The PSI-Seekers
Die PSI-Sucher
Plot Summary
The CYGNI, LASSALLE, and GARIBALDI, Terranaut ships, prepare to investigate Council prison worlds. David terGorden, Llewellyn 709, and Claude Farrell are dispatched to Veldvald, a prison planet disguised as a lumber operation run by Interstellar Wood & Furniture (IWF). Their mission is to investigate the prison camps and potentially liberate Drivers. Queen Riolta, a Gray Guard officer, struggles with her conscience as she enforces the Council's exploitative policies on Veldvald, including the suppression of the native, ape-like Quom. Manag Marsha Tschork, the IWF representative, is ruthless and prioritizes profit over all else, ordering the extermination of a Quom horde.
The Terranauts enter Veldvald's atmosphere via "cosmic surfboards," but are separated during the descent. David terGorden encounters the Quom and learns of their conflict with the Council. Llewellyn 709 and Claude Farrell encounter a group of imprisoned Drivers, led by Aned Straaten, and learn that the Quom are actively seeking out PSI-active individuals. The Quom attack, and Llewellyn 709 and Claude Farrell are transported via a Space-Time Stroboscope (RZS) to the Ro Ulema, the sentient central tree of Veldvald.
The Ro Ulema reveals that it is aware of the Terranauts and their mission, and that it seeks to liberate the planet from the Council's control. It also reveals that there are nine PSI-active female Drivers imprisoned in a Dead Space at the Gray Guard outpost. Meanwhile, Queen Riolta launches a retaliatory strike against the Quom, but the Ro Ulema uses its control over the Space-Time Stroboscope to transport the Gray Guard squadron to a remote, mountainous region, destroying them.
The Ro Ulema, aided by the Terranauts and the freed Drivers, launches an attack on Green Lake City, the Council's base of operations. The nine female Drivers, now united into a single consciousness, disable the security systems, allowing the Quom and the forest itself to overwhelm the city. Manag Marsha Tschork is killed. Aned Straaten, who betrayed the Terranauts to the Gray Guards, is killed by the Quom. The Gray Guards are defeated, and many are transformed by a spore into peaceful beings. The Terranauts depart, leaving the liberated Drivers and the Quom to rebuild Veldvald.
Key Events
- 01 CYGNI, LASSALLE, and GARIBALDI prepare to investigate prison worlds.
- 02 David terGorden, Llewellyn 709, and Claude Farrell are dispatched to Veldvald.
- 03 Queen Riolta and Manag Marsha Tschork clash over the Quom attacks.
- 04 The Terranauts enter Veldvald's atmosphere and are separated.
- 05 David terGorden encounters Morpot the Sturdy and the Quom.
- 06 Llewellyn 709 and Claude Farrell encounter imprisoned Drivers and learn of the Quom's interest in PSI-actives.
- 07 Quom attack, and the Terranauts are transported via Space-Time Stroboscope to the Ro Ulema.
- 08 The Ro Ulema reveals its sentience and its desire to liberate Veldvald.
- 09 Queen Riolta launches a retaliatory strike.
- 10 The Ro Ulema uses the Space-Time Stroboscope to destroy the Gray Guard squadron.
- 11 The Ro Ulema, aided by the Terranauts and freed Drivers, attacks Green Lake City.
- 12 The nine female Drivers disable the security systems.
- 13 Manag Marsha Tschork and Aned Straaten are killed.
- 14 The Gray Guards are defeated.
- 15 The Terranauts depart, leaving the liberated Drivers and the Quom to rebuild Veldvald.
Characters
Llewellyn 709 — A Riemenmann and Terranaut. He is sent to Veldvald to investigate the prison camps and liberate Drivers. He is captured by the Quom and transported to the Ro Ulema.
Claude Farrell — A Driver and Terranaut with a fondness for cigars. He accompanies Llewellyn 709 to Veldvald and is captured by the Quom.
