Let's Play The Ur-Quan Masters
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Chapter 4: Precursor Artifact Hunting For Fun And Profit
Part 2: Decisions
July 16, 2156
All right, true to the chapter title, we have some precursor artifacts to acquire.
We haven't touched this particular region of space yet, but now we shall. First, to Arcturus!
This is the former homeworld of a race we have not met -- and never will -- the Burvixese. We're here just to scope things out a bit.
...civilization was destroyed from orbit sometime in the last 8-12 Earth years.
There are no survivors.
---- END OF REPORT ----
Ominous! However, the really interesting thing to us is not on the surface, but on the moon:
...any intelligent life on this moon, we have decided to disassemble the transmitter and bring it back to the ship.
---- END OF REPORT ----
And now I have TWO HyperWave Casters! What could I ever possibly need more than one for? Well, you'll find out shortly. After flagging down a Melnorme with my Umgah Caster for some fuel, I head back south, to Zeta Persei I.
DRUUGE
You have arrived at the Central Trade World of the Crimson Corporation, home of the Druuge. Be welcome and take advantage of our excellent deals.
Our sensors reveal that you have one of our more powerful HyperWave 'Casters on board your ship. Have no fear, Captain. It was abandoned on the Burvixese moon, and by our law it belongs to you; however, we are fond of the device, and wish to regain it through trade. Give us the 'Caster, and we will give you all the fuel your ship can hold.
We note you possess a Vortex Spawner. In exchange for the simple device we will give you three Mauler starships, and fill your fuel tanks, at no extra charge.
ZELNICK
What can you tell us about this trade world?
DRUUGE
This is the heart of our operation, the vital core of the Crimson Corporation. A million deals are made here each day, perhaps more. You would be wise to take advantage of all our services, Captain. You will not find better deals anywhere.
ZELNICK
I would like to make a purchase.
DRUUGE
Since this is your first time trading with us, Captain, allow me to explain our standard operating procedures. We will sell you fuel, ancient artifacts, even our own Mauler starships! All that we ask in return is that you assign some of your crew to serving here at our trade world on a permanent basis.
ZELNICK
Gee, isn't this kind of like... slave trading?
DRUUGE
No, no, no, Captain! Slaves have no choice in their destiny, no freedom. We would enver accept the permanent assignment of one of your people unless we knew that they had granted you the rights to make such a deal.
ZELNICK
Well, what would my crew members do here?
DRUUGE
People as skilled as your flagship's crew will receive immediate posts in our starfleet. They will serve alongside our own Druuge starship personnel, sharing every duty.
((Interestingly, the game DOES give you the option to sell your crew to the Druuge. I'll talk about it a bit more later, but I'm definitely not doing it now.
ZELNICK
I will never sell my crew to be your slaves.
DRUUGE
This is a great loss for us both, but we will not make an exception in your case. However, please try to be receptive to waht I am about to say.
We have taken the liberty of entering your ship's computer system to investigate the agreement signed by the Earthling volunteers who serve aboard your vessel. As we expected, we found that they have promised to obey you, Captain, under every circumstance, no exceptions. You are fully within your rights to deal with us in our required manner. Should you change your mind, we will always be ready to work with you, Captain.
ZELNICK
I would like to sell items.
DRUUGE
We are prepared to make a deal.
ZELNICK
I will sell the HyperWave 'Caster to you.
DRUUGE
Captain! A special deal, a bargain unequaled! Instead of the usual payment we would give for this item, what would you say to a different exchange? We would like to trade your commodity for a highly valuable Precursor artifact: The Rosy Sphere!
Its origins are filled with wonder, and its powers are uncontestable, though subtle. What is your response?
ZELNICK
Tell me more about this Artifact, this Rosy Sphere.
DRUUGE
Its genesis is lost in antiquity, along with the race who created it: the marvelous Precursors! Note how the device glows how it throbs... pulsing slowly... bright... then dark... like the heart of a slumbering god.
Captain, this artifact has been in our possession for eons. Vast, brutal wars have been fought over its possession. The offer we make to you here today is quite unique! Do not make a hasty choice.
ZELNICK
I accept this unusual offer.
