Sound General Quarters! Seal the airlocks! Secure the blender! Hide the limes! Lock up the tequila! Where's my damn blaster? Stand by to repel boarders!!!

Oh, it's you. Sorry about being startled there - I tend to get a bit jittery when I've been on the run for a while.

We were doing some survey work in Boomer when the Foelians decided to declare war on the Kastorians and anyone else who happened to be in-system. So, like any other unarmed Independent survey vessel loaded with practical Myrrians facing getting shot up by a bunch of psychotic demons, we expedited our departure. That means "ran like hell was after us", for you USS-types. Come to think of it, that's an appropriate remark. Sometimes I amaze myself.

The "evacuation" was pretty uneventful. Nobody shot at us. But when we jumped into Canally, we saw that somebody had hacked the system beacon:

"WE-SEEK-HEDD-AT-WERTH. DO YOU KNOW SYSTEM AND SSQ? IF-SO-SEND-EMAIL-TO-shipbaahh@aol.com. WE-THANK YOU"

Huh? Maybe it was the lack of sleep, but it took me three times listening to it to figure out who it was: Ty Meup's Flock O' Love. Two hundred amorous Robotic Pleasure Sheep (tm). I think I'm better off facing the Foelians.

Anyway, here's the Bone. A month or three late - which kinda screws up our getting out five issues this year. Maybe we'll still do it. I dunno. Maybe Star Admiral Morgan will put on a tutu and dance "Swan Lake" in a benefit for the Jame Retief Retirement Fund. Okay, how about the "Sargasso Strut" for the RIP Orphans Home?

Tough crowd out there. Let's get this off with a bang - I mean, a good start:

Ringbone Interview: GTT P.D. Andrew Carnegie

Two or so years ago, Galactic Transport and Trade (GTT) was sold at auction by the Stellar Treasury Company. The Company had fallen on hard times. It was a shell of its former self and its previous management had used the GTT as a cover for what was described by some as a burgeoning terrorist organization.

The buyer of the nearly moribund and discredited Company remained a mystery for quite some time. All that was known was that his name was Andrew Carnegie and that he was one of the few recent arrivals to the Periphery.  In the interval since the GTT was purchased, the Company has made great strides toward regaining its former glory. In a brief visit, the Ringbone's Ass. Editor managed to secure an interview with its Periphery Director:

Bone: Tell us about yourself.

Carnegie:  I fled the Inner Empire some time ago, apparently on one of the last transports to the Periphery, just ahead of the recent devastation.

Bone: So why did you decide to take up the reins at the GTT?

Carnegie: (shrugs) Well,the GTT has always been used as case studies in the MSBA course at UTdF, on Earth, and when I got out here and found that the local subsidiary was available, it seemed like a heaven-sent opportunity. I never dreamed it would be in the shape it was in, though. The last year or so has been a juggling act, to say the least.

Bone: What exactly did you purchase when you bought the GTT ? It was at auction, correct?

Carnegie: I bought the headquarters colony, now renamed New Birmingham, as well as various and sundry other pieces of movable and immovable property, as well as very little good will. Yes, the assets were put up for auction. Time will tell if I over or under paid for the privledge.

Bone: I understand that you're taking the GTT back to its roots as a trading company?

Carnegie: Trading and production company, actually. The company out here (in the CP) is pretty run down, but with some of our new tech boys at work, we think we can get back in the game soon enough. Since we have a propietary advantage in production, and can simply out-produce equivalent sized colonies, the only barrier is really getting stuff, which is where trade comes in. We trade to support our colony growth. Our tech licenses can also help out.

Bone: Is there a future in trade?

Carnegie: Right now, mega-deals capable of filling a CC-E are very few and far between. There are runs out there, and we have made eight-digit profits the past two years.

[But] 201 is shaping up to be worse than that, simply because I can't force anyone to trade, and a lot of my former trading partners have pulled in their horns this year. Everyone acts like they are waiting for something.

Bone: What do you think can be done to boost trade?

