General key assignment

F1-F4  $070Switches between the various vehicles
F5  $070Headquarters
F7  $070Log book
F8  $070Tactical map
F9  $070Databank
F10  $070Online help
P  $070Pause
ALT-R  $070Level re-start
ALT-X  $070End game

On the numeric keypad
7  $070Change the horizontal resolution of
$070the 3D Graphic (320\160)
8  $070Change the vertical resolution (400\200)
9  $070Switch colour dispersion on the horizon on and off.
4  $070Music quieter
5  $070Music louder
6  $070Switch music on and off
1  $070SoundFX quieter
2  $070SoundFX louder
3  $070Switch SoundFX on and off
@  $070Increase Mouse sensitivity
-  $070Reduce Mouse sensitivity

Additional key assignments in the cockpit
1-6  $070Speed settings
7-0  $070As key 6 (Full thrust)
A  $070Accelerate
Z  $070Brake
F6  $070Switch between cockpit and external view.
T  $070Activate Teleporter
L  $070Activate\deactivate docking mode
Q  $070Zoom-in on map (also in the tactical map)
W  $070Zoom-out on map (also in the tactical map)
I  $070Reduce time factor (also in the tactical map)
O  $070Increase time factor (also in the tactical map)
ENTER  $070Deactivate the auto-pilot
SPACE  $070Switch between the loading bays
M  $070Vertically mirrors the mouse control
SHIFT@D  $070Activate self-destruction
SHIFT@C  $070Empty the current loading bay
ESC  $070Return to previous screen

  As well as the keys 1 to 6, one can also change the
speed with key A (accelerate) and key Z (brake).
During the game one can switch from any screen to
another by pressing the function keys e.g.:  from the
map (F8) to the log book (F7), then further, into the
cockpit of the second vehicle (F2).  By pressing the
ESC key one returns to the previous screen.  If one
switches e.g. from the cockpit to headquarters HQ (F5),
pressing the ESC key switches back to that particular
cockpit.


The main window F5

  At headquarters the different vehicles can be built,
equipped, refuelled and sent into battle, options set
and game scores saved and loaded.  By clicking a menu
item with the left-hand mouse button one reaches the
corresponding screen.  With the right-hand mouse button
one returns to the previous screen.  At headquarters
the time is stopped.

Options

  Here you can adjust the screen resolution, switch the
music and sound effects on and off, change the loudness
resp.  Apart from this you can reach the screen for
saving and loading the game score from this menu.  As
well as saving the game score and the mouse
sensitivity, the programme also saves the highest level
reached.  By clicking \restart level 1-x\ previous
levels can be replayed or the current level restarted
with other degrees of difficulty.  This is especially
useful in higher levels since one can practice as
Lieutenant in order to play through as Major or Colonel
later and thereby reach the next level.

  Degree of difficulty:
-Lieutenant (symbol: square)
-Major (symbol: star)
-Colonel (symbol: 2 stars)
-General (symbol: 3 stars)

  Rank: Lieutenant, Major, Colonel, General
Number of opponents:
  80%, 90%, 100%, 100%
Opponent's armour:
  50%, 75%, 100%, 125%
Opponent's firing frequency:
  66%, 80%, 100%, 125%
Production performance of opponents factories:
  66%, 80%, 100%, 115%

  In order to reach the next level one must play at
least as Major in levels 5 to 9 and at least as Colonel
in levels 10 to 15.  The easier ranks can of course
still be chosen for training purposes but after
completing a level one does not however reach the next
one (a corresponding message is emitted at the final
evaluation).

Menu item: Music and SoundFX
  Alongside the loudness control a music menu is also
to be found in this menu.  A piece of music is added at
the end of each completed level.  At the final level
(15) one can choose between a total of 17 different
pieces of music.


Databank F9

  This screen offers information concerning objects to
be found in the current level.  In the databank, as
well as the objects one can also observe the
corresponding military Map symbols.


