Thingstones

"One more switching -- and the Thingstones lay completely exposed. For a few seconds the strapped-down man lay perfectly still, then there was a flicker, and the golden radiance of the PSI-charged crystals shot across to him, enveloping him from head to foot."
-- Booklet 043, Breeding Ground of the Hyperdrive

Thingstones (German: Thingsteine) are faintly radioactive, golden-glowing crystalline minerals found on the planet Stonehenge II that possess the unique property of amplifying, absorbing, and interacting with psionic energy. They are one of the most significant PSI-active substances in the saga of Die Terranauten, serving as a critical component in the Alpha-Order Super-Driver breeding program, a lining material for the containment straps of Riemenmannen, a key element in Sarym Shield technology, and a necessary component for the function of Sarym Projectors.

Thingstones occupy a dual role in the saga: they are both a tool of liberation and an instrument of oppression. In the hands of the Terranauts, they help contain the lethal PSI emissions of Llewellyn 709; in the hands of the Kaiser Corporation, they are used to torture captive Drivers in forced mutation experiments that produce Super-Drivers.

Overview

Physical Properties

Thingstones are crystalline minerals that emit a distinctive golden radiance when exposed to psionic energy. They are described as "faintly radioactive" and are naturally found in deposits associated with the geological and biological environment of Stonehenge II -- a harsh, nitrogen-rich planet orbiting the red sun Set.

Key physical characteristics drawn from the source texts:

• Golden glow: When psionically charged, Thingstones emit a golden radiance visible to the naked eye. This glow intensifies with increasing PSI exposure, creating an "aureole" effect around objects or persons in contact with the crystals (Booklet 043).
• Radioactivity: Thingstones are described as "faintly radioactive" and their radiation can interact dangerously with anti-PSI fields, as demonstrated by Plutos 23's psionic breakdown on Shondyke (Booklet 036).
• PSI feedback loop: When exposed to a psionic source, Thingstones absorb the PSI energy and immediately radiate it back, creating a positive feedback loop that amplifies the original psionic output. This property is central to their use in both the breeding program and the Sarym Shield (Booklet 043).
• Containment: In their inert state, Thingstones can be stored within energy containers -- fields of pure energy that suppress their PSI-interactive properties. Removing the energy containment exposes the crystals and activates their amplification effect (Booklet 043).

Origin and Natural Habitat

Thingstones are found exclusively on Stonehenge II, a planet in the system of the sun Set, characterized by:

• Extremely high atmospheric pressure
• A nitrogen-rich atmosphere
• Violent, destructive windstorms
• Orange fluorescent quartz sand with complex anaerobic chemical compounds
• Native fauna including Stonemen (silicon-based creatures that build towering obelisks) and Wandering Crabs

Geological Distribution

Thingstones occur in several forms on Stonehenge II:

• Mud lake deposits: Faintly radioactive mud lakes in the hearts of obelisk forests contain concentrations of Thingstones. The golden traces visible on obelisk surfaces indicate nearby deposits (Booklet 045).
• Manavitch Mountains: A recently discovered deposit of considerable size, identified by a Kaiser Corporation prospecting team (Booklet 045).
• Ark contamination zone: Areas around the ancient alien Ark contaminated by radioactive lakes also contain Thingstone deposits (Booklet 045).

The connection between Thingstone deposits and concentrations of Wandering Crabs is noted by Queen Ishiya: "The slight Thingstone infestation of the obelisks made it seem certain that there were larger concentrations of Wandering Crabs here" (Booklet 045). This suggests a biological relationship between the native fauna and the mineral.

Mining Operations

Thingstone mining on Stonehenge II is overseen by the Kaiser Corporation under the dual authority of Queen Ishiya, who serves simultaneously as a Gray Guard Queen and Acting General Manager of the Kaiser Corporation in the system of the sun Set. Mining operations are based at the North Pole Outpost, with extraction conducted across multiple sites using specialized Mining Vehicles.

The strategic value of Thingstones makes their supply chain critical to the Alpha-Order program. Dor Masali reports to Hermano Lotz that "We have just received a new shipment of Thingstones from Stonehenge II... That means the forced pause in our ongoing test series is over" (Booklet 043) -- indicating that the breeding program's operations are directly constrained by the availability of mined Thingstones.

How Thingstones Work

PSI Amplification

The core mechanism of Thingstone technology is a positive feedback loop between psionic energy and the crystalline structure:

1. A Driver or test subject emits PSI energy
2. The Thingstones absorb this energy and become "psionically charged"
3. The stored PSI energy radiates back into the subject
4. The subject's PSI output increases in response
5. The cycle repeats, rapidly escalating psionic intensity

This process is described in detail during a breeding experiment at the Kaiser secret station:

"The Thingstones were being psionically charged by the test subject in a positive feedback loop. And the stored PSI energy immediately struck back into the brainwaves of the strapped-down man."
-- Booklet 043

The amplification effect can be controlled by adjusting the energy containment around the crystals. At full exposure, the feedback loop can become dangerously intense.

