Insurrection of the Terranauts
Aufstand der Terranauten
Plot Summary
The story begins with the sabotage of Max von Valdec's Kaiser Force demonstration at the turn-of-the-century celebration in Ultima Thule. The crowd, expecting a breakthrough in space travel, turns hostile, accusing the corporations of fraud. Max von Valdec, Chairman of the Council, seeks a scapegoat to deflect the blame. He decides to target the Drivers, accusing them of monopolizing space travel and sabotaging Kaiser Force.
Meanwhile, David terGorden, son of the deposed General-Manager Growan terGorden, experiences a harrowing journey through Space II during the Kaiser Force experiment. He is rescued by unseen forces he identifies as the Terranauts, opponents of the corporations and the Council. He returns to Ödrödir, the "holy" valley, where he receives a warning from Yggdrasil about the destructive nature of Kaiser Force. He resolves to resist the Council and protect Yggdrasil.
Back in Ultima Thule, Max von Valdec uses his position to incite the crowd against the Drivers, leading to a pogrom. Llewellyn 709, the Riemenmann, and Asen-Ger attempt to defend the Drivers, but Asen-Ger is silenced and arrested. Max von Valdec orders the Gray Guards to take the Drivers into "protective custody," which is revealed to be a prelude to imprisonment in concentration camps. Llewellyn 709 escapes, vowing to fight back.
David terGorden attempts to return to Ultima Thule but is intercepted by the Gray Guards. He crashes his Schweber but is rescued by Merlin III and uses his psionic powers to destroy the pursuing Ringo. He encounters a Gray Guard named Flint, who he saves from the wreckage. Growan terGorden, having foreseen these events through his palace's surveillance systems, offers Llewellyn 709 a deal: he will help the Terranauts if they help him regain control of Biotroniks A/S, find David terGorden, and destroy Max von Valdec. Llewellyn 709 agrees. Llewellyn 709 warns the Drivers via a secret broadcast, urging them to flee and join the Terranauts. The Drivers rebel, leading to violent clashes with the Gray Guards. David terGorden and Flint make their way to Ultima Thule, where David terGorden learns of his father's impending death and the Council's plan to imprison the Drivers. David terGorden arrives at the palace to find his father dying. Growan terGorden passes on a legacy to David terGorden and a cryptic code before passing away. David terGorden, Lithe, Llewellyn 709, and Flint escape the besieged palace with the help of Merlin III and seek refuge with Norwy van Dyne, a Servis who will help them escape Earth on a Razzo.
Key Events
- 01 Max von Valdec's Kaiser Force demonstration is sabotaged, leading to public outrage.
- 02 Max von Valdec blames the Drivers for the sabotage and incites the crowd against them.
- 03 David terGorden experiences Space II and is rescued by the Terranauts.
- 04 David terGorden receives a warning from Yggdrasil about the dangers of Kaiser Force.
- 05 Max von Valdec orders the Gray Guards to take the Drivers into "protective custody."
- 06 Llewellyn 709 escapes the Gray Guards and vows to fight back.
- 07 David terGorden is intercepted by the Gray Guards and crashes his Schweber.
- 08 David terGorden is rescued by Merlin III and destroys the pursuing Ringo.
- 09 David terGorden saves Flint, a Gray Guard, from the wreckage.
- 10 Growan terGorden offers Llewellyn 709 a deal to help the Terranauts in exchange for his own goals.
- 11 Llewellyn 709 warns the Drivers of their impending imprisonment.
- 12 The Drivers rebel and clash with the Gray Guards.
- 13 David terGorden arrives at the palace to find his father dying.
- 14 Growan terGorden passes on a legacy and a cryptic code to David terGorden.
- 15 David terGorden, Lithe, Llewellyn 709, and Flint escape the palace and seek refuge with Norwy van Dyne.
- 16 The group escapes Earth on a Razzo.
Characters
Max von Valdec — General-Manager of the Kaiser Corporation and Chairman of the Council. He orchestrates the persecution of the Drivers to promote Kaiser Force and consolidate his power.
