MIDAS

"The MIDAS activates the Kaiser Force drive and enters Space II, with disastrous consequences. The ship is destroyed, and most of the crew are killed or transformed."
-- Events of Booklet 010

The MIDAS is one of the most significant vessels in the saga of Die Terranauten. An experimental interstellar spacecraft equipped with the Kaiser Force Drive, it was originally built by the Council of Corporations and hidden on Luna as a prototype for Kaiser-powered space travel. Seized by prisoners during the Revolt on Luna, the MIDAS became the Terranauts' flagship in intergalactic exile -- carrying Scanner Cloud, Llewellyn 709, and a crew of escaped Drivers and prisoners through some of the saga's most harrowing adventures. From its catastrophic maiden voyage through Space II to its crash-landing on the alien world of Hobo, its entrapment in a mini-universe, and its final arrival at Argus, the MIDAS serves as the Terranauts' mobile base across booklets 010 through 032, embodying both the promise and the terrible danger of Kaiser Force technology.

Overview

The MIDAS occupies a unique position in the saga's narrative. It is the first Kaiser Force ship to be used by the Terranauts, and its history parallels the saga's central conflict between technological ambition and its catastrophic consequences. The ship was never meant to be a rebel vessel -- it was a Council prototype, and Max von Valdec deliberately allowed the prisoners to escape with it in order to test the Kaiser Force drive using them as expendable subjects (Booklet 010). This act of calculated cruelty backfired spectacularly: the survivors aboard the MIDAS became some of the Terranauts' most formidable operatives, and the ship itself became the vehicle for first contact with alien civilizations and the discovery of a cutting of Yggdrasil on Argus.

The MIDAS should be distinguished from several related vessels that share its name:

Specifications

The MIDAS was described as a "large spacecraft equipped with a Kaiser Force Drive" (Booklet 014) and an "interstellar spacecraft hidden on Luna" (Booklet 010). It was capable of planetary launches, interstellar transit through Space II, and carried at least two auxiliary craft. The ship's magazines contained weapons and supplies sufficient to equip a small settlement -- when Basanaike Teschnapur and others chose to remain on Hobo, Scanner Cloud emptied the MIDAS's magazines for them (Booklet 015).

Crew

The MIDAS crew consisted of survivors of the Moon Dungeons prisoner revolt, supplemented by Drivers who had been banished to Luna. The ship had no single formal captain in the military sense; leadership was shared between Scanner Cloud, who served as de facto commander and strategic decision-maker, and Llewellyn 709, who led the Driver contingent and provided psionic navigation.

Command

Key Crew Members

Passengers and Refugees

The MIDAS carried a large number of Luna prisoners and refugees from the Moon Dungeons. Many were killed or transformed into "Glassy Ones" -- glassy corpses -- when the Kaiser Force drive malfunctioned during its first activation. The survivors formed the nucleus of the Terranaut exile community. Some, including Basanaike Teschnapur, chose to remain on Hobo when the MIDAS departed (Booklet 015).

History

Construction and Concealment

The MIDAS was built as an experimental Kaiser Force interstellar spacecraft by the Council of Corporations, constructed at or near the Ziolkowski-Werft shipyard. It was hidden on Luna, accessible from Lunaport, and guarded by the Gray Guards under Cosmoral Evita Jaschini's command. The ship represented the Council's ambition to replace Driver-dependent space travel with Kaiser Force technology -- a goal that would render the psionic navigators obsolete and consolidate corporate control over the galaxy (Booklets 010-012).

A second vessel of the same program, the MIDAS II, was simultaneously under construction at the Ziolkowski-Werft. Max von Valdec inspected the MIDAS II and witnessed a successful test of its Kaiser Force drive (Booklet 011). Manag Zarkophin, the master builder, later revealed the MIDAS II to the Council Assembly as proof that Kaiser Force had made Drivers unnecessary (Booklet 012).

The Revolt on Luna (Booklet 010)

The MIDAS's operational history begins with the prisoner revolt orchestrated by Scanner Cloud. Banished to the Moon Dungeons alongside Llewellyn 709 and David terGorden (disguised as Ishmail Tout), Cloud revealed his plan: use Leande to disable Lunaport's central computer Big Brother, then seize the MIDAS and escape.