Carnegie: Hmmm. The issue here is not that there is not any trade, it is that there is no reason to have the stellar at all. Most trade these days is done as barter, "my rocks for your shiny tin whatists" sort of thing. The biggest things that would boost trade would be more colonies having markets, with more individuals taking stellars. When it gets easier to have a liquid acceptable medium of exchange, things would get better.

Bone: Any hint as to what your "tech boys" have come up with?

Carnegie: No, sorry. (grins)

Bone: With conventional wisdom saying that governments are the dominant force for the future, what role do you see for the Companies?

Carnegie: In order to separate the governments from the companies, there is going to have to be a clear demarcation of the responsibilities of each. The Imperials have pretty much stated that they watch over 48 systems in the Periphery, the WCE and SAM have divided up the Transhole, etc. Companies would have a role if these governments allowed companies with advantages in certain areas - the SMS for mining/locing deposits, us for production, etc., and the governments took a portion of the output as the right for operating there.

Bone: Touching on tech again: what areas, robotics, etc., do you see as needing research and development?

Carnegie: Two areas come to mind - colony morale items and teleportation

Bone: Where do you see the GTT going in the next few years?

Carnegie: Expanding operations in the Periphery - we could still use a few more stategically placed sites, on good deposits. After that, we may enquire about the DC - I understand that there is still a lot of prospecting to be done out there.

At the moment, I can't see working in the Nexus or asking permission to enter the Transhole - there doesn't seem to be a way to make a decent stellar in either of those places.

Bone: Why? Is it because of politics, distance, little information about the places, or a combination ?

Carnegie: For the Nexus, it's a long trip to a whole lot of nothing (relatively speaking). It takes weeks to get out there, and then you have to actually find something in those 200 systems that is worth more than setting up a colony in the Periphery. There is a place for exploration, don't get me wrong, but at some point the game has to be worth the candle. You have to get a decent return.

As for the Transhole, I'm reminded of the old Warsaw Pact back on Earth. I've got no idea what goes on there, in their colonies with little Trabants puttering around, but the animosity and suspicion at this point are just too much to overcome. Any company with CP operations is going to be viewed with suspicion in the Transhole, simply because of the long and sordid history between the two groups. Until that is resolved, you are never going to get any sort of trade between the two groups. The black hole issues can be dealt with, it's the intangibles that need to be conforonted.

Bone: Now that you've been out here over a year, what's your overall impression of things?

Carnegie: Stagnation. There was a continuing arms race until about 198/199, where ships hit the plateau in terms of destruction. It's now become how many ships get destroyed in the first round, not if some will be.  Warfare has gotten increasingly lethal, but there has been virtually nothing else happening (or been disclosed) in terms of discoveries, exploration, or general events that causes more people to go out and take a look at things. I will note that the USS has had more success at this type of thing, and the GTT intends to take a page out of their playbook in the future.

Bone: Thanks.

Speaking of those damn wooly pests, we got this missive:

CONSUMER ALERT!

Without acknowledging any fault or liability, the Robotic Pleasure Sheep(tm) Company makes known that one of our newer models, the RPS-2002(tm), may have a defective right rear hoof joint.

Under the 'right' conditions the joint will buckle, causing the overstuffed rear of the RPS-2002(tm) to collaspe onto the face of its user. The model RPS-2002(tm), is from our "Luv'em-Large Collection", and is overstuffed and double-packed with pliant, reliant, ever pleasureable MUCUS(tm) padding. Totally unintentional smothering could result from such a mechanical failure.

The company will make available a new, improved hoof joint, to replace any right rear hoof joint which fails while in normal use. This does not apply to those models that have been abused, overused, altered or re-painted.

Milford E. Dogpatty, Chief,  Wacky Excuses & Explanations Section

Robotic Pleasure Sheep Company

(The words "Robotic Pleasure Sheep" and the acronym "RPS" and "MUCUS", as well as all marketing descriptions, are registered trademarks of the USS.)

