The Starship Thieves
Die Raumschiff-Diebe
Plot Summary
David terGorden leads a daring commando action back to Earth with the goal of stealing ships and striking at the heart of the Council. The story opens with David terGorden and other Drivers using a mistletoe blossom to navigate from Space II back to normal space. Meanwhile, aboard the NASSIS, Queen Hanja and Captain Petrov detect a strange object emerging from Space II near the Hartmann Cluster. The object is identified as a Cantos spacecraft, and its emergence causes dangerous X-ray radiation. The NASSIS barely escapes into Space II.
On Earth, Lord Colonel Max von Valdec discusses the negative side effects of Kaiser Force technology with Security Manag Glaucom. The Kaiser Force drives are causing widespread environmental damage across the stellar empire. Valdec orders increased research into shielding the radiation and plans to blame the disasters on extraterrestrials to quell unrest. He also learns of the NASSIS's encounter with the alien ship. Valdec travels to Atlantica to inaugurate a new transport route.
Meanwhile, twelve Terranauts infiltrate Earth via container ships. David terGorden lands in Perth/Australia, but is captured by a cult called the "Community of the Enlightened" led by Autark Strommer. Strommer attempts to brainwash David with a "happiness machine," but David uses his PSI powers to destroy the machine and escape. He is pursued by a member of the cult, Kaschel. David hijacks a jet glider to escape to Scotland.
Elsewhere, Ennerk Prime and Suzan Oh land near Kosmograd and travel to Berlin. They use their PSI powers to infiltrate the Council Chambers during a meeting, attempting to assassinate Valdec. However, Gray Drivers thwart their attempt, and Ennerk and Suzan are forced to flee. They manage to escape Earth by stowing away on a container ship.
In Scotland, Asen-Ger and other Terranauts disguised as Arbiters infiltrate a Council base in the Cheviot Hills, aiming to steal Driver ships stored there. They encounter resistance from Gray Guards, but manage to reach the hangars. David terGorden, having hijacked a jet, arrives at the base and uses his PSI powers to manipulate the base's defense systems, turning them against the Gray Guards. Asen-Ger and the other Terranauts board two Driver ships, the LASSALLE and the GARIBALDI, and escape into Space II. David, however, is confronted by Queen Bell Tyer, a Gray Guard Queen. He kills her and escapes the base, but is left stranded on Earth. He decides to seek refuge in Edinburgh.
Key Events
- 01 David terGorden and other Drivers use a mistletoe blossom to navigate from Space II back to normal space.
- 02 Queen Hanja and Captain Petrov aboard the NASSIS detect a Cantos spacecraft emerging from Space II.
- 03 Lord Colonel Max von Valdec discusses the negative side effects of Kaiser Force technology with Security Manag Glaucom.
- 04 Valdec orders increased research into shielding the radiation and plans to blame the disasters on extraterrestrials.
- 05 Twelve Terranauts infiltrate Earth via container ships.
- 06 David terGorden lands in Perth/Australia and is captured by the "Community of the Enlightened".
- 07 David uses his PSI powers to destroy the "happiness machine" and escape, pursued by Kaschel.
- 08 Ennerk Prime and Suzan Oh land near Kosmograd and travel to Berlin.
- 09 Ennerk and Suzan attempt to assassinate Valdec during a Council meeting, but are thwarted by Gray Drivers.
- 10 Ennerk and Suzan escape Earth by stowing away on a container ship.
- 11 Asen-Ger and other Terranauts infiltrate a Council base in the Cheviot Hills to steal Driver ships.
- 12 David terGorden arrives at the base and manipulates the defense systems, turning them against the Gray Guards.
- 13 Asen-Ger and the other Terranauts board the LASSALLE and the GARIBALDI and escape into Space II.
- 14 David kills Queen Bell Tyer and escapes the base, but is left stranded on Earth.
- 15 David decides to seek refuge in Edinburgh.
