Planet of the Lodge Masters
Planet der Logenmeister
Plot Summary
David terGorden, fleeing the Gray Guards in a small ship, the MIDAS I, after escaping from Earth, is pursued into an asteroid field. He manages to evade them by shutting down his ship's systems and hiding amongst the debris. However, he is eventually discovered and attacked. Just as he is about to be captured, a Lodge of Drivers intervenes, using their PSI powers to rescue him. He is brought aboard the MILAN, captained by Hadersen Wells and crewed by Narda, Rollo, and the twins Greeny and Whity, where he learns that Asen-Ger has been freed. The MILAN escapes into Space II to avoid the pursuing Gray Guards.
Meanwhile, on Earth, Lord Colonel Max von Valdec is consolidating his power and planning to suppress the Drivers. He observes a demonstration of the Shadows' methods on Sochades Epsilon, where they incite violence against Drivers. He tasks Cosmoral Evita Jaschini with blockading Zoe, the planet of the Lodge Masters. Valdec also visits the Ziolkowski-Werft to inspect the MIDAS II, a new Kaiser Force ship, and witnesses a test of the Kaiser Force drive, which proves successful.
On Zoe, Cruben the Heard, a member of the native Merun race, undertakes a journey to the border mountains to gather fragments of Lichtauge (the sun) for his Stock. He encounters and defeats an Orzorn predator. He seeks help from a Drone named O'olkoy, who agrees to guide him.
Back on the MILAN, David learns about the escalating persecution of Drivers and the ultimatum issued by Hadersen Wells to Valdec. The MILAN arrives at Zoe, where David and Asen-Ger meet with Jose Javage and Gram Ashmit. They discuss Pankaldi's offer to negotiate with the Drivers and the importance of the mistletoes from Yggdrasil for space travel. David refuses to reveal the location of the remaining Yggdrasil Seeds, fearing they will be misused.
Gram Ashmit is revealed to be a Shadow agent named Etchmund Crieger. He informs Cosmoral Jaschini of David's presence on Zoe and the existence of the Yggdrasil Seeds. Jaschini launches an attack on Zoe, and David is forced to flee. He is pursued by Jaschini and Crieger. Cruben the Heard and O'olkoy encounter a Stone One who saves them from a Merunier. Cruben decides to follow the Stone Ones. Asen-Ger rescues David with Mandorla's help. Valdec arrives on Zoe and orders the execution of all captured Drivers. However, the Drivers launch a counterattack, using their PSI powers to liberate the planet. Valdec is forced to retreat, but vows revenge.
Key Events
- 01 David terGorden escapes the Gray Guards in the asteroid belt.
- 02 Asen-Ger is freed from captivity.
- 03 Max von Valdec observes a demonstration of the Shadows' methods on Sochades Epsilon.
- 04 Evita Jaschini is tasked with blockading Zoe.
- 05 Valdec inspects the MIDAS II and witnesses a test of the Kaiser Force drive.
- 06 Cruben the Heard undertakes a journey to the border mountains.
- 07 David learns about the escalating persecution of Drivers and the ultimatum issued by Hadersen Wells.
- 08 The MILAN arrives at Zoe, and David and Asen-Ger meet with Jose Javage and Gram Ashmit.
- 09 David refuses to reveal the location of the remaining Yggdrasil Seeds.
- 10 Gram Ashmit is revealed to be a Shadow agent.
- 11 Jaschini launches an attack on Zoe, and David is forced to flee.
- 12 Cruben the Heard and O'olkoy encounter a Stone One who saves them from a Merunier.
- 13 Asen-Ger rescues David with Mandorla's help.
- 14 Valdec arrives on Zoe and orders the execution of all captured Drivers.
- 15 The Drivers launch a counterattack, using their PSI powers to liberate the planet.
- 16 Valdec is forced to retreat, but vows revenge.
