                          BATTLE SQUADRON

Typed in by THE DIGITAL DOC. Edited by PARASITE.


SATIII-0845 PULSCOM BULLETIN
IMMEDIATE NOTIFICATION: ALERT STATUS 2.

To: Squadron Commander/Battle Group V
From: GALAX LUNAR HQ
Subject: Hostage Situation
Immediate Action: All leaves cancelled. All Pilots confined to base.
Await orders.

Date: 01/08/2400

INSTEL reports that Commander Berry Mayers and Commander Lori Bergin
are being held hostage by Barrax forces. Pulse-variable communications
indicate that they were attacked by a Barrax Nova Cruiser at 3900
hours S.R.T. in the Karnus Sector, 671 988 4360.

The commanders were able to partially transmit a final message.  Trace
Lok analysis follows: "ability to....invisible...limited..
time.....fast.t..acce....brigg.ht.light..beaming us aboard..."

Shorty after the attack, Inter Trak scans identified a massive energy
source in the same sector moving toward the planet Terrainia.  It is
believed that the hostages are being held in the inner recesses of
that planet.

Mayers and Bergin were returning from a succesful mission to Urania,
the home planet of the Barrax Empire, and are in possession of
information that is integral to the defense of Earth and the success
of any future counteroffensice actions.

SATIII-0845 PULSCOM BULLETIN
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION: ALERT STATUS 1

TO: Squadron Commander/Battle Group V
From: GALAX LUNAR HQ
Subject: Mission Briefing
Mission Code: C61-178DE
Date:01/09/2400

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Eliminate Barrax lifeforms from the planet's
surface and subterranean emplacements.  Proceed without delay and
begin immediate rescue efforts of the hostages.  It is imperative that
we free commanders Mayers and Bergin before Barrax interragators are
able to break through their psychological defenses.

INSTEL Brief: Barrax activities have escalated in the Terrainian
region for the last 10 years.  An analysis of transport patterns and
laser scan results indicate that this planet is a major weapons
research and development center for the Barrax Empire.  It is highly
probable that any offensive action will be met by genetically
engineered, biological weapons technology never before encountered in
this galaxy.

INSTEL Recommendation: A large attacking force would prove
counterproductive, due to the 100% probability that early warning
Barrax defenses would be alerted.  The only chance for a succesful
rescue mission(50% confidence level) is to send a small strike force
comprised of one or two Delta II class cruisers with stealth
capabillity.

STARTING PLAY
If you wish to speed through the introduction sequence, press mouse or
joystick button when each new scene is displayed.

STARTUP OPTIONS
    [F1]  Toggles between the mouse and joystick controller selected
for Player 1.  Player 1 is the active player in a single player game.
Player 1 (silver) starts on the left side of the screen in a two
player game.
    [F2] Toggles between the mouse and joystick selection for Player
2.  Player 2 (gold color) starts on the right side of the screen in a
two player game.
    [F3]  Toggles the sound effects on or off.  You can play the game
without any sound, with only sound effects, with only music or both.
    [F4]  Toggles the music on and off.
    [F5]  Toggles between one and two player modes.

GAME OPTIONS

TWO PLAYER MODE
    In two-player mode, each ship has full-scrolling mobility across
the screen.  It is not necessary for the player who starts on the left
to remain on the left during battle.  When missile upgrades or "smart
bomb" capsules become visible (See Acquiring Weapons), only the first
player to catch the capsule acquires the weapon.  When you wish to
enter a new level (see Changing Levels), both players must access the
entry point simultaneously.

        *  Team Combat - In team combat, both players are working
together to rescue cammanders Mayer and Bergin from the
Barrax Empire.  You will have to keep track of your
partners progress and difficulties, as well as your own, in order
to succeed on this perilous mission.  It is recommended
that your team carefully collect the "Nova" missile capsules
and ensure that neither player exhaust their supply.
        *  Free-for-All Competition - During free-for-all competition
each player is trying to collect the most points. Proceed with caution
at entry points to new levels, because both players must enter
simultaneously.

SINGLE PLAYER MODE
        In single player mode, you won't encounter the same number of
enemy air and ground emplacements as in two-player combat.  You will
be using the controller selected for Player 1 on the Setup Options
screen.  Nevertheless, it is a more difficult mission to complete as a
single player.