Always glad to provide a pubic- I mean, public service to our readers.

Here's another episode in the continuing saga:

Rollo McAllister: Agent of the STC

Part 4: Enroute to Draconia

Synopsis: Newly-promoted Inspector Rollo McAllister and his longtime sidekick Swek are enroute to Applecore in the yacht Stellar Reposession. Rollo's assignment, hopefully his last before retirement, is to pick up an STC delegation and take them to ROC Corona for negotiations. Upon their arrival in Applecore, Rollo learns about the fall of the Stellar Empire. But the mission is still on.

To kill time, I tidied-up the place and put fresh bed linens in one of the spare cabins. I briefly considered offering the negotiator my stateroom, then thought better of it. If there was a problem with the ship while Iwas off-watch and asleep, Swek could contact me quickly. Second my cabin had ship's instrument repeaters, so I could immediately see what was wrong. Third, I'd be damned if I was going to sleep in some tiny, cramped cabin. Being the starcaptain should have have some privileges.

As rendezvous time approached, Swek and I sat on the bridge and waited. Finally, a ship jumped into normal space and cruised to a stop off our starboard bow.

I win. You owe me five stellars.

"He was a hundreth of a TU off!" I protested, then held up my hands. "Okay, okay. You win. Double or nothing on the docking?"

Deal.

The ship was a type I hadn't seen before. Sleek and black-hulled, it definitely was not one of the local STC junkers. It cruised effortlessly around the Repo and came along our port side.

"Four-Alpha to Sugar Romeo," a voice of indeterminate gender came over the line-of-sight comm unit, "Request your authentication." An alphanumeric series appeared on the holoscreen.

"Sugar Romeo, my ass," I muttered as I glanced at code-card and tapped in the responding sequence. This Star Scout secret decoder-ring stuff was a bit much.

"Authenticated. Prepare for transfer."

"Ready. Send your tube," I said.

"Negative, Sugar Romeo," the voice replied, "Prepare for EV transfer."

"Wait, Four-Alpha," I answered. "Take the conn, Swek."

I have the conn, Captain.

I cursed under my breath, swung out of my chair, and headed for the air-lock. The idiot was going to cross the divide in a spacesuit. Not even on board yet, and our guest was already starting to be a pain. I dug my own suit from its locker and climbed into it. Good thing I'd practiced on the way out here. After sealing the doors in the surrounding compartments, I put on my gloves, locked my helmet in place and stood by the inner hatch.

"Four-Alpha, ready for safety line," I said into my mike as I opened the outer airlock.

"Negative, Sugar Romeo, Stand by for free transit."

This is getting better every second, I mused angrily. Now our guest was going to play super-space-cadet and fly across.

A hatch spiraled open in the middle of the other ship. For a moment, nothing showed in the red-lit interior, then two figures appeared. At least the bozo had agreed to an escort. They hesitated, then pushed off along with their baggag towards the Repo. Occasional blue-colored bursts from a navigation unit showed their slow but steady progress toward me. It was an unusual pair: one short and round, the other a bit tall. A thought tickled the back of my mind about an ancient pair of comic figures, but I couldn't remember the names.

Both of them finally managed to reach the airlock and climb inside without much trouble. We weren't packed in, but it was close. I was glad I'd insisted on installing a larger alcove during our refit. We managed to get inside without too much jostling. I removed my helmet and suit, then went to assist my guests like any other good host.

Their suits were of a newer design and came off quickly. The short, round one turned out to be an older man. Well-tailored black one-piece with matching jacket, soft black boots, a cascade of white hair just touching his shoulders, and the aura of a seasoned politician. He was all smiles and friendliness, but there was no doubt that it all could disappear like the frost on his visorplate.

The taller one was female, with a mane of dark red hair, high cheekbones and a physique that came from hours of working out. Even though she was dressed conservatively, she practically screamed "STC special operative". Had she been blonde and twenty years older, she could've passed for my boss. Somewhere the STC must have some DNA stored and they were pressing these "black widows" out like cookies.

