The Scene
The year is 2112.
Inter planetary research shows information capsules buried deep within
the hearts of ancient stars.
Knowledge that long dead civilisations left behind light years ago.
And data retrieval is big business.
The Terran Hardlight Corporation pay Runners billions of Creds to
excavate star cores.
There is just one problem.
Adherents. Hostile alien cyborgs that are programmed to defend this
knowledge. At all costs. Without mercy......
===
Daniel Drager stood and stared out of the floor to ceiling window that
looked out over the city of Korda. It was only ten o�clock in the
morning, but the city was still shrouded in darkness. Although the wars
had ended over five years ago the fires still raged in the Zenium
refineries out at the Boundaries. Aided by the powerful winds created by
fallout in the Northern regions, a dense, choking black smoke filtered
out most of the natural light and Korda spent a lot of its time choking.
Street corner preachers shouted that Hell�s doors had blown open but
they were mainly veterans and were tolerated for that reason alone. The
only light that penetrated the fog came from laser projections creating
holograms in the sky. Logos and straplines mingled in the swirling
smog.......
Don�t you just love being out of control!
There�s nothing quite like.... Another rain forest!
Hackers had long ago discovered that the best way to get their protest
across was in sabotaging large corporations advertising campaigns. It
had started in the 1990�s with a spray can and as advertising methods
had developed, the protesters kept ahead of the change.
As these lights swept back and forth, Daniel could just make out Zenon
Tower, the headquarters of Zenon Infomain.
Since Zenon were his company�s main competitors, he often spent time
staring out at the building, trying to think up ways of outdoing them.
But if the truth was told, Zenon were slicker and quicker than the
Terran Hardlight Corporation. Whenever a new star was discovered it
always seemed to be Zenon who shipped out the Runner excavation teams
first. How did they know?
Who tipped them off?
Dragers� thoughts were interrupted by an image and voice on his
Videoview. It was Sorbie, a short guy in glasses with lenses so thick
that they made his eyes bulge like a bullfrog. Drager was always
unnerved by this aspect of his assistant�s appearance.
�May I come in Mr.Drager. We have just received a communication on the
Vidimessenger. I think it is important you see it.�
�Come,� Drager replied wearily. Surely, he thought, nothing else could
go wrong now. The Redstar expedition was on its way to completion and
the Terran Hardlight Corporation had not lost a large data
download since the Abraxan incident. And that was over two years ago.
But if experience had taught Daniel Drager one thing, it was to be
prepared for the worst. Especially in this business. And Daniel
prided himself on his ability. He placed his hand over a heat sensitive
pad on his desk. Almost simultaneously the large panelled door to his
office swung open and the squat figure of Sorbie walked in, clutching a
disk in his fingers that sweated like sausages under a grill.
With a hesitant look at his boss, Sorbie waited for approval before
slipping the disk into a drive on Drager�s desk. Immediately the room
rang out to the sound of combat, as the screen filled with the crossfire
of lasers, the cries of men falling injured and the crackle of alien
voices. A man�s face loomed up out of the dark, his features strained,
exhausted. It was Leon Goeldring, team leader of the Redstar Archeos.
Dispatched to the massive Redstar the previous month, his team was the
Terran Hardlight Corporations latest and most costly investment. Huge
swathes of data had been discovered by probes around Redstar, but this
was over a year ago now and Drager had spent the ensuing eleven months
negotiating clearance for the operation. It could not fail now. Leon
shouted, his voice straining and barely audible above the noise....
�This is Leon Goeldring, team leader of the Archeos. The time is 20.30
hours on Thursday 22nd July. Our position is Cavern 1 in the Redstar
complex.
�We are currently under fire from Adherent missile installations. The
situation is one of stalemate. While we have enough ammunition to defend
our position, the Adherents have us pinned down. We�re not going
anywhere. Request immediate rescue.�
The image flickered on the screen then vanished. Sorbie looked at his
boss. Drager let out a stream of air from between pursed lips.....
