Glimpse of Yesterday
Blick in die Vergangenheit
Plot Summary
David terGorden is fleeing Green Flyers on Rorqual when he is possessed by a soul revealing itself as Merlin III. He finds himself in a forest reminiscent of ancient Earth, then drawn to a cave in Ödrödir. Inside, he finds Merlin, not dead as he believed, but returned to Space II. Merlin explains that David has traveled over a thousand years into the past, to 6th-century England oppressed by the Normans. Merlin reveals that Rorqual is a home for lost souls and that Yggdrasil is crucial for humanity's survival and space travel. He recounts his own past as a Druid serving King Arthur, imprisoned in a cave, and his subsequent awakening in Space II.
David experiences a vision where his friends Farrell, Ramee, and Reta try to pull him back to the present, but he is pulled away. Merlin explains that Rorqual is stirring with too many PSI-gifted minds. David expresses his frustration with unanswered questions, particularly about his mother, Myriam terGorden. Merlin offers to share his memories of Myriam, sending David's consciousness into the past.
David-Merlin journeys through Space II, witnessing PSI-echoes of past battles, including Caesar's legions and King Arthur's fortress. He meets Arthur, who explains that his kingdom was merely a dream. Yggdrasil then appears, revealing herself as an intelligent being and asking Merlin to be her intermediary with humanity, who are misusing her gift of the mistletoes. Merlin agrees, and Yggdrasil breaks the spell imprisoning his body, sending him forward in time. David then experiences a vision of the past, before his birth, and sees his mother, Myriam.
The scene shifts to a celebration at the Biotroniks Corporation in Ultima Thule. Growan terGorden meets Myriam, who is introduced by Mar-Estos. Myriam expresses interest in the "Yggdrasil" project. Growan hires her as a coordinator. Later, Myriam meets with Mar-Estos and a group of Terranauts, including Algol Kuhn, Santiago Lema, Carlos Lema, Shadow, and Jonsson. They discuss their plans to influence the Biotroniks Corporation and challenge the power of the Manags. Manag Clint Gayheen, Growan's security chief, observes the meeting and reports it to Growan, who dismisses his concerns.
Myriam begins working on the Yggdrasil project in Ödrödir, encountering Clint Gayheen, who questions her methods. Later, she is attacked and abducted by masked men. She is tortured by an unseen figure, who demands information about her origins and her connection to Yggdrasil. Mar-Estos and the other Terranauts realize Myriam is missing and launch a rescue mission. Algol Kuhn is killed during the rescue, but Myriam is saved. The Terranauts kill the Gray Guards involved.
Growan is suspicious of Myriam and asks Mar-Estos about her. Growan appoints Myriam as Chief Biologist. Myriam has a vision of Merlin while near Yggdrasil. Merlin appears in physical form, claiming Yggdrasil sent him to protect her and guide humanity. Myriam brings Merlin to Growan, who is skeptical. Myriam accuses Gayheen of her abduction, leading to a confrontation. Growan dismisses Gayheen's actions as a joke, but Merlin requests a tunnel from Ödrödir to the palace, which Growan denies. Myriam reports to the Terranauts that Gayheen was responsible for her abduction. Merlin warns them about Gayheen. Shadow reports that Asen-Ger from the Kaiser Corporation is visiting Growan.
Asen-Ger attends a dinner with Growan and the Terranauts. He reveals that he is a Terranaut and that the Kaiser Corporation is working on a new form of energy to replace the mistletoes. He urges Growan to release the mistletoes for general use. Growan refuses. Gray Guards arrive with captured Relax who claim Myriam is evil. Growan orders them imprisoned. Asen-Ger warns Myriam about Gayheen. Growan proposes marriage to Myriam, offering her a share of the Biotroniks Corporation. She accepts, planning to continue overseeing the research. Growan plans to replace her with George Hados. The Terranauts meet in Ödrödir. Myriam tells them she has accepted Growan's proposal. Asen-Ger arrives and reveals that he is a Terranaut. He warns them about Gayheen and urges them to spread their message.
Key Events
- 01 David terGorden flees Green Flyers on Rorqual and is possessed by Merlin III.
- 02 David travels to 6th-century England and meets Merlin in a cave.
- 03 Merlin explains the importance of Yggdrasil and Rorqual.
- 04 David experiences a vision of his friends trying to rescue him.
- 05 David witnesses PSI-echoes of past battles in Space II.
- 06 David meets King Arthur and learns about Merlin's past.
- 07 Yggdrasil appears and asks Merlin to be her intermediary.
- 08 Merlin is sent forward in time, and David experiences a vision of his mother.
- 09 Growan terGorden hires Myriam as a coordinator for the Yggdrasil project.
