I have released the Privateer version of Vega Strike... this means an RPG style environment where players can dock, trade, save, fly missions, and generally do their own thing in a gigantic universe reminiscent of that which you love :-)

You can buy a jump drive, fly around, and hopefully make your fortune! Beware the factions around you that can tend to love or hate you based on your actions... and don't wiggle while they contraband search you...they ask you to maintain speed and course for a REASON. My favorite ship has to be the Longhaul which should remind everyone of a lovely large cargo ship from their past... Maybe if you earn enough credits you, too, can enjoy it also...

This release contains a number of other significant improvements including an autoupdating utility that will allow you to get the latest release (or even experimental versions) with the click of a button. You will be spared having to download megabytes after the release as the updates will come in incrementally in small .diff files, and will be patched automatically into your data. Even if you corrupt the data files they can be restored to factory settings. I also have included an installer/uninstaller and the latest OpenAL version from Creative that should fix any audio problems with WindowsXP! (Thank you Kinnear!)

A pretty GTK save interface will let the players enjoy multiple save games and easy access to splitscreen multiplayer missions (in the multiplayer folder). A comprehensive tutorial leads you through making a few credits in detail, and leaves you fit with afterburners to explore the rest of the system, and eventually (with the purchase of a jump drive) the entire galaxy!

Tell me your comments! I really hope you enjoy this release...it's been a major improvement and I urge you to try out as much stuff as you can, and e-mail me with any suggestions or questions!

HTL continues with "Wins And Losses", as the battle in the Loki system rages on. As you saw in the last chapter, the TCS Valley Forge had gone down fighting, and taken an enemy dreadnaught with her. In the meantime, the light carrier TCS Endeavour confronts an enemy super-carrier. This chapter is written by Shaun "Iceman" Rashid, so please send any and all comments to him at velacia@rogers.com.