The elderly gent shook my hand like we'd been friends for twenty years.

"Marcus Aurelius Anstrom," he boomed, "STC Negotiator. Thanks for letting us on your ship, Captain. That was certainly an invigorating cross-over."

"Rollo McAllister," I replied, wincing a bit from the grip, "Welcome aboard." I looked over at his companion.

"Tevin Rai," she said, making no move to shake hands, "I'll be travelling with the Negotiator"

"Funny, there wasn't any mention of anyone else."

"You should have received a message... Captain," she answered in a voice that made it sound like it was my fault, "I have a copy here on my wrist unit. Is it going to be a problem?"

"I prefer 'Rollo' or 'Inspector', Miz Rai," I replied with an edge in my voice, "And it's no problem. There's an extra berth toward the stern. I'll get you some bedding. You can download the message into that terminal there.

"Negotiator Anstrom, I'll take you to your room. Any extra luggage can be stowed in the hold."

"Please call me Marcus," Anstrom said as he held up a hand, "And don't worry, I can handle my bags. By the way, how long do you expect the trip to Corona to be?"

"Not much more than one-hundred TU's or so," I said. I escorted the pair to their quarters, pointed out the amenities and the emergency features, and then headed for the bridge. Swek looked up from the astrogation display.

Do you want me to polish the shuffleboard deck, Captain?

"Let me guess," I growled as I sat down, "A stand-up comic. You can be the entertainment." We looked over the planned route and verified the jump calculations. We'd gone over them once before, but it didn't hurt to look at them again. I hadn't been in deep space for and an extra TU verifying our work couldn't hurt.

"Looks good," I said as I heaved myself out of the chair, "Our guests should be settled in. I whip up some dinner and then get some sleep. Six TUs should do it, then I'll relieve you. I'll let you know when I'm in my cabin."

Swek looked at me with a funny look in his eyes.

I have a bad feeling about this, Rollo. I do not know why, but all is not what it is supposed to be.

"Maybe you sense the chemistry between his assistant and me," I told him, "Or rather, the lack of it."

Perhaps. In any case, please watch your back. I would not like to be alone again in another ship. I'd found Swek over twenty years ago in the hold of a damaged and derelict freighter. Though I never got the full story of how he came to be there, he radiated such a palpable terror when he thought about it that it gave me the cold sweats.

Now I felt it again.

And so ends another episode. Maybe we'll even get the next chapter ON TIME like we're SUPPOSED TO... but hey, I'm not complaining.

Could it be there's been another influx into BSE? I saw a few new names and a couple of old ones while I was at Hypso - AND NO, I'M NOT THERE NOW, OKAY? Damned robotic sheep.

Anyway, among the returnees seems to be that infamous curmudgeon ( that's "grumpy old man" for you USS-tyes) RADman. Well maybe he's back,  could be that he's been monitoring the List.  

Anyway, he sent me this cartoon. Looks like he's almost back to his pull-no- punches persona. However, I'm not really sure who he's smacking on in this one. Maybe he's just echoing ex-USA PD North...

Alippon Launches Wormhole Explorer

By Tyrone "Ty" Meup

Dateline Alippon: Crowds gathered on this cold, blustery morning to see off ALP Alippon’s first Survey Cruiser. The Inter-Species Explorer lifted off from its launch bay at 0700 today, with a roar of approval from a crowd of several thousand Alipponian citizens. The Explorer represents Alippon’s first serious space research in modern times and, according to government sources, will focus its efforts on the local wormhole phenomenon in the Gateway Nebula.

The Explorer is commanded by Dr. Albert Jacine, second cousin to Lord Jacine, as well as a recognized scholar on spacetime physics, especially Wormhole Phenomena. Dr. Jacine was one of the primary investigators of the Alipponian Wormhole Engine when the Jacines first arrived at Alippon, and has worked decades on understanding the characteristics of those engines. Dr. Jacine has published hundreds of articles on this topic, and has appeared in the pages of such revered publications as Interstellar Physics Today and The Annals of Gravitational Physics.

