The Battle for Aqua
Der Kampf um Aqua
Plot Summary
Gunther V., a Driver imprisoned on Aqua for over a year, uses his telekinetic powers to slowly dissolve the Protop wall of his cell, risking death by snake-sharks. His cellmate, Urs Ursus, is skeptical but supports the effort. The wall finally breaches prematurely, flooding the cell. They escape, battling snake-sharks with Gunther V.'s powers, and surface to find the city of Middlehaven still submerged.
Meanwhile, in Miramar, Mayor Argan Pronk successfully negotiates a business deal but is later informed by Governor Saul Khoman that Protop cultures needed for expanding the city's protective dome will not be delivered due to disruptions caused by the Drivers. Argan Pronk suspects Saul Khoman is hoarding the Protop for Middlehaven. He decides to confront Saul Khoman in Middlehaven.
The TASCA, a Driver ship now used by the Terranauts, arrives in the Vishnu System under the command of Llewellyn 709 and Mandorla. Their mission is "PSI-Search," to liberate imprisoned Drivers. They plan to use the Ringo to approach Aqua and locate Drivers. Roglan Alessandr, a Driver with strong PSI detection abilities, accompanies Llewellyn 709. They detect psionic emanations and rescue Gunther V. and Urs Ursus.
Argan Pronk travels to Middlehaven and confronts Saul Khoman, accusing him of lying and hoarding Protop. Saul Khoman calls in Queen Leah Halef of the Gray Guards, who arrests Argan Pronk for treason and appoints Willem Thergaard as acting mayor. Willem Thergaard secretly contacts Thai Memleb in Miramar, revealing the situation. Thai Memleb declares an uprising and seeks support from other cities. The Terranauts offer their support to Miramar.
Leah Halef sends combat gliders to Miramar. The Terranauts use Roglan Alessandr's abilities to amplify the psionic emanations of the Hibernien plants, driving the Gray Guards mad and causing their gliders to crash. This inspires a full-scale rebellion. The Terranauts and rebels launch an attack on Middlehaven, using Protop-Ex to breach the dome walls. Leah Halef, realizing the situation is hopeless, capitulates and withdraws the Gray Guards, ending the Council's control of Aqua.
Key Events
- 01 Gunther V. breaches his cell wall, escaping with Urs Ursus.
- 02 Argan Pronk learns Miramar will not receive Protop cultures.
- 03 Argan Pronk confronts Saul Khoman in Middlehaven and is arrested.
- 04 The TASCA arrives in the Vishnu System for "PSI-Search".
- 05 Llewellyn 709 and Roglan Alessandr rescue Gunther V. and Urs Ursus.
- 06 Willem Thergaard is appointed acting mayor of Miramar.
- 07 Thai Memleb declares an uprising against the central government.
- 08 Gray Guards attack Miramar with combat gliders.
- 09 The Terranauts use Hibernien emanations to defeat the Gray Guards.
- 10 Miramar and other cities unite in rebellion.
- 11 The rebels attack Middlehaven using Protop-Ex.
- 12 Leah Halef capitulates and withdraws the Gray Guards.
Characters
Gunther V. — A Driver with telekinetic abilities who escapes from prison and joins the Terranauts.
Urs Ursus — A strong Driver and cellmate of Gunther V. who escapes with him and supports the rebellion.
Argan Pronk — The mayor of Miramar who is arrested for challenging Saul Khoman.
Llewellyn 709 — A leader of the Terranauts who commands the TASCA and leads the rescue mission on Aqua.
Mandorla — A former Gray Guard who defected to the Terranauts and assists Llewellyn 709.
Roglan Alessandr — A Driver with strong PSI detection abilities who helps locate Drivers on Aqua.
Saul Khoman — The Governor of Aqua, portrayed as a lackey of the Council, who withholds Protop from Miramar.
Leah Halef — The Queen of the Gray Guards who commands the Council forces in the Vishnu System and ultimately capitulates to the rebellion.
Thai Memleb — The finance master of Miramar who initiates the uprising after Argan Pronk's arrest.
Willem Thergaard — The master builder of Miramar who is appointed acting mayor after Argan Pronk's arrest and secretly supports the rebellion.
Locations
Aqua — A water world and colonial planet where the story takes place.
Middlehaven — The capital city of Aqua, controlled by the Council, and the target of the rebellion.
TASCA (ship) — The Terranauts' courier-class Driver ship.
Rorqual (ship) — A Driver ship where the TASCA lands.
Ships & Vehicles
TASCA (ship) — A Driver ship used by the Terranauts for their mission.
Ringo — A small spacecraft used by the Terranauts to travel to Aqua.
Technology & Concepts
Protop — A material used for construction and protection, particularly for building domes.
Drivers — Individuals with PSI powers used for interstellar space travel.
PSI Powers — Telekinetic and telepathic abilities possessed by Drivers.
Kaiser Force — A new technology for interstellar travel that replaces Drivers but is dangerous to the universe.
Protop-Ex — A substance that destroys Protop, used by the rebels to breach the domes of Middlehaven.
Gray Guards — The police force of the Terran Council, known for their emotionless obedience.
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel.
Terranauts — A group of Drivers fighting against the Council and the dangers of Kaiser Force.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of rebellion against oppressive authority, the dangers of unchecked technological advancement, and the importance of solidarity. The tone is serious and action-oriented, with a focus on political intrigue and military strategy. The narrative style is straightforward, with detailed descriptions of events and characters.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets detailing the Terranauts' fight against the Council.
Leads into: The ongoing rebellion on Aqua and the Terranauts' efforts to liberate other planets.
Related booklets: Booklets involving the Terranauts, the Gray Guards, and the dangers of Kaiser Force.
```