The Totally Unofficial Strategy Guide and FAQ to

PRIVATEER 2:

THE DARKENING


Version: 1.4
Author: Chris Vanderpool
(afn55372@afn.org)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Introduction
2 Main Plot Guide
3 Side Plots
4 Wingmen (Laserfodder)
5 Equipment
6 Commodity Prices and Trading
7 Frequently Asked Questions
8 Afterword

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Preface

Welcome to version 1.4 of this guide. Out only a week after the U.S. release
of Privateer 2: The Darkening, this guide has answered many questions of
frustrated gamers. Section 2 is a walk through of the main plot as seen through
the eyes of Lev Arris. Section 3 details some of the side missions again
commented on from Lev's perspective. Lev's commentary continues in section 4
which details his opinions of several wingmen who are available for hire.
The equipment you can purchase in the game is detailed in section 5. Section
6 gives some hints on trade routes and estimated prices for commodities on
the eight major planets of the Tri-System. Section 7 contains Frequently
Asked Questions and even some answers. Finally, section 8 tells you where
else you can get this guide and where to send e-mail if you have questions
about this guide or have a question for the FAQ.

1.2 Spoiler Warning

This guide contains spoilers about the missions, characters and the plot of
Privateer 2: The Darkening.

1.3 Disclaimer

The aim of this document is to inform the public about Privateer 2: The
Darkening by Origin and increase their enjoyment of the game. It is purely
for informational purposes and neither Origin nor the author of the document
(Christopher Vanderpool) accept any responsibility for any harm or damage
caused to anyone or anything as a result of the contents of this document.
This guide is neither authorized nor endorsed by Origin Systems, Inc.

1.4 Trademark Information

ORIGIN, Wing Commander, We Create Worlds, Privateer and Privateer 2: The
Darkening are registered trademarks of ORIGIN Systems, Inc. ORIGIN is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Electronic Arts. All specific names included
herein are trademarks and are so acknowledged; any content derived from the
game is still protected by Origin's copyright. Any trademarks not mentioned
here are still acknowledged.

1.5 Copyright

This article is copyright 1997, Christopher Vanderpool. All rights reserved.

[WHEW, don't you just love legalese.]


2 MAIN PLOT GUIDE

2.1 Joe the Bartender, Hermes
The first thing I did was talk to Joe the Bartender at the Sinner's Inn. He
seemed to know a lot about the underside of the Tri-System and he recommended
I check the information booth if I needed a ship. After buying a Straith and
a pair of Stream Lasers, I decided to visit the hospital from which I was
abducted.

2.2 Crius
As I landed on Crius, I remembered Dr. Frevel talking about a Dr. Loomis.
Maybe he can help me. I went to the hospital and talked to the receptionist
who directed me to Dr. Loomis. At first, he wasn't very helpful and appeared
scared so I tried backing off. This worked and he told me of the veiled
threats he had received. He said the my cryopod was at least 10 years old
but unfortunately he didn't know where it was now. I left the hospital
determined to continue my search and maybe pick up a few credits.

2.3 E-mail from Doctor Loomis
After about five missions, I got an e-mail from Dr. Loomis telling me the ID
number of the Canera (M835_235M) and suggesting I look it up in the public
records.

2.4 Check out cargo ship Canera in Public Records
Thanks to the ship ID number provided by Loomis I was able to find out several
things. One of the victims of the crash of the Canera was Larn Regis, a media
tycoon. More importantly, I found out that the ship was salvaged by Hal
Taffin who lives on Crius. Guess who's going to get a visit from Lev Arris?

2.5 Hal Taffin, Crius
I went to see Taffin. He didn't want to talk so I had to get physical with
him. Can you believe he pulled a gun on me? I had no choice (well actually I
did but who's going to back down to punk like this), I pulled my blaster and
he folded like a cheap spandex suit. Apparently, he sold the pod I was found
in to Angus Santana. Santana is VP of Interplanetary Aid which is located on
Anhur.

2.6 Angus Santana, Anhur
When I met Santana, he thought I was with Taffin Reclamation. I didn't lie to
him and he told me the serial number of the pod (D285_067N). I checked the
public records and found it was built by Shernikov Medical Equipment of Crius.

