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TREK USERS MANUAL
Version 2.0 - January 1981
Description
TREK is a space game for up to eight
players. It requires VT100s equipped
with the Advanced Video Option.
Cliff Zimmerman
ML1-4/F16
Maynard, Mass
(617)493-6294
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2.0 STARTUP SITUATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
3.0 STARSHIP BASICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
4.0 STARSHIP COMPONENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4.1 Warp Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4.2 Directional Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4.3 Targeting Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4.4 Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4.5 Library Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.6 Target List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.7 Weapons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
5.0 THE CONSOLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
5.1 The Viewer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
5.2 The Message Area And Status Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5.3 The Command Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.0 THE COMMANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.1 Immediate Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6.2 Common Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
7.0 APPENDIX A - SHIP ORIENTATION DIAGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
8.0 APPENDIX B - DESCRIPTION OF OBJECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
9.0 APPENDIX C - DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VERSIONS 1.0 AND 2.0 . . . . 12
TREK Version 2.0 Page 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
TREK is a space game for up to 8 players. It is designed for VT100
terminals that have the Advanced Video Option. Each player plays at a
separate terminal logged into a separate job.
The game represents a battle between the United Federation of Planets
and the Klingon Empire. The object is to drive the opposing side from
the galaxy by capturing planets and destroying enemy bases and ships.
The first player to run the game selects either a tournament game or a
random game. In tournament games the locations of objects are the
same from run to run. To select a tournament game, enter a number
from 1 to 9. Enter any other character to select a random game.
A list of ships in play is displayed, followed by a list of available
ships. Select the ship you want to control by entering its initial.
If you attempt to enter the game when another player is starting up,
you may be asked to stand by until the other player is finished.
2.0 STARTUP SITUATION
Each side begins with four starships and four starbases. The ships
operate automatically until a player enters the game and takes control
of one of them. The player retains control until he or she leaves the
game or until the ship is destroyed.
Ships operating automatically perform normal ship functions. They may
attack enemy ships, capture planets, and come to the aid of other
ships. They may also attack enemy bases when their side controls more
than eight planets.
The starbases serve as refueling points for the ships, as do captured
planets. Bases and captured planets attack enemy ships and inform
friendly ships when enemies are nearby.
Captured planets look for opportunities to rebel. The fewer bases and
planets you control, the more likely your planets are to rebel.
3.0 STARSHIP BASICS
The ship you command is an object in three-dimensional space. You may
rotate and move the ship anywhere in the galaxy.
The galaxy has no external reference grid. The location of an object
in space is always given relative to the ship you command.
An object location is given as a bearing, an elevation, and a range.
The bearing and elevation are simple spherical coordinates. Looking
forward along the long axis of the ship, the bearing is the angle to
the left or right (negative on the left, positive on the right) and
the elevation is the angle up or down (negative is down, positive is
TREK Version 2.0 Page 2
up). The range is the absolute distance from your ship to an object.
See the diagram in Appendix A.
Each ship begins with 3000 units of ship energy and 2000 units of
shield energy, although the total may be somewhat less at the time
control is taken. Ship energy is expended when the ship is moved,
when weapons are fired, or when energy is transferred from ship to
ship. Shield energy is expended when the shields absorb hits from
enemy weapons. The shields require at least 100 units of energy or
they collapse. When shields are down the effect of enemy weapons is
doubled. Energy loss continues until ship energy goes negative and
the ship explodes.
Ships may be refueled at starbases or friendly planets. In
emergencies energy may be transferred from ship to ship.
4.0 STARSHIP COMPONENTS
4.1 Warp Drive
The warp engines move the ship forward or backward. The distance
moved depends upon the warp factor. Initially, the distance is equal
to 2 to the power of the warp factor. Warp 0 moves the ship 1 unit,
warp 9 moves the ship 512 units. You can change the distances
associated with the warp factors.
The energy cost is computed in milliunits equal to the distance
squared.
4.2 Directional Computer
The directional computer controls the orientation of the ship. It is
activated whenever the ship is rotated. Changing the orientation of
the ship changes the relative location of every other object in space.
4.3 Targeting Computer
The targeter controls, among other things, the direction of weapons
fire and long range sensor scans. It is analogous to a gun turret
that can be aimed in any direction relative to the ship. When the
ship orientation changes the target orientation also changes, except
when the target is locked on an object.