Llewellyn and the other Drivers entered Leande's fractured mind in an act of collective psionic therapy, healing her enough to carry out the operation. Leande successfully disrupted Big Brother, and the prisoners launched their revolt, overwhelming the Gray Guards and capturing the ship.

• The MIDAS was flung into intergalactic space
• Most of the crew were killed or transformed into "Glassy Ones" -- glassy, crystallized corpses
• The ship was severely damaged, its systems barely functional

Valdec considered the experiment a success despite the loss of life.

Intergalactic Exile: The Black Hole and Hobo (Booklet 014)

The crew discovered they were in intergalactic space, near a green sun called Moloch that orbited a Black Hole. The MIDAS was being inexorably pulled toward the singularity. In a display of extraordinary nerve, Scanner Cloud ordered the ship to fly directly into the Black Hole, gambling that its gravitational pull could be used as a slingshot to escape. Llewellyn and the Drivers formed a lodge to shield Cloud during this perilous maneuver.

The gamble succeeded -- barely. The MIDAS escaped the Black Hole's pull but crash-landed on Hobo, the sole planet orbiting Moloch. The crash was survivable but left the ship grounded and further damaged.

Planetfall on Hobo (Booklets 014-015)

On Hobo, the MIDAS became the Terranauts' base camp. The ship's arrival was observed by Deschmarn-Drag, a winged Ashra hunter who initially mistook it for a threat related to the "Shadows from the Sea." The Ashras stampeded a herd of Finner toward the MIDAS, killing three refugees.

Scanner Cloud used the MIDAS's technology -- Holo-Projectors and Sound Inductors -- in combination with Ashra knowledge to drive away the colonizing Zoptics who were exterminating the native winged population. Holographic projections of giant monsters terrified the Zoptics into abandoning their campaign. Solvan von Vrest, the Zoptic commander, committed suicide in disgrace.

The MIDAS-Zwei, the ship's disc-shaped lifeboat, proved invaluable during this period. It was used to scout Runnevel (the Zoptic continent), launch probes over settlements, identify Neuzen Vrest as the largest city, and land a diplomatic team near the coast. Sirdina Giccomo and Morgenstern piloted the MIDAS-Zwei, which created chaos during the Night of Silent Waters with sonic and holographic projections that aided Llewellyn's psionic intervention.

When the MIDAS departed Hobo, Basanaike Teschnapur and several others chose to remain behind. Scanner Cloud emptied the ship's magazines for them, providing weapons and supplies to sustain the settlers.

Transit to the Milky Way and the Destruction of Zoe (Booklet 015)

The MIDAS approached its transit point to return to the Milky Way. The Kaiser Force drive activated, and the transit appeared successful -- but the ship's computer reported devastating anomalies: the sun Spilter had become a nova. The planet Zoe -- the intended destination, the world of the Lodge Masters, the last great refuge of the Drivers -- no longer existed.

This discovery marked one of the saga's darkest revelations for the MIDAS crew: the galaxy they had left behind had changed catastrophically in their absence.

Trapped in a Mini-Universe (Booklet 025)

The MIDAS did not reach normal space. Instead, the crew discovered they were trapped in a mini-universe created by Space II energy released during the nova that destroyed Zoe. The Kaiser Force-induced energetic instability had formed a pocket dimension from which there was no obvious escape.

Escape and the Road to Argus (Booklet 026)

Guided by Scanner Cloud's telepathic communications, the MIDAS eventually escaped its energetic prison and set course for Astos' Eyes, a star system. Cloud, still in his catatonic state, directed the ship specifically to the planet Argus, claiming that David terGorden was alive and that "Yggdrasil has made a mistake."

Upon arrival at Argus, the MIDAS was captured by Queen Lyra Mun, a Gray Guard Queen who commanded the outpost there. The ship and crew were taken prisoner. Chan de Nouille arrived shortly afterward aboard the CYGNI, a reconnaissance ship, and confronted the Terranauts.

In a pivotal discovery, David terGorden and Scanner Cloud found a cutting of Yggdrasil in the grave of Astos -- Cloud's former shipmate from the prospector vessel SAPHYR. This discovery linked the MIDAS's journey directly to the cosmic tree that underpinned all Driver civilization.

Chan de Nouille allowed the Terranauts to depart with the CYGNI, while she remained on Argus. Llewellyn and the Driver lodge powered the CYGNI's escape into Space II, effectively transferring the Terranaut crew from the MIDAS to a new vessel. The MIDAS itself was left behind at Argus.

