The Gatherer
Der Sammler
Plot Summary
Lyda Mar, Damon Credock, Ennerk Prime, and Aschan Herib continue their journey across Sarym to the Maritime Coral City to investigate the disappearance of Surins. They are separated from Suzanne Oh and Onnegart Vangralen after an attack by Dream-hooks. Meanwhile, the organic spacecraft, the Collector, returns to the Norvo System after a long journey to the galactic core, sensing a weakened PSI-net. The Collector is drawn through the system, discovering that the PSI-aura on the fifth planet, Equilibrium, has been destroyed.
On Arioch, the PSI-parasite Oinji is caught in a crystal cyclone but is saved by rolling into a niche near the Source. He is then transformed by the Source and becomes a demigod. Back on Sarym, Lyda Mar resists her role as a Mediator, but Damon Credock encourages her. They discover a colony of Water-lily Jellyfish to use as boats. The group encounters a monstrous plant with snares, and Lyda Mar experiences a mental undertow from one of its buds.
The Station Commander at a secret Gray station monitors the Terranauts' progress, hoping they will reveal the location of David terGorden's base on Rorqual. Lyda Mar and Damon Credock are attacked by Dream-hooks and experience a shared vision, merging their minds. Lyda Mar connects with the Water-lily Jellyfish and becomes a true Mediator. Suzanne Oh and Aschan Herib discuss Rorqual, unaware that a robot spy disguised as a bird is listening. Oinji is transformed by the Source into a demigod.
Lyda Mar, Damon Credock, and Ennerk Prime reach the Maritime Coral City, a structure teeming with Dream-hooks. Lyda Mar enters a trance and speaks of the city calling to her. They enter the city and discover that the Dream-hooks are born from hard-shelled fruits. Lyda Mar and Damon Credock use Dream-hooks to synchronize with the presence in the Maritime Coral City, merging their minds and conceiving Aura Damona Mar. They encounter the consciousness of Mar-Estos, a former self of Llewellyn 709, and learn of PSI-experiments conducted by Hermano Lotz at a Gray station on Sarym. Ennerk Prime rescues Lyda Mar and Damon Credock from the collapsing Maritime Coral City.
The Collector merges with the PSI-aura of its home planet and learns the terrible truth: the Buds of the Tree themselves caused the destruction of the PSI-auras through a sacrilegious experiment. The Collectors are tasked with finding the Buds of the Tree and informing them of the dangers of Kaiser Force. The story ends with a new ship emerging from Space II near OUTPOST, powered by Kaiser Force.
Key Events
- 01 Lyda Mar and company discover a colony of Water-lily Jellyfish.
- 02 The group is attacked by Surin-rats.
- 03 Lyda Mar experiences a mental undertow from a monstrous plant.
- 04 The Station Commander monitors the Terranauts, hoping to learn the location of Rorqual.
- 05 Lyda Mar and Damon Credock are attacked by Dream-hooks and merge their minds.
- 06 Lyda Mar connects with the Water-lily Jellyfish and becomes a true Mediator.
- 07 Suzanne Oh and Aschan Herib discuss Rorqual, unaware of the robot spy.
- 08 Oinji is transformed by the Source into a demigod.
- 09 Lyda Mar, Damon Credock, and Ennerk Prime reach the Maritime Coral City.
- 10 Lyda Mar and Damon Credock use Dream-hooks to synchronize with the presence in the Maritime Coral City.
- 11 They encounter the consciousness of Mar-Estos, a former self of Llewellyn 709.
- 12 Ennerk Prime rescues Lyda Mar and Damon Credock from the collapsing Maritime Coral City.
- 13 The Collector merges with the PSI-aura of its home planet and learns the truth about the Buds of the Tree.
- 14 The Collectors are tasked with finding the Buds of the Tree and warning them about Kaiser Force.
- 15 A new ship powered by Kaiser Force emerges from Space II near OUTPOST.
Characters
Lyda Mar — A Terranaut who is struggling to become a Mediator. She eventually connects with the Water-lily Jellyfish and becomes a true Mediator. She merges minds with Damon Credock and learns the truth about the Buds of the Tree.
Damon Credock — A Mediator who guides the Terranauts. He merges minds with Lyda Mar and helps her connect with the Maritime Coral City.
Ennerk Prime — A Terranaut and Driver who is part of the expedition. He rescues Lyda Mar and Damon Credock from the collapsing Maritime Coral City.
Aschan Herib — A Mediator who joins the Terranauts on their expedition. He is attacked by Surin-rats and later by Dream-hooks.
Hermano Lotz — The Station Commander at a secret Gray station on Sarym. He monitors the Terranauts and conducts PSI-experiments.
Oinji — A PSI-parasite on Arioch who is transformed by the Source into a demigod.
Suzanne Oh — A Terranaut who is separated from the group after the Dream-hook attack.
Onnegart Vangralen — A Terranaut who is separated from the group after the Dream-hook attack.
Dor Masali — The cyborg assistant to Hermano Lotz.
Llewellyn 709 — A Riemenmann whose former self, Mar-Estos, is encountered in the Maritime Coral City.
Locations
Sarym — The prison planet where the Terranauts are conducting their mission.
Maritime Coral City — A mysterious structure in the ocean that serves as a central control element for the Bio-PSI system.
Norvo System — The star system where Sarym is located.
Rorqual — The secret base of the Terranauts.
Equilibrium — Another name for Sarym.
OUTPOST — A station near the Norvo System.
Ships & Vehicles
Collector — An organic spacecraft that returns to the Norvo System.
Water-lily Jellyfish — Enormous plants used as boats to cross the ocean.
Ringo — Gray Guard ship that dropped off the Terranauts.
Technology & Concepts
PSI-aura — An energetic field that surrounds a planet or living being.
Dream-hooks — Creatures that induce dreams and visions.
Mediator — A person with the ability to connect with the Bio-PSI system.
Driver — A person with PSI abilities.
Kaiser Force — A powerful energy source that is also dangerous.
Buds of the Tree — The creators of the Bio-PSI system.
Bio-PSI — The ability to influence living organisms with PSI.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of identity, connection, and the dangers of unchecked scientific experimentation. The tone is mysterious and suspenseful, with elements of horror and romance. The narrative style is complex, with multiple perspectives and interwoven plot threads.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets detailing the Terranauts' arrival on Sarym and their mission.
Leads into: The search for the Buds of the Tree and the fight against Kaiser Force. The fate of Suzanne Oh and Onnegart Vangralen.
Related booklets: Booklets dealing with the Gray stations on Sarym, the Buds of the Tree, and the Kaiser Force.