4.4 Sensors
The ship has short range sensors that scan in every direction and long
range sensors that scan in the target direction.
TREK Version 2.0 Page 3
4.5 Library Computer
The library computer maintains a catalog of the last known positions
of objects. The library represents a pool of information shared by
all of the ships on a side. Initially the library contains the
locations of your starbases and the ships on your side. Thereafter
any object scanned by the sensors is automatically cataloged into the
library. Stars and planetary interceptors are not cataloged.
4.6 Target List
The target list connects the sensors and the library with the targeter
and the directional computer. The target list contains up to four
objects obtained from either the sensors or the library. Coordinates
from the list can be fed directly into the target and directional
computers by referencing the number that precedes the list entry.
4.7 Weapons
The ship is equipped with phasers and photon torpedoes. Both weapons
apply energy to a target that must be absorbed by the target's
shields. Phaser energy may be anything from 1 to 1000 units (default
is 200 units). Torpedo energy is fixed at 200 units per torpedo.
Phasers have a maximum range of 1024 units. Torpedoes have a maximum
range of 2048 units.
Phasers have a firing cost computed in milliunits equal to the phaser
energy squared. In addition, there is a time delay in milliseconds
equal to a hundredth of the firing cost to allow the phasers to cool
and recharge. Torpedoes have a fixed launch cost of 20 units.
5.0 THE CONSOLE
5.1 The Viewer
The viewer at the top of the screen displays the forward view into
space along the long axis of the ship. The cursor in the center of
the viewer is the 0,0 point for bearing and elevation measurements.
If the target is within the range of the viewer but not at the center
it is displayed as a second cursor.
The numbers along the top and bottom of the viewer frame are bearing
angles. The numbers along the sides are elevation angles.
See Appendix B for a description of objects as they appear in the
viewer.
TREK Version 2.0 Page 4
5.2 The Message Area And Status Line
The message area at the lower left contains a status line and a blank
area for messages. The target list is displayed here. The status
line contains displays for ship energy, shield energy and status, and
warp factor. The shaded field is the command echo area.
5.3 The Command Keypad
The command keypad at the lower right corresponds to the VT100 numeric
keypad.
6.0 THE COMMANDS
There are immediate commands and common commands. Immediate commands
are executed as soon as the command key is pressed. Common commands
are executed when the EXE key is pressed. To repeat a command press
the EXE key again.
6.1 Immediate Commands
SHORT RANGE SENSOR SCAN (PF1-4)
The four function keys at the top of the keypad activate the short
range sensor. A short range scan scans space for any object of a
given type within 1024 distance units of the ship, as follows:
PF1 - Scan for Federation starships and bases
PF2 - Scan for Klingon cruisers and bases
PF3 - Scan for planets and interceptors
PF4 - Scan for any of the above
Note that stars are ignored by the short range sensors.
LONG RANGE SENSOR SCAN (LR SCAN)
The LR SCAN key activates the long range sensor. A long range
scan scans at the target coordinates for the nearest object within
2048 distance units.
6.2 Common Commands
The common command format is a command abbreviation followed by one,
two, or no modifiers. The modifiers may be one or two numbers or a
combination of a direction and a number.
TREK Version 2.0 Page 5
The command abbreviation is one or two letters. If the abbreviation
contains two letters, both must be entered. A command can also be
entered from the keypad by pressing the appropriate keypad key.
Numbers, including the minus sign, can be entered from the keypad or
from the main keyboard. Two numbers are separated by a period, a tab,
or a space.
If two numbers represent bearing and elevation, the bearing is the
first number, the elevation the second number.
Directions are entered using the arrow keys or the special function
(PF) keys on the keypad. The PF keys are functionally identical to
the arrow keys. You may enter direction and number or number and
direction.
The keypad ERA key erases a single field.
The common commands are listed below:
AL LIST ALL OBJECTS IN THE LIBRARY
Moves objects from the library to the target list and displays
them four at a time. If more than four objects are available, the
keypad MOR key will flash. Press the MOR key to see the next
group of four.
AS REQUEST ASSISTANCE (SEE RA)
BA LIST ALL BASES AND FRIENDLY PLANETS
BN LIST THE NEAREST BASE AND THE NEAREST FRIENDLY PLANET
CA CAPTURE A PLANET
Planet must be within 512 units of the ship. The planet will
defend itself by sending up interceptors. When the interceptors
are destroyed, enter CA again to complete the capture.
