This is a slightly different kind of quest. It works in the same way as previous quests: you follow directions given in the Chat window, going from sector to sector, completing contracts. And, like the Over the Hill quest, the H2GE quest comes with its own written story. The difference being that, in this quest, the story isn't optional. Unless, of course, you don't mind wandering around the Evoverse with absolutely no clue as to what to do or where to go next.
This quest is, without a doubt, story driven.
Admittedly, unlike Over the Hill, this quest doesn't take you to any new and exotic locations ... leastwise, no place not already known and explored by most veteran mercenaries. What it does is pretty much what the H2GE does (see the H2GE topic elsewhere in this forum): it sheds a new light on old, familiar locations.
To partake of this quest, you'll need a fresh, clean pilot profile ... one where you've never bothered to do any of the quests at all. But not to despair! The hero of this story is you ... assuming you're a lover and not a fighter (actually, not a lover either ... more of an adventurer ... and even that description is stretching it a bit). Somebody who can read with one eye on the dialogue and one eye on the pictures (yes, the story has pictures). And have either a fairly good memory or, at the very least, a pencil and paper to take a few notes.
And a sense of humor. (Especially if you're not a careful reader.)
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[/align]What you won't need are really good combat skills ... or a really good combat space ship. In fact, you can complete the entire quest with a hand-me-down basic civilian ship ... with very few upgrades. In other words, any novice can partake of this quest. So long as he or she meets the requirements listed above (most especially: the need for a sense of humor).
Attached to this announcement, you'll find the quest. Download and install the file into your main Mercenary folder.
Note: Unless you already have a quest file named questtextc.txt (that's with a "c" appended to the name), you shouldn't need to drag any other quest mod to a safe location (outside the main folder). The game's default quest file (questtext.dat) is also safe from being overwritten.
Then launch the game and check the Chat window.
If you don't see a message which identifies itself as this quest, then go into the Inventory Console (default F3 key), select the "News Console" option ... then click on the "View Last Quest Message" button. Follow instructions in the Chat window ... they should provide you with a password and send you to SeeJay's website, where you'll use the password to download the first part of our story.
If you find the process of downloading a bit confusing, follow these instructions:
- Go to SeeJay's website.
- Left-click on the yellow "Quests" button.
- Left-click on "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Evoverse" quest.
- Cursor over the jumpgate and left-click.
- Cursor over the center asteroid ("Part I").
- Left-click to view or right-click to download ("Save Target As ...") the PDF file.
After you've finished reading Part I, you should have a very good idea where to go, in the game, to begin your H2GE quest.
While I'm at it, I'd like to thank SeeJay for hosting this quest at his website. And a special thanks to Vice for compiling the program ... and creating a game where it's been possible to actually script this quest.
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Btw, check your email for the last two parts of the story. And thanks again. 