�Put out an immediate request for NetRunners onto the Forum. Get the
cheapest you can find. We can�t afford to lose any more money on this
mess.� Sorbie nodded and made to leave the room. �Oh and Sorbie,� like a
startled rabbit the short man froze, then turned to face Drager, �make
sure that you vet them thoroughly this time. I don�t want any more
psychowaste involved in rescue operations run by this company. The
Abraxan episode cost us dearly. I don�t ever want to have to experience
such an embarrassment again.�
Sorbie stood rooted to the spot. Several beads of perspiration launched
themselves on unique trails of discovery down his flabby face. It always
affected him that way when someone mentioned the Abraxan incident. How
was he to have known that Ergon Stread, the Netrunner he hired to carry
out a simple operation on Zolan, was going to turn out to be a �roider
on a meltdown mission. It was incredibly simple to get duplicated
documents these days and he simply hadn�t had time to run all the
necessary security checks, including a full Mediscan. Sorbie knew that
the deaths of twenty-five runners would be on his conscience until the
day he died and he hated it when Drager mentioned his error. He knew he
was the laughing stock of the company. Drager made out as if the deaths
mattered to him but Sorbie knew otherwise. All that mattered to Drager
and the Corporation was hard data. If people had to die to get it, and
they often did, then so be it. It was one of the unwritten rules of the
data retrieval business.
Struggling to keep his thoughts to himself, Sorbie murmured something
under his breath and left the room. After the long trudge down the
corridor back to his office, he settled himself and dictated the
Netrunner request onto the Forum. The message flashed up on his console
screen. In a few seconds dozens of Netrunners would be reading it:
FORUM MESSAGE 237497539
TIME: 22.30 HOURS THURSDAY 22ND JULY
FROM: THE TERRAN HARDLIGHT CORPORATION
TO: ALL NETRUNNER PERSONNEL IMMEDIATE REQUEST FOR NETRUNNERS.
THE ARCHEOS RUNNING TEAM ARE TRAPPED INSIDE THE REDSTAR, PART OF THE
THELENIUM SYSTEM. PINNED DOWN BY ADHERENT FIRE.
THC REQUEST ONE NETRUNNER FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION. OWN CRAFT
ESSENTIAL. BONUSES PAID ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION. ALL QUOTES TO THE
TERRAN HARD LIGHT CORPORATION .
DEADLINE:23.30 HOURS THURSDAY 22ND JULY
Who would be able to accept such a mission?
Pyrodactyl Mission Briefings
Outline Brief
Section One: Starting Up
To load and run Pyrotechnica on your PC, follow these simple
instructions.
1. Turn on your machine and wait for it to boot up.
2. Insert the PYROTECHNICA Disk.
3. Type D: (or whichever drive your CD-ROM is) and press Return
4. Type INSTALL and press Return
5. Follow the on - screen instructions.
Outline Brief
Section Two: Mission Objectives
You must pilot your Pyrodactl through the corridors and chambers of the
Red Star following this general mission brief.
1. Find a route through the defences that the Adherents have set up
within the Red Star
2. Search for, and rescue all trapped wingmen which will activate their
auto defence mechanism
3. To destroy as many enemy craft and defence installations as possible
in order to weaken the Adherents power
4. Score as many points as possible and lead the high score table.
Outline Brief
Section Three: Pyrodactyl Controls
You can control your craft using the keyboard or joystick. Your method
of control is chosen from the Options screen (see Pyrodactl
configuration, below). Whichever control method you prefer, the primary
controls remain the same and are very simple: a movement control plus
several others
Movement Control (joystick or cursor keys). Move left, right, up and
down to point the craft in the direction you wish to travel.
Fire (joystick button 1, or space). Fires your Primary Weapon.
Primary Weapon Selection
Keys
F1 Radar Homing Missiles
F2 Infra Red Missiles
F3 Rockets
F4 Grenades
Fire (joystick button 2, or S). Fires your Secondary Weapon.