2.7 Shernikov, Crius
The only person at Shernikov was the receptionist who said she couldn't give
out private info. I told her I would wait. After a few moments, she relented
(not many can resist my smile) and told me that the pod was purchase 20 years
ago by Jan Mitorr of Janus IV.

2.8 Jan Mitorr, Janus IV
I thought I was going to get some answers but all I got was more questions.
Mitorr wouldn't let me in to his home so I used my blaster to open the door.
Jan was pretty incoherent but mentioned something about my father and Kappa
Labs before the old coot died of a heart attack (or maybe it was a stroke, who
can tell). All I knew was that my only clue to my identity was halfway across
the Tri-System.

2.9 Kappa Labs, Nav 139
The trip to Kappa Labs seemed to take forever. When I finally got there, the
space station didn't respond to my comm hails so I just flew in. I found out
why no one responded when I landed. The place looked like it had been the
center of a warzone. Everyone was dead and it seemed like I had reached a
dead end in my search for my past.

2.10 E-mail from Hassan
As I was dejectedly flying away from Kappa Labs, I got an E-mail from Cmdr.
David Hassan of Military Intelligence (now there's a contradiction in terms).
It said to meet him at Nav 140 so that he could brief me. I thought that I
might finally make some progress in getting answers about my past.

2.11 Nav 140
I arrived at Nav 140 only to find a couple of Kindred fighters and no Hassan.
Then I got an e-mail from Hassan saying that he had been followed and ambushed
by the Kindred. So he asked me to meet him in his office on Hades. What
choice did I have? He was my only hope for answers about my past.

2.12 David Hassan, Hades
I met Hassan at the CIS offices on Hades. The guy was seemingly obsessed with
destroying the Kindred. He told me that the mysterious leader of the Kindred
is named Kronos and that Malakai is the code name for a Kindred operative who
has been interested in me. Also, he told me to look up Blessed Aguawine of
Bex and Hugo Carmichael. Finally, after a little cajoling with my boundless
charm, he gave blindfire and RTS for my ship.

2.13 Hugo Carmichael, Bex
Looking up Blessed Aquawine in the public record revealed that it was run by
Carmichael. When I stopped by Hugo's apartment on Bex, he was hurriedly
packing to leave. He told me that Malakai was the code name for Larn Regis
who had died on the Canera. Then he said he was going to Hephaestus and if I
wanted to be a "Good Samaritan" I could watch his back. I wasn't sure what a
"Good Samaritan" was but I couldn't let Hugo get waxed.


2.14 Between Bex and Hephaestus
I decided to escort Hugo to Hephaestus since I still needed information. Half
way to Hephaestus we were ambushed. Carmichael got out of there and left me
to deal with the fighters. He sent an e-mail which told me to meet him at the
Galactic Gourmet if I survived. After increasing my kill count (sometime my
skill amazes even me), I landed on Hephaestus.

2.15 Hugo Carmichael, Hephaestus
My first stop was at the Galactic Gourmet. I asked for Hugo's room and was
shown there by a very attractive hologram (it sure was easier on the eyes
than the little blue ball at the Crius Hospital). I found that the room had
been broken into. As I entered the room, I was jumped by a bald goon who I
managed to blast. I searched him, found a silver capsule and got the hell out
of there.

2.16 Sinner's Inn, Hermes
I couldn't open the capsule but I thought Joe the bartender might know someone
who could. Once I got to Hermes, I talked to Joe and he introduced me to
Dimitri Avignoni. Dimitri said he could open it for 30,000 credits. I tried
to talk him down to 20,000 but no joy so I gave him the 30,000. He was gone
just a couple minutes and he had opened it and found a data crystal inside.
The data crystal was encoded and contained the names Malakai, Rhinehart, Larn
Regis and Vell Ricaurd but could provide me no further clues.

2.17 E-mail from Unknown
I received a curious e-mail from a person who didn't reveal his name. He
claimed to know my father and told me to meet him at Leviatha and to make sure
I brought the memory solid. Thinking I might be on the brink of getting some
real answers I headed for Leviatha.

