diff --git a/MUNGA_L4/L4APP.cpp b/MUNGA_L4/L4APP.cpp
index d709a9f..1476fdc 100644
--- a/MUNGA_L4/L4APP.cpp
+++ b/MUNGA_L4/L4APP.cpp
@@ -717,13 +717,58 @@ void
 {
 	Check(this);
 	Check(message);
+
+	//
+	// The debug keys are for developers: RP412DEVKEYS=1 arms them.
+	// Players get exactly one chord - Alt+Q, the deliberate abort.
+	//
+	static int dev_keys = -1;
+	if (dev_keys < 0)
+	{
+		const char *dev_value = getenv("RP412DEVKEYS");
+		dev_keys = (dev_value != NULL && atoi(dev_value) != 0) ? 1 : 0;
+	}
+
 	switch (message->dataContents)
 	{
+	//----------------------------------------------------------------
+	// Abort the mission, deliberately. The engine's legacy abort char
+	// is '&' (0x26) - but WM_KEYUP feeds VIRTUAL-KEY codes into this
+	// channel and VK_UP is also 0x26, so the plain code is swallowed
+	// below and the abort answers only to this chord.
+	//----------------------------------------------------------------
+	case PCK_ALT_Q:
+		message->dataContents = '&';
+		Application::KeyCommandMessageHandler(message);
+		break;
+
+	//----------------------------------------------------------------
+	// Swallowed collisions: 0x26 is VK_UP (the hat look-up key!) as
+	// well as a typed ampersand; 'E' (0x45 = the right-pedal key) was
+	// the event-queue dump. Neither may reach the engine handler.
+	//----------------------------------------------------------------
+	case '&':
+	case 'E':
+		break;
+
+	//------------------------------------
+	// Report current event queue (moved
+	// off the pedal key)
+	//------------------------------------
+	case PCK_ALT_E:
+	{
+		if (!dev_keys)	break;
+		Check(application);
+		application->DumpEventQueue();
+		break;
+	}
+
 	//--------------------------------------------
 	// FrameDump from Division card to Targa file
 	//--------------------------------------------
 	case PCK_ALT_F:
 	{
+		if (!dev_keys)	break;
 		DPLRenderer *dpl_renderer = l4_application->GetVideoRenderer();
 		if (dpl_renderer)
 		{
@@ -738,6 +783,7 @@ void
 	//------------------------------------
 	case PCK_ALT_K:
 	{
+		if (!dev_keys)	break;
 		//STUBBED: HEAP RB 1/20/07
 		/*DPLRenderer *dpl_renderer = l4_application->GetVideoRenderer();
 		if (dpl_renderer)
@@ -759,21 +805,12 @@ void
 		break;
 	}
 
-	//------------------------------------
-	// Report current event queue
-	//------------------------------------
-	case 'E':
-	{
-		Check(application);
-		application->DumpEventQueue();
-		break;
-	}
-
 	//---------------------------------------
 	// Report performance statistics (Alt-?)
 	//---------------------------------------
 	case PCK_ALT_SLASH:
 	{
+		if (!dev_keys)	break;
 		DPLRenderer *dpl_renderer = l4_application->GetVideoRenderer();
 		if (dpl_renderer)
 		{
@@ -787,6 +824,7 @@ void
 	//--------------------------
 	case PCK_ALT_W:
 	{
+		if (!dev_keys)	break;
 		DPLRenderer *dpl_renderer = l4_application->GetVideoRenderer();
 		if (dpl_renderer)
 		{
@@ -800,6 +838,7 @@ void
 	//--------------------------
 	case PCK_ALT_V:
 	{
+		if (!dev_keys)	break;
 		DPLRenderer *dpl_renderer = l4_application->GetVideoRenderer();
 		if (dpl_renderer)
 		{
diff --git a/MUNGA_L4/L4KEYBD.h b/MUNGA_L4/L4KEYBD.h
index e87d928..55e641f 100644
--- a/MUNGA_L4/L4KEYBD.h
+++ b/MUNGA_L4/L4KEYBD.h
@@ -120,6 +120,8 @@
 #	define PCK_ALT_F		(ALT_BIT | 'F')
 #	define PCK_ALT_K		(ALT_BIT | 'K')
 #	define PCK_ALT_V		(ALT_BIT | 'V')
+#	define PCK_ALT_E		(ALT_BIT | 'E')
+#	define PCK_ALT_Q		(ALT_BIT | 'Q')
 #	define PCK_ALT_SLASH	(ALT_BIT | VK_OEM_2)	// '/?' key
 
 //
diff --git a/docs/STEAM-3-MACHINE-TEST.md b/docs/STEAM-3-MACHINE-TEST.md
index 69f6180..a6d3e47 100644
--- a/docs/STEAM-3-MACHINE-TEST.md
+++ b/docs/STEAM-3-MACHINE-TEST.md
@@ -61,10 +61,13 @@ this server-side; test machines need the client setting.)
 
 ## The abort key
 
-The ampersand key (Shift+7) is the arcade mission-abort. It ends YOUR
-mission on the spot - score banked, back to the lobby room. If the
-host presses it, the race ends for everyone (members return to the
-room too). Every "crash on keypress" so far has been this key.
+**Alt+Q** aborts your mission deliberately - score banked, back to the
+lobby room. If the host presses it, the race ends for everyone.
+
+(History: the legacy abort was the '&' character, and the Win32 key
+channel made the UP ARROW - the hat look key! - collide with it. That
+was every mystery abort in rounds five and six. Plain arrow keys are
+now safe; debug keys like wireframe/frame-dump need RP412DEVKEYS=1.)
 
 ## Notes and knowns
 
diff --git a/pack-dist.ps1 b/pack-dist.ps1
index 5a849c9..fdd5ffa 100644
--- a/pack-dist.ps1
+++ b/pack-dist.ps1
@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@ Controls (XInput controller and/or keyboard):
   B / R                    reverse thrust
   DPad / arrow keys        joystick hat (look)
   Start,Back / F1,F2       config buttons
+  Alt+Q                    abort the mission (score banked)
 
 The full pod cockpit comes up in a single window: three green MFDs
 across the top, the 3D viewscreen centered with the orange plasma glass