Hangar

  Four hangers stand at your disposal which can be
equipped with vehicles of your choice.  If you click
on an empty hanger with the left-hand mouse button
you will reach a menu in which you can select a
vehicle type.  This menu can be left at any time by
using the right-hand mouse button.  When you decide
on a particular type of vehicle a wire-frame model of
the vehicle appears in the corresponding hanger.  Two
display bars can be found underneath this model which
display the shield strength (left) as well as the
available energy (right).  Under these bars the
contents of the loading bays, which are empty at the
beginning, is displayed.  The start values for shield
strength and energy reserves each amount to 50% of
the maximum value for the corresponding vehicle.
Increasing these values is possible in the game via
power packs.  When a vehicle is in use outside the
hanger the corresponding wire-frame model will
rotate.  Clicking this will bring you directly into
the cockpit.  Clicking on a stationary wire-frame
model will bring you to the equipment screen.  If
another vehicle is blocking the lift the border will
flash blue.  It must be removed from the lift lock.


The equipment screen

  Here you can furnish your vehicle with diverse
weapons and other items of equipment, unload, repair
and refuel the vehicle.  On the right you will see
the list of possible equipment articles and the
current stock inventory.  Apart from this, the
maximum loading capacity for a loading bay of the
vehicle is displayed.  The current loading bay is
switched over by clicking the wire-frame model.  The
active loading bay is displayed lighter.  The last
two entries in the equipment list serve for
refuelling the shield and the energy reserves.  Power
packs taken on during a mission must be discharged at
headquarters and enriched before they can be used in
energy form.  When you have equipped your vehicle
according to your wishes, send it into battle with
LAUNCH.  A maximum three tank units are necessary to
increase energy up to 100%.  When energy lies below
49%, with the application of one tank unit it will be
increased to 50%.  Between 50 and 74, to 75% and
between 75 and 99, to 100%.


The log book F7

  Here, all messages are recorded in chronological
order.  The messages in the log book are more
detailed than the shorter versions in the HUD.  The
assignment and tactical instructions are issued here
at the beginning of every mission.  At every level
the number of enemies to be destroyed is given as a
percentage at the briefing.  This value includes
vehicles, buildings as well as artillery
emplacements.  Enemies, by whose destruction no
points are given (visible in the databank [F9]) are
not counted.  Since enemy production installations
are present in some levels it could happen, that the
percentage given in the cockpit or in the tactical
maps is again reduced by the addition of new enemies.
You can scroll the list up and down with the mouse.
You can leave this log book and switch to the desired
screen by pressing one of the assigned function keys.


The tactical map F8

  By pressing the F8-key you will reach the tactical
map.  Here, all the movements of your own vehicles
and the enemy units are displayed.  Every unit is
given a tactical symbol (see also DATABASE F9).
Further, messages and the time are superimposed on
this screen.  When the mouse cursor is over the Map,
the co-ordinates of the quadrants are given above on
the right.  Outside the Map area the display is
transformed into a button with which the grid may be
switched on or off ( GRID ON \ GRID OFF).  A master
view of one's own vehicles can be found in the four
fields, above right.  This is identical to the list
at headquarters.  When the border of one of these
vehicles flashes red, it is being attacked by the
enemy.  By selecting the vehicle and clicking the
menu item COCKPIT, one arrives in the cockpit and can
actively intervene in the battle events.  The
vehicles can also be reached by way of the Hotkeys
F1-F4.  By selecting the menu item HQ (F5) one
arrives at headquarters.  The area clicked on with
the right-hand mouse button will be centred, this way
the Map can be shifted.  If one clicks on one of the
vehicle symbols, above right, with the right-hand
mouse button, the Map will be centred around this
vehicle.  If one clicks on one's own vehicle with the
left-hand mouse button on the Map, this will become
the active vehicle.  With ZOOM IN (Hotkey Q) or
ZOOM OUT (Hotkey W) the map can be zoomed in five
stages.


Waypoint navigation

  Every combat vehicle on a mission can be navigated
via waypoints.  For this, you must first click on the
desired vehicle in the master view, above right, or
the corresponding symbol on the map.  The active
vehicle will be characterised by a flashing symbol on
the map and in the master view by a light-green
border.  Waypoints for this vehicle can now be set on
the map by clicking on the target with the left-hand
mouse button.  A maximum of 128 waypoints may be set
for each vehicle.  With vehicles, unattainable
waypoints (mountains or areas outside the map) cause
the cursor to be transformed into a red cross.

  With DELETE WAYPOINT, waypoints on the map can be
removed.


Waypoint navigation for tanks

  With tanks, the danger exists that these can become
stuck in impassable terrain and are then very
difficult to rescue.  If the tank cannot be freed it
should be - as a last resort - blown up with the
self-destruct, key combination SHIFT @ D. Since the
tactical symbols are not true to scale, a greatest
possible safety distance should be kept when setting
the waypoints.

