Threat from the Stars
Drohung von den Sternen
Plot Summary
The story begins on Xaxon, a planet on the edge of the galaxy, where Gorthaur, an astronaut, awakens from ice sleep during a mission to study a cosmic cloud. He discovers that Chomeuze, Xaxon's sun, is undergoing a catastrophic event, creating cracks in space and destroying both Xaxon and its sister planet, Ylian. Gorthaur experiences the destruction telepathically, sensing the death of his people.
Meanwhile, Zsa-non, a Mushni (Star Rider), is summoned to a Navel of the Pilots and shown Gorthaur's experience. The Pilots reveal that the destruction was caused by technical manipulations related to Kaiser Force and that this is not an isolated incident. The Entities (supercivilizations) are planning a multicultural counter-action, and Gorthaur is part of a separate Entity's plan. Zsa-non is tasked with informing other Mushni and preparing for joint consultations.
On Rorqual, David terGorden, Llewellyn 709, and Asen-Ger discuss the dangers of Kaiser Force and the need to convince the corporations to abandon it. Llewellyn is against any pacts with the Council, while Asen-Ger argues for the necessity of compromise to end the use of Kaiser Force. Suddenly, Cantos, a Genessaner, arrives in his ship, warning them that the side effects of Kaiser Force have caused a catastrophe: the destruction of Xaxon. He reveals that interstellar civilizations are aware of humanity's responsibility and will take countermeasures. Cantos advises them to buy time and eliminate Kaiser Force before the attacks begin. He offers to accompany them to Earth to convince the Council of the danger.
On Earth, Max von Valdec attends a celebration in South Africa, where he meets with his confidants to discuss political opposition and financial irregularities. A report arrives stating that an unknown spacecraft has emerged from Space II near Pluto, piloted by a Servis named Kormolan Jilith, who demands to speak with Valdec. Valdec orders Jilith to be brought to Berlin, suspecting a trap but intrigued by the possibility of a new transmitter technology. Meanwhile, Chan de Nouille is on Lunaport and is contacted by Cantos and David terGorden, who warn her of the impending alien attack and ask for her help in convincing the Council to abolish Kaiser Force. Chan de Nouille agrees, seeing an opportunity to topple Valdec.
Back on Earth, Valdec interrogates Kormolan Jilith, who claims to be a descendant of colonists from a lost ship, the ALMA MATER, and to possess a functioning Triadic Monochord. Valdec plans to exploit this technology. However, he receives news that Chan de Nouille has landed in Geneva with a legion of Guards and is contacting opposition corporations. Valdec realizes that Chan de Nouille is staging a coup and decides to use Jilith to his advantage. He asks Jilith to demonstrate the transmitter.
As Valdec and Jilith prepare for the demonstration, Gorthaur, now transformed and under the control of an alien power, is with them. Gorthaur uses his psionic abilities to initiate the alien attack, transforming Berlin into a swamp-like landscape reflecting his destroyed homeworld, Xaxon. Valdec and others are transformed into reptilian creatures.
David terGorden and the other Terranauts travel to Earth to warn the Council. They make contact with Chan de Nouille, who agrees to help them. However, the alien attack begins, and Earth is enveloped in a PSI-field. David flees to Geneva, where he finds Bolter's House Friend, a computer with a personality program and a mistletoe, which can help him fight the alien influence. David uses the mistletoe to focus his PSI power on the alien ship in orbit, hoping to influence the Gray Guards on board to activate the self-destruct system.
Llewellyn 709 and Cantos, also transformed into reptilian creatures, attempt to reach Berlin to stop Kormolan Jilith. They are attacked and crash, but Llewellyn gains the ability to fly. David manages to influence Queen Yazmin on the alien ship, and the ship is destroyed. The PSI-field collapses, and Earth returns to normal.
In the aftermath, the Council agrees to abolish Kaiser Force and work with the Terranauts. David terGorden and Cantos depart for Rorqual to plant Yggdrasil's Seed. Asen-Ger, Llewellyn 709, Narda, and Mandorla remain on Earth to track down Kormolan Jilith. The story ends with the knowledge that the alien threat is not over.
Key Events
- 01 Gorthaur awakens from ice sleep and discovers the destruction of Xaxon.
- 02 Zsa-non is summoned to a Navel of the Pilots and informed about the Kaiser Force-related catastrophe.
- 03 Cantos arrives on Rorqual to warn the Terranauts about the alien threat.
- 04 Max von Valdec learns about Kormolan Jilith and his spacecraft.
- 05 Chan de Nouille agrees to help the Terranauts and plot against Valdec.
- 06 Valdec interrogates Kormolan Jilith and plans to exploit his technology.