PSI Absorption

Thingstones also function as PSI absorbers, capable of containing or dampening psionic emissions rather than amplifying them. This property is exploited in the construction of:

• Strap-weave linings: The golden containment straps worn by Riemenmannen are lined with Thingstone material, which absorbs the lethal PSI radiation emitted by their bodies (Booklet 054).
• Thingstein-coated curtains and straps: Various Thingstone-coated materials (thingsteinbeschichtete Riemen, thingsteinbeschichteter Vorhang) are used in the strap-weave system (Booklets 097, 098).

In Booklet 054, the function is described explicitly: Llewellyn 709's "golden strap-weave... whose Thingstone lining absorbed the destructive PSI emissions of his body."

PSI Shielding (Sarym Shield)

The Thingstones' feedback properties are combined with the artificially created radiation component of the sun Norvo to create the Sarym Shield -- a projector technology that reflects PSI activity back onto its originator, effectively neutralizing psionic attacks:

"The Sarym Shield -- a projector that worked with Thingstones and the artificially created radiation component of the sun Norvo, and which at a certain switching reflected any PSI activity back onto its originator -- was one of the most significant innovations this research station had developed."
-- Booklet 043

The Sarym Shield was developed at the Kaiser secret station on Sarym and later widely deployed across the galaxy as defensive anti-PSI technology.

Applications

1. The Alpha-Order Breeding Program

Thingstones are one of the seven core technologies of the Alpha-Order Super-Driver breeding program, alongside genetic engineering, biochemical treatments, memory erasure, Killer Blocks, Sarym Shields, and Psycho-hoods.

In the breeding process, Thingstones serve a specific function: they amplify the PSI potential of test subjects during forced mutation experiments. The procedure, observed in detail in Booklet 043, operates as follows:

1. A captive Driver is strapped to a cot, connected to electronic sensors and medical probes
2. A thin metal column rises beside the cot, bearing several cubic centimeters of Thingstones within an energy container
3. Specially bred virus strains are injected into the subject to accelerate brain mutation
4. The energy container is gradually opened, exposing the Thingstones
5. The PSI feedback loop between subject and crystals drives rapid escalation of psionic potential
6. The virus strains, under the influence of PSI radiation, initiate rapid mutation in the subject's brain mass
7. The Sarym Shield provides containment in case of uncontrolled PSI outbursts

The test subjects in Booklet 043 include:

• An unnamed Driver with greenish-shimmering skin whose PSI potential rises from 102 to over 130 PSI during the experiment
• Phonix 17 and Prometheus 93, who are only hours old when subjected to Thingstone exposure -- but are already so powerful that they secretly control the experiment's parameters, absorbing Thingstone energy "carefully, not too much, so as not to arouse mistrust"

The super-Drivers themselves recognize the critical role of Thingstones. Plutos 23 reminds Ares 17: "Even if our abilities were enhanced on Sarym by the viruses and Thingstones, that is still no reason to squander them wastefully" (Booklet 035).

2. Riemenmann Containment

The most visible application of Thingstones is in the golden strap-weave (German: Riemengeflecht) worn by Riemenmannen -- Drivers whose PSI power has been amplified to lethal levels. The straps are lined with Thingstone material that absorbs the deadly psionic radiation their bodies continuously emit.

Without the Thingstone-lined straps, a Riemenmann's uncontained PSI output constitutes a weapon of mass destruction. When Llewellyn 709 removes his straps:

• On Syrta, the resulting PSI storm paralyzes an entire army (Booklet 001)
• On Stonehenge II, the PSI storm causes chaos and distorts reality itself (Booklet 045)

The golden shimmer of the Thingstones gives the Riemenmann their distinctive appearance. In Booklet 098, Llewellyn is described as a figure that "shimmered golden. From head to foot it was enveloped in straps, and the gold was the gleam of the Thingstones."

3. Sarym Shield and Sarym Projector

Thingstones are an essential component of two related defensive technologies:

• Sarym Shield (Sarym-Schirm): The anti-PSI reflector developed at the Kaiser secret station, using Thingstones combined with the radiation component of the sun Norvo to reflect PSI activity back onto its originator. Initially developed to protect laboratory personnel during breeding experiments, it was later widely deployed across the galaxy (Booklets 036, 043, 053, 075, 076).

• Sarym Projector: A device used for psionic shielding that requires Thingstones for its function. In Booklet 090, Max von Valdec is alarmed when the All-Worlds Steel Consortium (ASK) constructs its own Sarym projector for an assassination attempt against him, demanding to know: "Where did ASK obtain the Thingstones necessary for the function of the Sarym projector?"

This passage reveals that access to Thingstones is strategically controlled -- their scarcity makes unauthorized construction of Sarym projectors a matter of serious concern.