DRUUGE
Ha-ha! You are indeed a wise young human! The Rosy Sphere is yours.
ZELNICK
I will leave now.
DRUUGE
Return soon, Captain. Your patronage is appreciated.
All right, now we can leave this corner of space forever. As one might expect, the Druuge were lying about all the mighty powers of the Rosy Sphere, but I still do need it.
Before wrapping up this entry, I want to talk for a bit about how else the Druuge encounter can go, as its a very nice piece of game design.
As I mentioned, you CAN sell your crew to the Druuge. Most of their various items cost 100 or more crew, and you can also trade crew for fuel 1-for-1. There's no game over for this, and there's no Evil Points tracked by the game. There are, however, two effects of slave-trading with the Druuge. First, Hayes will mention unsettling rumors he heard from his crew, and hope sincerely that they aren't true. If you trade more, then the "rumors" become "evidence," Hayes's opinion of you greatly lowers, and the cost of crew increases immensely.
There is also a way to get a nice piece of revenge from them; however, it's not something I'll be doing on this run. There's another item you can get later that they'll trade for the Rosy Sphere. Then, instead of the artifact, you can trade the 'Caster for a full refuel. The trick is, before going to them, replace all the modules on your ship with high-efficiency fuel tanks. The Druuge will then be tricked into selling you in excess of 1500 fuel units, and FREAK OUT, becoming hostile to you permanently.
Anyways, back to the base.
Analysis of new Artifact:
SUBJECT: Rosy Sphere Device
DATA: The specimen is 5 centimeters in diameter, perfectly smooth, and composed of a blood-red translucent substance. Tests show that it has atypical ferro-magnetic properties, but is utterly non-conductive.
SUMMARY: Probably a Precursor tool -- function unknown.
Behold: The finished Vindicator. I won't really be coming back to Earth nearly as much anymore.
The Galaxy is looking a lot different these days, but I was hoping the Ilwrath would be closer to their prey by now. I guess I'll have to start on chapter 5 a bit early.
NEXT TIME: Faaaaanserviiiiiiice!
<< | ^^ | >>
Chapter 4: Precursor Artifact Hunting For Fun And Profit
Part 2: Decisions
July 16, 2156
All right, true to the chapter title, we have some precursor artifacts to acquire.
We haven't touched this particular region of space yet, but now we shall. First, to Arcturus!
This is the former homeworld of a race we have not met -- and never will -- the Burvixese. We're here just to scope things out a bit.
...civilization was destroyed from orbit sometime in the last 8-12 Earth years.
There are no survivors.
---- END OF REPORT ----
Ominous! However, the really interesting thing to us is not on the surface, but on the moon:
...any intelligent life on this moon, we have decided to disassemble the transmitter and bring it back to the ship.
---- END OF REPORT ----
And now I have TWO HyperWave Casters! What could I ever possibly need more than one for? Well, you'll find out shortly. After flagging down a Melnorme with my Umgah Caster for some fuel, I head back south, to Zeta Persei I.
DRUUGE
You have arrived at the Central Trade World of the Crimson Corporation, home of the Druuge. Be welcome and take advantage of our excellent deals.
Our sensors reveal that you have one of our more powerful HyperWave 'Casters on board your ship. Have no fear, Captain. It was abandoned on the Burvixese moon, and by our law it belongs to you; however, we are fond of the device, and wish to regain it through trade. Give us the 'Caster, and we will give you all the fuel your ship can hold.
We note you possess a Vortex Spawner. In exchange for the simple device we will give you three Mauler starships, and fill your fuel tanks, at no extra charge.
ZELNICK
What can you tell us about this trade world?
DRUUGE
This is the heart of our operation, the vital core of the Crimson Corporation. A million deals are made here each day, perhaps more. You would be wise to take advantage of all our services, Captain. You will not find better deals anywhere.
ZELNICK
I would like to make a purchase.
DRUUGE
Since this is your first time trading with us, Captain, allow me to explain our standard operating procedures. We will sell you fuel, ancient artifacts, even our own Mauler starships! All that we ask in return is that you assign some of your crew to serving here at our trade world on a permanent basis.