Secondary Weapon Selection
Keys
F5 Light Laser
F6 Cannon
F7 Heavy Laser
F8 Mines
Further Controls
Speed Keys 1 to 9.
0 stops the craft.
W Weapon view.
E Toggles between external and internal view
R Rotate to reverse view,
operates whilst held down and in both internal and external views.
P Pause game,
press P again to restart.
F Release Flares.
C Release Chaff.
B Slow craft (brakes) and move craft backwards.
M Freeze game and display level map. You will be shown two views.
Top down view lets you see the network from above. East West view lets
you see it from the side. The lighter sections are nearer to you and the
darker
sections are farthest away.
End Interrupt game and display in game menu
Esc Launches escape pod
H High Score Table
Outline Brief
Section Four: Pyrodactyl Configuration
Once loaded, the game will begin with an intro sequence which can be
skipped by pressing Return. Following this is the title page which again
can be skipped by pressing Return. This will take you to the Main menu
screen.
Before your missions start, you may configure your Pyrodactyl to suit
your personal requirements. Use a joystick, cursor keys or a mouse to
move the highlighting effect and press fire, Return or a mouse button
to select or toggle an option. (N.B. The game will automatically be
configured for use with a keyboard unless you change it for use with a
joystick. Although there is a joystick option, we strongly recommend
that you control your Pyrodactyl using the keyboard controls.)
To configure your Pyrodactyl, simply select Options from the Main Menu.
You can then alter a wide range of in - game settings, as follows.
Detail
The level of graphics detail can be graded by using the cursor keys or
joystick to move up and down the scale.
N.B. Pyrotechnica will run faster with less detail selected.
Music Volume
Use cursor keys, joystick or mouse to move up and down the scale
Sound Effects Volume
Use cursor keys, joystick or mouse to move up and down the scale
Controls
Toggle through these options until your chosen control method is
highlighted
Calibrate Joystick
This allows you to set up the trimmers on your joystick
Return
Takes you back to the Main Menu
When you have re - configured the game to your satisfaction, select
Return. This will take you back to the main menu. Select the One or Two
Player option and you will be presented with another menu, which will
allow you to change the level of difficulty or to load an earlier game.
Choose the level of difficulty you prefer using the same method as
before. Select Easy and you will start the game on Level One, Hard and
it will begin on Level Three. The higher the difficulty, the more
Adherents you will have to face. When you have made your choices you
will then be shown a map display of the level about to be played. It
allows you to see where your wingmen are trapped and the level entrance
and exits. Following this display the game will start automatically and
you are on your own.......
If you want to change anything during gameplay hit the end key. You will
then be shown the Play Interrupted Menu. This will allow you to make the
following changes.
Save
Select this and save your current game.
Options
The same as before.
Recalibrate Joystick
This allows you to readjust your joystick trimmers.
Abandon Game
This will take you back to the main menu
Continue Game
This will allow you to pick up where you left off.
Two Player Game
Select the two player option and pit your wits against a friend. Take
alternate turns over 3 rounds. Each round will begin on the
next level from the last one, and each turn lasts 3 minutes or until
your craft is destroyed. An on-screen timer will let you know how long
you have left, and the winner is the Net Runner who amasses the highest
score.
Mission Profile
Brief One: Pyrodactyl Information Console
On the information console there are
several features which will allow you to make full use of your crafts�
capabilities and access all necessary game information.
1. Current View
Shows the view that you have selected;
Weapons View
Choose this if you want to follow a particular weapon as it homes in on
its target
Map View
Shows you where Adherents and Wingmen are. Try not to confuse them.
Internal View
Witness the action from inside the cockpit.
External View
See your craft in all its glory.
2. Shields Status
This provides up to the minute information showing the level of
protection your craft has left. All impacts, weapons strikes and
collisions will reduce your shield strength.
3. Shield Warnings
If you continue to get hit by enemy fire these three visual warnings
will show the damage levels sustained by your craft. These are as
follows...
Engine Damaged
When your engine is damaged your craft will fly at half speed.