According to Dr. Jacine, the Explorer’s primary mission will be to study the local wormhole in the Nebula. Dr. Jacine states:

"… The local wormhole phenomenon here in the Gateway Nebula presents us with an unparalleled opportunity to study a unique confluence of factors that has created a truly novel phenomenon: multiple wormholes opening at the same location. AND this situation seems to be stable!

Our objective is to study these wormholes in depth. We want to determine exactly how stable these wormholes are. We also want to determine under what conditions this type of wormhole can spontaneously arise, and whether we might find other wormholes elsewhere with similar properties. The results of these studies should raise our understanding of wormholes by an order of magnitude…"

The Inter-Species Explorer was named for the makeup of its crew, which includes human, samillian, morlock, and other alien crew, as part of its complement of researchers. In fact, the Alipponian Space Agency (ASA) has issued an open invitation to all species to send members to the Explorer to share in the research. The Explorer is currently assigned to SSQ 1452 of the Gateway Nebula, and has room for 15 additional researchers. To assign a researcher to the project, simply stop by 1452 and transfer a researcher to the Cargo Section of the Explorer (# 2606). Researchers can then submit projects to Dr. Jacine (LORDJACINE@AOL.COM), who will then schedule the appropriate hardware and research personnel. Results will be reported to the sponsoring agency only; dissemination to other groups will be the sole responsibility/privilege of the sponsoring agency.

Alippon is a small, artificial planetoid, originally discovered by the Stellar Empire in the Vertex system. It is the final product for which Fishbed (previously located in the Catone system) was the prototype. It moves by enveloping itself in and artificial wormhole, which can be directed to open into an almost arbitrary location. Its surface temperature is extremely high, except for isolated cooler areas. Alippon has no moons.

Politically, Alippon has been relatively uninvolved in Periphery politics. It enforces non-aggression within the system in which it resides (currently the Gateway Nebula), and encourages trade with all groups, regardless of political persuasion.

Alippon maintains a website at http://publish.hometown.aol.com/lordjacine/index.html.

The Ringbone Gazette Presents:

Welcome to the BSE Network's new lineup of late-night shows.

There's something for everyone - and never, ever a cover charge!

Coming this Fall:

The Falsettos   A series that chronicles the Trans-Canally's Foeliani crime family. This week, Plasma Foeliani hatches a plot to take over the Kastori Kandy Shoppe, thinking its absentee-owner won't do anything about it. But upon learning that it has a new owner, plans change and the family is thrown into disarray. Tempers rise and Bradley the Bartender nearly gets stuck with Plasma's bar tab. In the end, the Foelianis settle for a mere ten-million stellar extortion and a pound of pulac fudge. (Violence, Bad words, Questionable Ethics) TU 9.5

Sargasso   A drama set in the contested confines of the Sargasso system between the Puce Coyote Clan, sometimes- psychotic defenders of the USA claim, and a bevy of opponents who want to be invaders and not the invadees. The premier episode begins with the Puce Coyotes, led by Supreme Commodore Atilla-Ann Morgan, having to destroy a colony in order to save it. Guest appearances by Firbram Henkel as AIS Command Node 246, and Harold Hedd as Jerry the Drunk War Correspondent. (Violence, Excessive Motor Oil) TU 19

RIPTide  A hot new series about rehabilitated buccaneer Sandy Belllamy and her crew of ex-pirates turned lifeguards at IND Undersea Base. This week, Sandy battles black-marketers intent on controlling the suntan lotion market. In a gunfight, she learns that the thorlium bracing in her swimsuit isn't just there to support her… um, assets. (Violence, Suggestive Dialogue) TU 28

1*TU   This hard-hitting news-magazine returns for another exciting season. Harvard Beets chronicles the plight of Coast Zone Squirrel, while Heeper Bleep documents the problems of getting a Feasibility Study to completion. Som-wan Complaned then interviews the the SAM's General Gordon Hale while drinking herself into insensibility to dull the pain. The news-magazine (did we mention it was hard-hitting?) closes out with the 500-year old curmudgeon Andy Rooney, living proof that a lack of talent combined with freeze-drying and a good agent can still get you air-time. (Graphic Scenes, Melodrama) TU 38

