OK, a bunch of stuff here.
First, I have a suggestion to help organize the start of a combat a bit. When a fleet jumps into a system, the defending fleet that is already there (if any) has a combat initiative. They get to make the first move. The arriving fleet can only declare where they're coming in and maybe something basic like immediately launch fighters. You can come in at long range (beyond torpedo range, fleets can't fire for a bit), medium range (about the extent of Missile range, fleets can start trading punches), or right in the middle of the enemy fleet (mass confusion). The whole fleet must pick one area and go there, you can't split things up. Pirates can't send Buster cannon ships into the middle to fire and pull the rest out of range, for example. This sound fair to everyone? Should help get fights started in a semi-orderly fashion.
Next, tenative prices for Pirate ships. These will stand unless my memories of pirate weapons are off. I still want the weapon data.
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Valkyrie: 35,000,000
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Halberd: 32,000,000
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Peregrine: 30,000,000
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Drake: 25,000,000
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Corvette: 2,000,000
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Gunstar: 2,000,000
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Starscreamer: 1,800,000
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Lancer: 1,000,000
Asriel, if you have a problem with any of that, e-mail me and we'll discuss it.
Lastly:
Quote
Human Confederation News Network
Special Report
In a surprise move today, HC President Macavenger, his government under fire by critics for stagnating technologically, has unveiled a new line of HC ships. These are expected to turn the balance of the coming war in favor of the Confederation.
The Confederation has introduced two new weapons, the Particle Beam and Turret, and the all new HALO (Homing Area Light Ordinance) Missile system. The Particle Beam is an old weapon originally developed by the old Confederation. The latest technological innovations have decreased it's power slightly, but reduced the fuel costs to negligible levels. "The HC has been lacking in beam weaponry for some time now, but development of the Particle Beam continued," Macavenger said. "We think we've finally hammered it into a workable weapon militarily. Having beam technology on our frontline ships again will eliminate one of the Aliens' biggest advantages over us."
HALO Rockets, he said, "Are a new type of anti-fighter weapon. We've taken a cue from the effectiveness of the Alien Destroyer, which inflicted massive casualties on our fighters in the Battle of Levo. HALO Missiles are like longer range, guided Pod Rockets designed for area damage, much like the Alien Detonator Canisters."
A new, reworked line of ships was also released to utilize these new weapons. The most significant changes are to the fighter force. The HC now has 4 types of fighters: Stingray, Swordfish, Skate and Devil Ray. "The Devil Ray in particular fills a niche that was empty in a fighter fleet," the president noted. "Before, we didn't have a heavy bomber. The Devil Ray should fill that role nicely."
Asked about the formerly ubiquitous Manta, Macavenger responded, "The Manta is a classic design, but has become obsolescent. It's just too old to be pushed far enough to keep up with modern designs now. We still have a bit of a soft spot for the Manta, and the design is still on file, so if a use can be found for it, the Manta may yet return to the HC fleets. But for now, we're taking function over nostalgia."
Other notable additions include the Skyblade Frigate, a picket ship named in honor of former HC President Captain Skyblade. The Republic-Class Carrier has also had its fighter bays expanded so it can now carry an incredible 1,200 fighters, a full 100 squadrons. The HC government has posted a page on it's website detailing the new designs here. As yet, there are no images of the Skyblade Frigate, but the military says it hopes to provide some within a week.
- HCNN
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Skyblade, if you get a chance, Could you darken the Devil Ray, Cruiser, and Destroyer pics a bit, to match the others? Also, I'd like a new version of the Turreted Missile Launcher with the Missile matchinng the non-turreted version, if possible, since I'd like to do a similar weapons page. Thanks.
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- Macavenger | e-mail: (url="http://"mailto:e-gamerguy1@home.com")mailto:e-gamerguy1@home.com(/url)e-gamerguy1@home.com
Both the Dreden and the Aliens can incinerate us if we go into Sentaurus. We'll just stay here and make the HC fight a two-front war. 