Legacy: After Argus (Booklet 032 onward)

By Booklet 032, the MIDAS is referenced as "a spacecraft piloted by Llewellyn 709" in connection with earlier events. The Terranauts' operational base shifted to the CYGNI and later to various other vessels as the saga progressed. The MIDAS itself played no further active role, but its voyage -- from Luna to intergalactic space, through a Black Hole, across an alien world, through a mini-universe, and finally to Argus -- remained one of the defining chapters of the Terranaut struggle.

Major Missions and Voyages

1. The Luna Breakout (Booklet 010)

• Objective: Escape the Moon Dungeons
• Outcome: MIDAS seized by prisoners; Kaiser Force drive activated with catastrophic results; ship flung into intergalactic space
• Key figures: Scanner Cloud, Llewellyn 709, David terGorden (departed before launch), Leande, Teschnapur

2. The Black Hole Slingshot (Booklet 014)

• Objective: Escape gravitational pull of the Black Hole near Moloch
• Outcome: Scanner Cloud orders the ship directly into the Black Hole; Drivers form a psionic lodge to shield the maneuver; MIDAS escapes but crash-lands on Hobo
• Key figures: Scanner Cloud, Llewellyn 709, Lavski

3. The Defense of the Ashras (Booklets 014-015)

• Objective: Protect the winged Ashras from Zoptic colonization
• Outcome: MIDAS technology (holographic projectors, sound inductors) combined with Ashra knowledge creates illusions of giant monsters, driving the Zoptics away; Solvan von Vrest commits suicide
• Key figures: Scanner Cloud, Llewellyn 709, Deschmarn-Drag, Sirdina Giccomo, Morgenstern

4. The Diplomatic Mission to Runnevel (Booklet 015)

• Objective: Contact Siltron and the Zoptic magicians; forge alliance between humans, Ashras, and Zoptic dissidents
• Outcome: MIDAS-Zwei deploys to Runnevel; Llewellyn and Sirdina make psionic contact with Siltron; alliance formed; Zanzin von Vrest overthrown
• Key figures: Llewellyn 709, Sirdina Giccomo, Morgenstern, Deschmarn-Drag, Siltron

5. Return Transit and the Discovery of Zoe's Destruction (Booklet 015)

• Objective: Return to the Milky Way via Kaiser Force transit
• Outcome: Transit succeeds but reveals that Spilter has gone nova and Zoe has been destroyed
• Key figures: Entire remaining crew

6. Escape from the Mini-Universe (Booklets 025-026)

• Objective: Escape the pocket dimension created by Space II energy
• Outcome: Scanner Cloud's telepathic communication with Yggdrasil guides the ship to freedom; MIDAS escapes and heads to Argus
• Key figures: Scanner Cloud, Llewellyn 709

7. Arrival at Argus and the Discovery of Yggdrasil's Cutting (Booklet 026)

• Objective: Follow Scanner Cloud's telepathic directions to Argus
• Outcome: MIDAS captured by Queen Lyra Mun; David terGorden and Scanner Cloud discover a cutting of Yggdrasil in the grave of Astos; crew transfers to the CYGNI and escapes into Space II
• Key figures: Scanner Cloud, Llewellyn 709, David terGorden, Chan de Nouille

Key Events (Chronological)

