Federation Commander

[Jean]

Nexus #12 Is Released in PDF

"Go out there and take a look, Brian. If it's a Klingon, kill it; if it's natural, study it; if it's dangerous, cut and run back here."

It is 1985 and Nexus #12 has just been released. This issue focused on the Star Fleet Universe, Starfire, and History of the Second World War.

The Star Fleet Universe section starts with information about the company. It progresses on to an article on Hydran ship names. There is a page of Term Papers and two pages of The Academy. The fiction is "A Warrior's Death" featuring the Klingons and the Federation. There are two scenarios that follow the setup from the fiction. An early version of the Federation & Empire campaign map is the "centerfold" of the issue. The SFB Cadet Training Module is introduced. Finally, there was also the inevitable (at the time) collection of addenda.

Starfire has a good number of articles. There are articles on the Protectorate of Rigel, including their military services and a timeline.

There are errata for part 2 of History of the Second World War and a play aid. Also included are alternative German invasion plans.

Battlewagon has errata and gains information on battleships and battlecruisers.

This PDF is provided by Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc. with the kind permission of Allen D. Eldridge. It includes ads and offers from 1985; these are no longer valid.

Get your copy from these vendors:

Warehouse 23: http://www.warehouse23.com/products/ADBNM12

DriveThru RPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/283665/

Wargame Vault: https://www.wargamevault.com/product/283665/
_________________
Business Manager/RPG Line Editor
Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc.

[Jean]

Nexus #13 Is Released in PDF

"We are all good soldiers. But this war has gone on too long, and the Empire is consuming itself in the fire. What new Empire will rise from the ashes we have yet to see." -- Marine Major Ardak Kumerian

It is 1985 and Nexus #13 (the Holiday Issue) has just been released. This issue focused on the Star Fleet Universe, Starfire, Battlewagon, and History of the Second World War.

The Star Fleet Universe section starts with information about the company. It includes an article on Lyran ship names and clan symbols. There is a page of Term Papers and two pages of The Academy. The Lyran Democratic Republic is introduced. Two scenarios featuring the Lyrans and LDR are included as are two LDR ships. Finally, there was also the inevitable (at the time) collection of addenda.

Starfire has a good number of articles. There are articles on the Arachnid Hegemony, including their military services. Articles on high-gravity turns and an advisory article for New Empires players flesh out this section along with a story focusing on Eighteenth Fang Varnik'sheerino.

The game History of the Second World War gets an article on air power and on the war when it was merely a "European War." Also included are alternative German invasion plans for the invasion of France.

Battlewagon has four scenarios set in the Pacific.

This PDF is provided by Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc. with the kind permission of Allen D. Eldridge. It includes ads and offers from 1985; these are no longer valid.

Get your copy from these vendors:

Warehouse 23: http://www.warehouse23.com/products/ADBNM13
DriveThru RPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/300878/
Wargame Vault: https://www.wargamevault.com/product/300878/
_________________
Business Manager/RPG Line Editor
Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc.

[Jean]

Nexus #14 Is Released in PDF

Pirates! The Scourge of the Galaxy!

It is 1985 and Nexus #14 has just been released. This issue focused on the Star Fleet Universe, Starfire, and History of the Second World War. Battlewagon, Musketeers, East Wind Rain, and 4th Reich also have materials included. And "Arrgghhhh! Here there be pirates!" is a thread running through the issue.

Starfire has an article on what is euphemistically called "commerce raiding." Added to that is an article so players can be pirates. Then there is a story and a set of scenarios involving the Tangri. Finally there is a short campaign for novice players in the New Empires setting.

The game History of the Second World War gets an article on Switzerland during World War II. Following that is the background and a scenario for Battlewagon: Convoy PQ-17, the Convoy that Died. This was written by David Weber.

Musketeers adds rules and scenarios to allow players to encounter pirates. The scenarios include a surprise boarding of a vessel anchored in a lagoon in the West Indies, a prepared vessel against a boarding party, and another of a mutiny situation. "Storm in the Pacific" includes variant rules and scenarios for East Wind Rain. 4th Reich gains some variant scenarios.