2.18 E-mail from Unknown, Leviatha
Even though I hurried to Leviatha, I arrived only to get an e-mail from this
Unknown person saying that couldn't wait any longer and to meet him at Petra.
Frustrated, I set off towards Petra hoping I would catch this person who
claimed to be a friend of my father.

2.19 E-mail from Unknown, Petra
When I arrived at Petra, once again the mysterious stranger didn't show. He
sent me an e-mail which told me that he thought we were being followed and not
to trust anyone especially the Kindred or CIS. At lost as what to do I headed
back to Bex with hopes that a couple beers would things seem less frustrating.

2.20 E-mail from Hassan
I got an e-mail from Hassan which said that he had important news and to meet
him at his office on Hades. Since I had lost contact with "Unknown", I hurried
to Hades.

2.21 David Hassan, Hades
When I met Hassan I informed him that Malakai was dead. He gave me even more
surprising news, they had captured the guy who had been sending me e-mail.
Then when Hassan contacted the prison where he was being held we found out
that the prisoner was en route to Hades. Hassan knew it was a trap and we
both left to protect the incoming ship. But first I stopped to hire a wingman
and Monolith freighter since we were going to need all the firepower we could
get.

2.22 E-mail from Hassan, Hades
Once I lifted off, I got an e-mail from Hassan telling me that the prison ship
was at Nav 24 sending out a mayday call. As soon as I got to Nav 24, I told
my wingman to attack my target and afterburned to the nearest bogey. First,
we took out the attacking Kindred fighters which wasn't an easy task. Then, I
flew between the Kindred cruisers a let loose a nuke'em (bye, bye cruisers).
Hassan told me to meet him back on Hades and we'd talk to the prisoner.

2.23 Prison Pits, Hades
Hassan and I went to interrogate to prisoner. The man was full of surprises
for me and jolted me into remembering some of my past. He was Rhinehart and
had been with Malakai one of Kronos's right hand men. He told me that I was
the son of the leader of the Kindred but that I had been frozen twenty years
ago. Since then both my parents had died and my twin younger brother had
taken over the Kindred and the name Kronos. All the access codes for Kindred
hidden accounts were on the data crystal and Malakai and Rhinehart had been
trying to revive since my twin had gone insane because of his use of drugs.
Rhinehart's final revelation was that Kronos was going to ambush the head of
CIS, Shiela Nabokov. Hassan and I rushed to protect Ser Nabokov.

2.24 E-mail from Shiela Nabokov, Hades
Once in orbit, I got an e-mail from Nabokov telling me she was under attack at
Nav 36. With wingman and Monolith freighter close behind, I set off for the
final confrontation. At Nav 36, I immediately went to afterburners and
started firing at the nearest Kindred fighters. The only way to defeat my
brother was by first saving Nabokov from the Vendettas and Blades. Once we
finally finished off the fighters, I got a message from Hassan. But my mind
was set on my brother and I landed on his ship as it was breaking up.

2.25 Final Confrontation
Once on board, I went directly to my twin's throne room (the little brat always
had delusions of grandeur). He was horribly disfigured from the drugs he had
abused and his mind was as malformed as his body. He babbled about how
he should have been the eldest and pulled one of the largest handguns I have
ever seen on me. We struggled and let's just say I no longer have any living
siblings. I now knew who I was and what I was going to do.
I'm going home. . .


3 SIDE PLOTS

3.1 Xavier Shondi
I received e-mail from Xavier Shondi asking me to meet him at the Surgeon's
Blunder Bar on Crius. When I got there, he offered me 16,000 to protect an
arms shipment to the mutants on Karatikus of which half he would give me up
front. I couldn't resist such a sweet deal so I agreed. I met the cargo
ship in orbit of Crius and escorted it to Karatikus destroying quite a few
pirates on the way. When I returned to Crius, Xavier paid me the remaining
8000 credits.

