BUGGY BLAST
Firebird
(c) Dave Lowe & Paul Hibbard

DISCONNECT PERIPHERALS. LOAD "". NOT JOYSTICK COMPATIBLE.


THE MISSION
For over three centuries, the planet ENDRA has been inhabited by the
LURGONS. The key to their power is held in the CENTRAL LURGON CORRIDOR
(Sector 8). A pilot skilled enough to gain entry to this sector and
destroy 20 Lurgons will cause a power reversal that will consume the
whole complex.
Because of the highly dangerous nature of this mission, a system of
Cycredit Ratings is used to ensure, as closely as possible, that
pilots do not attempt to make attacks in sectors beyond their capa-
bilities. At each stage of the mission the Buggy will launch and
locate the correct sector automatically - no pilot control is req-
uired. All systems are powered by an ARGON GAS CRYSTAL CONVERTER -
pilots must watch the Energy Counter and return to the Mother Ship in
time to refuel.
This involves avoiding or destroying the MINE JAMMERS, and delicate
docking manoeuvres with the Mother Ship.


THE BUGGY
Latest space/ground attack vehicle, fitted with:
* TWIN PHOTON LASERS  * TEN XION SPACE PHASERS
* SPLIT DIMENSIONAL FORCE FIELD (S/D/FF)
* HOLOGRAPHIC SPACE CANOPY  * QUANTUM LOCATER

Instruments:
* Remote Space Scanner (top left panel)
  high numbers denote high density of MINE JAMMERS.
* Mega-Bit Onboard Computers (main information panel)
  to relate warning information and damage status.
* Run Counter (top right panel)
  used in Final Analysis to compute skill level.
* Life Mode Indicator (GJD - below main information panel)
  G - Reverse Gravity Zone encountered
  J - Jump Control activated
  D - Returning to Dock with Mother Ship
* Xion Indicator Lights (both sides of main panel)
  ten lights indicating use of Xion Phasers.
* Energy Counter (above main panel)
  Energy level remaining.


LURGON DEFENCES
Sector 1 - Lurgons, Helibombs, Orbital Saucers, Orbital Doomships
Sector 2 - Time Dimensional Spinners
Sector 3 - Radiation Storms
Sector 4 - Argon Magnets
Sector 5 - Reverse Gravity Zones
Sector 6 - Time Zones


THE LURGONS
These creatures evolved from a batch of defective self-programming
computers which in turn created the first robotic life force dedicated
to the destruction of all organic life forms. This robotic life force
has evolved to such a degree that it threatens the very existence of
mankind.

The Lurgons have developed elaborate weapon and defence systems:

* MINIATURE CYTRAX CANNONS
  Carried by all Lurgons - cause variable energy drain.
* HELIBOMBS
  Cause variable energy drain - very powerful in Sector 3 - destroy
  with Photon Lasers.
* ORBITAL SAUCERS
  Cause large variable energy drain - more powerful in higher sectors
  - destroy with Photon Lasers.
* ORBITAL DOOMSHIP
  Beam will penetrate S/D/FF and is therefor FATAL - identify as BLUE
  ORBITAL SAUCER - main panel will warn - destroy with Photon Lasers.
* TIME DIMENSIONAL SPINNER
  Left behind on impact of MAGENTA HELIBOMBS - produces a Limbo time
  hole - causes energy drain equivalent to 1,000 times Sector, if
  allowed to explode - destroy by using a Xion Phaser at the PRECISE
  MOMENT it ceases to emit sound distortion (only ten Xion Phasers are
  carried for the whole mission!).
* RADIATION STORMS
  Reduce effectiveness of Photon Lasers and distort visual contact
  with the enemy - no defence.
* ARGON MAGNET
  Fully automatic - locks into Argon Crystal Converter - will attack
  IMMEDIATELY upon turning RED - avoid by using JUMP control.
* REVERSE GRAVITY ZONE
  High density quark carrier which activates Buggy Dock Control -
  indicated by G on control panel - stabilise by using Buggy DOWN
  control.
* TIME ZONE
  Increases time flow by a variable warp factor - remain CALM.
* MINE JAMMERS
  Will auto-locate during attempts to dock, disrupt Quantum Locator
  and prevent docking manoeuvres - destroy with Photon Lasers or Xion
  Phasers when they re-energise and turn RED - the REMOTE SPACE
  SCANNER shows the density of Mine Jammers at any time.

Finally, be careful out there and watch out for Orbital Doomships at
all times!


BUGGY CONTROLS
Select Standard Keys or Cursor Keys:
STANDARD KEYS   CURSOR KEYS
LEFT=Q          LEFT=5
RIGHT=W         RIGHT=8
UP=O            UP=7
DOWN=M          DOWN=6
XION PHASERS=X  XION PHASERS=X
FIRE=P          FIRE=0 (zero)

The normal direction keys control both PHOTON LASERS and DOCKING
MANOEUVRES.

While in the LURGON CORRIDORS the Buggy can be made to:
JUMP (over ARGON MAGNETS) - press a Secondary Key and UP.
DOWN (to counter REVERSE GRAVITY) - press a Secondary Key and DOWN.
DOCK (return to Mother Ship) - press a Secondary Key and FIRE.

Secondary Key - any key from CAPS SHIFT to V.