1. Construction: Built as an experimental Kaiser Force ship by the Council of Corporations at or near the Ziolkowski-Werft; hidden on Luna (pre-saga)
2. The Revolt on Luna: Seized by prisoners led by Scanner Cloud during a revolt that disabled Big Brother, Lunaport's central computer (Booklet 010)
3. Kaiser Force Activation: Drive activated with catastrophic results -- most crew killed or transformed into "Glassy Ones"; ship flung into intergalactic space (Booklet 010)
4. Valdec's Cynicism: Max von Valdec deliberately allowed the escape to test the Kaiser Force on expendable prisoners, considering the disaster "a success" (Booklet 010)
5. Llewellyn Awakens: Llewellyn 709 regains consciousness among the dead; rallies survivors including Scanner Cloud, Leande, and Morgenstern (Booklet 014)
6. The Black Hole Maneuver: MIDAS being pulled toward a Black Hole near the green sun Moloch; Scanner Cloud orders the ship directly into the singularity to slingshot away (Booklet 014)
7. Crash-Landing on Hobo: Ship crash-lands on the planet Hobo, becoming the Terranauts' base (Booklet 014)
8. First Contact with the Ashras: Deschmarn-Drag observes the MIDAS's arrival; initial hostilities give way to alliance (Booklet 014)
9. Holographic Deception: MIDAS technology used to create illusions that drive away the Zoptics and save the Ashra population (Booklet 014)
10. MIDAS-Zwei Deployed to Runnevel: The shuttlecraft conducts reconnaissance and diplomatic missions on the Zoptic continent (Booklet 015)
11. Departure from Hobo: Teschnapur and others stay behind; Scanner Cloud empties the ship's magazines for them (Booklet 015)
12. Discovery of Zoe's Destruction: Transit to the Milky Way reveals that Spilter has gone nova and Zoe is destroyed (Booklet 015)
13. Trapped in a Mini-Universe: MIDAS caught in a pocket dimension created by Space II energy from the nova (Booklet 025)
14. Scanner Cloud's Catatonic Transmission: Cloud falls into a catatonic state but communicates telepathically with Yggdrasil (Booklet 025)
15. Escape from Energetic Instability: MIDAS escapes its prison, guided by Scanner Cloud's telepathic directions (Booklet 026)
16. Captured at Argus: Ship arrives at Argus and is seized by Queen Lyra Mun (Booklet 026)
17. Discovery of Yggdrasil's Cutting: David terGorden and Scanner Cloud find a cutting of Yggdrasil in the grave of Astos (Booklet 026)
18. Crew Transfers to the CYGNI: Terranauts escape Argus aboard the CYGNI; the MIDAS is left behind (Booklet 026)

Significance

The MIDAS represents the saga's central technological paradox made physical. It is a Kaiser Force vessel -- the very technology that the Terranauts oppose as a threat to Driver autonomy and galactic stability -- yet it becomes the Terranauts' lifeline, their home in exile, and the vehicle that carries them to one of the saga's most important discoveries. The ship was built to make Drivers obsolete, and instead it became the tool through which Drivers proved their indispensability.

The ship's journey also mirrors the broader arc of the saga's first act:

• Luna (oppression): The ship is seized from the Council, just as the Terranauts seize their freedom
• The Kaiser Force catastrophe (hubris): Technology meant to replace Drivers kills most of its crew, demonstrating the lethal folly of Kaiser Force
• Hobo (exile and alliance): The survivors build a new community, forge alliances with alien civilizations, and prove that cooperation outperforms domination
• The mini-universe (entrapment): The crew is trapped by the very forces they sought to harness, and only Scanner Cloud's connection to Yggdrasil -- the natural, organic alternative to Kaiser Force -- provides a way out
• Argus (discovery): The cutting of Yggdrasil found in Astos's grave connects the MIDAS's journey to the deepest roots of the saga's mythology

The MIDAS is, in essence, a stolen weapon turned into a vessel of discovery -- a fitting symbol for the Terranauts themselves.

Appearances

Related Articles

• MIDAS I -- David terGorden's small disc-shaped personal ship
• MIDAS II -- Second-generation Kaiser Force ship built at the Ziolkowski-Werft
• MIDAS-Eins -- Shuttlecraft stored aboard the MIDAS
• MIDAS-Zwei -- Disc-shaped lifeboat used for planetary operations
• CYGNI -- Reconnaissance ship to which the MIDAS crew transferred at Argus
• Kaiser Force Drive -- The experimental propulsion system that powered the MIDAS
• Scanner Cloud -- De facto commander of the MIDAS
• Llewellyn 709 -- Driver leader aboard the MIDAS
• Hobo -- Planet where the MIDAS crash-landed
• Argus -- Planet where the MIDAS was finally abandoned
• Zoe -- Destroyed planet the MIDAS was attempting to reach
• Yggdrasil -- The cosmic tree whose cutting was discovered at the end of the MIDAS's journey

The MIDAS appears in 6 booklets of Die Terranauten (010, 014, 015, 025, 026, 032) and is referenced in connection with the MIDAS I and MIDAS II in booklets 011-012. Its voyage from Luna through intergalactic space to Argus spans one of the saga's longest and most consequential arcs.