Later, Shondi sent me an e-mail asking me to meet him at the Surgeon's
Blunder Bar for a job. Once there, he offered me 5000 credits to guard a
mining base of his. Even though he couldn't give me any up front money I
took the deal. In orbit I got the coordinates of the mining station at
Nav 144. But before I got there, I received an e-mail from Fark telling me
that Xavier was going to be ambushed at Nav 167 and only I could get there
in time. I just managed to destroy the fighters attacking Xavier by using
nearly constant afterburners and all my missiles. Shondi sent me a message
thanking me and telling me to see him at the Surgeon's Blunder Bar. At the
bar, Xavier thanked me and gave me 10,000 credits for my efforts.

3.2 Melissa Banks
I got an mayday from a Melissa Banks who was under attack. I hurried to her
Nav point and managed to destroy the fighters attacking her. Melissa sent
a message thanking me and telling me to meet her at the Rampant Robot Bar
on Hephaestus. At the Rampant Robot, Melissa thanked me in her own unique
way. She told me how she had been getting shot at since she started asking
questions about her dead brother and asked me to be escort her to Nav 68.
Not being blind, I said yes and she was definitely appreciative. I only
had to space a couple of fools in defending Melissa on her way to Nav 68.
Once there, she sent me a message and promised to meet me soon.

The next time I saw Melissa was at Sinner's Inn on Hermes. She was as
stunning as ever and I had some company in the dark.

3.3 Ralph McCloud
McCloud sent me an e-mail asking for help at Nav 57. I arrived and quickly
ended the miserable existence of the pirates attacking him. He sent me a
message thanking me and telling me he'd buy me a beer if I stopped by the
Sinner's Inn. When I showed up at the Sinner's Inn he not only bought drinks
but offered me Kraven Mark IV Lasers. I really liked this guy even if he
did have a terrible accent.

3.4 Bill Maddox
I received an e-mail from Maddox asking to meet me at the Shadowplay Bar on
Anhur. Once there, he offered me 6000 credits to escort a ship from Bex to
Anhur. I took the mission and kept various pirates from trashing the cargo
ship. Maddox might not be able to hear very well but he paid up the next
time I saw him at the Shadowplay Bar.

3.5 Dr. Graham Gould
Dr. Gould's e-mail asked me to deliver a vaccine from the hospital on Crius
to Angus Santana on Anhur. I agreed and collected the package from the
receptionist at Crius Hospital. The trip to Anhur was fairly quiet and I
gave the package to Santana for a 2000 credit fee.

Angus Santana offered me 4000 credits to take another package to Shernikov
Medical Supplies on Crius. I agreed and made the delivery run with a minimum
of fuss.

3.6 Louissa Phillips
I got a mayday from Louissa Phillips who was in trouble at Nav 104. I arrived
there and took care of the pirates attacking her. Her e-mail said I was her
hero and asked me to meet her at the Surgeon's Blunder Bar on Crius. I met
Louissa at the bar and wished I'd let the pirates have her. An underage
partner I don't need.

3.7 Bernice Barlow
Bernice sent me an e-mail asking to meet at the Rampant Robot Bar on
Hephaestus for an assignment. At the bar, she was impossible to miss. It
seemed that her former boss had screwed her (in more than one way I might add)
and she wanted the creep dead. For 7000 credits, I agreed to take care of it.
In orbit, I got his position at Nav 97. This corporate exec might have been
able to make money but he sure couldn't fly. It was definitely easy money.

3.8 Senator Ames
Senator Ames sent me a desperate e-mail asking me to meet his daughter at
Nav 17 and escort her Janus IV because she had been abandoned by her guards.
Once I got Temissa Ames safely to Janus IV, she sent me a message expressing
her thanks and an invitation to her apartment. At Temissa's apartment, I got
7000 credits for my trouble and Temissa thanked me in a much more personal
manner.

3.9 Uncle Kashumai
I got an e-mail from Uncle Kashumai asking me to go to the Holy Museum of Hom
on Bex. When I arrived, he was quite upset because the Bray brothers had
stolen a holy image and offered me 10,000 credits to get it back or exact
vengeance on those thieving infidels. Looking for Ronnie or Reggie Bray,
I went to the bar and talked to Alberto Fossa who offered me 5000 credits
to attend an auction for him. I gladly accepted and later met Reggie Bray who
conducted the auction. Since Fossa was fronting the money, I gave Bray
100,000 credits for the Holy Brew's Sun. Instead of talking to Fossa, I went
back to the Holy Museum of Hom and gave the statue to Uncle Kashumai. He
was so overjoyed that he gave me 20,000 credits for my efforts.

