Space Station Zebra
-------------------

There's only one thing worse than being lost in space... being found! Space
Station Zebra is the furthest outpost of the galaxy, spinning silently in
space until the aliens come...

As it spins, the last survivor prepares for what could be the final
onslaught. The energy reserves are low and all but one lazgun has been
knocked out of action.

And as he stares into space watching the stars and planets go by his radar
screen flickers into life. On the dark side of the station something is
stirring.

He checks the rotation speed and slows the station down, the shield damage
indicators show that seven more hits will finish the station. Energy levels
are low but the lazgun light is still on and as the tell tale flash on the
radar circles in, he manoeuvres the mighty base into position for the
final conflict.


Keyboard controls:

[1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [0]
[Q] W E R T Y U I [O] [P]
[A] S D F G H J K L
Z X C V B N [M]

Rotation: 0 = slow to stop
1 = start again

Lazgun: M = to fire
O = sights left
P = sights right
Q = sights up
A = sights down

Keys 1 and 0 will be inoperable if rotation light is red.
Keys Q, A, O, P will be inoperable if lazgun light is red.


The Radar Screen:

The screen shows the view around the station unfolded. A planet and a space
wreck show up as dots on it and the yellow block below it shows the field
of view.

Circling aliens will also show on the screen.

Halt the station when the aliens are shown in the view sector and they will
attack.


The Lazgun:

Will fire only when there is sufficient energy and by pressing the M key.
Only aliens hit at the meeting point of the two beams of light will be
destroyed. The "target" point is moved by altering the sights using Q and A
on the vertical and O and P on the horizontal axis.


Rotation:

The space station spins in either direction alternately. When slowed to a
hault using key 0. Key 1 will set it spinning at top speed in the other
direction. The thrust lights show the direction and the rotation speed
indicator shows the spinning speed.

When the rotation light shows red, it is not possible to change speed.


Aliens:

Aliens attack constantly, and try to manoeuvre their attack on to the blind
side of the station.

To get a chance of destroying the aliens the sights of the station must be
stopped from rotating when the aliens are shown above the location indicator
on the radar screen.

The aliens then fly in to press home their attack.


Scoring:

A hit on a yellow alien scores 50 points
on a light blue alien scores 100 points
and on a magenta alien 200 points

There are three phases to the game and the aliens are faster and meaner each
time.


Shields:

The shields are good for seven hits. How many hits before the station's
destruction are shown on the shield damage indicator by colour. Blue is
critical.

Shields are replenished at every completed phase.


Tactics:

When the station slows to a halt with an alien on screen, an alert will
sound and the aliens will storm in for the kill. When the all clear sounds,
use key 1 to restart the station.

Take care of energy levels which are depleted by slowing the station and
using the lazgun. But energy levels build up as the game progresses.

(C) 1983 BEYOND

(Transcribed by Robin Stuart)