That's My Rlo  Follow the madcap adventures of the Stellar Empire's newest Big Man and all-around party animal. Despotism was never so much fun! This week: Rlo gets confused when Phuzzy spills a bottle of massage oil onto the Royal Schedule. Is it an audience with the Ghettian Micro-Bikini Team, or jello-wrestling with the Ekino Ambassador? Special appearance by Hagbard Celine as Rlo's 'Luv Membah'. (Language, Poor Taste, Adult Situations, Nudity, Slapstick Violence) TU 49

Special Action  The exploits of the William Cody Brigade of the ROC Defense Force. This week: the Brigade gets orders to go on a secret mission in the Nexus. They spend 70 tense TUs trying to find their way out of the briefing room when the lights are shot out by "friendly fire". (Language, Violence) TU 58

Class of AASSes  Join the madcap antics of the "Aasses", the plebe class of the Alippon Academy of Space Sciences, where the class motto is "good times beats getting good grades"! In this premier episode, students Achilles Tenden and Sinthia Roundheels skip astrogations to scout out locations in the Nexus for a stimbrew keg party, and accidentially discover an alien race. Being mistaken for gods does have its drawbacks! Cubberwid Burscheidt guests as the alien leader, Turfik. (Adult Situations, Partial Nudity, Slime, Excessive Firepower) TU 68

"The 69 Show" Variety is back, and it's never been better! Join Jonny Tinkles and GiGi Knees-Rugburndt as they host an exciting array of entertainers and performers. This week: comedian "Rip" Horn, the Flagritz Orbiting Self- Immolation Team. Extra-special guest appearance by the Morgans with their smash hit "It Your Fault We Shot You". (Language, Graphic Scenes) TU 69

Wow, my First Officer just handed me the ship's report. Right there on the bottom of the last page is this:

Effective immediately, all players in BSE are entitled to one free ship position in BSE. This ship will be flagged as a "free position" and will reflect as such on your account statements. Inform the GameMaster which ship position you want to run as free, and it will be done.

It's nice to see and all, but it does present a problem. Which of my many ISD- I mean, my few insignificant ships should I designate? (that means 'pick' for you USS-types). Gee, it's too bad my "Surfboard" ship design wasn't ready yet. Decisions, decisions.

Advice to the Lovesick, or Just Plain Sick with Kinki DeWins

Dear Kinki; My boyfriend and I used to play-act "Pirate and the Prisoner Princess" as part of our lovemaking. It was a lot of fun. Now that the RIP are passe, our sex-life has suffered. Any suggestions on what to do? - Perplexed

Oh, Perplexed - I have sooo many ideas! How about "Zombie and the Starcaptain"? Or "Ty and the Pleasure Sheep"? You could play "Fish and the Water Planet". Then again, you could still do the "pirate thing".  You play the pirate and have him play an AIS 'bot. After all, they screwed the RIP! --- Regards, Kinki

Dear Kinki: I have a problem with my social life. It's me. I'm a short, fat, bald, and homely SMS starcaptain who can talk a blue streak about fissionables, but not much else. I ditched my "Let Me Drill You for Ore" T-shirt, but that only stopped the ladies from slapping my face. Can you help me? - Desperate in Drell

Hoo, boy ,Desperate. Where do I start? How's your diction? No, silly - not that! I mean, the way you talk. Try mangling your words. Dress up in the loudest, tackiest clothes you can find. Get a temporary tattoo that says A**HOLE and put it on your forehead. Then go to Werth and pass yourself off as King Rlo's "body-double". Oh, and bring large amounts of the greatest aphrodesiac of all: Money! P.S. Don't forget to wear some body armor.--- Kinki

