Excursion to Tomorrow
Ausflug ins Morgen
Plot Summary
David terGorden, a Driver, is hiding in the Scottish Highlands, having failed to assassinate Max von Valdec. He learns of Noman unrest and uses it as a distraction to escape to Edinburgh, seeking an estate his father left him. He finds the estate, now owned by Hinnersen Bolter, and is greeted by the eccentric house computer, Bolter's House Friend. Meanwhile, Helena Koraischowa, a Manag and Gray Guard leader also known as Chan de Nouille, learns of the estate's occupation and invites Hinnersen Bolter to a party, suspecting something is amiss.
Elsewhere, aboard the MIDAS, Scanner Cloud and Llewellyn 709 discover that Spilter has become a nova, destroying Zoe. They detect a distortion in space-time and realize they are trapped in a mini-universe created by Space II energy released during the nova. Scanner Cloud falls into a catatonic state, but receives a psionic call from Yggdrasil.
David terGorden, now posing as Hinnersen Bolter, attends Helena Koraischowa's party. They are drawn to each other, but Helena, suspicious, initiates a background check on him. She receives a special report from Ultima Thule about inexplicable phenomena near the frozen Holy Valley. She decides to investigate, taking Hinnersen Bolter with her.
At Ultima Thule, Queen Delter and her Gray Guards are investigating the phenomena, which is causing panic and transforming the gliders and their crews. Helena and David arrive and discover the transformed gliders. They crash, encountering a faceless man who reveals they are in a semi-reality and must give it what it needs to return to their own world. They seek shelter in a green crystal structure, a Llarra, and are attacked by ragged figures.
The figures, led by Tellar, capture David and Helena. They learn that this Earth is in 2597, thirty years after a collapse caused by Space II energy and the Llarra. Tellar takes them to the Fortress of the Terranauts, where they meet an aged Asen-Ger. Asen-Ger reveals the history of this reality and Max von Valdec's plan to activate a Kaiser Force transmitter, which will destroy what is left of the solar system. David learns that in this reality, he died in 2500. Asen-Ger provides them with a glider to stop Valdec.
David and Helena, accompanied by Tellar, head towards Berlin. They encounter various dangers, including an Entroper. Tellar drops them off near the Citadel. They meet the faceless man again, who tells them they must kill Max von Valdec to save this reality and return to their own.
Key Events
- 01 David terGorden escapes to Edinburgh and finds his father's estate.
- 02 Helena Koraischowa invites Hinnersen Bolter to her party and initiates a background check.
- 03 Scanner Cloud and Llewellyn 709 discover they are trapped in a mini-universe after the destruction of Zoe.
- 04 David terGorden and Helena Koraischowa meet at the party and travel to Ultima Thule.
- 05 They crash and encounter the faceless man, who reveals they are in a semi-reality.
- 06 They are captured by Tellar and his group and learn about the history of this future Earth.
- 07 They meet Asen-Ger, who reveals Max von Valdec's plan to activate a Kaiser Force transmitter.
- 08 Asen-Ger provides them with a glider to stop Valdec.
- 09 They encounter an Entroper and learn about the dangers of this reality.
- 10 They are dropped off near the Citadel and meet the faceless man again, who tells them they must kill Max von Valdec.
Characters
David terGorden — A Driver hiding from the Council, seeking a way off Earth. He poses as Hinnersen Bolter and is drawn into a mission to save a future reality.
Helena Koraischowa — A Manag and leader in the Gray Guards, also known as Chan de Nouille. She is suspicious of Hinnersen Bolter and investigates him, becoming entangled in a mission to save a future reality.
Asen-Ger — The aged leader of the last Terranauts in this future reality. He provides David and Helena with information and a glider to stop Max von Valdec.
Llewellyn 709 — A Riemenmann aboard the MIDAS.
Scanner Cloud — A Psyter aboard the MIDAS who falls into a catatonic state after a Space II energy burst.
Bolter's House Friend — The eccentric house computer at Hinnersen Bolter's estate.
Tellar — The leader of a resistance group in the future Earth. He reluctantly helps David and Helena reach the Citadel.
Queen Delter — A Gray Guard leader at Ultima Thule.
Emmer terChannedy — A Servis and lover of Helena Koraischowa.
Altamont O'Hale — Driver aboard the MIDAS.
Angila Fraim — Driver aboard the MIDAS.
Sirdina Giccomo — Driver aboard the MIDAS.
Isolde Flambetti — Wife of the GeneralManag of Terrestrial Food.
Scroter Jesitsch — Servis who made a fortune importing yonadic licorice snails.
Max von Valdec — Lord Colonel of the Council, planning to activate a Kaiser Force transmitter.
Locations
Earth — The primary setting, specifically a future version devastated by Kaiser Force energy.
Edinburgh — A city on Earth where David terGorden seeks refuge.
Scottish Highlands — A wilderness area where David terGorden hides.
Ultima Thule — A frozen region of Greenland where the Gray Guards are investigating strange phenomena.
Holy Valley — A specific area within Ultima Thule where the palace of Biotroniks is located.
Berlin — The location of the Citadel, where Max von Valdec plans to activate the Kaiser Force transmitter.
Fortress of the Terranauts — The underground base of the Terranauts in Ultima Thule.
Ships & Vehicles
MIDAS — A Kaiser Force experimental ship.
Gliders — Used by the Gray Guards and Terranauts for transport.
Technology & Concepts
PSI — Psionic abilities used by Drivers and other individuals.
Driver — Individuals with strong psionic abilities.
Terranauts — A group of Drivers fighting against the Council.
Gray Guards — An elite military force of the Council.
Manag — A high-ranking member of the Council.
Servis — A member of the ruling class in the star empire.
Council — The governing body of the star empire.
Kaiser Force — A powerful but dangerous energy source used for space travel.
Space II — An alternate dimension or energy source that is causing instability in the universe.
Llarra — Condensed energy from Space II that can cause destruction and instability.
Entroper — Beings that distort space and time and accelerate entropy.
Citadel — The fortress of Max von Valdec in Berlin.
Triadic Monochord — A Kaiser Force transmitter that Max von Valdec plans to activate.
Impact Shield — A force field used for protection.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of environmental destruction, the dangers of unchecked technological advancement, and the struggle against oppressive power structures. The tone is dark and pessimistic, reflecting the bleak future of the setting. The narrative style is action-oriented, with a focus on the characters' struggle for survival and their mission to prevent a catastrophic event.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets detailing the rise of the Council and the dangers of Kaiser Force.
Leads into: The mission to stop Max von Valdec and the exploration of the semi-reality.
Related booklets: Booklets featuring the MIDAS crew, Max von Valdec, or the Terranauts.