The Heir of Power
Der Erbe der Macht
Plot Summary
Stardust-Dave, a psionically gifted Driver, travels to the planet Rubin aboard the BELFAST. Due to oxygen supply damage, the ship requires repairs in Lakehurst, the only human city on the planet. There, he meets Smellinger, a merchant who convinces him to visit the alien city of Bortzynn. Smellinger claims Bortzynn is a marvel, hidden by an energy field that disrupts scanners and causes nausea.
Upon arriving at Bortzynn, Smellinger is suddenly killed by an unseen assailant. Dave realizes he has walked into a trap and that his pursuers know his true identity. He is David terGorden, the heir to the powerful Biotroniks Corporation. He is contacted by a mysterious blue light that guides him through a deadly glass labyrinth within one of the alien structures.
Meanwhile, on Terra, Queen Fay Gray of the Gray Guards participates in a test of a new combat robot called the "Destroyer". She is summoned by Max von Valdec, Chairman of the Council of Corporations, and assigned the mission of capturing David terGorden and bringing him to Earth. Valdec believes that controlling David will allow him to control Biotroniks and its monopoly on mistletoe blossoms, which are essential for interstellar space travel.
Back on Rubin, Dave escapes Bortzynn and returns to Lakehurst. He joins the crew of the GDANSK, hoping to reach Syrta and find help from a contact named Llewellyn 709. However, the Syrtian security service, acting on orders from the Kaiser Corporation, intercepts the GDANSK and searches for him. Dave is ejected from the ship in a rescue capsule and lands on Syrta.
On Syrta, Dave is rescued by Mordicay and a woman on a rocket scooter, but they are attacked by a security glider. Dave uses his PSI powers to destroy the glider, but is injured in the process. He is captured by the Syrtian government troops. Llewellyn 709, a powerful Driver known as the "Riemenmann" due to the golden straps he wears to contain his lethal PSI radiation, is also captured. Llewellyn is interrogated by Vanducci, the security manager of the Kaiser branch on Syrta, but is eventually released.
Llewellyn and other Terranauts, a secret organization of Drivers, rescue Dave from the Kaiser branch. Dave learns that he is the "heir of power" prophesied in the BOOK MYRIAM. He has a vision of his mother, Myriam, and Yggdrasil, the primordial tree. Yggdrasil offers him power and safety on Earth, but Dave chooses to return to Syrta to help his fellow Drivers. Llewellyn unleashes his full PSI potential, creating a PSI storm that paralyzes the Syrtian government troops.
The Gray Guards arrive on Syrta, led by Queen Fay Gray. Dave confronts her and reveals his identity, forcing her to withdraw. Llewellyn sends a telepathic message across the galaxy, calling on all Drivers to come to Syrta and fight against the Council. The story ends with a massive Driver fleet converging on Syrta, signaling the beginning of a galactic rebellion.
Key Events
- 01 Stardust-Dave travels to Rubin and meets Smellinger.
- 02 Smellinger leads Dave to Bortzynn, where he is murdered.
- 03 Dave escapes the glass labyrinth with the help of a mysterious blue light.
- 04 Fay Gray is assigned to capture David terGorden by Max von Valdec.
- 05 Dave joins the GDANSK to reach Syrta.
- 06 The GDANSK is intercepted by the Syrtian security service.
- 07 Dave is ejected in a rescue capsule and lands on Syrta.
- 08 Dave is rescued by Mordicay and a woman on a rocket scooter, but is captured.
- 09 Llewellyn 709 is captured and interrogated by Vanducci.
- 10 Llewellyn and other Terranauts rescue Dave from the Kaiser branch.
- 11 Llewellyn unleashes a PSI storm, paralyzing the Syrtian government troops.
- 12 The Gray Guards arrive on Syrta.
- 13 Dave confronts Fay Gray, forcing her to withdraw.
- 14 Llewellyn sends a telepathic message across the galaxy, calling on all Drivers to come to Syrta.
- 15 A massive Driver fleet converges on Syrta.
Characters
Stardust-Dave/David terGorden — A psionically gifted Driver and the heir to the Biotroniks Corporation. He is hunted by the Kaiser Corporation and is revealed to be the "heir of power" prophesied in the BOOK MYRIAM.
Smellinger — A merchant on Rubin who convinces Dave to visit Bortzynn. He is later revealed to be part of the plot to capture Dave and is murdered.