Characters
David terGorden — The Driver, a key figure in the Driver uprising and the only one who knows the location of the Yggdrasil seeds. He is rescued by Asen-Ger and brought to Zoe. He is reluctant to reveal the location of the seeds, fearing their misuse.
Asen-Ger — The Lodge Master and leader of the Terranauts. He is released from captivity and seeks to unite the Drivers and Summacums against Valdec. He believes that revealing the location of the Yggdrasil seeds is necessary to secure a treaty with Pankaldi.
Evita Jaschini — The Cosmoral of the Gray Guards, tasked with blockading Zoe. She is determined to redeem herself after failing on the Moon. She is manipulated by Etchmund Crieger into launching an attack on Zoe.
Max von Valdec — The Lord Colonel of the Council, seeking to suppress the Drivers and consolidate his power. He is a ruthless and ambitious leader who believes in the Kaiser Force as the future of space travel.
Cruben the Heard — A member of the native Merun race on Zoe. He undertakes a journey to the border mountains and encounters a Stone One.
Narda — A PSI-girl and Driver. She is part of the crew of the MILAN and helps to rescue David.
Rollo — A Driver and member of the MILAN's crew.
Greeny — A Driver and one of the twins on the MILAN.
Whity — A Driver and one of the twins on the MILAN.
Hadersen Wells — Captain of the MILAN.
Jose Javage — A Summacum on Zoe.
Gram Ashmit / Etchmund Crieger — A Shadow agent who infiltrates the Summacums on Zoe. He betrays David and Jaschini.
Queen Bell Tyer — A Gray Guard Queen.
Queen Mandorla — A Gray Guard Queen who initially arrests David but later helps Asen-Ger rescue him.
O'olkoy — A Drone who guides Cruben.
Queen Fay Gray — A Gray Guard Queen who commands the FUGGER.
Locations
Space — The general setting for space travel and combat.
Asteroid Belt — Where David terGorden attempts to evade the Gray Guards.
Earth — The location of the Council and Valdec's power base.
Sochades Epsilon — A colony world where the Shadows demonstrate their methods of suppressing Drivers.
Zoe — The planet of the Lodge Masters and a refuge for Drivers. It is blockaded by the Gray Guards and becomes the site of a major confrontation.
Ziolkowski-Werft — The shipyard where the MIDAS II is constructed.
B'ai Ching — A cave system on Zoe used as a refuge by the Drivers.
Porto Novo — A city on Zoe.
Ships & Vehicles
Technology & Concepts
Terranauts — Driver rebels.
Drivers — Individuals with PSI abilities who can navigate in Space II.
PSI — Psionic powers used by Drivers for space travel and combat.
Gray Guards — The military force of the Council.
Lodge — A group of Drivers working together to amplify their PSI powers.
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel.
Kaiser Force — A new technology intended to replace Drivers in space travel.
Yggdrasil — A primeval tree that supplies mistletoes, which are essential for Driver space travel.
Mistletoes — The source of Drivers' power to navigate in Space II.
Yggdrasil Seeds — The remaining seeds of the destroyed Yggdrasil tree.
Shadows — Agents of the Gray Guards who operate in secret to suppress Drivers.
Stocks — Merun settlements.
Drones — Merun who live apart from the Stocks.
Stone Ones — Mysterious beings.
Merun — Native insectoid race on Zoe.
Orzorn — A predatory creature on Zoe.
Lichtauge — The sun of Zoe.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of oppression, rebellion, and the struggle for survival. It highlights the conflict between the Drivers and the Council, the importance of PSI powers, and the dangers of the Kaiser Force. The narrative style is action-packed and suspenseful, with a focus on political intrigue and military conflict.
Connections
Continues from: Die Terranauten 010
Leads into: The story continues with the conflict on Zoe and the search for a way to defeat Valdec. The location of the Yggdrasil seeds remains a key plot point.
Related booklets: Booklets featuring David terGorden, Asen-Ger, Evita Jaschini, and Max von Valdec. Booklets dealing with the Kaiser Force and the Driver uprising.