3.10 Auntie Maria
At the bar on Bex, I talked to Auntie Maria who offered me 3000 credits to
take her to Hephaestus. I agreed and it was a clean run. I met her at the
Rampant Robot and she paid my fee but seemed curiously distressed at my
mention of beer.

3.11 Lord Mike Vonx
Lord Vonx sent me a message asking me to meet him at his home on Anhur. He
offered to pay me 8000 credits to destroy an arms convoy that is coming to
Anhur from Hephaestus. I said yes and once in orbit he told me that only
two ships were carrying arms and not to destroy the ones carrying refugees.
I headed toward Hephaestus and after several Nav points I found the convoy.
This was one of the most difficult missions I've ever taken. Not only did
I have to avoid the turret fire of the cargo ships but there was also fighter
cover and way too many missiles for comfort. Eventually I identified the ship
carrying weapons (it returned a registration number on its ID) and took it
out. Vonx was good to his word and paid my fee.

3.12 Nelson Ramirez
I met Ramirez at the Sinner's Inn on Hermes. He mentioned that Joe said I was
dependable. Nelson offered 4000 credits to take him Janus IV. Even though it
sounded shady, I said yes. I managed to land on Janus after spacing a few
pirates and Ramirez paid me at the No Name Inn.

4 WINGMEN (LASERFODDER)

Most wingmen, laserfodder as they are more commonly known, aren't worth the
credits it takes to pay for the damage they caused when they accidently hit
your ship. However, there are several notable exceptions.

4.1 Liston Sativa - 495
Simply the best. Even I envy his skills. When he says, "It shall be done,"
you can add another kill to his score.

4.2 Orpheus - 465
I've heard rumors that he would run out on you if things got too hot but he
was usually there when I needed a little help in a dogfight. Definitely worth
the credits.

4.3 Wendy Wellington - 425
She's a decent pilot and always follows orders. However, she has a nasty
habit of flying headfirst at laser turrets.

4.4 Jaren Xi - 415
Overall a good wingman but nothing spectacular.

4.5 Hengist Magnusson - 380
One crazy Viking. He is just as likely to hit you as the bogeys if you get
between him and his target. But is quad mass ion cannons are a sight to behold
as they cut through pirate fighters. Worth the money if you can avoid getting
hit by his stray shots.

4.6 Paetas Sturge - 365
This old timer ought to retire before he gets spaced.

4.7 Phungid Mykofyle - 325
Nothing wrong with him that a bath and a few hundred hours in a flight sim
couldn't cure.

4.8 Vicksen Aureola - 260
She's not a great shot and her flying skills leave something to be desired but
her voice is worth the creds. Just hearing, "Looking good as ever cutie," is
worth the 260.

4.9 The bad and the ugly
As I've said before most wingmen are pretty much useless for anything other
than drawing laser fire. I mean if someone is willing to risk their life for
a measly 200 credits then his or her life isn't worth that much to start with.

4.10 The Best Wingman
The most reliable wingman I've ever had is a Monolith cargo ship (920 cr). It
has enough armor to take a pounding and still take out several bogeys with its
turrets. Match this with a wingman like Sativa and the three of you are ready
to rock. Even a Ilia cargo ship (390 cr) can give you the extra firepower you
need in the tougher missions.