David terGorden — A Driver and Terranaut. He is sent to Veldvald and encounters the Quom. He allies with them to fight the Council.
Queen Riolta — A Gray Guard officer in charge of Veldvald. She struggles with her conscience as she enforces the Council's policies.
Manag Marsha Tschork — The representative of Interstellar Wood & Furniture on Veldvald. She is ruthless and prioritizes profit over all else. She is killed during the Quom attack on Green Lake City.
Morpot the Sturdy — A Quom hero. He encounters David terGorden and allies with him to fight the Council.
Aned Straaten — A former Driver imprisoned on Veldvald. He betrays the Terranauts to the Gray Guards but is ultimately killed by the Quom.
Hadersen Wells — Lodge Master aboard the GARIBALDI. He receives the report from David terGorden about the events on Veldvald.
Petrus Cornelius — A former lodge member on the MOSKAU and one of the four PSI-active Drivers liberated from the Epsilon Camp.
Gerolv Jorson — One of the four PSI-active Drivers liberated from the Epsilon Camp.
Mutschinon Ji — One of the four PSI-active Drivers liberated from the Epsilon Camp.
Silent Chorp — A mute Driver and one of the four PSI-active Drivers liberated from the Epsilon Camp.
The Nine Female Drivers — Imprisoned in a Dead Space, they are freed and unite into a single consciousness.
Locations
Veldvald — A prison planet disguised as a lumber operation. It is the main setting of the story.
CYGNI — A Kaiser Force ship captured by the Terranauts. It is used to transport the Terranauts to Veldvald.
Rorqual — The Terranaut base in Space II.
Green Lake City — The center of the human settlement on Veldvald and the seat of the IWF branch.
The Ro Ulema — The sentient central tree of Veldvald and the center of Quom resistance.
Epsilon Camp — A small complex set apart from the other labor camps where PSI-active Drivers are imprisoned.
Alpha Camp — A labor camp close to the lakeshore.
Ships & Vehicles
CYGNI — A Kaiser Force ship captured by the Terranauts, used for reconnaissance and troop deployment.
LASSALLE — A Driver ship used by the Terranauts.
GARIBALDI — A Driver ship used by the Terranauts.
Flugscheibe — A flying disc used by the Gray Guards for transport.
Armored Glider — A disc-shaped aircraft used by the Gray Guards for combat and patrol.
Technology & Concepts
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel.
PSI Powers — Psionic abilities possessed by Drivers.
Riemenmann — A highly skilled Driver.
Dead Space — A facility that inhibits the application of PSI powers.
Sarym Shield — A shield that stifles psionic activity.
Space-Time Stroboscope — A device that manipulates space-time, allowing for instantaneous travel. Also known as the Ulema.
MHD Transporters — Vehicles used to transport timber.
Gray Guards — The military force of the Council.
Drivers — Individuals with PSI powers who can pilot spaceships.
Kaiser Force — The military and industrial arm of the Council.
Interstellar Wood & Furniture (IWF) — A corporation that exploits the resources of Veldvald.
Ro Ulema — The sentient central tree of Veldvald that controls the Space-Time Stroboscope.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of exploitation, resistance, and the conflict between nature and technology. The tone is a mix of action, suspense, and social commentary, with a focus on the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. The narrative style is fast-paced and descriptive, with a strong emphasis on world-building.
Connections
Continues from: Implied to follow previous booklets dealing with the Terranauts' struggle against the Council and their efforts to liberate Drivers.
Leads into: The liberation of Veldvald and the alliance between the Terranauts, the Quom, and the Ro Ulema may have long-term consequences for the war against the Council. The knowledge gained about the Space-Time Stroboscope could be valuable in future operations.
Related booklets: Booklets dealing with the Schildenstern System, Onyx, the Ulema, and the GDANSK are likely related. Booklets featuring Llewellyn 709, Claude Farrell, and David terGorden are also likely related.