Comet of Oblivion
Komet der Vernichtung
Plot Summary
The asteroid Oxyd, charged with dangerous energies from Space II due to a failed experiment by Homan using Kaiser Force, hurtles towards Earth. Max von Valdec, Chairman of the Council of Corporations, has secretly positioned himself and his loyalists beyond the Pluto orbit, intending to observe the impending catastrophe from a safe distance. He uses propaganda to blame extraterrestrials for the crisis, specifically targeting Cantos, a Green One from Genessos, who is actually trying to warn humanity about the dangers of Kaiser Force.
Cantos, along with ten Drivers he freed from the Gray Guards on Syrta, travels aboard a captured Guard ship. They plan to reach a secret Terranaut base on Io, a moon of Jupiter. During their journey, they encounter a telepathic probe, which Cantos identifies as originating from the Terranauts, fueled by Valdec's propaganda. Despite this, they decide to proceed to Io.
Meanwhile, Valdec prepares a computer program to project his image and maintain control over the Council on Earth, tasking Soster with delivering it. Soster, using a small yacht equipped with Kaiser Force, experiences a terrifying journey through space, leaving a bloody trail behind him. He successfully uses the program to communicate with Homan, who is struggling to contain the Oxyd crisis. Cantos intercepts this communication and realizes that Valdec is not on Earth. He then makes telepathic contact with Soster, revealing his true identity and intentions to expose the dangers of Kaiser Force.
Cantos takes control of Soster's yacht and plans to fly it to Earth alongside his own ship, intending to force Valdec to acknowledge the danger of Kaiser Force. However, Soster, in a desperate act, activates the Kaiser Force drive, creating a spatial rift that threatens to consume the solar system. Simultaneously, Queen Quendolain, a former Gray Guard commander imprisoned on Luna after being altered by Space II, regains consciousness and her PSI powers. She influences Summacum Lauder and his team, and leads a breakout with her surviving crew, aiming to destroy Valdec and end the Kaiser Force experiments.
Cantos, realizing the gravity of the situation, steers his ship into the energy bridge connecting the spatial rift to Oxyd, stabilizing the situation and closing the rift. Meanwhile, Queen Quendolain and her crew attempt to escape Luna, but are trapped and defeated by the Gray Guards. Cantos then makes contact with the Terranauts on Io, but is met with suspicion. He and his companions land on Io, only to be attacked. Cantos overpowers the Terranauts and escapes, resolving to continue his mission to warn humanity. Soster is rescued by the Gray Guards, his mission a failure. Valdec and Chan de Nouille discuss the situation, deciding to send a Driver commando to Oxyd in a final attempt to avert the catastrophe.
Key Events
- 01 Oxyd, an asteroid charged with Space II energy, threatens Earth.
- 02 Max von Valdec evacuates beyond Pluto orbit and spreads propaganda.
- 03 Cantos travels to Io with freed Drivers, seeking to warn against Kaiser Force.
- 04 Soster uses Kaiser Force to deliver a projection program, creating a bloody trail.
- 05 Cantos intercepts Soster's communication with Homan and takes control of his ship.
- 06 Soster activates Kaiser Force, creating a spatial rift endangering the solar system.
- 07 Queen Quendolain regains PSI powers and leads a breakout on Luna.
- 08 Cantos stabilizes the spatial rift, averting immediate disaster.
- 09 Queen Quendolain's escape attempt fails, and she is recaptured.
- 10 Cantos lands on Io, is attacked by Terranauts, and escapes.
Characters
Cantos — A Green One from Genessos, on a mission to warn humanity about the dangers of Kaiser Force. He travels with freed Drivers and attempts to reach the Terranauts.
Max von Valdec — Chairman of the Council of Corporations, secretly observing the impending catastrophe from beyond Pluto. He manipulates propaganda and seeks to maintain control.
Soster — A Manag tasked by Valdec to deliver a computer program. He accidentally creates a spatial rift using Kaiser Force.
Homan — A scientist responsible for the experiment that charged Oxyd with Space II energy. He struggles to contain the crisis.
Queen Quendolain — A former Gray Guard commander imprisoned on Luna. She regains her PSI powers and leads a breakout.
Red Hedger — A Driver and companion of Cantos, known for his fiery temperament and piloting skills.
Freier Doug — A Driver and companion of Cantos, an individualist who values freedom of thought and action.
Chan de Nouille — The mysterious supreme leader of the Gray Guards, who rents out her soldiers to the Council.
Queen Kareen — A Queen of the Gray Guards, who investigates the Driver ship and is nearly caught in a trap.
Summacum Moes — The only Lodge Master on Io, leader of the Terranaut base, initially mistrustful of Cantos.
Locations
Jupiter Orbit — Location where Soster's journey ends and where Cantos intercepts his communication.
Io — A moon of Jupiter, location of a secret Terranaut base.
Luna — Earth's moon, location of secret laboratories and dungeons where Drivers are imprisoned and experimented on.
Ships & Vehicles
ARKA — A Gray Guard spaceship commanded by Queen Kareen.
CAROLUS — The formation ship of Queen Samanda.
Terra I — The spacecraft that was swallowed along with Oxyd by Space II.
Technology & Concepts
Kaiser Force — A dangerous technology that opens gateways to Space II, used for faster-than-light travel and other purposes.
Space II — An alternate dimension with unique energies and phenomena, capable of altering matter and beings.
Driver — Individuals with PSI abilities who traditionally sustained space travel.
Gray Guards — Genetically engineered soldiers of the Council of Corporations, conditioned for combat and obedience.
Terranauts — A secret organization of Drivers and others who oppose the Council of Corporations.
Lodge — A group of Drivers working together to amplify their PSI powers.
Summacum — A member of a now-defunct caste known for their high intelligence and scientific expertise.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of propaganda, mistrust, the dangers of unchecked technological advancement, and the struggle for freedom against oppression. The tone is dark and suspenseful, with elements of action and intrigue. The narrative style is fast-paced and focuses on multiple perspectives, highlighting the chaos and uncertainty of the situation.
Connections
Continues from: Die Terranauten 019 (likely, based on character mentions)
Leads into: The resolution of the Oxyd crisis, the fate of Cantos and the Drivers, and the ongoing conflict between the Terranauts and the Council of Corporations.
Related booklets: Booklets featuring Cantos, Max von Valdec, the Terranauts, and the Kaiser Force experiments.