Oxide Death Zone
Todeszone Oxyd
Plot Summary
As the asteroid Oxyd hurtles towards Earth, Lord Colonel Max von Valdec abandons the planet, spreading a rumor that he is taking countermeasures. He reflects on Summacum Homan's failed experiment with a Kaiser Force Transmitter that caused the catastrophe. Meanwhile, Queen Quendolain awakens aboard the TERRA I, now manned by Gray Drivers, and learns they are heading to Oxyd on a suicide mission to push it back into Space II or destroy it. Quendolain uses her enhanced PSI abilities to contact her former crew members, who agree to cooperate despite the danger.
Summacum Homan's research ship experiences a destructive "Gray Flood" originating from Oxyd, causing chaos and casualties. He communicates with the five ships of Gray Drivers being sent on the suicide mission, including Queen Carmen of the TERRA I. Meanwhile, in the Kaiser Laboratories on the Moon, Brak Shakram, the former Noman leader, has been given a new arm grown from his own cells. Summacum Alberti informs him of the impending catastrophe and reveals a plan to escape, urging Shakram to kill the other scientists.
Queen Carmen's ship approaches Oxyd, experiencing strange phenomena and instrument malfunctions. She orders the shields lowered and relies on visual observation. The TERRA I's prisoners, led by Queen Quendolain, take control of the ship, intending to fulfill their mission. Summacum Homan argues with his deputy, Owen Meier, about the best course of action, while Manag Becker, Valdec's watchdog, observes. Homan ultimately allows Meier to give orders, but Queen Somar-Ellen refuses to abort her mission.
Brak Shakram escapes the Kaiser Laboratories with the help of Summacum Alberti, killing the other scientists. They navigate the chaotic, earthquake-stricken New Berlin, encountering Gray Guards and Nomans. Shakram transmits a message to the Nomans, urging them to resist the panic and trust Cantos, an alien who is trying to help. Cantos, observing the situation from his cloaked ship, attempts to analyze Oxyd and learns of Yggdrasil's connection to Space II. He rescues Queen Somar-Ellen and her crew from certain death, but is forced to release them.
Queen Quendolain pilots the TERRA I through Oxyd's strange gravitational fields, eventually landing on its surface. The crew prepares to deploy destructive weapons. Summacum Homan orders the construction of a Kaiser Gate to trap Oxyd, despite the risk to the Gray Drivers. Cantos observes the Kaiser Gate being deployed and the TERRA I landing on Oxyd. Brak Shakram, having escaped the Kaiser Laboratories, is recaptured by the Gray Guards, but Summacum Alberti helps him escape again. Shakram kills Alberti and transmits a message to the Nomans, urging them to resist the panic and trust Cantos.
Queen Quendolain and her crew attempt to deploy the weapons on Oxyd, but the Kaiser Gate disrupts their efforts. Cantos intervenes, sending Oxyd into Space II, but is attacked by a Gray Guard ship. Max von Valdec orders a return to Earth and plans to deal with the aftermath. Brak Shakram is killed by the Gray Guards before he can spread his message. Cantos is successful in sending Oxyd into Space II, but is attacked by a Gray Guard ship. Max von Valdec orders a return to Earth and plans to deal with the aftermath.
Key Events
- 01 Lord Colonel Max von Valdec abandons Earth and spreads disinformation.
- 02 Queen Quendolain awakens on the TERRA I and learns of the suicide mission to Oxyd.
- 03 Summacum Homan's research ship is hit by a Gray Flood.
- 04 Brak Shakram is given a new arm in the Kaiser Laboratories.
- 05 Queen Carmen's ship approaches Oxyd and experiences strange phenomena.
- 06 Queen Quendolain's crew takes control of the TERRA I.
- 07 Summacum Homan authorizes the construction of a Kaiser Gate.
- 08 Brak Shakram escapes the Kaiser Laboratories with Summacum Alberti.
- 09 Brak Shakram transmits a message to the Nomans.
- 10 Cantos rescues Queen Somar-Ellen and her crew.
- 11 Queen Quendolain lands the TERRA I on Oxyd.