CA Capture a targeted planet
CA nbr Capture a listed planet
FB LIST ALL FEDERATION BASES IN THE LIBRARY
FE LIST ALL FEDERATION OBJECTS IN THE LIBRARY
FP LIST ALL FEDERATION PLANETS IN THE LIBRARY
FS LIST ALL FEDERATION SHIPS IN THE LIBRARY
HE DISPLAY HELP TEXTS DESCRIBING COMMANDS
HE and H display a list of commands. For help on a specific
command, enter the command and a question mark.
KB LIST ALL KLINGON BASES IN THE LIBRARY
TREK Version 2.0 Page 6
KL LIST ALL KLINGON OBJECTS IN THE LIBRARY
KP LIST ALL KLINGON PLANETS IN THE LIBRARY
KS LIST ALL KLINGON SHIPS IN THE LIBRARY
LI SEARCH FOR A SPECIFIC OBJECT
Searches the library for a planet or base having a specific
number. If no number is given, redisplays the target list.
LI nbr Search for a specific object
LI Redisplay the target list
LO LOCK ON AN OBJECT
Object must be within 1024 units. The lock is broken when the
object moves out of range or the target is repositioned. Target
is reset to 0,0 when the lock is broken.
LO Lock on a targeted object
LO nbr Lock on a listed object
MO MOVE THE SHIP (ROLL THE SHIP)
Move the ship forward (up arrow) or backward (down arrow), or in
the target direction, or toward a listed object, or toward a
specific bearing and elevation. Movement is at the current warp
factor. Warp factor may be overridden if moving forward or
backward.
Movement left or right is interpreted as a roll (rotation along
the long axis) and must be followed by an angle.
MO Move in the target direction
MO up w Move forward (warp is optional)
MO dn w Move backward (warp is optional)
MO nbr Move toward a listed object
MO b e Move toward the bearing and elevation given
MO lf a Roll left
MO ri a Roll right
NP LIST ALL NEUTRAL PLANETS IN THE LIBRARY
PH FIRE PHASERS AT TARGETED OBJECT
You may specify phaser energy from 1 to 1000. Default is 200
units.
PH Fire 200 unit phaser
PH ene Fire phaser of given energy
PL LIST ALL PLANETS IN THE LIBRARY
Q QUIT (EXIT FROM THE GAME)
R CLEAR AND REDISPLAY THE SCREEN
TREK Version 2.0 Page 7
RA SOUND RED ALERT
RA, YA, SA, and AS relay your ship status to other ships on your
side. RA (red alert) and AS (request assistance) cause automatic
ships to come to your aid. If an automatic ship finds you in a
low energy state, it will transfer energy to you. YA (yellow
alert) and SA (secure from alert) cancel RA and AS.
RE REFUEL AND RELOAD
Ship must be within 512 units of starbase or friendly planet.
Refuel rate is 500 units at starbases, 250 units at planets.
Reload rate is 5 torpedoes at starbases, 3 torpedoes at planets.
RF RAPID-FIRE WEAPONS
Turns the keypad phaser and torpedo keys into immediate commands.
When in rapid fire mode, pressing the phaser key fires the
phasers, pressing the torpedo key fires torpedos. Phaser energy
up to 1000 and torpedo count up to 3 may be specified. Default is
200 unit phaser and 1 torpedo. Enter RF alone to return to normal
mode.
RF ph to Set rapid fire for given phasers and torpedos
RF Return to normal mode.
RO ROTATE THE SHIP
Rotate the ship in a specific direction, or in the target
direction, or toward a listed object, or toward a specific bearing
and elevation. Rotation in a direction may be followed by an
angle. If no angle is given, the targeter searches for an object
in the given direction and the ship is rotated toward the nearest
object found.
RO Rotate in the target direction
RO dir Find a target and rotate toward it
RO dir a Rotate by an angle in a direction
RO nbr Rotate toward a listed object
RO b e Rotate toward a bearing and elevation
RT REFRESH WITH VT100 SELF-TEST
Invokes the VT100 self-test routine and then refreshes the
display. If the terminal appears to be displaying the wrong
characters, RT may correct the problem.