- 10 Myriam meets with Mar-Estos and other Terranauts to discuss their plans.
- 11 Myriam is attacked and abducted by masked men.
- 12 Algol Kuhn is killed during the rescue of Myriam.
- 13 Myriam is appointed Chief Biologist.
- 14 Merlin appears in Ödrödir, claiming Yggdrasil sent him.
- 15 Myriam brings Merlin to Growan, who is skeptical.
- 16 Myriam accuses Gayheen of her abduction, leading to a confrontation.
- 17 Asen-Ger arrives and reveals that he is a Terranaut.
- 18 Growan proposes marriage to Myriam, and she accepts.
- 19 Asen-Ger warns the Terranauts about Gayheen and urges them to spread their message.
Characters
David terGorden — A Terranaut fleeing the Green Flyers. He is possessed by Merlin and travels to the past.
Merlin — A Druid from the 6th century who awakens in Space II and becomes Yggdrasil's guardian. He guides David and later appears in physical form.
Myriam terGorden — A biologist and Terranaut. She is hired by Growan to work on the Yggdrasil project and is later proposed to.
Mar-Estos — Myriam's companion, Growan's nephew, and a Terranaut leader. He is initially skeptical of Merlin.
Growan terGorden — Owner of the Biotroniks Corporation. He hires Myriam and proposes marriage to her.
Gayheen — Growan's security chief and confidant. He is suspected of being a spy and is responsible for Myriam's abduction.
Asen-Ger — A Summacum from the Kaiser Corporation and a Terranaut. He warns about Kaiser's energy project and urges the release of the mistletoes.
Algol Kuhn — A Terranaut who works in the laboratories and is killed during Myriam's rescue.
Santiago Lema — A Terranaut who works in Ödrödir and helps rescue Myriam.
Carlos Lema — Santiago's brother and a Terranaut who also works in Ödrödir.
Shadow — A Terranaut who is skilled in stealth and helps rescue Myriam.
Jonsson — A Terranaut who helps rescue Myriam.
Llewellyn — A Driver in the computer ring of a spacecraft.
Lithe — Merlin's daughter, summoned from Space II.
Luzia — Mar-Estos's companion.
Gheorghe Paklew — Owner of the corporations for the manufacture of interplanetary spacecraft.
Pankraz Paklew — Gheorghe's son.
Queen Nofert — An older Gray Guard serving out her duty.
Djinders — Asen-Ger's companion and a spy.
George Hados — A plant and food researcher, suggested as a replacement for Myriam.
Kenneth — A young Driver who tends the mistletoe cultures.
Locations
Rorqual — The Terranauts' base world in Space II.
England (6th Century) — The location David travels to in the past.
Ultima Thule — The location of the Biotroniks Corporation headquarters and Growan's palace.
Ödrödir — The Holy Valley where Yggdrasil is located.
Space II — The second universe, a realm of dreams and lost souls.
Yggdrasil's Island — The island in the center of the lake in Ödrödir where Yggdrasil grows.
Moon Dungeons — A prison on the moon.
Ships & Vehicles
ASTRA — Mar-Estos' luxury glider.
Technology & Concepts
Space II — The second universe, a realm of dreams and lost souls.
Yggdrasil — The Primeval Tree, crucial for Driver space travel and humanity's survival.
Mistletoes — Plants that allow Drivers to navigate through Space II.
Drivers — Individuals with PSI abilities who can navigate spaceships through Space II.
Terranauts — A group of Drivers working to protect Yggdrasil and fight for better living conditions on Terra.
Manags — The leaders of the corporations.
PSI Abilities — Psychic abilities, such as telepathy and telekinesis.
Protop — A synthetic material used for construction and other purposes.
Ring Laser — A small weapon worn on the hand.
Biotroniks Corporation — A powerful corporation that controls the mistletoes and space travel.
Kaiser Energy — A new form of energy being developed by the Kaiser Corporation to replace the mistletoes.
Summacums — Individuals with high intelligence.
Humo — A worker on the colonial planets.
Relax — Members of religious communities who oppose the use of mistletoes.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of time travel, corporate power, the importance of nature, and the struggle for freedom. The tone is serious and suspenseful, with moments of humor and romance. The narrative style is descriptive and detailed, providing a glimpse into the complex world of the Terranauts.
Connections
Continues from: Follows directly from the events on Rorqual and the introduction of Merlin.
Leads into: The conflict between the Terranauts and the corporations, the mystery surrounding Yggdrasil, and the threat of Kaiser Energy.
Related booklets: Likely related to other booklets featuring David, Merlin, Myriam, and the Biotroniks Corporation.
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