- 12 Brak Shakram is recaptured and then escapes again with Summacum Alberti.
- 13 Brak Shakram is killed by the Gray Guards.
- 14 Cantos sends Oxyd into Space II.
- 15 Max von Valdec orders a return to Earth.
Characters
Max von Valdec — Lord Colonel and Chairman of the Council, abandons Earth but maintains a facade of control.
Summacum Homan — Research Director, responsible for the Kaiser Force transmitter experiments that led to the Oxyd catastrophe.
Queen Quendolain — Former Queen of the Gray Guards, now a hybrid being with enhanced PSI abilities, leads the TERRA I crew.
Brak Shakram — Former captain of the Gray Guards and leader of the Nomans, escapes the Kaiser Laboratories and tries to warn others.
Cantos — A Genessaner alien who attempts to avert the Oxyd catastrophe.
Gray Driver — A PSI-gifted individual serving in the Gray Guards, acts as Quendolain's guardian.
Owen Meier — Arbiter and deputy to Summacum Homan, offers alternative solutions.
Manag Becker — Valdec's "watchdog" on Homan's ship.
Queen Carmen — Queen of the Gray Guards and commander of the battle cruiser Hades.
Queen Somar-Ellen — Queen of the Gray Guards and commander of the battle cruiser Hades.
Summacum Alberti — Scientist at the Kaiser Laboratories who helps Brak Shakram escape.
Centurio Claudette — Centurio on the TERRA I, assists Queen Quendolain.
Hauptmann Santos — Hauptmann on the TERRA I, operates the engines.
Quadar — Captain of the Gray Guards who recaptures Brak Shakram.
Chan de Nouille — The head of the Gray Guards.
Locations
Earth — The primary setting, threatened by the asteroid Oxyd.
Space near Pluto — Location of Valdec's ship, beyond the reach of Oxyd's energies.
TERRA I — Spacecraft commanded by Queen Quendolain, heading towards Oxyd.
Oxyd — The degenerate asteroid threatening Earth.
Homan's Research Ship — The ship from which Summacum Homan directs the efforts to stop Oxyd.
Kaiser Laboratories on the Moon — Secret laboratories where experiments are conducted, including those on Brak Shakram.
New Berlin — A city on Earth, near the Kaiser Laboratories.
Old Berlin — Ruins near New Berlin, inhabited by Nomans.
Ships & Vehicles
TERRA I — Gray Guard spacecraft commanded by Queen Quendolain, later taken over by her former crew.
HADES — Battle cruiser commanded by Queen Somar-Ellen.
Ringo Spacecraft — A small spacecraft used by Cantos to escape.
Combat Glider — A vehicle used by the Gray Guards.
Technology & Concepts
Kaiser Force Transmitter — A technology developed by Summacum Homan, responsible for the Oxyd catastrophe.
Kaiser Gate — A transmitter field used to attempt to trap Oxyd.
Space I — Implied to be normal space.
Space II — An alternate dimension, the source of the Kaiser Force and the destination for Oxyd.
Gray Flood — A destructive wave of energy from Space II, associated with Oxyd.
PSI — Psychic abilities possessed by Gray Drivers and some others.
Gray Guards — The police army of Earth.
Gray Drivers — PSI-gifted individuals serving in the Gray Guards.
Nomans — Outlaws and outcasts of the earthly caste system.
Yggdrasil — A primeval tree with connections to Space II.
Location Shield — Technology to make ships invisible.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of sacrifice, control versus freedom, and the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition. The tone is dark and pessimistic, with a focus on the impending doom and the desperate measures taken to avert it. The narrative style is action-oriented, with frequent shifts in perspective and a fast-paced plot.
Connections
Continues from: Implied to follow previous booklets detailing the Oxyd catastrophe and the characters' backstories.
Leads into: The aftermath of the Oxyd crisis, the political turmoil on Earth, and the search for the Terranauts.
Related booklets: Likely related to other booklets featuring Max von Valdec, Summacum Homan, Queen Quendolain, Brak Shakram, and Cantos, as well as those dealing with the Kaiser Force and Space II.
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