The Driver Fleet
Die Flotte der Treiber
Plot Summary
David terGorden, Llewellyn 709, and other Drivers escape Ultima Thule in a small Razzo spacecraft piloted by Norwy van Dyne, pursued by the Gray Guards. Van Dyne initially intends to surrender to the Grays, but Flint, a renegade Guardsman, knocks him out and attempts to deceive the Grays. The Drivers, using their combined PSI powers, destroy the pursuing Guard ship. They then debate their next move, ultimately deciding to take possession of the FENRISWOLF, a Driver ship rented by Feodor Kalinin of the Arcturian Vogts.
However, Kalinin betrays them, drugging the Drivers and preparing to hand them over to the Grays for a reward. Llewellyn 709 awakens and overpowers Kalinin, and the Drivers decide to head for ZOE, the planet of the Lodge Masters, hoping to gain their support. They enter Space II, guided by David terGorden's innate abilities and Narda's telepathic skills.
Meanwhile, Max von Valdec is frustrated by the Drivers' resistance and the escape of David terGorden. He tasks Queen Mandorla with suppressing the Drivers and capturing David. Mandorla travels to ZOE to prevent the Lodge Masters from supporting the Drivers.
On ZOE, the Drivers find the Lodge Masters unwilling to take a stand. Ari marTheos, a Terranaut Lodge Master, arrives and helps them. Mandorla arrives on ZOE and meets with David, intending to capture him, but Ari marTheos intervenes, using a consciousness manipulator to turn her against Max von Valdec. The Drivers, along with Mandorla, return to space. Ari marTheos instructs the Drivers to land their ships on Earth, specifically in Greenland, to unite their forces. He dies shortly after.
The Drivers, following Ari marTheos's instructions, successfully navigate their ships through Space II and crash-land in Greenland. The saga ends with the Drivers having established a foothold on Earth, preparing for a larger conflict with the Council.
Key Events
- 01 David terGorden, Llewellyn 709, and others escape Ultima Thule in a Razzo.
- 02 Flint knocks out Norwy van Dyne to prevent surrender to the Gray Guards.
- 03 The Drivers destroy a pursuing Guard ship using their PSI powers.
- 04 The Drivers decide to take possession of the FENRISWOLF.
- 05 Feodor Kalinin drugs the Drivers and attempts to betray them.
- 06 Llewellyn 709 overpowers Feodor Kalinin.
- 07 The Drivers decide to head for ZOE.
- 08 David terGorden and Narda guide the Razzo through Space II.
- 09 Max von Valdec tasks Queen Mandorla with capturing David terGorden.
- 10 Queen Mandorla travels to ZOE to prevent the Lodge Masters from supporting the Drivers.
- 11 Ari marTheos arrives on ZOE and helps the Drivers.
- 12 Queen Mandorla meets with David terGorden, intending to capture him.
- 13 Ari marTheos uses a consciousness manipulator on Queen Mandorla.
- 14 The Drivers, along with Queen Mandorla, return to space.
- 15 Ari marTheos instructs the Drivers to land their ships on Earth.
- 16 Ari marTheos dies.
- 17 The Drivers navigate their ships through Space II and crash-land in Greenland.
Characters
David terGorden — Son of the late General-Manager of Ultima Thule, a Driver with latent powers, and a key figure in the conflict between the Drivers and the Council. He guides the Razzo through Space II and advocates for the Drivers' cause.
Llewellyn 709 — A strap-man and experienced Driver who is a leader among the Terranauts. He pilots the Razzo after overpowering Kalinin and is instrumental in the Drivers' escape and decision-making.
Flint — A former Gray Guardsman who defects to the Drivers' side. He provides valuable knowledge of the Guards' tactics and helps the Drivers deceive them.
Narda — A young, highly gifted telepathic Driver. She uses her abilities to locate the Driver ship and later to assess the intentions of others.
Norwy van Dyne — A Servis and the owner of the Razzo spacecraft. He initially intends to surrender to the Gray Guards but is later forced to cooperate with the Drivers.
Max von Valdec — The Chairman of the Council of Corporations and the main antagonist. He seeks to suppress the Drivers and control interstellar space travel.
Queen Mandorla — The commander of the Gray Guards and a loyal servant of Max von Valdec. She is tasked with capturing David terGorden and suppressing the Drivers. She is later manipulated by Ari marTheos to turn against Valdec.
Ari marTheos — A Terranaut Lodge Master who supports the Drivers' cause. He helps them on ZOE and instructs them to land their ships on Earth. He dies shortly after.
Feodor Kalinin — A Star Steward of the Arcturian Vogts who rents his ship to the Drivers. He betrays them, drugging them and attempting to hand them over to the Gray Guards.
Asi Caruga — A "Shadow" and spy for Valdec who infiltrates the Drivers. He is eventually exposed and mistrusted.
Greeny — One of the twins from Asen-Ger's lodge.
Whity — One of the twins from Asen-Ger's lodge.
Rollo — A portly, bald-headed member of Asen-Ger's lodge.
Lithe — Daughter of Merlin III from the Holy Valley.
Queen Martha — Commander-in-Chief of the Council's united armed forces.
Queen Shu-Bad — Head of the Gray Guards of the Green Hill Corporation.
Hadersen Wells — A Lodge Master on ZOE who is a Terranaut.
Locations
Earth — The Drivers' planet of origin and the ultimate destination of their rebellion.
Ultima Thule — The capital city of Greenland and the location of Growan terGorden's palace, where the story begins.
Space near Earth — The area surrounding Earth where the Drivers are pursued by the Gray Guards.
ZOE — The planet of the Lodge Masters, a neutral ground where the Drivers seek support.
Space near ZOE — The area surrounding ZOE where the Drivers encounter the Gray Guards and make their final decisions.
ARKTURUS — Home system of the Vogts.
All-Fort Alamo — Near-Earth prison for captured Drivers.
Ships & Vehicles
Razzo — A small, spherical spacecraft owned by Norwy van Dyne, used by the Drivers to escape Ultima Thule.
FENRISWOLF — A Driver ship rented by Feodor Kalinin, which becomes the Drivers' base of operations.
Surfer — A small lifeboat used by Queen Mandorla to travel to ZOE.
Technology & Concepts
Drivers — Individuals with PSI powers capable of navigating spaceships through Space II.
Space II — A higher dimension used for faster-than-light space travel.
Gray Guards — The elite army of the Terran Council, tasked with enforcing the Council's will.
Terranauts — A secret resistance group among the Drivers and Lodge Masters.
Lodge Masters — Leaders of Driver Lodges, possessing special abilities and knowledge.
Yggdrasil — The primeval tree whose mistletoes are essential for Driver space travel.
Kaiser Force — A technological replacement for Driver space travel developed by Max von Valdec.
Ringo-Ball — A device used to control the drive rings of Razzo spacecraft.
Mistletoe — Blossom from the Tree Yggdrasil.
Summacums — Caste on ZOE.
Shadows — PSI-gifted agents of the Guard.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of rebellion, betrayal, and the struggle for freedom against a powerful oppressive force. The tone is action-oriented and suspenseful, with elements of political intrigue and social commentary. The narrative style is fast-paced and focuses on the immediate challenges faced by the Drivers.
Connections
Continues from: "The Secret of Yggdrasil" (004), which establishes the conflict between the Drivers and the Council.
Leads into: The Drivers' landing on Earth and the beginning of a larger conflict with the Council in Greenland.
Related booklets: Booklets featuring David terGorden, Llewellyn 709, Max von Valdec, and the Gray Guards. Booklets dealing with the Terranauts and the Lodge Masters of ZOE.