Waypoint navigation for gliders

  Gliders can fly over trackless or impassable terrain
(sea, lava etc.).  Apart from this, the turning circle
must be considered when setting the waypoints (Do not
set the waypoints too close together).  When it has
reached its target or when no further waypoints are
available, the glider will circle over the target area.



Controlling the vehicles

  Control takes place with the aid of the mouse, the
laser is fired with the left-hand mouse button.  The
right-hand mouse button serves to activate the
additional equipment in the current loading bay.
Weapons systems are fired, satellites ejected out
etc.  One can switch back and forth between the
loading bays with SPACE.  With the M key, the mouse
control can be vertically mirrored.  The speed is
regulated with the number keys 1-6.  The number keys
7-0 have the same effect as key 6.  Ground vehicles
posses a reverse gear (1), neutral (2) and four
forward gears (3-6).  In terrain, the speed is
reduced to a third with the same energy consumption.
With gliders, the thrust strength is adjusted with
the keys 1-6.  It is not possible to drive onto an
enemy lift with ground vehicles.  The vehicle will
bounce back in this case.  Pressing ENTER will switch
off the auto-pilot and delete existing waypoints.
SHIFT@D activates the self-destruct mechanism.  L
activates the docking mode.  Q and M zooms the map.
One reaches the external view by pressing the F6 key.
Keys I and O accelerate the lapse of time in the game
(also functions in the map).  If one has a ground
vehicle on a teleporter (green field) one can
activate this with the T key.  One then comes to the
map and chooses an enemy station.  By clicking on
this one is teleported to the desired site.  Shift@C
empties the contents of the loading bay which is
thereby lost.  Power packs and rescue capsules
contained in the vehicle are automatically discharged
on re-entry.


The cockpit

  Every type of vehicle possesses its own cockpit with
the following elements.

Map:  This offers a survey of the mission area.  Own
   units and buildings are displayed in green colours,
   the enemy displayed in red colours.  Articles of
   equipment are coloured blue.  This map can be zoomed
   with the keys Q and W.

HUD:  The HUD is subdivided (from top to bottom) into a
  compass which displays the current direction and
  those displays with the most important warnings and
  messages:

BASE UNDER ATTACK:  Own installations are under fire
from enemy units.
UNDER ATTACK:  The vehicle driven by you is being
attacked.
THE CURRENT ASSIGNMENT TIME:  Runs in the tactical map
and in the cockpit.  Displays the time since the
beginning of the mission.
THE MISSION STATUS:  Displays the percentage of enemies
destroyed and the degree of damage to one's own
installations.
ENERGY LOW and SHIELD LOW:  Shield strength or energy
reserves are running out.  If the energy reserves are
used up the tank will remain stationary and must be
destroyed with SHIFT@D. Gliders loose height and crash
to the ground.
LOCK:  A target-searching rocket has detected you.  You
should think of something quickly!
DOCKING:  You can activate the landing mode with the
key L.

  Landing with gliders occurs at low-level flight via
the entry corridor (landing lights).  To transfer into
the hanger, the speed must be set at stage 1.  If the
glider is situated above the hanger it will
automatically be docked in.  With ground vehicles, one
simply drives onto the lock, these are then also
automatically transported into the hanger when the
landing mode is activated.


The crosshairs

  This has a double function, on the one hand it serves
to aim at a target and on the other hand is used to
steer the vehicle.


General messages

  Important information concerning enemy movements etc.
scroll through the lower area of the HUD.
Additionally, all messages are recorded in the log book
in chronological order.


Status

  Displays the most important information concerning
speed, shield strength, energy reserves and the
contents of both loading bays.  The active loading bay
is displayed lighter and can be switched over with
SPACE.


General view

  Offers information about all vehicles.  The column
with values for the active vehicle is displayed
light-blue.  The shield and energy details are
percentage values.  When a vehicle is attacked the
Attack-warning lamp flashes red.  The auto-pilot lamp
can assume three different conditions.  Green signifies
a switched-off auto-pilot, yellow, an active auto-pilot
and red, a collision with an obstacle by active
auto-pilot.  The vehicles are given their hanger
number, i.e. if vehicle No. 2 is attacked, the warning
lamp in the second column is illuminated red.

  At any time, one can switch back and forth between
the cockpits with the Hotkeys F1-F4.
