Using Solel's mentioned mission bit clearing method is a pretty straight-forward ResEdit fix. You'll need to get the ResEdit templates from the Add-On files section on this site to being working with the EV Data files. They're just a resource that you need to copy either into the data file you're working with or the ResEdit preferences file in your system folder.
Anyways, Operational Instructions:
1 - Open the file labled "EV Data" in ResEdit.
2 - open up the resource group labeled "mďsn"
3 - Locate Mission 171 (Transport Confed Documents)
4 - Locate the field "AvailBitSet" and replace the default value (1044) with -1
5 - Locate the field "AvailBitClr" and replace the default value (43) with -1
6 -Save it.
7 - Fire up EV and head for Confed Space. It'll be available at any confederate planet with a bar.
All this fix does is disable the missions auto-mission-bit checks allowing you to start the Confederate String regardless of your Rebel Status.
And for kicks, here's the Rebel de-bitting operation (Just in case you've run through the Confed string)
1 - Follow steps One and Two of the Confed De-Bitting operation
2 - Locate Mission 172 (Transport Rebel Parcels)
3 - Locate the field "AvailBitSet" and replace the default value (1043) with -1
4 - Locate the field "AvailBitClr" and replace the default value (44) with -1
5 - Save it.
6 - Fire up EV and head for Rebel Space. It'll be available at any rebel planet with a bar.
Edit: In response to your being in a Rebel Cruiser, Yes that will most likely be a problem. The Rebel military ships all have a government bit that indicates that they are in fact Rebel ships. Confederates don't like that much and regardless of your standing with them, will attack just about any Rebel ship they see. Firing on them at all will immediately drop your legal status with the confederation to the point where you won't be able to obtain any of their missions. Your best bet is to head for Yemuro in the Kathoon system and pick yourself up a nice new Kestrel. Run through the confed string with that and you'll be fine. If you ever need a better legal status with the confederation, try picking up a few decently sized freighter escorts (Light freighters work well) and you'll be attacked by pirate fighters virtually everywhere you go. Blast them for a legal-status boost in most systems.
-AJ
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0-60 3.0s...1320ft/9.2s...Head Gasket Bursts...
(This message has been edited by AJ (edited 07-03-2003).)