5 EQUIPMENT

5.1 Available Ships
Max AB Mounts
Price Speed Speed Shield Armor Module Missile Gun
======= ===== ===== ====== ===== ==================
Light Fighters
==============
STRAITH 10000 288 577 3 2 2 2 2
VELACIA 20000 320 640 5 5 3 3 2
AURORA 34000 320 640 5 3 4 4 2
DURESS 60000 380 759 6 2 4 6 2
DRAKKAR 90000 400 800 8 2 5 5 4

Medium Fighters
===============
SHAMAN 17000 320 640 5 3 4 4 2
JENDEVI 45000 280 560 4 5 4 4 3
SKECIS 85000 360 719 5 4 4 5 3
SKECIS MK II 80000 360 720 4 6 5 4 4
HERETIC 100000 428 855 6 4 5 6 4
KALRECHI 110000 360 720 5 6 6 4 4

Heavy Fighters
==============
KARNENAN 70000 360 720 3 6 5 5 4
ICARUS 105000 412 825 5 4 5 6 4
FREIJ 180000 400 800 9 6 7 7 4
FREIJ MK II 200000 440 880 9 6 7 7 5
DANRIK 250000 440 880 9 5 7 7 5
FALDARI 160000 360 720 6 5 6 6 5
FALDARI MK II 125000 360 720 6 4 6 6 4

5.2 Missiles
Price Damage Recommendation
===== ====== ===================================
SNIPE 100 450 Useless
BRUTE MK I 150 650 Not worth the credits
BRUTE MK II 200 800 Overpriced
PYTHON 225 1000 OK
DISRUPTER 250 N/A Knocks out target's flight control
BANSHEE 205 N/A Takes out target's shields
PROXIMITY 210 2000 Best missile against fighters
STINGRAY TORPEDO 500 8000 Watch out blast radius
HELLRAISER TORPEDO 1000 16000 Stay clear of explosion

5.3 Guns
Rate Damage Energy
Price Damage of Fire Per Second Rating Range
===== ====== ======= ========== ====== =====
STREAM LASER MK I 600 22 4 88 7 Long
VOLT LASER 3000 30 5 150 5 Short
FLUX BEAM 5000 25 6 150 5 Medium
FLUX BEAM MK II 8000 30 5 150 4 Long
STREAM LASER MK II 7000 35 6 210 3 Long
MASS ION CANNON 10000 25 12 300 N/A Medium
KRAVEN LASER MK IV 16000 40 7 280 1 Long

5.4 Modules
Price Description
===== ==============================================
COOLANT UNIT MK I 6000 Increases cooling speed by 35%
COOLANT UNIT MK II 12000 Increases cooling speed by 50%
COOLANT UNIT MK III 24000 Increases cooling speed by 110%
COOLANT UNIT MK IV 48000 Increases cooling speed by 150%
AUTO-REPAIR UNIT MK I 8000 Repairs damage except armor
AUTO-REPAIR UNIT MK II 16000 Repairs damage faster
AFTERBURNER MK I 4000 Increases acceleration by 10%
AFTERBURNER MK II 8000 Increases acceleration by 20%
AFTERBURNER MK III 14000 Increases acceleration by 30%
BSE TRANSMITTER MK I 12000 Shuts down target for several seconds
BSE TRANSMITTER MK II 18000 Shuts down target; more likely to be effective
SIGNAL FILTER 6000 Blocks viral mines, missiles and BSE
SHIELD UNIT MK I 7000 Decreases shield regeneration time to 65%
SHIELD UNIT MK II 14000 Decreases shield regeneration time to 55%
SHIELD UNIT MK III 25000 Decreases shield regeneration time to 50%
WARP SHIELDS 25000 Invulnerable for a few seconds
NUKE'EM 4000 Destroys most nearby ships
HI-EX MINES 150 10 mines
PROXIMITY MINES 200 10 mines
VIRAL MINES 350 10 mines - shut down ships for 5 to 10 seconds
DECOYS MK I 400 15 decoys - 50% chance of decoying missiles
DECOYS MK II 800 15 decoys - 75% chance of decoying missiles

5.5 Cargo Ships
Cost Speed Turrets Shield Armor Capacity Bays
==== ===== ======= ====== ===== ======== ====
GEA TRANSIT 50 288 0 4 4 250 5
GEA TRANSIT MK II 100 288 0 4 4 400 6
OGAN 240 220 1 4 7 550 6
ILIA 390 390 2 7 7 750 7
ILIA MK II 630 200 2 7 7 900 8
MONOLITH 920 140 3 7 10 1500 9


6 COMMODITY PRICES AND TRADING
There are many ways to earn credits in the Tri-System but to maximize your
profits you need to have an idea of what the prices are for various
commodities. Below are some trade routes that I have found profitable and
a listing of average prices for commodities at the eight major planets.
Remember to check the News since prices can fluctuate radically due to
shortages or natural disasters.

