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TACHYON ADD-ON:  
  Tachyon v2.0 for VGA Planets 3.5  
  Copyright (C) 1995-1996 Dave Killingsworth - All Rights Reserved  
  VGA Planets is a trademark of Tim Wisseman  
  Overview  
  Tachyon is an add-on utility for VGA Planets 3.5 that takes advantage of the AUXHOST features found in HOST 3.20.    
  This add-on provides the capability for players to build and incorporate Tachyon Pulse Generators   
  into 2 of their ships.  This device will allow the player to burn fuel and fire a pulse of Tachyon energy into space.    
  This pulse will uncloak any ships that are cloaked with in its pulse radius.  
  Two new friendly codes are introduced with this program.  They ARE case sensitive, the (n) represents the distance   
  of the pulse in 10's of Light Years, they are as follows:  
  TPn Tachyon Pulse at (n) time ten light years (0=10)  
  ITD   Incorporate Tachyon Device (planet friendly code)  
  With the added ability to thwart cloaked vessels come some extreme costs.  This is the large base fuel cost needed  
  to fire a Tachyon Pulse.  
  Contents  
  Tachyon contains two programs:  
  TACHYON.EXE  
  TACONFIG.EXE  
  Place these programs in the same directory that the HOST normally runs from.  Tachyon requires access to the VGA Planets   
  database (HULLSPEC.DAT, BEAMSPEC.DAT, ect) as well as the Host database (SHIP.HST, XYPLAN.HST, ect.).  
  New Game Setup  
  Before Tachyon can be used the configuration program TACONFIG.EXE, must be run. TACONFIG accepts one  
  command line parameter, the DOS path to the host directory.  For example; to configure a new game   
  in E:\PLANETS\NEWGAME type:  
  TACONFIG  E:\PLANETS\NEWGAME  
  When TACONFIG starts, a configuration dialog will be displayed.  Notice that the DOS path provided on the command   
  line is displayed in the Path to Game Directory  edit box.  
  TACONFIG  E:\PLANETS\NEWGAME  
  Default values are automatically provided.  Change them to suit the requirements of the game.  Each value has   
  valid ranges and all changes must be within the valid ranges.  
  Select the OK button when all changes have been made.  The following file will be written to the Game Directory:  
  TACONFIG.HST  
  After the configuration file has been saved a confirmation dialog will be shown at which time, if YES is selected the   
  Tachyon database will be initialized. These files are written to during initialization:  
  TACHYON.HST  
  The configuration program will create and update all necessary  files needed  to run this program.  
  Tachyon Device Construction Requirements  
  To construct a Tachyon device and incorporate it into a hull, you need to have a ship in orbit around a starbase and the   
  starbase needs to have tech 10 beam technology.  The following resources present on the surface of the planet:  
  80 Tritanium      
  110 Duranium  
  210 Molybdenum  
  200 Supplies  
  2000 megacredits  
  If these requirements are met you have the capability of constructing a Tachyon device.  If you are lacking any of these   
  resources or requirements you will be unable to build a Tachyon device.  
  Installing a Tachyon Device  
  To install the device on to a ship you need to select the FIX mission from the main starbase and a planet   
  friendly code of  ITD . When you set these conditions the Tachyon device (which can only be constructed  
  on the same turn it is installed) will be placed on to the ship that was the target of the FIX mission on the starbase.  
  You will receive a message for a few turns reminding you which ship is equipped with a Tachyon device, so take note,   
  this message will stop eventually.  
  Tachyon Device Limitations  
  Tachyon devices can only be constructed in the same turn they are installed.  Each race can only build two (2) devices  
  per game. That means over the entire course of the game only two (2) devices can be made and installed on your vessels.    
  Even if the ship is captured or destroyed, you CAN NOT build another device and install it on one of your ships.  
  If you capture a Tachyon equipped vessel and already have two (2) of your ships equipped with Tachyon devices,   
  this is OK.  The rule and code state that you can only BUILD two (2), there is no limit to the number of   
  devices you can control and operate.  
  Using a Tachyon Device  
  To use a Tachyon device, you need to have a ship equipped with this device.  If a vessel is equipped with a Tachyon device   
  you need to make sure it has fuel and then you decide on how many light years of space you want to   
  effect with the Tachyon device.  
  Once this is determine the range you set your ships friendly code to TP(n), where (n) is a number between 0-9.  This number   
  times 10 (0=10) will be the radius of the Tachyon pulse circle.  (i.e., TP0 = a pulse of 100 light year radius.)  
  Cost of Using The Tachyon Device  
  The Tachyon device has a base fuel (Neutronium) cost of 200 KT per Tachyon firing.  The amount of fuel actually used   
  is based on the radius of the pulse fired.  The radius of the pulse is equal to the percentage of the   
  200 KT base fuel cost.  
  (i.e., TP5 = 50 Light Year Pulse -- 50 light years = 50% of the 200 KT base   
  fuel cost, thus a 50 LY pulse costs 100 KT of fuel = 200 (base) *.5 (50%).  
  Effects of a Tachyon Pulse  
  When a Tachyon pulse is fired it will decloak all vessels in the pulse radius area.  The uncloaking will cause their   
  mission to be reset to Exploration.  This is caused by the electrical disruption cased by the Tachyon   
  pulse.  This decloak will last until the other player resets their mission. So yes, an enemy vessel will be uncloaked  
  for the whole processing of the host (turn).  
  Warning: The pulse will uncloak your own ships too.  And any vessel struck by a Tachyon pulse will receive a   
  message telling them  the x,y of the origination point of the pulse and the ID# of the ship that fired it.  
  HOST Sequence  
  Tachyon  
  AUXHOST 1  
  Load Tachyon  
  Verify Tachyon  
  Gather Ship Friendly Codes  
  Gather Planet Friendly Codes  
  Tachyon Ping  
  Build New Tachyon Device  
  Send Tachyon Status Messages  
  Credits  
  Tachyon for VGA Planets 3.5  
  Design: Dave Killingsworth & Dan Gale  
  Special Consulting: Tim Wisseman  
  Programming: Dan Gale  
  Documentation: Dan Gale & Dave Killingsworth  
  BMP Artwork: Mark Stewart  
 
  No part of the program or documentation may be copied, in part, or in whole, without the  written permission of the   
  copyright holder  
  ************************************************************************  
  HOSTS----  You need to give a copy of this DOC file to  your players !!!  
  ************************************************************************  
  You also need to give them copies of all BMP files you find in the ZIP file you got this program from.    
  Tell them that they need to place the BMP files in the sub directory (labeled BMP) under their WINPLAN   
  directory. This will give them the BMP's they need to see the bmps that are linked to  
  the messaging system.  
  REGISTRATION INFORMATION  
  Registration information is available in the ORDERFRM.ZIP file that was included in this ZIP file.  
  Thank you for your interest.  
  Dave Killingsworth  
  Sysops of Dan & Dave's BBS 916-345-6447  
  Co-sysop of Warp Speed & Tim Continuum