The Ice Devils
Die Eisteufel
Plot Summary
The booklet opens with Ennerk Prime, Onnegart Vangralen, and Lyda Mar returning to Rorqual in the courier ship BERLIN after their mission to Sarym. They navigate through a Black Hole gateway to Space II, relying on Lyda Mar's connection with the ship's mutated Seeker to guide them. The Kaiser Force drive's threshold field causes a shockwave that awakens something ancient at the heart of Rorqual.
Meanwhile, on the icy planet Quostan, Ruben Carcones, a PSI-assassin, and his dying partner Gus are observing a secret station where the Council of Corporations is conducting forbidden experiments on the native Ice Devils. They witness the arrival of a Riemenmann, Valhala 13, in a deep-sleep capsule. Ruben Carcones's hunting instinct takes over, and he attacks the station, freeing the Riemenmann.
Valhala 13, a double of Llewellyn 709, arrives on Rorqual and is met by Asen-Ger and other Terranauts. Lyda Mar recognizes him as an imposter, triggering a violent confrontation. Valhala 13, controlled by his inner voice, attacks and seemingly kills several Terranauts, including David terGorden. He escapes with Claude Farrell, Angila Fraim, and Sirdina Giccomo, intending to deliver Rorqual's location to the Council or the Guards. Lyda Mar stows away on Valhala 13's ship, the CYGNI.
Back on Quostan, Ruben Carcones and Llewellyn 709 (the real one) are on the run from Queen Ishiya and her forces. They encounter a dying Gus and are eventually cornered. Lyda Mar, using her connection to the Seeker, contacts Llewellyn 709 and guides the CYGNI to Quostan. Lyda Mar and Claude Farrell rescue Llewellyn 709 and Ruben Carcones, but are trapped when the Grays collapse the ice passage. Before they can escape, Ruben Carcones destroys the pursuing Gray Guard glider, trapping them.
As they try to escape the collapsing ice passages, it is revealed that Hermano Lotz, the director of the Sarym station, orchestrated the escape of Lyda Mar, Ennerk Prime, and Onnegart Vangralen. They were infected with a virus that would activate upon contact with Llewellyn 709's PSI signature, unleashing a "Hate Plague." The virus also affects the Ice Devils, causing them to turn violent. Lyda Mar, Llewellyn 709, Claude Farrell, and Ruben Carcones escape Quostan in the CYGNI with the rescued Grays, realizing that the "Hate Plague" threatens the entire galaxy. They decide to head to Earth to find the antidote held by Valdec.
Key Events
- 01 Ennerk Prime, Onnegart Vangralen, and Lyda Mar return to Rorqual via a Black Hole gateway.
- 02 The Kaiser Force drive's shockwave awakens something on Rorqual.
- 03 Ruben Carcones observes a secret station on Quostan and the arrival of Valhala 13.
- 04 Ruben Carcones attacks the station and frees Llewellyn 709.
- 05 Valhala 13 attacks the Terranauts on Rorqual and escapes.
- 06 Lyda Mar stows away on the CYGNI.
- 07 Lyda Mar contacts Llewellyn 709 on Quostan.
- 08 Lyda Mar and Claude Farrell rescue Llewellyn 709 and Ruben Carcones.
- 09 Ruben Carcones destroys a Gray Guard glider, trapping them.
- 10 It is revealed that Lyda Mar, Ennerk Prime, and Onnegart Vangralen were infected with a virus on Sarym.
- 11 The virus activates, causing the "Hate Plague" and affecting the Ice Devils.
- 12 Lyda Mar, Llewellyn 709, Claude Farrell, and Ruben Carcones escape Quostan in the CYGNI with the rescued Grays.
- 13 They decide to head to Earth to find the antidote held by Valdec.
Characters
Lyda Mar — A Terranaut and Driver returning from Sarym. She has a strong connection to the Seeker and can sense Valhala's true identity. She stows away on the CYGNI and helps rescue Llewellyn 709.
Ennerk Prime — A Terranaut and Driver returning from Sarym.
Onnegart Vangralen — A Terranaut and Driver returning from Sarym.
Valhala 13 — A Riemenmann and double of Llewellyn 709, controlled by an inner voice. He attacks the Terranauts on Rorqual and attempts to deliver Rorqual's location to the Council.
Asen-Ger — A Terranaut leader on Rorqual.
David terGorden — The Heir of Power, a Terranaut leader on Rorqual. He is seemingly killed by Valhala 13.
Claude Farrell — A Terranaut and Lodge Master. He is initially controlled by Valhala 13 but is later freed by Lyda Mar.
Llewellyn 709 — A Riemenmann held captive on Quostan. He is freed by Ruben Carcones and rescued by Lyda Mar and Claude Farrell.
Ruben Carcones — A PSI-assassin on Quostan. He frees Llewellyn 709 from the Gray Guards.
Gus — Ruben Carcones' dying partner.
Queen Ishiya — A Gray Guard leader on Quostan. She is in charge of the secret station and the experiments on the Ice Devils.
Hermano Lotz — The director of the secret research station on Sarym. He orchestrated the escape of the Terranauts and infected them with the Hate Plague virus.
Locations
Ships & Vehicles
Technology & Concepts
Kaiser Force — A type of drive that destroys entropy. Its use near Rorqual causes PSI phenomena.
Riemenmann — A super-Driver, a PSI-monster created through inhuman experiments.
PSI — Psychic abilities.
Black Hole — A gateway between universes, forming the passage to Rorqual.
Seeker — The self-aware navigator of the BERLIN, mutated by Space II.
Sarym-Shield — A device that deflects psionic attacks.
Ice Devils — The native inhabitants of Quostan, used in experiments by the Council.
Hate Plague — A virus cultivated by Hermano Lotz that causes hatred and violence.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of identity, betrayal, and the dangers of unchecked scientific experimentation. The tone is dark and suspenseful, with elements of horror and action. The narrative style is fast-paced, with frequent shifts in perspective between different groups of characters.
Connections
Continues from: Die Terranauten 045 (based on characters and Sarym mission)
Leads into: The search for the antidote to the Hate Plague on Earth. The threat of Valdec and the Council.
Related booklets: Booklets dealing with Sarym, the Kaiser Force, and the Terranauts' struggle against the Council.
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