diff --git a/src/init/storyInit.tw b/src/init/storyInit.tw
index 168cd5787b3c115188232b667413144eb5d04128..f9715e6579abfa996fc2c213a3fb30fb906891b6 100644
--- a/src/init/storyInit.tw
+++ b/src/init/storyInit.tw
@@ -1037,7 +1037,6 @@ You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with thi
 <<set $hackerSupport = 0>>
 <<set $hostage = 0>>
 <<set $hostageAnnounced = 0>>
-<<set $hostageCost = 0>>
 <<set $hostageRescued = 0>>
 <<set $hostageGiveIn = 0>>
 <<set $rivalSet = 0>>
diff --git a/src/npc/startingGirls/commitStartingGirl.tw b/src/npc/startingGirls/commitStartingGirl.tw
index cee4345240ad8fae085246abe372aa00f58679a3..67b1d6537a808089615b0fa7f6813721f6184fe7 100644
--- a/src/npc/startingGirls/commitStartingGirl.tw
+++ b/src/npc/startingGirls/commitStartingGirl.tw
@@ -22,10 +22,6 @@
 
 <<set $showStartingGirlsExplanation = 0>>
 
-<<if $createRelatedSlave == 0 && (($hostage == 0) || ($slaveCost > $hostageCost))>>
-	<<set $hostage = $slaveWithoutBonuses, $hostageCost = $slaveCost, $hostageAnnounced = -1>>
-<</if>>
-
 <<= SlaveFullName($activeSlave)>> has been added to your starting stable of slaves. You now have <<print cashFormat($cash)>> remaining.
 <br>
 <<if $cash >= $minimumSlaveCost>>
diff --git a/src/uncategorized/BackwardsCompatibility.tw b/src/uncategorized/BackwardsCompatibility.tw
index 2ca53b71006fa220ab25cf855c7c0f1158040524..b95a1ae0c5c389436ebcf4d677d64f8d9d9ba69a 100644
--- a/src/uncategorized/BackwardsCompatibility.tw
+++ b/src/uncategorized/BackwardsCompatibility.tw
@@ -48,6 +48,10 @@
 	<<unset $nurserySlaves>>
 <</if>>
 
+<<if def $hostageCost>>
+	<<unset $hostageCost>>
+<</if>>
+
 <<if def $youngCareers>>
 	<<unset $youngCareers, $educatedCareers, $uneducatedCareers, $gratefulCareers, $menialCareers, $entertainmentCareers, $whoreCareers, $HGCareers, $madamCareers, $DJCareers, $bodyguardCareers, $wardenessCareers, $nurseCareers, $attendantCareers, $matronCareers, $milkmaidCareers, $farmerCareers, $stewardessCareers, $schoolteacherCareers>>
 
diff --git a/src/uncategorized/nonRandomEvent.tw b/src/uncategorized/nonRandomEvent.tw
index cf39be4bca6e5020232e2147355eb2f35514d7ec..af321d54b07444ac3db3d5b946c780d92b135734 100644
--- a/src/uncategorized/nonRandomEvent.tw
+++ b/src/uncategorized/nonRandomEvent.tw
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@
 <<elseif ($cash > 120000) && ($rep > 4000) && ($corpAnnounced == 0)>>
 	<<goto "P Corp Announcement">>
 <<elseif ($rivalOwner > 0)>>
-	<<if $hostageAnnounced == -1 && $rivalSet != 0>>
+	<<if $hostageAnnounced == 0 && $rivalSet != 0>>
 		<<goto "P rivalry hostage">>
 	<<elseif ($rivalOwner-$rivalryPower+10)/$arcologies[0].prosperity < 0.5>>
 		<<goto "P rivalry victory">>
diff --git a/src/uncategorized/pRivalryHostage.tw b/src/uncategorized/pRivalryHostage.tw
index df27bdea9c02e2ff9f273fce47c89b6249e72b2c..413cdb08037e9cb93b032f615a99de156e188dc2 100644
--- a/src/uncategorized/pRivalryHostage.tw
+++ b/src/uncategorized/pRivalryHostage.tw
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 <<set $nextButton = "Continue", $nextLink = "Nonrandom Event">>
 
-<<set $hostageAnnounced = 1, $activeSlave = $hostage>>
+<<set $hostageAnnounced = 1>>
 
 <<set $oneTimeDisableDisability = 1>>
 <<if $arcologies[0].FSSupremacistLawME == 1>>