     ^EStar Traders^D is a game of interstellar trading. The object of the game is
to  amass  the	greatest  amount of wealth possible.  This is done by creating
interstellar shipping lanes, expanding them and buying shares in the companies
controlling them.  Shares appreciate in value as company operations expand. In
addition, the return on each share (as a percentage) also changes. Players may
also borrow from the Interstellar Trading bank to finance additional purchases
on the Stock Exchange.

     The map of the galaxy is represented by a ^G~x x ~y^D grid. A typical section
of it may be:

^F     . . ^E*^F . . . ^E* *^F .
     . . . . . . . . .	       ^D"^F.^D" represents empty space,
^F     . ^E*^F . . . . . . .	     ^D"^E*^D" represents a star.
^F     . . . . . . . ^E*^F .
     . . . . ^E*^F . . . .

	 ^GFigure 1.^D


     The computer selects ^G~m^D moves (labeled "^Ha^D" to "^H~M^D") at random,  and places
these  on  the	map.  To  select any of the highlighted positions,  press that
letter. As an example, some of the moves on the map may be:

     ^Ha^F . ^E*^F . . . ^E* *^F .
     . . . ^Hc^F . . . . .
     . ^E*^F . . . . ^He^F . .	       ^DMoves "^Ha^D" to "^He^D" shown.
^F     . ^Hb^F . . ^Hd^F . . ^E*^F .
     . . . . ^E*^F . . . .

	 ^GFigure 2.^D

     Selecting a position that is not next to a star  (such as positions  ^Ha^D, ^Hc^D
or ^He^D)  will set up an outpost,  not belonging to any company.  Thus,  if ^Hc^D was
selected on the above map, a "^A+^D" would be placed on that position.


     If, on the other hand, a position next to a star (or another outpost) was
selected,  a company would be formed  and its first letter would appear on the
map.  As  a  reward  for creating the company,	you are granted the first five
shares. Up to ^G~c^D companies can be created in this way.

     If a position next to an existing company is selected,  the company would
expand its operations by one square. This increases the cost of its shares and
hence  your return.  Thus,  if the map was as shown in Figure 3,  selecting  ^Hf^D
increases Company ^AB^D's shipping lane:

     ^Ha^F . ^E*^F . . . ^E* *^F .
     . . . ^D+^F . . ^Hf^F . .
     . ^E*^F . . . . ^AB B B	     ^GFigure 3.^F
     . ^Hb^F . . ^Hd^F . . ^E* ^AB^F
     . . . . ^E*^F . . . ^Hh^D

     Selecting	positions  next  to stars increases the value of your stock by
about ^G5^D times as much as an extention not next to a star.  Thus move  ^Hf^D should
be prefered to move ^Hh^D.


     If two companies are seperated on the map by only one position, then they
can be merged into one company by selecting that position (if available).  For
example,  in the map below,  companies	^AA^D and  ^AB^D can be merged by selecting ^He^D.
When  this occurs,  the company with the  greater assets value	takes over the
other one. Thus, in this example, company ^AA^D might take over company ^AB^D. Company
^AB^D ceases to exist, although it may reappear as an entirely new company.

     ^Ha^F . ^E*^F . . . ^E* *^F .
     . . . ^AA A ^He^A B^F . .
     . ^E*^F . . ^AA^F . ^AB B B	 ^GFigure 4.^F
     . ^Hb^F . . . . . ^E*^A B^F
     . . . . ^E*^F . ^D+^F . .^D

     When a company merges, players are granted shares in the dominant company
proportional to the amount owned in the old company.  As well, a cash bonus is
also paid, proportional to the percentage of the old company owned.


     Once you select your move ("^Ha^D" to "^H~M^D"),  you enter the ^GInterstellar Stock
Exchange^D.  Here you can  purchase shares,  sell them,  borrow from the ^GTrading
Bank^D or repay some of your debt (if applicable). Note that each company issues
a  limited  amount  of	shares	-  you cannot go on buying for ever!  You can,
however,  bid  for  more  shares  to  be  issued.  You have a better chance of
succeeding if you own a larger proportion of the company.

     The game ends after ^G~t^D turns.	However,  you  can end the game sooner by
pressing  ^A<ESC>^D when asked to select a move.  As well,  individual players can
declare  themselves  bankrupt at any time.  If your debt is large enough,  the
bank may do this for you!  If you do not complete your game in your time,  you
may save the game and continue it later.  The winner of the game is the person
with the greatest net worth (total value of cash, stock and debt).