Dearest Kinki: I'm in the midst of a dilemma. I'm a good-looking, well-built human male, nearly two meters tall and termed by my former lover as "endowed". I'd been her companion for over twenty years, since I was fifteen and she was fifty.  I've been trained in the arts of love, fine cuisine, massage therapy, and a host of other talents suitable for a 'ladies' companion'. Hence my dilemma. She died and left me all her worldly possessions.  Now I'm here alone in a palatial estate with a bevy of servants and an annual income of over two million stellars, and not a clue as to what to do next. What should I do? - At a Loss

Dear Loss: This is a serious problem and one that requires my immediate attention. You need my help, and now! Buy me a ticket to your place- pronto!!! -- Love, Kinki

Guess we can call this one "done". Come back in a couple of months and we should have the Bone's Holiday Issue out. I won't make any promises as to what's gonna be in it, but hey - we'll have fourteen weeks to work on the friggin' thing! Adios.

 Ads & Stuff

Additions and updates, e-mail hedd@compuserve.com. Put it to Father Larry's attention (we're trying to keep him busy).

ROC Wanted Items: 2nd generation JE's and TE's will pay top price!! Korondite for purchase/pickup in the Capellan system. Pulse modification Level 2. Defensive ship mods. Enhanced shields, Permanent AMB's etc,etc If interested please contact: Ian Dunbar, ROC Defense Forces.

WCE Star of India will shortly be accepting contracts for transport of all manner of goods, with capacity for all but the most extreme of cargos. Contact LT Goethe Manstein, WCE Ship Star of India (88) or any authorized WCE agent.

SMS New Comte(1620) is on Dogleg, the center of it all. If there is something you want that is not on the market let me know, maybe I can get it for you, maybe not. LBCMs will be added soon. Low on stellars? Barter is available. Do NOT land without permission. Use Highport for market transactions. - Lord Tiberius Croft

Merchant E now available at AFT Benden Weyr (3686) on moon Pikoil , space square 1548 in Adamon (42) system in the Capellan Periphery. Contact this office [shazzola at juno.com] for fees, PA's and other arrangements. Desired items for exchange are: Fissionables (reg & cond), Fossil Fuels (reg & cond), Korondite, Stellars and morale boosting materials in no particular order of importance.In the event the prophecies bear reality, best to get your upgrade today to get the max benefit from the upgrade. - Trader Jess Wong

New Location, Same Great Service! Please be sure to visit IND Alippon (1399) in the Gateway Nebula. Used ship market being updated, but ask us anyway. - Lord Justin Jacine, IND Alippon

IND Werth is the best Free and Open port in BSE. Shop 'till you drop. Party 'till you drop! Sleep it off in any of our thousands of hotel rooms. Werth is the playground of the filthy rich and infamous. And never, ever a cover charge.

The MYR Want Your Business!! Myrrians are still building and selling Myrships (10-10-10) and Myrchant ships (1-30-2). Both these designs have the 100 mu/hull shift and are Nexus and Draconian Cluster friendly. Licenses available, as well as other items for sale and barter. - Der Laul, for the MYR.

IND High Point announces the availability of the following items: Survey Cruisers. - 500,000 stellars, Merchant "A" specialization - 500,000 Stellars. Just land your ship, pay the $$ and you get the upgrade. Come to the only colony in the Nexus offering Merchant Specialization! Coming Soon: MerchantMan. High Point is located in the Sierra system (332) at space square 1045

BSE Web Sites

The following are affiliation and special-interest sites for BSE. Additions and updates, e-mail hedd@compuserve.com. Put it to Father Larry's attention (it gives him something to do).

The Foelians (FOE)

IND Allipon

The GTT Page

BSE PD List

The Imperials

The Bone would like to thank:

Dr. Dempsey's Patented Universal Skin Thickener

Mystic Pizza II

Bucco de Beppo, Chandler AZ

Andrew Carnegie, GTT

Ty Meup (okay, we'll send this AND your last paycheck)

RADMan, IND?

Annie Ominous, Contributor