6.1 Trade Routes

6.1.1 Hermes to Anhur
Biopolys, Solar Generators, Enviro Suits, Power Loaders, Comms Units,
Optic Nerves, Blood, Cyber Limbs

6.1.2 Hermes to Crius
Blood, Optic Nerves, Solar Generators

6.1.3 Crius to Anhur
Cyber Limbs, Medi Kits, Synthi Skin, Optic Nerves, Enviro Suits

6.1.4 Anhur to Hermes
Lythia, Cesium, Platinum

6.1.5 Hermes to Leviatha
Hardware and Ores

6.1.6 Leviatha to Hermes
Livestock, Water, Optic Nerves

6.1.7 Bex to Hephaestus
Nearly Anything

6.1.8 Ostinia to Massanas and Massanas to Ostinia
Black Market
[Warning: Attacks are nearly certain on this illegal traffic]

6.2 Commodity Prices
These prices are just estimates as prices vary and News events may have a
radical impact on this listing.

Hermes Anhur Crius Hades Janus Karatikus Hephaestus Bex
-Industrial- ------ ----- ----- ----- ----- --------- ---------- ---
Plasteen 15 19 16 17 20 18 13 9
Brikcrete 7 12 10 10 7 11 10 12
Titan Alloys 11 17 15 15 17 16 12 9
Biopolys 22 30 26 26 30 27 20 14
Lumber 7 8 6 8 9 7 8 6
-Medical-
Cyber Limbs 58 69 48 60 72 74 57 41
Medi Kits 9 11 7 9 12 12 9 7
Blood 28 36 36 28 33 34 29 31
Synthi Skin 51 60 54 50 61 58 52 35
Optic Nerves 60 72 65 62 68 73 57 42
-Food-
Grain 6 6 4 6 7 6 6 3
Fertilite 5 5 4 6 6 5 4 4
Fresh Water 10 8 8 9 10 10 8 6
Livestock 15 13 13 14 15 14 14 8
Synthi Meat 19 21 21 23 17 22 17 7
-Hardware-
SolarGenerators 57 68 79 83 68 86 56 33
Enviro Suits 42 54 20 60 41 63 39 25
Power Loaders 34 46 39 46 39 41 31 20
Atomic Chisel 24 27 11 36 29 29 24 14
Comms Unit 36 43 40 48 30 39 33 19
-Luxury-
Bex Beer 8 10 9 8 11 8 9 4
Cerulcan Gems 154 146 147 140 171 137 161 152
Fluffy Rodents 7 6 6 7 9 7 7 5
Sunflowers 5 4 5 5 4 5 6 4
Warp Steroids 41 41 44 47 47 49 23 24
-Ores-
Rhodium 9 7 4 9 9 8 10 4
Platinum 8 7 3 8 8 8 3 3
Iridium 8 5 4 6 6 6 8 2
Cesium 11 8 6 10 10 11 12 4
Lythia 20 16 10 19 19 19 21 8
-Black Market-
Nerve Toxins 18 21 20 12 8 11 11 7
Human Organs 110 121 156 72 139 69 104 45
Firearms 15 21 10 10 7 21 8 7
Brain Implants 168 123 234 112 216 124 155 68
Pleasure Borgs 55 42 46 37 72 36 62 24


7 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

7.1 Bugs and Hardware Problems

7.1.1 I've heard that The Darkening is full of bugs, is that true?
Many games have undocumented features (bugs), but it does appear that for
some users Privateer 2 does have more than its share. In fact, some people
haven't been able to get it running at all. Others found that copying the
SETS.IFF file to their hard drive solved their crashes. However, many people
report that they can run the game without any problems.

7.1.2 During video playback, why does my screen flash white every couple of
seconds?
This is a common complaint made by owners of Matrox video cards. Hopefully a
bug patch will be forthcoming.