Characters
David terGorden — The Heir of Power and leader of the Terranauts. He infiltrates Earth, is captured by a cult, escapes, and ultimately helps his comrades steal ships before being stranded.
Queen Hanja — A Gray Guard Queen and captain of the NASSIS. She detects the alien ship emerging from Space II and narrowly escapes.
Captain Petrov — An envoy of the Cosmorality aboard the NASSIS. He helps Queen Hanja identify the object emerging from Space II.
Max von Valdec — The Lord Colonel and head of the Council. He is targeted for assassination and deals with the fallout of the Kaiser Force disasters.
Security Manag Glaucom — Valdec's security manager. He informs Valdec about the Kaiser Force side effects and is tasked with finding a solution.
Queen Yazmin — A Gray Guard Queen working closely with Valdec. She helps with the propaganda campaign to blame extraterrestrials for the disasters.
Ennerk Prime — A Terranaut Driver who attempts to assassinate Valdec in Berlin. He escapes Earth after the mission fails.
Suzan Oh — A Terranaut Driver who assists Ennerk Prime in the assassination attempt. She escapes Earth with him.
Asen-Ger — A Lodge Master and Terranaut. He leads the operation to steal ships from the Cheviot base.
Lyda Mar — A Terranaut Driver who participates in the ship theft operation.
Claude Farrell — A Terranaut Driver who participates in the ship theft operation and pilots the GARIBALDI.
Onnegart Vangralen — A Terranaut Driver who participates in the ship theft operation.
Kaschel — A member of the "Community of the Enlightened" who pursues David terGorden.
Autark Strommer — The leader of the "Community of the Enlightened" who attempts to brainwash David terGorden.
Bell Tyer — A Gray Guard Queen who confronts David terGorden at the Cheviot base. He kills her.
Locations
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel. The Terranauts use it to travel to Earth.
Hartmann Cluster — A cluster of old stars at the periphery of the Milky Way. The NASSIS detects the alien ship near this cluster.
NASSIS (Kaiser Force ship) — A Kaiser Force patrol ship that detects the alien ship emerging from Space II.
Earth — The central planet of the Council and the target of the Terranauts' operations.
Atlantica — An artificial island and transportation hub where Valdec inaugurates a new route.
Kosmograd — A city near the Stojska Interstellar spaceport.
Berlin — The capital of the Reich and the location of the Council Chambers.
Perth/Australia — A city where David terGorden lands and is captured by a cult.
Cheviot Hills/Scotland — A mountain range where the Council stores Driver ships. The Terranauts steal the ships from a base located here.
Edinburgh — A city in Scotland where David terGorden plans to seek refuge.
Tehran — A city where David terGorden hijacks a jet to reach Scotland.
Ships & Vehicles
Technology & Concepts
Kaiser Force — A technology used for space travel, but with dangerous side effects causing environmental damage.
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel.
Drivers — Humans with PSI powers used for space travel before the advent of Kaiser Force.
Terranauts — A group of rebel Drivers fighting against the Council.
Gray Guards — Elite soldiers of the Council, some of whom are Drivers.
Mistletoe Blossom — Used by Drivers to navigate in Space II.
PSI Powers — Parapsychic abilities possessed by Drivers.
Shadows — Gray Drivers tasked with hunting down rogue Drivers.
Electronic Altar — A machine used by the "Community of the Enlightened" to induce synthetic happiness.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of rebellion, environmental destruction, and the dangers of unchecked technological advancement. The narrative style is action-oriented, with a focus on the Terranauts' daring operations and the Council's attempts to maintain control. The tone is dark and suspenseful, highlighting the risks and sacrifices involved in the fight against the Council.
Connections
Continues from: Die Terranauten 023
Leads into: The fate of David terGorden on Earth, the ongoing conflict between the Terranauts and the Council, the consequences of the Kaiser Force disasters.
Related booklets: Booklets featuring the Terranauts, the Kaiser Force, or the Gray Guards.
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