ZELNICK
Gee, isn't this kind of like... slave trading?
DRUUGE
No, no, no, Captain! Slaves have no choice in their destiny, no freedom. We would enver accept the permanent assignment of one of your people unless we knew that they had granted you the rights to make such a deal.
ZELNICK
Well, what would my crew members do here?
DRUUGE
People as skilled as your flagship's crew will receive immediate posts in our starfleet. They will serve alongside our own Druuge starship personnel, sharing every duty.
((Interestingly, the game DOES give you the option to sell your crew to the Druuge. I'll talk about it a bit more later, but I'm definitely not doing it now.
ZELNICK
I will never sell my crew to be your slaves.
DRUUGE
This is a great loss for us both, but we will not make an exception in your case. However, please try to be receptive to waht I am about to say.
We have taken the liberty of entering your ship's computer system to investigate the agreement signed by the Earthling volunteers who serve aboard your vessel. As we expected, we found that they have promised to obey you, Captain, under every circumstance, no exceptions. You are fully within your rights to deal with us in our required manner. Should you change your mind, we will always be ready to work with you, Captain.
ZELNICK
I would like to sell items.
DRUUGE
We are prepared to make a deal.
ZELNICK
I will sell the HyperWave 'Caster to you.
DRUUGE
Captain! A special deal, a bargain unequaled! Instead of the usual payment we would give for this item, what would you say to a different exchange? We would like to trade your commodity for a highly valuable Precursor artifact: The Rosy Sphere!
Its origins are filled with wonder, and its powers are uncontestable, though subtle. What is your response?
ZELNICK
Tell me more about this Artifact, this Rosy Sphere.
DRUUGE
Its genesis is lost in antiquity, along with the race who created it: the marvelous Precursors! Note how the device glows how it throbs... pulsing slowly... bright... then dark... like the heart of a slumbering god.
Captain, this artifact has been in our possession for eons. Vast, brutal wars have been fought over its possession. The offer we make to you here today is quite unique! Do not make a hasty choice.
ZELNICK
I accept this unusual offer.
DRUUGE
Ha-ha! You are indeed a wise young human! The Rosy Sphere is yours.
ZELNICK
I will leave now.
DRUUGE
Return soon, Captain. Your patronage is appreciated.
All right, now we can leave this corner of space forever. As one might expect, the Druuge were lying about all the mighty powers of the Rosy Sphere, but I still do need it.
Before wrapping up this entry, I want to talk for a bit about how else the Druuge encounter can go, as its a very nice piece of game design.
As I mentioned, you CAN sell your crew to the Druuge. Most of their various items cost 100 or more crew, and you can also trade crew for fuel 1-for-1. There's no game over for this, and there's no Evil Points tracked by the game. There are, however, two effects of slave-trading with the Druuge. First, Hayes will mention unsettling rumors he heard from his crew, and hope sincerely that they aren't true. If you trade more, then the "rumors" become "evidence," Hayes's opinion of you greatly lowers, and the cost of crew increases immensely.
There is also a way to get a nice piece of revenge from them; however, it's not something I'll be doing on this run. There's another item you can get later that they'll trade for the Rosy Sphere. Then, instead of the artifact, you can trade the 'Caster for a full refuel. The trick is, before going to them, replace all the modules on your ship with high-efficiency fuel tanks. The Druuge will then be tricked into selling you in excess of 1500 fuel units, and FREAK OUT, becoming hostile to you permanently.
Anyways, back to the base.
Analysis of new Artifact:
SUBJECT: Rosy Sphere Device
DATA: The specimen is 5 centimeters in diameter, perfectly smooth, and composed of a blood-red translucent substance. Tests show that it has atypical ferro-magnetic properties, but is utterly non-conductive.
SUMMARY: Probably a Precursor tool -- function unknown.
Behold: The finished Vindicator. I won't really be coming back to Earth nearly as much anymore.
The Galaxy is looking a lot different these days, but I was hoping the Ilwrath would be closer to their prey by now. I guess I'll have to start on chapter 5 a bit early.
NEXT TIME: Faaaaanserviiiiiiice!
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