SA SECURE FROM ALERT (SEE RA)
SE SEND A MESSAGE
Send a message to one or more ships. Displays initial of your
ship and a colon in the message area. Enter your message and type
EXE to send. Keypad ERA key cancels the command.
SE ALL Send to all ships
SE F Send to all Federation ships
TREK Version 2.0 Page 8
SE K Send to all Klingon ships
SE init Send to ship with init as its initial
SH SET SHIELDS
Raise or lower shields. Set shields to a specific energy
(difference is taken from or released to ship energy).
SH up Raise shields
SH dn Lower shields
SH ene Set shield energy
ST DISPLAY ACTIVE STATUS
Displays the number of ships, bases, and captured planets
available to each side.
TA SET THE TARGET
Target on an object, or in a specific direction, or toward a
bearing and elevation. TA followed by no modifiers causes the
targeter to search the viewer for the object that is closest to
the current target position. TA with a direction but no angle
restricts the search to the given direction. If the current
target position is not within range of the viewer, TA with no
modifiers resets the target to 0,0.
TA Search for a target
TA dir Search for a target in a specific direction
TA dir a Move the target by an angle in a direction
TA nbr Set the target at a listed object
TA b e Set the target at a bearing and elevation
TO FIRE PHOTON TORPEDOES
Fire from 1 to 3 torpedoes in the target direction. Default is 1
torpedo.
TO Fire one torpedo
TO nbr Fire a number of torpedoes
TR TRANSFER ENERGY TO ANOTHER SHIP
Up to 1000 units of ship energy may be transferred. The
transferring ship first targets on the receiving ship. Both ships
must have their shields down. If the receiving ship has shields
up, the shields will absorb the energy.
TR ene Transfer energy
US DISPLAY A LIST OF CURRENT PLAYERS
WR SET WARP FACTOR
Sets the warp factor. If a distance is given, the distance is
assigned to the warp factor. WR with no modifiers displays
current warp settings.
TREK Version 2.0 Page 9
WR w Set warp factor
WR w dis Assign a distance to a warp factor
WR Display current settings
X EXIT FROM THE PROGRAM
If you exit via the X or Q command, or if you control-C out, or if
your ship is destroyed, you must wait 2 minutes before reentering
the game.
YA SOUND YELLOW ALERT (SEE RA)
TREK Version 2.0 Page 10
7.0 APPENDIX A - SHIP ORIENTATION DIAGRAM
+Z(up) P(object)
. .
. +X(forward)
A .
r .
-Y(left) B
. e
b
.
O
. .
-X(reverse) . +Y(right)
-Z(down)
Draw lines connecting the dots next to the following points:
+X and -X +Y and -Y +Z and -Z
O and P O and A P and A A and B
The ship faces forward along line X. In the viewer, the line Z is up
and down, the line Y is left to right.
The angles OBA, OAP, and PAB are right angles.
The object P is in the upper left of the viewer. Its bearing angle is
the angle between lines OA and OB. Its elevation is the angle between
lines OP and OA. Its range is the distance from point O to point P.
In this case P has a negative bearing (to the left of center) and a
positive elevation (above center).
TREK Version 2.0 Page 11
8.0 APPENDIX B - DESCRIPTION OF OBJECTS
Objects are displayed in the viewer as follows:
Federation starbase O=O=O ooo
Klingon Starbase 8=8=8 ===
Federation Starship o-V-o -v-
Klingon Star Cruiser o-0-o -o-
Planet (@) o
Interceptor IoI H
Star * *
The further away an object is, the smaller it becomes. All objects
except stars eventually disappear.
TREK Version 2.0 Page 12
9.0 APPENDIX C - DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VERSIONS 1.0 AND 2.0
The main difference between versions 1.0 and 2.0 is that all eight
ships are active in version 2.0. In version 1.0 the only active ships
were the players' ships. As a consequence, the objective of the game
has changed in that it is officially over when all four ships on a
side have been destroyed.
Another major difference is that a new queueing mechanism is used in
version 2.0. The old routines sometimes caused illegal UUOs or
lock-ups with LED L1 on. This shouldn't happen in version 2.0.
Other differences are that planets can rebel in version 2.0, you can
set rapid-fire mode phaser energy and torpedo counts, messages are
displayed at the bottom of the screen, and there are a few new
commands. The ST command has changed its meaning from self-test to
status. RT replaces it. Also, an option has been added that allows
the KL version of the game to be compiled to run on KI's.