Produced by Jack Whitham.
The Story - Instructions For New Players - About The Game

### The Story

It is 1895 and you are a member of the British Space Expedition. You receive the following letter from your long-time friend and leader, Sir Phileas T. Verne.

> The First of October, 1895

> My dear friend,

> As you know, today we celebrate the opening of our first colony on the new world of Vaporia, some 20,000 light-years from England. Our colony is truly the most advanced structure that Science can create - a city on an alien world, entirely powered by steam from the planet's core. It has taken us five long years to get here by rocket-ship, and like the great Explorers before us, we shall make this foreign land our home: a new outpost of the Empire!

> As my most trusted lieutenant, I leave you in sole charge of the new city, while I begin exploration of Vaporia. There is much to be done:- you must expand the city, but before you can do that, you'll have to secure better supplies of steam.

> I wish you the best of luck, but must warn you that we may not be alone on Vaporia! I have detected evidence of civilisation here, so you may need to defend yourself. But I have faith in your abilities, my friend!

> The steam must flow,

> Yours,

> (signature) Phileas T. Verne

Figure 1. Main menu screen, showing the letter from Captain Verne.