User Guide

The Data Angels (led by Datajack Sinder Roze)
The Angels are dedicated to a flow of free information and equal opportuni-
ty for all. Their detractors call them “hackers” and thieves—but the Angels are
mostly interested in the excitement of covert operations. Their lack of social
structure makes police procedures more difficult, but they are highly effective
spies—their bases are very difficult to penetrate, and Angel probe actions cost
less than those of other factions. In addition, the Angel faction automatically
gains any technology known by at least three other infiltrated factions, due to
their constant covert activities. They also acquire a free Covert Ops Center in
each base, after they discover Pre-Sentient Algorithms.
The Cult of Planet (led by Prophet Cha Dawn)
The leader of the Cult of Planet appeared under mysterious circumstances a few
years after Planetfall. Though clearly just a young boy, he claims to have the
Word of Planet in his ears, and promises to lead his followers to a cleansing
jihad, making them (and the will of Planet) supreme. The Cult has little inter-
est in material things, causing a general economic slowdown in their faction.
However, they are supremely in tune with Planet, and have better capabilities
with native lifeforms than even the Gaians. They get a free Biology Lab in each
base upon discovery of the appropriate technology, and their people are so in
awe of the native life forms that mindworms count double for police duty.
The Manifold Caretakers (led by Guardian Lular H’minee)
The Caretakers are members of the Progenitor race, the original creators of the
living experiment called Planet. The Caretaker faction is dedicated to non-
interference with Planet’s life forms and destiny; they believe the Manifold
experiment must be allowed to run its natural course. In human terms, this
means they can draw more sustenance from Planet (support more units), and
have a greater bond with Planet. They acquire a free Recycling Tank in every
base, and their method of energy-gathering is very different: they gain ener-
gy depending upon the number of base facilities at a base. They also receive
a defensive bonus in combat due to a combination of sensory capabilities
unkown by humans, collectively know as “resonance sensitivity”. This sensitiv-
ity hinders any attempt at surprise or trickery on the part of opposing forces.
Sid meier’s alpha centauri
Alien Crossfire
12
Sid meier’s alpha centauri
Alien Crossfire
13
Finally, Progenitors are ahead of humans in technological know-how; though
the landing party must re-discover most technologies, the alien headstart is
represented by the ability to direct research more specifically.
The Manifold Usurpers (led by Conquerer Judaa Maar)
The Usurpers are an opposing faction of Progenitors who believe the Manifold
experiment has reached a logical conclusion, and it is time for the powers of
Planet to be used for military purposes. They have highly efficient resource man-
agement (recycling tanks), but instead of a defensive combat bonus, they receive
a bonus of attack, growth, and morale. They, too, receive resonance sensitivity
bonuses and directed research. The Caretakers and Usurpers are locked in a bit-
ter civil war, and their main goal is the destruction of the other faction; humans
are an insignificant annoyance to them, and are used or discarded at need.
NEW MANIFESTATIONS OF PLANET
Alien Crossfire contains three new alien life forms, and several new landmarks
and Unity pod discoveries. The new unit types will always appear; the new
landmarks may or may not appear in any particular game.
NATIVE LIFE
There are three new kinds of alien life: fungal towers, spore launchers, and the
mysterious Sealurks.
FLORA
Fungal Towers. These occur randomly wherever native life might be
found. They are immobile and fight using PSI combat, as all native life
forms. They may add a fungus square to an empty space around them. If
all squares around them become fungus, they may start generating mind-
worms or spore launchers.