4. PSI Training Enhancement

Thingstones are used to sustain and boost Drivers during intensive PSI training. Sartyra Fuji, the Gray PSI-Expert training Valhala 13 on Stonehenge II, tells him: "Besides, there are still the Thingstones. They have always helped you through your phases of exhaustion up to now" (Booklet 045).

Dangers and Side Effects

Uncontrolled Feedback

The PSI feedback loop can become catastrophically dangerous if the Thingstones are fully exposed without adequate shielding. In Booklet 043, an overzealous research Arbiter pushes a test subject beyond safe limits, causing golden fire to spray from the subject's eye sockets. Hermano Lotz intervenes, re-containering the crystals and removing the Arbiter from duty.

Anti-PSI Field Interaction

When Thingstone radiation interacts with anti-PSI fields, the results can be devastating. Plutos 23, a Super-Driver enhanced with Thingstones on Sarym, suffers a complete psionic breakdown when exposed to the anti-PSI fields on Shondyke (Booklet 036). The interaction between the Thingstone radiation already present in his body and the external PSI-dampening environment proved incompatible, effectively destroying his psionic stability.

The Masali Incident

Before the development of the Sarym Shield, an uncontrolled PSI outburst during Thingstone experiments with Mar-Estos (the future Llewellyn 709) nearly killed Dor Masali, resulting in Masali's transformation into a cyborg. Hermano Lotz reflects: "Back then they had not yet known the value of the Thingstones of Stonehenge II, had not yet developed the protective Sarym-shield" (Booklet 043).

Key Personnel

Appearances

Thingstones are referenced or play a role in at least 8 booklets of Die Terranauten:

Thematic Significance

Nature Exploited

Thingstones are a natural resource mined from an alien world and exploited for military and scientific purposes by the Kaiser Corporation. The mining operations on Stonehenge II -- conducted under harsh conditions on a hostile planet, overseen by the Gray Guards, and directed toward the creation of living weapons -- embody the saga's recurring critique of corporate extraction. The Thingstones are torn from their geological context to fuel experiments that produce Super-Drivers -- beings of extraordinary power who invariably turn against their creators.

Amplification and Control

The dual nature of Thingstones -- simultaneously amplifying PSI power and containing it -- mirrors the saga's central tension between liberation and control. The same crystals that enable Llewellyn 709's lethal power to be safely contained also enable Valdec's laboratories to forcibly amplify captive Drivers' abilities beyond their natural limits. The technology is neutral; its moral valence depends entirely on who wields it and to what end.

The Golden Thread

The distinctive golden glow of Thingstones creates a visual leitmotif that connects disparate elements of the saga: the golden straps of the Riemenmann, the golden radiance of the breeding experiments, the golden shimmer of the Sarym Shield. This golden thread links the most intimate personal technology in the saga (Llewellyn's containment straps) to its most systematic horror (the forced mutation of captive Drivers), binding them through a single mineral substance mined from a single world.

See Also

• Alpha-Order -- The Super-Driver breeding program that uses Thingstones as a core technology
• Super-Drivers -- The genetically engineered psionic weapons produced with Thingstone amplification
• Riemenmann -- Drivers whose lethal PSI emissions are contained by Thingstone-lined straps
• Llewellyn 709 -- The saga's most prominent Riemenmann, whose golden strap-weave is Thingstone-lined
• Valhala 13 -- Riemenmann double trained with Thingstone assistance on Stonehenge II
• Sarym Shield -- Anti-PSI reflector technology built with Thingstones
• Sarym Projector -- PSI shielding device requiring Thingstones for function
• Kaiser secret station -- The breeding facility on Sarym where Thingstones are used in experiments
• Hermano Lotz -- Station Commander who directs Thingstone-based experiments
• Dor Masali -- Cyborg assistant; victim of an early Thingstone experiment accident
• Queen Ishiya -- Commander of Thingstone mining operations on Stonehenge II
• Stonehenge II -- The planet where Thingstones are exclusively found
• Manavitschen Bergen -- Mountain range on Stonehenge II where major Thingstone deposits were discovered
• Kaiser Corporation -- The corporate entity that controls Thingstone mining and supply
• PSI Powers -- Overview of psionic abilities amplified by Thingstones
• Killer Block -- Mental barrier technology used alongside Thingstones in the breeding program
• Sarym -- Prison planet where Thingstones are used in the Alpha-Order experiments
• Plutos 23 -- Super-Driver who suffered a psionic breakdown from Thingstone radiation interaction with anti-PSI fields
• Hate Plague -- Biological weapon developed alongside Thingstone experiments at the Kaiser secret station
• Wandering Crabs -- Native fauna of Stonehenge II associated with Thingstone deposits
• Stonemen -- Native fauna of Stonehenge II in whose obelisks Thingstone traces are found

Thingstones are referenced in at least 8 of 99 booklets of Die Terranauten. They are the saga's most versatile PSI-active substance -- a golden mineral that amplifies, absorbs, and reflects psionic energy, serving simultaneously as the lining of a hero's containment straps and the fuel for a tyrant's breeding experiments.