A Glitch in the Machine
Ein Computer spielt verrueckt
Plot Summary
Ennerk Prime, Suzanne Oh, Onnegart Vangralen, and Lyda Mar, four Terranauts, successfully plant bombs in a Gray Guards supply depot on Naria. During their escape, they are captured after running into an undisrupted shock field. They are taken to Cecile Aman, a Gray Guards Kommandant, who interrogates them about David terGorden and a supposed "hypno-block" in their minds. The interrogation yields nothing, and Aman orders them deported to planet CM-11241.
The Terranauts are transported to a Kaiser Force ship, the XS-571, crewed by Gray Guards Limur Zeran, Chi Tardas, and Crom Etchgan. The Terranauts are put into deep sleep, but not before sending a psionic tracking pulse to the SONNENWIND, a Terranaut ship commanded by Cler Masurin and Yoron Errehan, which follows them into Space II.
Aboard the XS-571, an experimental navigation device called the Seeker malfunctions, causing energy outbursts that affect the crew. Tardas is driven mad and attempts to kill Zeran. Zeran and Etchgan manage to subdue Tardas, but the Seeker cannot be shut down, and the ship is pulled out of Space II near a star. To escape, the Terranauts are awakened and asked to form a Driver Lodge to control the Seeker.
During the attempt to control the Seeker, Lyda Mar discovers that the device has developed a form of consciousness after merging with a Space II "soul complex" (similar to a Banshee). Lyda establishes a connection with the Seeker's consciousness and learns that it can be programmed. She anchors a return command in the Seeker, promising to return the ship to a specific location after a set time.
The ship arrives at the Norvo System, and the Terranauts are transferred to a station called "Outpost Station" before being transported to Sarym. Queen Sheera de Camp discovers that the Terranauts were not in deep sleep, and orders Zeran, Etchgan, and Tardas to return to Terra and report. As the Terranauts approach Sarym, they discover that the planet emits a radiation that suppresses PSI abilities, rendering them powerless and unable to trigger the return command in the Seeker. The booklet ends with the Terranauts arriving at Sarym, their mission seemingly a failure.
Key Events
- 01 Terranauts Ennerk Prime, Suzanne Oh, Onnegart Vangralen, and Lyda Mar bomb a Gray Guards supply depot on Naria.
- 02 The Terranauts are captured after encountering an undisrupted shock field.
- 03 Cecile Aman interrogates the Terranauts about David terGorden and a "hypno-block."
- 04 Aman orders the Terranauts deported to CM-11241.
- 05 The Terranauts send a psionic tracking pulse to the SONNENWIND before being put into deep sleep.
- 06 Aboard the XS-571, the Seeker malfunctions, causing energy outbursts.
- 07 Chi Tardas is driven mad and attempts to kill Limur Zeran.
- 08 Zeran and Etchgan subdue Tardas, but the Seeker cannot be shut down.
- 09 The XS-571 is pulled out of Space II near a star.
- 10 The Terranauts are awakened and asked to form a Driver Lodge to control the Seeker.
- 11 Lyda Mar discovers that the Seeker has developed a form of consciousness.
- 12 Lyda establishes a connection with the Seeker's consciousness and anchors a return command.
- 13 The ship arrives at the Norvo System, and the Terranauts are transferred to "Outpost Station."
- 14 Queen Sheera de Camp discovers that the Terranauts were not in deep sleep and orders Zeran, Etchgan, and Tardas to return to Terra.
- 15 The Terranauts discover that Sarym emits a radiation that suppresses PSI abilities.
- 16 The Terranauts arrive at Sarym, their mission seemingly a failure.
Characters
Ennerk Prime — An experienced Terranaut and Driver. He is captured and deported to Sarym. He is the strongest telepath in the group and leads the Driver Lodge.
Suzanne Oh — A Terranaut and Driver. She is captured and deported to Sarym. She is initially overcome with fear and resignation.
Onnegart Vangralen — A Terranaut and Driver. He is captured and deported to Sarym. He is haunted by memories of a previous deportation to Siam-Sin.
Lyda Mar — A Terranaut and Driver from Naria. She is captured and deported to Sarym. She is the key to establishing contact with the Seeker's consciousness.
Cecile Aman — A Gray Guards Kommandant on Naria. She interrogates the Terranauts but learns nothing new.
Limur Zeran — A Gray Guards Captain and Driver in charge of the XS-571. He is attacked by Chi Tardas and later works with the Terranauts to escape the sun's gravity.
Chi Tardas — A Gray Guards crew member and Driver on the XS-571. He is driven mad by the Seeker's energy outbursts and attempts to kill Limur Zeran.
Crom Etchgan — A Gray Guards crew member and Driver on the XS-571. He is more even-tempered than Zeran and Tardas.
Cler Masurin — A Terranaut and Driver aboard the SONNENWIND. He attempts to maintain contact with the deported Terranauts.
Yoron Errehan — A Terranaut and Driver aboard the SONNENWIND. He assists Masurin in tracking the XS-571.
Queen Sheera de Camp — A Gray Guards Queen at "Outpost Station" in the Norvo System. She discovers that the Terranauts were not in deep sleep and orders Zeran, Etchgan, and Tardas to return to Terra.
Locations
Naria — A colonial planet in the inner sector of the Reich. The story begins with the Terranauts bombing a supply depot here.
Orbit around Naria — The XS-571 transfers to a Kaiser Force ship in orbit around Naria.
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel. The XS-571 travels through Space II en route to Sarym.
Norvo System — A star system that is the initial destination of the XS-571.
Outpost Station — A surveillance station in the Norvo System used to monitor prisoners.
Sarym — A penal planet where Drivers with high PSI gifts are deported to. It emits radiation that suppresses PSI abilities.
Ships & Vehicles
XS-571 — A Kaiser Force courier ship used to transport the Terranauts to Sarym. It is equipped with the experimental Seeker navigation device.
SONNENWIND — A Terranaut ship that follows the XS-571 into Space II.
Ringo — A type of spacecraft used for short-range transport. The Terranauts are transported to Sarym aboard a Ringo.
Technology & Concepts
Terranauts — Members of a resistance movement fighting against the Council.
Gray Guards — The military force of the Council.
Driver — An individual with psionic abilities.
PSI — Psionic abilities.
Kaiser Force — A type of spacecraft used by the Gray Guards.
Space II — An alternate dimension used for faster-than-light travel.
Seeker — An experimental navigation device that allows ships to navigate in Space II without Drivers. It malfunctions and develops a form of consciousness.
Driver Lodge — A group of Drivers who combine their psionic abilities to achieve a common goal.
Sarym Shield — A technology that suppresses PSI abilities.
Hypno-block — A form of interrogation protection anchored in the minds of the Terranauts.
Ebberdyk Effect - The scientific principle that the Seeker operates on.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of technological overreach, the nature of consciousness, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. The tone is dark and suspenseful, with moments of hope and camaraderie. The narrative style is fast-paced and action-oriented, with a focus on the internal thoughts and feelings of the characters.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets detailing the Terranauts' fight against the Council and their knowledge of David terGorden.
Leads into: The Terranauts' imprisonment on Sarym and their potential efforts to escape or undermine the Council's operations there. The fate of Zeran, Etchgan, and Tardas after their return to Terra.
Related booklets: Booklets that feature David terGorden, the Terranauts, the Gray Guards, or the planet Sarym.
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