GAME PLAY

CHANGING LEVELS
        You can enter the subterranean levels on Terrainia by moving
your ship onto the entry point identified by an "Enter Here" sign.
Care must be execised in two-player combat, because both players must
simultaneously place their ship on the sign.
        Each time you enter a new level, the number of enemies
increases and new weapons will be fired at your ship.  It is advisable
to upgrade your weapons and collect additional "Nova" missilie before
taking on the challenge of a new level.

ACQUIRING WEAPONS
        You will find it difficult to succeed on your mission using
only the weapons supplied on your Delta 1 Strike Cruiser.  New weapons
and upgrades can be acquired on Terrainia if your combat skills are uo
to the test (See Weapons Systems for details on weapons types).
Previous engagements with Brrax fighters have led to the discovery
that certain jettisoned Barrax weapons can be recovered for use by
your spacecraft.
        Once you have destroyed specific targets, you will notice a
rectangular capsule moving back and forth on your computer display.
Two different capsules have been identified:

        [X] This glowing capsule changes color at every turn. The
weapon you acquire or upgrade is based on the color when you catch it.
For example, if you have captured a "red" magtorp, you can upgrade the
weapon by capturing another red capsule.

     [M] This capsule is released whatever you defeat a 4-member
Barrax fleet.  You automatically receive a "Nova" missle for capturing
this one!

GAME PLAY

JOYSTICK, MOUSE AND KEYBOARD CONTROL
                Your joystick or mouse can control the movement of you
ship, the firing of particle beam weapons and the release of "Nova"
smart bombs (See Startup Options).

        *  Your joystick/mouse controls the movement of your ship in
eight different dirrections.  Simply move the joystick in the
direction your want your ship to move.
        *  To fire a laser or acquired weapon, press the joystick fire
button or the left mouse button.
        *  To fire a "Nova" smart bomb, rotate the joystick lever in a
counterclockwise direction while holding down the fire button.
With a mouse, press the right button to fire your "Nova."
        *  To pause the game, press "P" and "ESC."

GAME PLAY AND DIFFICULTY OPTIONS
        You can change specific game play features and change the
diffuculty of the game.  Press the Spacebar when the initial options
screen is displayed to access a submenu of options.  Highlight your
selection and press the joystick or mouse button to select the
following:
        *  The number of lives you possess at startup.
        *  Your initial ready weapon.
        *  The maximum number of enemy bullets.
        *  The speed of enemy bullets and missles.
        *  The time delay for enemy fire.

WEAPONS SYSTEMS
You will discover 25 different weapons confiqurations in Battle
Squadron.  As you work your way through the various levels, you will
find find that certain weapons are best used in specific situations.

"NOVA" SMART BOMB
      * *          The "Nova" smart bomb is the only weapon that can
    *     *        help you out of the tightest jams.  When you've
 *           *     been backed into a corner and destruction seems
 *    | |    *     imminent, launch a "Nova" and you will destory
     /@@@\         most of the enemies on your computer screen.  Use
  *  -----  *      the joystick or mouse to fire your "Nova" in a
   *       *       specific direction.

        You enter the fray armed with three smart bombs.  Additional
"Novas" can be acquired by catching the special capsule marked with an
"M".

MAGNETIC TORPS (RED)
      * *     These balls of energy are absolutely devastating, but in
   *       *  the first versions you acquire, enemy ship can slip
   *  | |  *  right through.  There are six upgrades available and the
     /@@@\    last one cuts the widest swath through Barrax defenses
     -----

ANTI-MATTER PARTICLE BEAM (BLUE)
      * *
      * *
      | |      This radiant blue beam weapon is deadly and accurate,
     /@@@\     and will fire with amazing rapidity.  One of the
     -----     upgrades is the only weapon in your repetoire that
      * *      fires backward and forward at the same time. At one le
      * *      level, that's a distinct advantage.  This weapon,
               however, cuts the narrowest path through the opposition.

MAGMA WAVE (ORANGE)
    *   *
     * *
     | |        The swirling magma wave may provide the best
    /@@@\       combination of raw power, speed and accuracy.  The
    -----       width and duration of its "devastation zone" are amazing.

EMERALD LASER (GREEN)
     !!!!!
     !!!!!      This laser sends the longest burst into space
      | |       after a few upgrades and fires very quickly.  Its
     /@@@\      upgrades are nevr very wide, but a single shot is
     -----      enough to annihilate most enemies.  The emerald
                laser is favored by "hot-shots" pilots who depend on
                decisive maneuvers and lightning reflexes to gain
                advantage over the enemy.