Weapons Failure
When your weapons are damaged you can only use secondary weapons�
After your craft has sustained these levels of damage, you have one last
chance to save yourself. A 5 second on- screen
countdown will begin, accompanied by an audible alert message. Hit the
escape key before the end of this time and you will be launched in the
escape pod�Fail and your craft will crash and burn�
Escape Pod
When you are in the escape pod your craft can only use secondary
weapons. Primary weapons, counter measures and power ups are all
rendered useless.
4. Score
How many points you have scored. Score points by destroying enemy ships,
releasing wingmen, activating power ups, reaching end of level and
taking on the bonus level.
5. Lives left
Start with three and work your way down. All lives end in the Escape
Pod. Remember, when you are in the escape pod, you have no access to
either primary weapons or defensive measures.
6. Chaff status
Whichever direction you are moving in, chaff will always be dropped
behind the craft
WARRANTY LIMITATIONS
Limited Warranty
Psygnosis warrants for a period of 30 days from the date of purchase
that this software product is free of defects in workmanship and
material. In the event that this software product proves defective
within that time period, Psygnosis will repair or replace the software
product or refund your purchase price at our option.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES AND NO OTHER
REPRESENTATIONS OR CLAIMS OF ANY NATURE SHALL BE BINDING ON OR OBLIGATE
PSYGNOSIS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THIS
WRITTEN WARRANTY. PSYGNOSIS SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR THE
INABILITY TO USE ANY OF OUR SOFTWARE PRODUCTS.
Some states do not allow the exclusion of special, incidental or
consequential damages or the limitation on duration of implied
warranties so the above exclusion and limitation may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have
other rights which vary from state to state.
EPILEPSY WARNING
PLEASE READ BEFORE USING ANY VIDEO GAME OR ALLOWING YOUR CHILDREN TO USE
IT
A very small percentage of individuals may experience epileptic seizures
when exposed to certain light patterns or flashing lights. Exposure to
certain patterns or backgrounds on a television screen or while playing
video games may induce an epileptic seizure in these individuals.
Certain conditions may induce undetected epileptic seizures or epilepsy.
If you, or anyone in your family, has an epileptic condition, consult
your physician prior to playing. If you experience any of the following
symptoms while playing a video game - dizziness, altered vision, eye or
muscle twitches, loss of awareness, disorientation, any involuntary
movement or convulsions IMMEDIATELY discontinue use and consult your
physician before resuming play.
Copyright
Here at Psygnosis we are dedicated to bringing you the best in computer
entertainment. Every game we publish represents months of hard work
dedicated to raising the standard of the games you play. Please respect
our endeavours and remember that copying software reduces the investment
available for producing new and original games; it is also a criminal
offence.
This software product, including all screen images, concepts, audio
effects, musical material and program code is marketed by Psygnosis Ltd
who own all rights therein including copyrights. Such marketing of this
product gives only the lawful possessor at any time the right to use
this program limited to being read from its medium as marketed into the
memory of, and expected by, the computer system to which this product is
specifically adapted. Any other use or continuation of use including
copying, duplicating, selling, hiring, renting, lending or otherwise
distributing, transmitting or transferring this product in
contravention of these conditions is in breach of Psygnosis Ltd�s rights
unless specifically authorised in writing by Psygnosis Ltd.
The product PYROTECHNICA, its program code, manual and all associated
product materials are the copyright of Psygnosis Ltd who reserve all
rights therein. These documents, program code and other items may not
in whole or part be copied, reproduced, hired, rented, lent or
transmitted in any way nor translated or reduced to any electronic
medium or machine-readable form without prior consent in writing from
Psygnosis Ltd. Psygnosis and associated logos are registered
trademarks of Psygnosis Ltd.
PYROTECHNICA cover illustration is Copyright � 1995 Psygnosis Ltd.
Psygnosis Ltd, South Harrington Building, Sefton Street, Liverpool L3
4BQ Tel: 0151 282 - 3000
Psygnosis Ltd (US Office), 675 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
USA Tel 617 497 7794
