Narda's Stand
Nardas Kampf
Plot Summary
The SONNENWIND, a scout ship carrying the Driver Lodge fleeing the Gray Guards after escaping an internment camp on Taschkanur, is tracked by two combat Ringos. Narda, a PSI-girl, urges the Lodge to use their last mistletoe to escape into Space II, despite the risk to Rollo and Greeny, who lost their Driver abilities through brain operations. During the escape, Jessica Xiam discovers that the ship's research data has been deleted, jeopardizing their ability to navigate Space II. The SONNENWIND is hit by a warning shot, but manages to jump to Space II.
In Space II, Rollo and Greeny are overwhelmed by the alien influences, causing Rollo to become violent before falling unconscious. Greeny is saved by the residual consciousness of her deceased twin sister, Whity, who now exists as part of Space II. Mashram Eschrit, the Lodge Master, seems unaffected by Space II and harbors secret plans. The Lodge decides to seek help from Gulben Horg, a Servis on Yamarahan in the Lumir System, who is an old friend of Rollo.
On Yamarahan, the Lodge splits up. Narda's group encounters Silent Drivers, victims of brain operations, and narrowly escapes the planetary police after being detected for PSI activity. They reach Gulben Horg, who is initially reluctant to help but eventually provides coordinates to a safe haven. However, the police arrive, forcing the Lodge to flee with Gulben Horg. During the escape, Gulben Horg is killed by the police, but reveals that David terGorden is on Ginger in the Kashmir System, and mentions the League of Free Worlds before dying.
The Lodge decides to head for El'ait in the Vennigat System, hoping to find a decommissioned Driver ship with new mistletoes and storage units. Mashram Eschrit secretly informs the Kaiser Corporation about the Lodge's plans. On El'ait, the Lodge is caught in a PSI-trap at the spaceport. They escape, but Rollo is killed. The Lodge flees in a Ringo, pursued by Kaiser Force ships.
The Lodge escapes to the SONNENWIND, but the last mistletoe is withering, and they have no destination. Greeny, guided by Whity, steers the ship through Space II, but falls into a coma. They arrive near a wrecked Driver ship. Narda, Cler Masurin, and Mil Fraumin board the wreck and find a dying Driver, Mishna Karhan, who reveals the coordinates of Susmandor and mentions Ruman Marjew, who has contact with Ginger's Pearls.
On Susmandor, Narda's group encounters Ruman Marjew, who is a Kaiser representative and a resistance fighter. Ruman Marjew reveals that Ginger is free, and David terGorden is on Aqua. However, Mashram Eschrit reveals himself as a traitor and attempts to hand the Lodge over to the Kaiser Corporation. Mashram Eschrit is stopped, but the alarm is raised. The Lodge escapes, leaving Mashram Eschrit behind.
Back on the SONNENWIND, Greeny dies. Narda, fueled by grief and determination, leads the Lodge into Space II without a mistletoe. She has a vision of Aqua and David terGorden. The SONNENWIND arrives on Aqua, where Narda is reunited with David terGorden.
Key Events
- 01 The SONNENWIND is tracked by combat Ringos after escaping Taschkanur.
- 02 The Lodge uses their last mistletoe to escape into Space II.
- 03 Jessica Xiam discovers that the ship's research data has been deleted.
- 04 Rollo and Greeny are overwhelmed by the alien influences of Space II.
- 05 Greeny is saved by the residual consciousness of her deceased twin sister, Whity.
- 06 The Lodge seeks help from Gulben Horg on Yamarahan.
- 07 The Lodge encounters Silent Drivers on Yamarahan.
- 08 The Lodge escapes the planetary police on Yamarahan.
- 09 Gulben Horg is killed by the police, but reveals that David terGorden is on Ginger.
- 10 The Lodge decides to head for El'ait in the Vennigat System.
- 11 Mashram Eschrit secretly informs the Kaiser Corporation about the Lodge's plans.
- 12 The Lodge is caught in a PSI-trap on El'ait.
- 13 Rollo is killed on El'ait.
- 14 The Lodge escapes to the SONNENWIND, but the last mistletoe is withering.
- 15 Greeny, guided by Whity, steers the ship through Space II, but falls into a coma.
- 16 The Lodge finds a dying Driver, Mishna Karhan, who reveals the coordinates of Susmandor.
- 17 The Lodge encounters Ruman Marjew on Susmandor, who is a Kaiser representative and a resistance fighter.
