Cosmic Cruiser
--------------

A rading party from the Rallom Empire has taken over one of Earth's far
flung space stations.

The only Earth craft in the vicinity is an out dated Cosmic Cruiser... and
you are the pilot.

A priority signal sends you on what could turn out to be a suicidal mission.
You have been ordered to save the space station crew at all costs. As you
hurtle toward your destiny, a daring plan forms in your mind. The only chance
you have is to use your exterior laser cannon to blast open the station
portals, then by making use of your body propulsion unit you will have to
pluck the crewmen from the station and transport them back to your Cruiser.
Your plan requires split-second timing and nerves of steel. As you transport
your ward back to the Cruiser you must make snap decisions, if you use your
hand laser the blast will blow the crewmen into space, can you get back to
your laser cannon in time to blast the Rallom fighters or will you have to
secure the rescued crewmen to a nearby satellite to allow you to move more
quickly.

You see the space station in the distance, the adrenalin pumps through your
body... will you succeed.


AIM OF THE GAME

By using your external mounted laser cannon you must blast away the portals
of the revolving space station to gain access to your imprisoned buddies,
but beware, not all the portals contain imprisoned crewmen, some are manned
by Rallom warriors.

Sometime after your rescue mission commences added dangers in the form of
Rallom Fighters arrive to bomb you with alarming accuracy; this hostile
action makes your task infinitely more dangerous and difficult.


Start of the Game:

You may select which method of control you prefer to use, either Joystick
or keyboard. Once your selection has been made the game will begin.


Game Begins:

Your first priority is to get to your laser cannon, mounted on top of the
right hand side of the cruiser. As you pass over the cannon you will lock-on
to the gun automatically, using your 'left' and 'right' controls you can
guide the direction of your cannon.

To rescue the crewmen you must blast away the portals on the revolving outer
rim of the space station.

Once a portal has been opened you may enter the space station through it to
see if there is an imprisoned crewman within. You will have to kill all the
alien warriors inside before you can get out again.

Now that you have a crewman you must transport him to the open hatch on the
top left hand side of your battle cruiser. Be careful to avoid touching one
of the floating satellites as the crewmen will be knocked away from you.

The alien warriors who were guarding the crewman being to come after you in
an attempt to kill you and re-capture the crewman.

You must destroy the alien warriors by using either your hand gun or the
laser cannon. If you fire your hand gun while carrying a crewman he will
float away from you and become very vulnerable to marauding aliens.


Play Notes

THE SPACEMAN
Can move in any direction on the screen by using the keyboard or joystick.
He carries with him a laser pistol at all times.

CREWMAN
They can be collected from open hatchways. As you pass over him he will
automatically attach himself to you. If he drifts away because you have
bumped into a satellite or have fired your hand gun, he can be retrieved
by going after him and bumping into him again.

ALIEN WARRIORS
Emerge from hatchways in the space station, once out they immediately head
for the hero and crewman, if they make contact with either they will
transport them back to the space station. If the hero is taken back you lose
a life. The alien can be destroyed by either your hand laser or the laser
cannon.


STEVE LAVACHE

Steve was born in Liverpool in 1962. He attended St. Ambrose Barlow School
in the West Derby area of the city, after leaving he went on to Riversdale
Technical college to complete a three year course in electronics and
telecommunications.

During his time at college Steve became fanatical about computers, so much
so that half way through the course he 'blew' his entire grant on an Acorn
Atom Kit; on which, as soon as he had it assembled he started writing his
own programmes. After leaving college he joined B.E.C. Computer World as
their general factotum. After six months he went on to Liverpool Computer
Centre as service engineer, and it was during the year he spent there that
he expanded his knowledge of computers and computer technology considerably.

It was during his time at Liverpool Computer Centre that an emerging young
company called Imagine Software began to have dealings with the Centre. It
was not long before Imagine's two young partners, David Lawson and Mark
Butler suggested that Steve might like to join the company; an offer he
accepted with alacrity.

Steve was soon enrolled as Imagine's Hardware Engineer, and as the company
expanded he became Chief Engineer, a position he still holds, in addition
to being heavily involved in many programming activities.

Any spare time he has is spent decorating his new house with his fiance
Diane.

Cosmic Cruiser for the Spectrum is his first major programming project with
Imagine.


COMPANY PROFILE:

Imagine have brought together the most exciting team of programmers, artists,
musicians and technicians on the third floor of 'Tithebarn House' in the
heart of Liverpool.

It is within this complex that Imagine are constantly pioneering new
frontiers in computer software. From the initial conception to the final
creation Imagine's products pass through the hands and minds of the most
dynamic young innovators in the industry.

A stones throw away from 'Tithebarn House' is Sir Thomas Street, where you
will find the other half of Imagine. 'Imagine House' which houses our
friendly and helpful sales department, the equally friendly accounts
department, as well as our marketing and market research people.

'Tithbarn House' is dedicated to providing you with the most exciting
software ever produced, and 'Imagine House' is dedicated to ensuring you
recieve our products as quickly and efficiently as possible.

D. H. Lawson. Chairman.
Thank you for buying our product.

Imagine Software Limited, Sir Thomas Street, Liverpool, Merseyside
Made in England
COSMIC CRUISER (C) 1984 by Creative Technology Group Ltd.
COSMIC CRUISER is a registered trademark of Creative Technology Group Ltd.

(Transcribed by Robin Stuart)