RED ALERT - The second game in the "ZIKOV TRILOGY" (Zenobi Software) Spectrum 48K/128K+2 It all started when the Hodgkins' Manor was destroyed ... A minor accident caused by a severe bout of hay-fever and a rather hearty sneeze from old Basil ... This rather inconvenient incident meant that they had to move ...... Matilda Hodgkins was not amused. "We need a new home," she demanded. "And I expect YOU to acquire it". "Me?" cried Basil perplexedly, "Why me?" ...... "Because I said so!" hollered Matilda, "and I expect your co-operation on every occasion ... understand?" For a moment Basil cast the thought around in his mind and then reluctantly replied, "Yes dear." Some moments passed and then Matilda looked up and said "I have performed a perscrutation of the "DAILY EXPATIATOR" and have thus perceived a perspicuous plan." "Good grief!" he exclaimed, "have you been at the 'P' section of that dictionary again woman!" Matilda glared at him and exclaimed "Indeed I have not! I will have you know I am a very well educated woman and well versed in the use of such words". "Huuuhh!" sibilated Basil, "I will believe that when I hear it. However, in the meantime why not explain your plan to me." With a gleam of devilish excitement in her eyes, Matilda began her tale ... "What we shall do is to construct a missile on your secret island and then prime it for take-off, before demanding a kingly ransom ......" So it was that the "plan" was hatched and the fate of the world held to ransom, but all was not lost because in a small office not too far away another "plan" was being talked about ... one that would thwart the evil schemes of Matilda. "Hawkins is the name," said the suave fellow as he rose to his feet. "My job is to tell you about the Hodgkins' latest scam and their plan to extort a new house from the likes of you and me." After recounting the tale of Matilda and her missile he looked up and said "So it is fairly simple; all you have to do is de-fuse the missile!" "Why not give in to their demands?" was the obvious retort, but Hawkins had the answer ready to that ... "Simple, they demand a new house - one with a swimming pool, and whilst we are perfectly willing to supply the house we draw the line at such extravagant demands as a swimming pool. After all, you have to consider inflation and the effect such an item would have on the economy." He then leaned against the window, which shot open, and he fell out, swearing under his breath as he went ... Looks like it is all up to YOU now! NOTES This gam is in TWO parts and it will be necessary to save your position at the end of PART ONE and load it into PART TWO in order to continue the game. Throughout the game you will encounter many strange and fascinating characters ... Each will serve a purpose ... It is up to you to discover what. To obtain their assistance it may be necessary to either: a) Help them; b) Give them something; c) Simply talk to them. Please note that at times it is necessary to be specific ... LOOK IN BIN, or TAKE ALL EXCEPT THE RUCKSACK. It is also possible to get certain characters to either STAY in one location or to FOLLOW some other character. You yourself can FOLLOW some characters; simply use the command FOLLOW (name of character) provided the character is in your present locale. Use RS and RL to save/load to RAM and TS and TL to save/load to TAPE.