"Galactibattle"
By Brett Lathrope
CURSOR 1, no. 5 (June 1980): 35-36. (Original Bally BASIC Listing)
(2000-baud Version)
Archived from Cursor program found in Ken Lill's tape collection.


Editors' Note: We have seen so many of this type of program (limited graphics) 
but, we feel this is one of the best non-graphic space programs we have tried! 
It is that much more remarkable to know that the author has only owned his unit 
for two months. We have taken a little literary license and made a few changes 
(color bar, etc), but have left the primary program as is. If you play within 
the rules, it can be a lot of fun...

Fred C.


You are a Galactica Warrior piloting an outward bound fighter on a critical 
search and destroy mission! You are the last hope of your civilization and must 
destroy all the Cylon ships located in your quadrant of the galaxy! Radio 
silence is imperative, to facilitate the silence, your battle computer will 
also operate silently.

All standard battle conditions apply, i.e., a carrier pilot rarely fires his 
weapons while lashed to the deck of the carrier; If a mistake is made, the 
results are usually costly; unnecessary flights burn excessive fuel; Mission 
aborts' (return to Galactica) should only be executed when there is no other 
decision available!

Your initial battle computer readout should appear thusly:

     SHIELDS:     STRONG
     FUEL:        1000
     FIRE POWER:  150
     CYLONS:      21 (Varies)
     BASESTAR     200 (Distance from home)
     STARDATE     88 (Varies)
     ALERT STATUS          (Color Bar)
   COMMAND:

The battle computer is now awaiting your instructions. Commands are as follows:

     1  Advance
     2  Retreat (Return to Galactica)
     3  Fire Weapons
     4  Transfer Power to Shields
     5  Transfer Power to Weapons
     6  Transfer Power to Fuel Reserve
     7  Have Galactica Come to You (200 only)

Your mission must be completed within the number of Stardates (SD) you have 
been allotted; Commands use 1 star date each, except "Retreat," which uses 1 SD 
plus 3 SD for Docking.

Your object is to search for Cylons, the computer will notify you if the enemy 
is in your quadrant, near your quadrant, or far away. This is accomplished by 
use of the "Alert Status Color Bar:"

     RED -    Cylons are attacking
     YELLOW - Cylons are nearby
     GREEN -  All clear

Fire Weapons: Maximum of 50 units per command; If you try to use more fire 
power than contained in your reserve, computer will ask if you wish to transfer 
power from fuel reserve. SPACE=Yes; ERASE=No; Pulling fuel costs 2 fuel units 
for 1 fire unit.

Damage Caused By Enemy: You can lose your weapons if hit while shield Power is 
low; you can be hit in the fuel tanks, and leak fuel. The more fuel tank hits, 
the greater the leak becomes!

Note: Brett mentions that he is not very proficient at string applications, 
etc., and would be very interested if anyone can save memory while still 
maintaining program integrity. Also, Brett has complied a more complete set of 
instructions. If you include a stamped self addressed envelope, he will happily 
forward info to you. Brett Lathrope, 8311 Monique, Cypress, CA 90630.

Key Variables

     A - Ammo
     B - Distance from Basestar
     C - Status Alert Condition
     F - Fuel
     J - Weapons Damage
     K - Fuel Damage
     S - Shields
     T - Stardate
     U - Distance of the Cylons

Program Explanation:

     Line  #'s  Remarks

        9-  10  Initialize
      100- 180  Sets-up & Prints Status Report
           300  Out of Time (Stardates)
      303- 355  Command Sequences
     5000-5003  Shield Condition
     5005-5008  Alert Status Color Bars
     5070-5077  Weapons Sequences
     6050-6054  Docking
     9000-9006  Damage Reports
     9090-9091  End of Mission Statements

Note: As memory is well known to be limited, all safeguards were not 
programmed. You can in places get around the rules, but remove the fun.