- 18 Mashram Eschrit reveals himself as a traitor and attempts to hand the Lodge over to the Kaiser Corporation.
- 19 Mashram Eschrit is stopped, but the alarm is raised.
- 20 The Lodge escapes, leaving Mashram Eschrit behind.
- 21 Greeny dies on the SONNENWIND.
- 22 Narda, fueled by grief and determination, leads the Lodge into Space II without a mistletoe.
- 23 The SONNENWIND arrives on Aqua, where Narda is reunited with David terGorden.
Characters
Narda — A sixteen-year-old PSI-girl and Driver. She is determined to find David terGorden and continue the resistance against the Council. She leads the Lodge through many dangers and ultimately reaches Aqua.
Mashram Eschrit — The Lodge Master of the SONNENWIND. He is secretly a traitor working for the Council. He attempts to betray the Lodge on Susmandor but is stopped.
Rollo — A Deneb-born former Driver who lost his abilities through a brain operation. He is a close friend of Narda and is killed on El'ait.
Greeny — A former Driver who lost her abilities through a brain operation. She is possessed by the residual consciousness of her deceased twin sister, Whity, and guides the SONNENWIND through Space II before dying.
David terGorden — The leader of the Terranauts and the object of Narda's affection. He is located on Aqua, where he is reunited with Narda.
Jessica Xiam — A Driver and externally trained scientist on the SONNENWIND.
Cler Masurin — A Driver on the SONNENWIND.
Yoron Errehan — A Driver on the SONNENWIND.
Dania Makiri — A Driver and externally trained scientist on the SONNENWIND.
Rogmash Al — A Driver on the SONNENWIND.
Mil Fraumin — A Driver on the SONNENWIND.
Kar Dougster — A twenty-three-year-old Driver on the SONNENWIND who was born on Ginger.
Gulben Horg — A Servis on Yamarahan and an old friend of Rollo. He helps the Lodge but is killed by the police.
Whity — The deceased twin sister of Greeny. Her residual consciousness exists as part of Space II and guides Greeny.
Rogan Perkam — The Kaiser representative on Yamarahan.
Queen Mohima Garcak — A Guard officer.
Ewrem Mishna — The Manag of the Kaiser branch on El'ait.
Ruman Marjew — A Kaiser representative on Susmandor and a resistance fighter.
Dehmam Garhas — A Kaiser employee on Susmandor.
Mishna Karhan — A dying Driver who reveals the coordinates of Susmandor.
Locations
SONNENWIND — The scout ship used by the Driver Lodge to flee the Gray Guards.
Taschkanur — The prison world from which the Lodge escapes.
Yamarahan — The second planet of the Lumir System, where the Lodge seeks help from Gulben Horg.
Lumir System — The star system where Yamarahan is located.
El'ait — The second planet of the Vennigat System, where the Lodge hopes to find a decommissioned Driver ship.
Vennigat System — The star system where El'ait is located.
Susmandor — A raw materials planet where the Lodge seeks contact with Ruman Marjew.
Aqua — A planet of the Alliance, where David terGorden is located.
Middlehaven — The capital of Aqua.
Ginger — A free planet in the Kashmir System.
Ships & Vehicles
SONNENWIND — A small scout ship used by the Driver Lodge.
Ringo — A small spacecraft.
Technology & Concepts
Driver — A person with PSI abilities who can pilot ships through Space II.
Lodge — A group of Drivers who work together to pilot a ship through Space II.
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel.
Mistletoe — A plant that helps Drivers navigate Space II.
Gray Guards — Enforcers of the Council.
Kaiser Force — A dark, threatening military force.
PSI — Extrasensory perception.
PSI-trap — A device that detects and restrains individuals with PSI abilities.
Brain Operation — A surgical procedure that removes PSI abilities.
Silent Drivers — Drivers who have undergone brain operations.
Alpha-Order — A directive from the Council.
Summacum — A highly intelligent individual.
Double-Thinking — The ability to conceal one's true thoughts.
League of Free Worlds — An alliance of planets fighting for independence from the Council.
Terranauts — Members of the resistance.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of resistance, betrayal, loss, and hope. The tone is dark and suspenseful, with moments of action and emotional depth. The narrative style is fast-paced and focuses on the internal struggles of the characters as they face seemingly insurmountable odds.
Connections
Continues from: Die Terranauten 037
Leads into: Story threads left open include the fate of the other Drivers, the plans of the Council, and the future of the resistance.
Related booklets: Characters, locations, and plot threads are likely shared with other booklets in the "Die Terranauten" saga.