The Star Fleet Universe section starts with information about the company. It includes an Academy article based on the Orion Pirates. A page and a quarter of Term Papers also is included. There's a short article on tactics for frigate squadrons. The shipyard report focuses on Orion ships and has a map of the cartels' areas of operation. There is information on advanced drones. Finally, there was also the inevitable (at the time) collection of addenda.

This PDF is provided by Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc. with the kind permission of Allen D. Eldridge. It includes ads and offers from 1985; these are no longer valid.

Get your copy from these vendors:

Warehouse 23: http://www.warehouse23.com/products/ADBNM14
DriveThru RPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/305191/
Wargame Vault: https://www.wargamevault.com/product/305191/
_________________
Business Manager/RPG Line Editor
Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc.

[Jean]

Nexus #15 Is Released in PDF

For years, through hijackings and kidnappings and savage massacres, the West has been helpless before this bloody foe: the international terrorist. Until now. Now America has Delta Force.

It is 1986 and Nexus #15 has just been released. This issue focused on the Star Fleet Universe, Starfire, and Delta Force. Battlewagon, Duel for Kharkov, Counterstroke in France, East Wind Rain, and 4th Reich also have materials included.

Starfire has a Q&A section for players in the New Empires setting as well as an article on creating a hit-and-run group in that setting. Adding complexity to the New Empires setting are optional rules for planets and moons.

In the historical section, East Wind Rain has an article about its design concepts. Duel for Kharkov gains a new scenario based on the Soviet summer offensive in 1942. An article on Counterstroke in France presents variants for people playing that game. Battlewagon gains another scenario, this one for the Battle of Komandorski Islands in March, 1943. In a category by itself, 4th Reich adds rules so three people can play.

Delta Force is the new game being introduced by Task Force Games. It gains new weapons and equipment. It also gets a new scenario set in Canada.

The Star Fleet Universe section starts with information about the company. It includes a significant article on painting Tholian ships along with Tholian fleet emblems. The shipyard report focuses on Tholian ships. Federation & Empire is introduced. The two-page Academy article is based on Tholian webs and web casters. A page of Term Papers also is included. Rules for energy balance due to damage were introduced. Finally, there was also the inevitable (at the time) collection of addenda.

This PDF is provided by Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc. with the kind permission of Allen D. Eldridge. It includes ads and offers from 1986; these are no longer valid.

Get your copy from these vendors:

Warehouse 23: http://www.warehouse23.com/products/ADBNM15
DriveThru RPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/306816/
Wargame Vault: https://www.wargamevault.com/product/306816/
_________________
Business Manager/RPG Line Editor
Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc.

[Jean]

Nexus #16 Is Released in PDF

"We're here to look for pirates and Romulans and Gorns and anyone else who happens to show up! Our job is to stop them before they can get within detection range of you. Failing that, we have to destroy them before they can report back."

It is 1987 and Nexus #16 has just been released. This issue focused on the Star Fleet Universe, Starfire, and Delta Force. History of the Second World War, Battlewagon, East Wind Rain, Viceroys!, and Godsfire also have materials included.

Starfire starts with a Q&A section. There is an article for New Empires players that focuses on the Barbarian Wars scenario. "Claw Raffaen's Fear" by Robert Armstrong is a story and scenario in the New Empires setting.

In the historical section, History of the Second World War has orders of battle to add the Soviet Air Force and the German Luftwaffe to the game. Battlewagon adds information about the Soviet Navy. East Wind Rain has some guidelines for players as does Viceroys!.

In a category by itself, Godsfire has an overview with some strategies.

Delta Force has a whole section dedicated to it. The RPG-7 rocket launcher is added to the arsenal. An article to help players understand how terrorists and terrorism works is included. An article suggests that a new statistic of Recent Experience be added to characters as they continue on from mission to mission. Finally, there is a S.W.A.T. style scenario.

The Star Fleet Universe section starts with information about the company. The two-page Academy article is based on the Inter-Stellar Concordium. A page of Term Papers also is included. The short story "First and Future Shock" by Josh W. Spencer focuses on an encounter between the ISC and the Romulans and there is an accompanying scenario. The Shipyard Report is on ISC ships. Federation & Empire gets a scenario for the Hydran Expedition. Finally, there is also the inevitable (at the time) collection of addenda.

This PDF is provided by Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc. with the kind permission of Allen D. Eldridge. It includes ads and offers from 1987; these are no longer valid.

