The Transmitter Tree
Der Transmitter-Baum
Plot Summary
Hege Krotzer, a Gray Guard scientist disillusioned with the Guards' secretive and unethical experiments on the planet Onyx, defects, stealing a glider and nuclear weapons. He rescues The Slender Tortor, a native inhabitant of the ruined city of Sahrein, from tracker hounds and reveals the Gray Guards' plan to exterminate the survivors of the First Interstellar War. Meanwhile, the spaceship GDANSK, crewed by a lodge of Drivers led by Hadersen Wells, arrives at Onyx after receiving a distress call from a dying Driver from the spaceship OTTAWA, who mentioned the name "Shondyke".
Queen Zalia, the leader of the Gray Guard base on Onyx, discovers Krotzer's betrayal and the arrival of the GDANSK. She orders the destruction of the GDANSK's Ringo shuttle, but the Drivers survive and crash-land in the canyons. Krotzer and The Slender Tortor destroy a squadron of combat gliders sent to intercept them. The Drivers encounter a "Transmitter Tree", an ancient alien artifact used by the Gray Guards to manipulate space-time and establish connections to distant worlds, including Shondyke. They are captured by the Guards, but Krotzer arrives and helps them escape, revealing that the Guards are torturing the tree to control space roads.
Krotzer engineers a diversion, allowing the Drivers to reach the transit field of the Transmitter Tree. He then confronts Queen Zalia and Snatcher, the head scientist, but is betrayed by Captain Juniperus. However, Nanuk, The Slender Tortor's six-legged dog, kills Juniperus. The Drivers, guided by the Primeval Tree's last surge of power, enter the transit field and are transported to Rubin. Krotzer, Zalia, and Nanuk also enter the transit field, but their destination is left unknown. Meanwhile, The Slender Tortor, now wielding the power of the rocket launcher, attempts to assert dominance over his people but is banished into orbit by Zella.
Key Events
- 01 Hege Krotzer defects from the Gray Guards, stealing a glider and nuclear weapons.
- 02 Krotzer rescues The Slender Tortor from tracker hounds.
- 03 The GDANSK arrives at Onyx after receiving a distress call.
- 04 Queen Zalia orders the destruction of the GDANSK's Ringo shuttle.
- 05 The Drivers crash-land in the canyons.
- 06 Krotzer and The Slender Tortor destroy a squadron of combat gliders.
- 07 The Drivers encounter the Transmitter Tree and are captured by the Gray Guards.
- 08 Krotzer helps the Drivers escape, revealing the Guards' plan to manipulate space roads.
- 09 Krotzer engineers a diversion, allowing the Drivers to reach the transit field.
- 10 Krotzer confronts Queen Zalia and Snatcher, but is betrayed by Captain Juniperus.
- 11 Nanuk kills Juniperus.
- 12 The Drivers, guided by the Primeval Tree, enter the transit field and are transported to Rubin.
- 13 Krotzer, Zalia, and Nanuk also enter the transit field, but their destination is unknown.
- 14 The Slender Tortor is banished into orbit by Zella.
Characters
Hege Krotzer — A Gray Guard scientist who defects and helps the Drivers. He is disillusioned with the Guards' unethical experiments and seeks to stop them.
Queen Zalia — The leader of the Gray Guard base on Onyx. She is ruthless and determined to maintain control.
The Slender Tortor — A native inhabitant of the ruined city of Sahrein. He is rescued by Krotzer and helps him fight the Gray Guards.
Hadersen Wells — The Lodge Master of the Driver lodge aboard the GDANSK. He is determined to investigate the situation on Onyx and avenge the death of the Driver from the OTTAWA.
Captain Juniperus — Queen Zalia's adjutant. He is an experienced Gray Guard officer but is also somewhat sycophantic.
Dime Mow — A Driver aboard the GDANSK. He is somewhat phlegmatic and ponderous but is also a loyal member of the lodge.
Maury Jacques — A Driver aboard the GDANSK and the twin sister of Winchinata Jacques. She is jealous of Luther Straightwire's attention toward her sister.
Winchinata Jacques — A Driver aboard the GDANSK and the twin sister of Maury Jacques. She is more excitable and enthusiastic than her sister.
Farewell-Paal — A Driver aboard the GDANSK. He is a lover of good wine and is prone to telling tall tales.
Luther Straightwire — A Driver aboard the GDANSK. He is a tall, quiet man who serves as a factor of equilibrium in the lodge.
Locations
Onyx — A former colonist world destroyed during the First Interstellar War. It is now a restricted system and is the site of a secret Gray Guard base.
Gray Guard Base (Onyx) — A secret base located in the canyons of Onyx. It is the site of secret experiments and is used to monitor and control the planet.
Canyons (Onyx) — A rugged terrain with numerous deep gorges. The Gray Guard base is located in the canyons.
Shondyke — The mysterious secret planet of the Gray Guards. Its location is unknown.
Rubin — The second planet of Gotham's Star, and the destination of the Drivers after using the Transmitter Tree.
Bortzynn — An abandoned city of the non-humans on Rubin.
Ships & Vehicles
Technology & Concepts
Drivers — Individuals with PSI powers who can navigate faster-than-light travel.
Gray Guards — An elite force within the Council that enforces its will and conducts secret experiments.
Space II — A higher-order space traversable at faster-than-light speed through the application of the PSI powers of the Drivers.
Kaiser Force — A new technology being developed by the Council to replace the Drivers in space travel.
Terranauts — A group of Drivers and others who are resisting the Council's efforts to consolidate its power.
Summacum — A high-ranking Driver.
Noman — A Driver who has been stripped of their PSI powers and deported.
Para-force — The PSI energy used by Drivers to navigate space.
PSI — Psychic or psionic abilities.
Transmitter Tree (Space-Time Stroboscope) — An ancient alien artifact used to manipulate space-time and establish connections to distant worlds.
Space Roads — Connections between worlds established by the Transmitter Tree.
Tracker Hounds — Robot dogs used by the Gray Guards to hunt down survivors in Sahrein.
Laser Rifle/Pistol — A type of energy weapon used by the Gray Guards.
Ultrasonic Launcher — A type of weapon used by the Drivers.
Nuclear Projectiles — Atomic weapons.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of betrayal, disillusionment, and resistance against oppressive forces. The tone is dark and suspenseful, with moments of action and adventure. The narrative style is detailed and descriptive, with a focus on the characters' inner thoughts and motivations.
Connections
Continues from: Implied to follow previous stories involving the Drivers' struggle against the Council.
Leads into: The Drivers' efforts to find other Transmitter Trees and inform the Terranaut leadership about the space-time stroboscope phenomenon.
Related booklets: Likely related to other booklets featuring the Drivers, the Gray Guards, and the struggle against the Council.