David terGorden — Son of Growan terGorden, heir to the Mistel Clan, and a Driver. He is initially used as a test subject for Kaiser Force but becomes a Terranaut and opposes the Council.
Llewellyn 709 — Known as the Riemenmann, a Driver and a Terranaut. He is a key figure in the uprising against the Council and works with Growan terGorden.
Growan terGorden — Deposed General-Manager of Biotroniks A/S and father of David terGorden. He seeks to regain his power and offers his support to the Terranauts.
Asen-Ger — A Lodge Master and supporter of the Drivers. He is arrested for speaking out against Max von Valdec.
Merlin III — The Guardian of Yggdrasil, a powerful wizard who aids David terGorden and the Terranauts.
Flint — A Gray Guard who is saved by David terGorden and defects from the Gray Guards, joining David.
Carlos Pankaldi — General-Manager of the Green Hill Corporation, a member of the Council who sometimes opposes Max von Valdec.
Lithe — Daughter of Merlin III, shares a special bond with David terGorden.
Narda — A young Driver with telepathic abilities, part of Asen-Ger's Lodge.
Greeny — A Driver with green hair, part of Asen-Ger's Lodge.
Whity — A Driver with white hair, twin sister of Greeny, part of Asen-Ger's Lodge.
Rollo — A chubby, bald Driver, part of Asen-Ger's Lodge.
Asi Caruga — A spy for Max von Valdec who infiltrates Asen-Ger's Lodge.
Mandorla — Queen of the Gray Guards of the Kaiser Corporation, loyal to Max von Valdec.
Skytha — Queen of the Gray Guards, in command of Growan's former guard.
Shu-Bad — Queen of the Gray Guards of the Green Hill Corporation, under command of Max von Valdec.
Norwy van Dyne — A Servis and businessman who helps David and the others escape on a Razzo.
Pankraz Pahlew — A member of the Council from Alfa-Mercedes.
Vanderfeller — A member of the Council from the White-House-Foundation.
Hauptmann von Löwis of Menar — Right hand of Queen Mandorla.
Locations
Ultima Thule — The capital of Greenland and a major city on Earth, where much of the story takes place.
Ödrödir — The "holy" valley in Greenland where Yggdrasil is located.
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel.
Earth Orbit — Location of Driver ships in orbit around Earth.
Ships & Vehicles
Technology & Concepts
Kaiser Force — An artificial, overdimensional energy developed by Max von Valdec to replace Drivers and mistletoes. It is portrayed as ecologically destructive.
Drivers — Individuals with psionic abilities who can guide spaceships through Space II.
Terranauts — A secret resistance movement of Drivers and Lodge Masters who oppose the corporations and the Council.
Yggdrasil — A mysterious primeval tree that opens the path to the stars for humanity.
Mistletoes — Plants that grow on Yggdrasil and are used by Drivers to navigate through Space II.
Gray Guards — The elite police force of the corporations and the Council, known for their conditioning and loyalty.
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel.
Protop — A versatile material used for construction, vehicles, and clothing.
Lodge Masters — Leaders of Driver lodges.
Riemenmann — "Strap-man" - a Driver whose body emits lethal PSI energy, contained by golden straps.
Manipulated News (RMN) — A news corporation that produces propaganda.
Glaserpistole — A laser pistol.
Würgebomben — Living protoplasm bombs that choke their victims.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of corporate control, rebellion, and the ethics of technology. The tone is dark and suspenseful, with elements of action and intrigue. The narrative style is fast-paced and plot-driven, with a focus on the power struggles between the corporations, the Drivers, and the Terranauts.
Connections
Continues from: Die Terranauten 003
Leads into: The escape from Earth on the Razzo, the fate of the Drivers, the future of Kaiser Force, and the code "Twelve-twelve-twelve."
Related booklets: Booklets featuring Max von Valdec, David terGorden, Llewellyn 709, Growan terGorden, Asen-Ger, Merlin III, and the Terranauts.