7.1.3 Help, the game crashes whenever I try to land on Hermes.
Some people have fixed this problem by always starting the game from CD 1 and
putting CD 1 back in before they land and then switching the CD's back after
the landing animation is over and the CD light stops flashing. Other users
find turning off the landing animation from the options screen helps
alleviate this problem. Another reported solution is to copy the SETS.IFF
file from CD 1 to the directory where The Darkening is installed. Also,
don't forget that you may need to increase your FILES and BUFFERS commands
as directed to in the installation guide .

7.1.4 The mouse control with this game is terrible, is there anything I can
do?
Some people have found that changing their mouse driver to the newest release
from Microsoft helps eliminate the jumpiness of their mouse in the game.
Also, you could try the newest update from you mouse's manufacturer.

7.1.5 My Sidewinder 3D Pro won't work with the game.
Set it to CH Flightstick Pro emulation and it should work.

7.2 Hints

7.2.1 Why aren't there any missions on the bulletin board?
You have to progress in the main plot for missions to be displayed on the
board.

7.2.2 How do I get the Kraven Mark IV lasers?
When you get a mayday from Ralph McCloud, go directly to save him from the
pirates. After you save him, go to the Sinner's Inn to talk to him. He'll
give you the Kraven Mark IVs.

7.2.3 Where do I get the Blindfire and Return to Sender (RTS)?
You get them as you progress in the main plot. See section 2.12.

7.2.4 Why can't I buy a Freij Mk II?
You need to read a news bulletin about it being released before you can
purchase it.

7.2.5 Where do I find the Bray brothers?
Look in the bar on Bex, talk to Fossa and agree to his deal.

7.2.6 How can I complete Lord Vonx's mission?
Make sure you don't destroy the ships that read Cargo Container in their ID.
Only take out the one that returns a registration number and its fighter
escort.

7.2.7 How can I keep up with the ship I'm escorting?
Target the escort ship and when its speed drops in half press the jump button
and you'll both jump at about the same time.

7.2.8 Help I can't figure out the riddles to save Senator Blagger's daughter?
The Nav points to visit after each riddle are listed below:
1st riddle - 120
2nd riddle - 24
3rd riddle - 21

7.2.9 I'm trying to save the prison ship at Nav 24 but it keeps getting blown
up. What am I doing wrong?
This is one of the more difficult missions in the game. I would recommend
hiring the best wingman you can get and also hiring a Monolith or Ilia. When
you arrive at Nav 24, target the closet enemy, tell your wingman to attack,
and use your afterburners to get in range to fire. Once you manage to take
care of the Kindred fighter, a single nuke'em detonated between the two
Kindred cruisers will take them out.

7.2.10 I'm on the mission to save the CIS head and I can't destroy Kronos's
ship. Why won't even my nuke'ems do any damage to it?
To finish this mission you need to destroy the Kindred fighters before they
destroy Nobokov's ship. Once you save her, the final animation will run.
Again, I would recommend a good wingman and a Monolith or IIia to help
accomplish this mission.

7.2.11 I'm a terrible pilot. Are there any cheats?
To activate the cheat codes during flight type Alt-N, then F and finally one
of the following codes:
NO TALENT - Invulnerability
REP ME UP - Repairs all damage
NAPALM - Get several Nuke'ems
CHILL OUT - Cool laser temperature
PETY PETY - Full afterburner fuel

7.2.12 I didn't read page 2 of the manual, how do I save a game?
While on a planet, press p to bring up the PAD. Click on the computer icon
and then select save game.

8 AFTERWORD

8.1 Top Ten Most Annoying Quotes in The Darkening

Hey prettyboy, kiss my ass.
Oh yeah, you will be mine.
I am the law.
Where I go, danger follows.
I hope you're not eyeballing me son.
Wake up, it's time to die.
I'm on top of the world maaa!
Say hello to my little friend.
Oh, noooo!
I am the Grim Reaper.

8.2 Thanks

I would just like to thank all the people who have complimented me on this
guide and my web site. Your e-mail was appreciated.

8.3 Distribution

This document will be available at following web site:

http://www.afn.org/~afn55372/index.html

The author of this guide can be contacted via e-mail at:

afn55372@afn.org

Always remember to check your six.

-= Chris Vanderpool =-