ACTION FORCE
(Mastertronic)


The enemy, COBRA, have launched a surprise attack on the island of
Botsneda. In the panic of the evacuation, classified information has
been left behind in the eastern sector. The enemy's grip tightens and an
immediate raid must take place to retrieve the vital data. This is a job
for ACTION FORCE ...

Flint, Lady Jaye and Quick Kick use a modified A.W.E. Striker to cross
the hazardous path to the eastern side of the island. You are Snake
Eyes, using a custom-built helipack and armed with an automatic rifle.
You must defend A.W.E. Striker and clear a safe path. Pontoons must be
utilised to allow A.W.E. Striker to cross canals. The enemy have
installed missiles, initiated electric charge generators and built
barricades. You must deal with all of these to allow A.W.E. Striker to
complete the mission successfully.

Gang of Five meet ACTION FORCE! Virgin's crack programming team have
created this excellent arcade game featuring superb graphics and
compelling game play.

* 8 levels of increasing difficulty
* Smooth-scrolling, fast arcade action
* Your Spectrum's capabilities pushed to the limit

The small island of Botsneda, just off the mainland, was heavily
populated by civilian and military personnel. A ruthless attack by
COBRA, the enemy, meant the evacuation of civilians from the tourist
resorts of Botsneda.

The military installation was not so lucky. Despite the latest early
warning systems guarding the installation, they only realised they were
being attacked after it was too late to retaliate. The only sensible
option was to withdraw, which was carried out swiftly. However, the
allied forces destroyed much of the installation to prevent it falling
into enemy hands. The eastern sector of the installation could not be
destroyed during the attack as there wasn't time, and certain classified
information may now be in the evil clutches of COBRA! The allies will
have many embarrassing questions to answer about just how this was
allowed to happen.

Botsneda's closeness to the mainland is of great strategic advantage to
the enemy. COBRA cannot be allowed to consolidate their position, nor
must they have the time to retrieve and analyse the classified information
left behind on the installation. Time is of the essence, but conventional
forces cannot be used because their planning and deployment will take
time.

The eastern sector of the military installation was a spy base which
collected information about COBRA personnel and tactics. The main
database is on hard disc attached to the computer. Gun-happy Dreadnoks
may well have destroyed it, but the risk cannot be taken. If the enemy
studies the intelligence information they will know how to change their
tactics and defence systems to defeat the allied forces. Also, the
information will take years to replace.

A crack squad is needed to mount an immediate raid to get back the
information (if it is still intact) and get out again.

The ACTION FORCE (tm) squad will land on the western sector of the
island, cutting straight through enemy defences. A.W.E. Striker and an
airborne Snake Eyes, using a custom-built helipack, are to carry out the
raid. The All Weather and Environment Striker has four-wheel drive and
is capable of speeds of 60 MPH cross country. These give it manoeuv-
rability, speed and smooth passage over rough terrain.

Fastened to the back of the A.W.E. Striker is a delicate but powerful
tapping computer necessary to retrieve the classified information from
the hard disc. Modifications to the dashboard are necessary so the front
passenger can operate the controls; additional space has been created
for an extra passenger. The swivelling roof cannon has been removed to
allow for greater speed, so Snake Eyes will have to defend the vehicle
from the air. Snake Eyes can pick up canisters of fuel and ammunition
from supply towers on the island, although it is wise not to use them
until needed.

Crankcase is the natural choice for this mission as he is an expert
driver and experienced with A.W.E. Striker [although it said Quick Kick
earlier on. JimG]. Intelligence expert Lady Jaye is extremely knowledge-
able in the processing and retrieval of intelligence data. She will
operate the tapping and message retrieval system from the passenger seat.
Flint will also travel in A.W.E. Striker to cover personnel at the
computer system.

COBRA, the enemy, have placed many dastardly traps to delay or destroy
the ACTION FORCE (tm) team. Rocket silos present a dangerous obstacle to
Snake Eyes and concrete barricades prevent the A.W.E. Striker from
reaching its destination easily. Other dangers include floating target
mines and electric charge generators. All of these will have to be
navigated in order to reach the eastern sector of the island. Addition-
ally, pontoon bridges must be lifted and set over canals and areas of
water to allow A.W.E. Striker to pass.

Now you have been fully briefed on the mission, ACTION FORCE (tm) is in
your hands.


Instructions

To load type
LOAD "" and press ENTER. Press PLAY on tape player.

You may use Kempston, Cursor, or Sinclair joystick.

Keyboard

1 = UP
A = DOWN
I = LEFT
P = RIGHT
Bottom Row = FIRE
ENTER = PAUSE
SYMBOL SHIFT and SPACE = ABORT

A.W.E. Striker will travel from left to right on your screen until it
encounters enemy defences. You must protect Striker as well as clearing
a path.

To pick up a pontoon bridge, move over bridge centre. Bridge will flash
on and off. To drop, move over water. Bridge will flash on and off.

You must shoot the ground-to-air missiles that threaten Striker's way.
You will need to shoot out sections in the electrical dischargers to
clear a path.

Shoot out barricades (carefully avoiding Striker) and land-based rockets
aimed at you.


Tips

Snake Eyes can be stopped in mid-flight by quickly changing direction,
or by landing on a building roof or the ground.

Don't pick up fuel or ammo until you really need them - picking up fuel
with a full tank will have no effect, same with ammo.

Avoid shooting the A.W.E. Striker at all costs!

A warning will appear in the score panel if your fuel reaches a
dangerously low level. At this time it is imperative that you replenish
your fuel supply.

Shoot targets to gain extra points.


DESIGN, GRAPHICS AND PROGRAMMING BY GANG OF FIVE.
MUSIC BY SAM GARFORTH.

Action Force (c) 1987 Milton Bradley International Inc.