Get your copy from these vendors:

Warehouse 23: http://www.warehouse23.com/products/ADBNM16
DriveThru RPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/308538/
Wargame Vault: https://www.wargamevault.com/product/308538/
_________________
Business Manager/RPG Line Editor
Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc.

[Jean]

Nexus #17 Is Released in PDF

The position given for the disabled ships was off their assigned patrol route. Too far off. The possibility of a trap occurred to him, but he could not afford to ignore the message. His Commander's Oath demanded that he investigate.

It is 1987 and Nexus #17 has just been released. This issue focused on the Star Fleet Universe, Starfire, and Delta Force. Viceroys!, East Wind Rain, and Gazala, the Clash of Armor also have materials included.

Starfire starts with a Q&A section. There is an article for New Empires players that focuses on the large fleet battles and another that examines industrial economic levels. Then there is a pirate campaign against Khanate shipping and forces.

In the historical section, Viceroys! has an article on a different strategy and a scenario. East Wind Rain has a campaign. Gazala gains a scenario (or two scenarios if you consider the alternative victory condition presented).

Delta Force has a whole section dedicated to it. More weapons, munitions, and equipment are added to the arsenal. There is a hostage-rescue scenario.

The Star Fleet Universe section starts with information about the company. Stacy Brian Bartley has an article on how to kitbash a WYN fleet and a painting guide for that fleet. The Shipyard Report is also on WYN ships. There is advice from Uncle Ardak about drones. The two-page Academy article is a discussion of tactics in various situations. A page of Term Papers also is included along with guidelines for submitting them and information about how they are selected. The short story "Brothers" by Mark J. Kicmol focuses on an encounter between Lyrans and Hydrans and there is an accompanying scenario. There is also an article examining how ships take damage. Federation & Empire gets a scenario for the Second Federation-Kzinti War. Tactical Notes make their appearance as well.

This PDF is provided by Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc. with the kind permission of Allen D. Eldridge. It includes ads and offers from 1987; these are no longer valid.

Get your copy from these vendors:

Warehouse 23: http://www.warehouse23.com/products/ADBNM17
DriveThru RPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/329490/
Wargame Vault: https://www.wargamevault.com/product/329490/
_________________
Business Manager/RPG Line Editor
Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc.

[Jean]

Nexus #18 Is Released in PDF

You have probably noticed by now that the title of this column has changed from "Opening Lines" to "Closing Lines." The reason is that this is the final issue of Nexus magazine.

It is 1987 and the final issue of Nexus, Nexus #18, has just been released. This issue focused on the Star Fleet Universe, Starfire, and Delta Force. Musketeers, Crime Fighter, Battlewagon, and Viceroys! also have materials included.

Starfire starts with a Q&A section. There are two pieces of fiction with accompanying scenarios. There is an article on spicing up the systems that are encountered. Finally, there is an introduction to Terra Fire, which expands the ground combat rules in New Empires.

Delta Force has an extensive article with information on fleshing out a character's background, including military operations and medals and commendations from the United States and various other countries.

Musketeers has an article about transferring the game setting to Japan. Crime Fighter, a role-playing game based on action/drama TV police shows, is introduced and gains two scenarios. Battlewagon has a scenario based on the Battle of Tassafaronga. Viceroys! has optional rules for commodities, random events, and other special situations.

The Star Fleet Universe section starts with information about the company. Readers are reminded that Captain's Log #6 is the next one to be published. The one-page Academy article is a discussion of tactics in various situations. A page of Term Papers also is included; notably, Cadet Steven Petrick has his first term paper published. There is advice from Uncle Ardak about complex tactical situations. Federation & Empire gets missions that can be undertaken along with Tactical Notes for the game. The highlight of the section is the introduction of first-generation X-ships with rules, descriptions, and a master ship chart.

This PDF is provided by Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc. with the kind permission of Allen D. Eldridge. It includes ads and offers from 1987; these are no longer valid.

Get your copy from these vendors:

Warehouse 23: http://www.warehouse23.com/products/ADBNM18
DriveThru RPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/332340/
Wargame Vault: https://www.wargamevault.com/product/332340/
_________________
Business Manager/RPG Line Editor
Amarillo Design Bureau, Inc.