ale. It was very good. The total of 
your bill came to 13 QPs for the meal and drinks. 
    While you were there, a Piil decided to assault you! Your opponent had a 
Laser Rifle and was wearing Monkey Armor. You didn't have to take the insult,
so you stepped outside with it! It was fast and furious as gun bolts let 
loose and everyone leapt back to make room for the fight! You fired and he 
fell to the ground, mortally wounded. You earned 3 Victory Points using: 
(Lasers & Dodge) 

ORDER #7: USE ITEM 34
===============================BIGELOW'S GUIDE================================
Location: Centaurus (Alpha-Centauri) 25:32

Type: Desert         Diameter: 6024     Gravity: .5242085    Atmosphere: N/O
Pressure: Very Thin  Terrain: Barren    Climate: Very Cold   Satellites: 3
Agriculture: 1.6171  Industry: 4.73     Mining: 6.922        Technology: 2.730
Empire: 6            Underworld: 1

City Directory           Cargo       Gamble      Loan        Repair      Train
(1) Kronos                 X           -           -           -           -
(2) New Moscow             -           -           -           -           X
(3) Mount Frost            -           X           X           -           -
==============================================================================


ORDER #8: TRADE ITEM +23 -13 +14    
    Centaurus has many bazaars, but few are as colorful as The Fancy Leopard 
Store. Quickly, a husky Terran salesbeing came over to assist you with your 
shopping. You were interested in purchasing an Ooloorp Beast. You bargained 
back and forth for a while, and the salesbeing offered it to you for 112 QPs.
You shook his hand and bought the Ooloorp Beast from the merchant. You wanted
to trade some Plastic Armor that you had. The salesbeing offered you a price 
of 3850 QPs. You shook his hand and you sold the Plastic Armor to the 
merchant. You were interested in purchasing some Riot Armor. You both argued 
over a fair price and the salesbeing offered it to you for 6090 QPs. You 
accepted the bargain and bought the Riot Armor from the merchant.
    You decided to stop in a bar for a quick drink. One of the best spots on 
Centaurus was The Crane Bar. The waitress was beautiful. There were many 
people inside. You wanted something to eat and a drink. The Spicy Eelfish 
with Tartar Sauce and a glass of Deneban Gold Whiskey sounded good, and you 
relaxed for a while in the lounge. The evening's festivities cost you 13 QPs 
but it was worth it. You learned of a Terran named Gyula Halim who has 6 pods 
of Raw Nukonium to sell (Cargo# 41). The buyer is a Terran, Silvano Loknath, 
currently located at Shaula. The pods must be delivered to him within 5 turns, 
at which time you will be paid for the value of the shipment plus a 20000 QP 
delivery bonus for each pod. You earned 4 Victory Points using: (Haggling & 
Interpret) (Interpret & Con) (Interpret & Streetwise) 

ORDER #9: FUEL UP 5
    You went to fuel up your ship with 5 units of Nukonium Petrolex. The total
cost of the fuel was 5000 QPs, and you had a total of 16 units in your tank.

ORDER #10: INVEST SPA +250
    You wanted to purchase 250 shares of Slipping Penguin Artifacts. It was 
valued at 71 QPs per stock share. It seemed like a pretty good bargain, so the
shares were transfered into your account, with the price of the stock totaling
17750 QPs. 

ORDER #11: PURCHASE CARGO 18 10
    You went to the local Trader's Guild to buy 10 cargo pods of Inert 
Radiates. You had 133642 QPs to spend. A Terran Merchant, Jack Kalman, was 
ready to bargain for the cargo. The price was 4376 QPs per cargo pod. You 
accepted the deal and the Inert Radiates cargo was loaded onto your ship as 
you signed the shipping papers. The total cost of the cargo was 43760 QPs. 
You earned 1 Victory Point using: (Haggling & Interpret) 

ORDER #12: JUMP 22
    Start jump from Quad 25:32... End jump in Quad 27:30 (deep space). 

ORDER #13: JUMP 2
    Start jump from Quad 27:30... In Quad 28:29 you encountered a ship. It was 
The Gross Steel Duck, a Cargo Transport on its way to Sirius. You ignored the
ship and moved on your way. End jump in Quad 28:29 (Shaula). 

ORDER #14: DOCK
    The local spacedock authority gave you permission to land your vessel. You
landed at the Bangor spaceport in Shaula and readied yourself to explore the 
vast city outside. The empire forbids the use of guns at this port, so you 
armed yourself with your Knucklethorn. The local dockmaster was an imfamous 
Terran. He was there to examine your ship for taxation, and you were charged 
859 QPs for a planetary tax fee. Your taxes came to 2859 QPs, which included 
an import tarrif. You were dizzy and threw up all over the place. The customs
officials decided to do a spot-check deep scan of your ship! However, no 
illegal cargo was found, so you were allowed to continue with your business.
You used your admin to get yourself into a lower tax bracket. With a quick 
grunt, you paid your taxes to the Bangor authorities and left the station. You
earned 2 Victory Points using: (Admin & Interpret) 

ORDER #15: SNOOP
    Into the city you went, hoping to find a valuable trading tip. Although 
you tried to make a good contact, there is no useful contraband to be had on 
this planet. 

============================END OF TURN INFORMATION===========================

Victory Points Earned This Turn: 16           Guild Dues Paid: 4422 QPs
Ship Maintenance Costs: 0 QPs                 LifeCom Service Contract: 50 QPs
Salary Paid: 0 QPs

!!!DANGER!!! You have injuries and may need medical attention!

Ships In Your Quad:
  Ship #22: The INSS Decimator (Level 6 War Frigate), Pilot Gustavo Micha
  Ship #567: The Peach Dugong (Level 1 Shuttler), Pilot Nikeyire Brenainn
  Ship #949: The Aardvark of Thuban (Level 3 Medical Ship), Pilot Flynn Marius