- 07 Gorthaur initiates the alien attack, transforming Berlin into a swamp.
- 08 David terGorden flees to Geneva and finds Bolter's House Friend.
- 09 David uses the mistletoe to focus his PSI power on the alien ship.
- 10 Llewellyn 709 and Cantos attempt to reach Berlin to stop Jilith.
- 11 Queen Yazmin activates the self-destruct system on the alien ship.
- 12 The PSI-field collapses, and Earth returns to normal.
- 13 The Council agrees to abolish Kaiser Force and work with the Terranauts.
- 14 David terGorden and Cantos depart for Rorqual.
- 15 Asen-Ger, Llewellyn 709, Narda, and Mandorla remain on Earth to track down Kormolan Jilith.
Characters
David terGorden — Leader of the Terranauts and heir to the Biotroniks Corporation. He fights against the Kaiser Force and seeks to restore Driver space travel. He is transformed into a reptilian creature but regains his human form and helps destroy the alien ship.
Llewellyn 709 — A Riemenmann (Strap-man) and super-Driver. He is against any pacts with the Council and advocates for breaking apart the corporations. He is transformed into a reptilian creature and then a giant bird.
Asen-Ger — Lodge Master and Summacum. Co-founder of the Terranauts and David's advisor. He supports compromise to end the use of Kaiser Force.
Max von Valdec — Owner of the Kaiser Corporation, Chairman of the Council of Corporations, and Lord Colonel. He is power-obsessed and wants to expand the Reich using Kaiser Force. He is transformed into a reptilian creature.
Chan de Nouille — Owner of the Gray Guards. She wants power for her Guards and fights against Valdec. She helps the Terranauts and plots against Valdec.
Cantos — A Genessaner who warns the Terranauts about the dangers of Kaiser Force and the alien threat. He accompanies them to Earth and helps them fight the aliens. He is transformed into a giant bird.
Gorthaur — An astronaut from Xaxon whose planet is destroyed by Kaiser Force. He is transformed and controlled by an alien power and used to initiate the attack on Earth. He is the false Kormolan Jilith.
Zsa-non — A Mushni (Star Rider) who is summoned to a Navel of the Pilots and informed about the Kaiser Force-related catastrophe.
Kormolan Jilith — The false identity of Gorthaur. He is a Servis from a lost colony and possesses a functioning Triadic Monochord. He is used by an alien power to initiate the attack on Earth.
Queen Yazmin — A Gray Guard Queen who is influenced by David terGorden to activate the self-destruct system on the alien ship.
Bolter's House Friend — A computer with a personality program and a mistletoe, which helps David terGorden fight the alien influence.
Locations
Xaxon — A planet on the edge of the galaxy that is destroyed by Kaiser Force.
Ylian — Xaxon's sister planet, also destroyed.
Navel of the Pilots — A prism island in space that serves as a communication node for post-technological civilizations.
Rorqual — The Terranauts' base of operations.
Earth — The central planet of the Reich and the target of the alien attack.
Geneva — A city on Earth where the Gray Guards maintain an embassy and where the Council negotiates with the Terranauts.
Lunaport — A lunar base belonging to the Gray Guards.
Berlin — The capital of the Reich and the location of Kaiser Headquarters. It is transformed into a swamp by the alien attack.
Ships & Vehicles
ALMA MATER — A colonist ship that disappeared and from which Kormolan Jilith claims to originate.
Ringo — An archaic spacecraft used by Kormolan Jilith.
Technology & Concepts
Kaiser Force — A spacecraft drive that tears open the second space, causing dangerous side effects and ultimately leading to the destruction of Xaxon.
Triadic Monochord — A transmitter technology that allows for interstellar travel.
Space I & II — Alternate dimensions used for faster-than-light travel.
Drivers — Humans with PSI abilities who can navigate through space.
PSI — Psionic energy or abilities.
Entities — Supercivilizations that are millions of years old and possess advanced PSI abilities.
Mushni — Star Riders, a culture that increasingly renounces technology in favor of PSI.
Genessaner — An alien race that is close to being regarded as a threshold power.
Entropers — Metallic sculptures that accelerate entropy.
Mistletoe — A plant with PSI-dampening properties that can be used to fight alien influence.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of responsibility, compromise, and the consequences of unchecked technological advancement. The tone is dark and suspenseful, with elements of body horror and psionic warfare. The narrative style is fast-paced and action-oriented, with frequent shifts in perspective.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets detailing the rise of Valdec and the dangers of Kaiser Force.
Leads into: The aftermath of the alien attack and the ongoing struggle against the corporations.
Related booklets: Booklets focusing on the Terranauts' efforts to cultivate a new primeval tree and reintroduce Driver space travel.