Fay Gray — A Queen in the Gray Guards, known for her cold and efficient demeanor. She is assigned to capture David terGorden.
Max von Valdec — GeneralManag of the Kaiser Corporation, Lord Colonel of the Gray Guards, and Chairman of the Council of Corporations. He seeks to control Biotroniks by capturing David terGorden.
Queen Mandorla — A confidante of Max von Valdec and a high-ranking commander in the Gray Guards.
Llewellyn 709 — A powerful Driver known as the "Riemenmann" due to the golden straps he wears to contain his lethal PSI radiation. He is a member of the Terranauts and helps Dave.
Dime Mow — A member of the GDANSK's Lodge and a Terranaut. He helps Dave escape from Rubin and contacts Llewellyn on Syrta.
Hadersen Wells — The Lodge Master of the GDANSK.
Tsien Wan — A member of the GDANSK's Lodge.
Farewell-Paal — A member of the GDANSK's Lodge.
Maury Jacques — A member of the GDANSK's Lodge.
Winchinata Jacques — A member of the GDANSK's Lodge.
Quiet Hollister — A member of the GDANSK's Lodge who gets injured on Rubin.
John Schnayder — The Manag of the Kaiser branch on Syrta.
Vanducci — The security manager of the Kaiser branch on Syrta.
Koskov — A member of the Fist of Syrta, a rebel group.
Vanmellen — A leader of the Fist of Syrta.
Octopus Swon — A Terranaut who helps rescue Dave.
Lorilay Franticek — A Terranaut who helps rescue Dave.
Buster Gaunarson — A Terranaut who helps rescue Dave.
Mater Raven — A commander on the FUGGER.
Mordicay — A rebel on Syrta who helps Dave.
Locations
Rubin — The second planet of Gotham's Star, a red jungle world where the story begins.
Bortzynn — An abandoned alien city on Rubin, hidden by an energy field.
Terra — The homeland of humanity and the location of the Council of Corporations.
Syrta — The sole planet of the sun Reuben-Gel, where the story culminates in a rebellion.
Memphis — A city on Syrta.
Kaiser-Haus — The headquarters of the Kaiser Corporation on Terra.
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel.
Ödrödir — The holy valley in Greenland where Yggdrasil is located.
Ships & Vehicles
BELFAST — The spaceship that brings Dave to Rubin.
GDANSK — A freighter that Dave joins to reach Syrta.
FUGGER — A reconnaissance ship of the Council fleet, commanded by Fay Gray.
FUGGER-Vier — A ship of the Gray Guards.
Ringo — Small, fast feeder ships used by the Gray Guards.
KS-1 — A glider used by Llewellyn and the other Drivers to escape the Kaiser branch.
Technology & Concepts
Driver — Psionically gifted humans who can navigate spaceships through Space II.
PSI Powers — Parapsychic abilities possessed by Drivers.
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel.
Mistletoe Blossoms — Blossoms from Yggdrasil that allow Drivers to navigate Space II.
Lodge — A group of Drivers who work together to steer a spaceship.
Gray Guards — The elite army of Terra, known for their ruthlessness and obedience.
Council of Corporations — The ruling body of Earth, composed of the leaders of the most powerful corporations.
Biotroniks Corporation — A powerful corporation that controls the production of mistletoe blossoms.
Kaiser Corporation — One of the most powerful industrial empires on Earth.
Terranauts — A secret organization of Drivers who oppose the Council of Corporations.
BOOK MYRIAM — A book that prophesies the coming of a savior who will end the tyranny of the Council.
Yggdrasil — The primordial tree whose mistletoe blossoms enable space travel.
Riemenmann — A Driver who wears golden straps to contain his lethal PSI radiation.
Alpha Legitimation — A plaque that grants access to secure areas.
Anti-Telepathic Agents — Drugs or technology that block telepathic communication.
Triadic Monochord — The symbol of Yggdrasil and the Drivers.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of corporate greed, political oppression, and the struggle for freedom. The tone is dark and suspenseful, with moments of action and intrigue. The narrative style is fast-paced and action-oriented, with a focus on the characters' internal struggles and motivations.
Connections
Continues from: N/A (First booklet in the series)
Leads into: The galactic rebellion against the Council of Corporations, the search for David terGorden, and the exploration of the mysteries of Yggdrasil.
Related booklets: Booklets featuring the Gray Guards, the Terranauts, and the terGorden family.