The Somasa's Long Journey
Die Irrfahrt der Somasa
Plot Summary
On Rorqual, Maris, grandson of a powerful leader, is sent to contact strangers who have landed on the island of Pitcairn, hoping they are members of his grandfather's people. Meanwhile, aboard the airship SOMASA, David terGorden and his companions, including Claude Farrell and Thorna, struggle to navigate the turbulent skies after escaping the clutches of the Great Bolko. They rescue survivors from two sinking ships, the STURMVOGEL and the HYBRIS, encountering Toland Ryker and other survivors who demand to be taken to safety.
A mutiny erupts, led by Toland Ryker, but is quelled after a fierce battle. The SOMASA continues its journey northward, seeking a mysterious valley guided by David terGorden's subconscious connection to Yggdrasil. They encounter a mountain range and, with the help of Elmo Vandervort, find a narrow pass. During the passage, the SOMASA is attacked by raven-like birds, resulting in casualties and damage.
The SOMASA crashes in a valley, and David terGorden meets Yella, a member of the Helpers, who reveals the history of the world-trees and the Helpers' role in shaping cosmic civilizations. She also warns of a traitor among them. The group is attacked, and it is revealed that Nordstrom is a Shadow agent who steals the seeds of Yggdrasil and a map. Yella is mortally wounded, and with her dying breath, she mentions "The Great Abyss." The SOMASA is destroyed, leaving the remaining crew stranded.
Key Events
- 01 Maris is tasked by his grandfather to find strangers on Pitcairn.
- 02 David terGorden and the Terranauts escape Saryfa aboard the SOMASA.
- 03 The SOMASA rescues survivors from the STURMVOGEL and the HYBRIS.
- 04 A mutiny led by Toland Ryker breaks out on the SOMASA.
- 05 The mutiny is suppressed, and Ryker is thrown overboard.
- 06 The SOMASA searches for a pass through the Black Mountains.
- 07 The SOMASA is attacked by raven-like birds in the Green Pass.
- 08 The SOMASA crashes in the Valley of the Green Flowers.
- 09 David terGorden meets Yella, who reveals the history of the Helpers and the world-trees.
- 10 Nordstrom is revealed to be a Shadow agent and steals the seeds of Yggdrasil.
- 11 Yella is killed, and the SOMASA is destroyed.
Characters
David terGorden — Leader of the Terranauts, Driver with PSI abilities, and heir to the Biotroniks Corporation. He seeks the seeds of Yggdrasil.
Claude Farrell — Terranaut and friend of David's. He is a smoker and skilled with lasers.
Thorna — Terranaut and admirer of David's. She is from Rorqual.
Maris — Grandson of a powerful leader on Rorqual. He seeks contact with the strangers.
Elmo Vandervort — A hunter who joins Maris. He is superstitious but knowledgeable about the mountains.
Toland Ryker — Former General Manager of Music-Minus-One Corporation, now a sailor on Rorqual. He leads a mutiny.
Marcel d'Guinne — Former merchant sailor and skilled airship pilot. He is a friend of Guy LaRamee.
Yella — A member of the Helpers, an ancient race connected to the world-trees.
Nordstrom — A Driver and Terranaut, later revealed to be a Shadow agent.
Locations
Rorqual — A mysterious planet in Space II.
Saryfa — An island on Rorqual, formerly controlled by the Great Bolko.
Northern Sea — The sea surrounding the northern continent of Rorqual.
Black Mountains — A mountain range on Rorqual.
Green Pass — A narrow pass through the Black Mountains.
Valley of the Green Flowers — A valley on Rorqual, home to the Helpers and the mammoth tree.
Ships & Vehicles
SOMASA — An airship built by the followers of the Great Bolko.
STURMVOGEL — A sailing vessel belonging to Collyn.
HYBRIS — A sailing vessel belonging to Guy LaRamee.
Technology & Concepts
PSI Abilities — Mental powers used by Drivers.
Driver Space Travel — A method of interstellar travel using PSI abilities and world-trees.
Yggdrasil — A primeval tree that enables Driver space travel.
Space II — An alternate universe.
World-Trees — Intelligent plants connected to one another across the galaxy.
Helpers — An ancient race that serves the world-trees.
Shadows — Secret agents of the Gray Guards.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of betrayal, the clash between technology and superstition, and the search for knowledge and understanding. The narrative is action-packed, with frequent battles and narrow escapes, but also delves into the history and mythology of the Terranaut universe. The tone is generally serious, with moments of humor and camaraderie.
Connections
Continues from: Continues the story of David's search for the seeds of Yggdrasil after the crash of the Ringo.
Leads into: The search for the Great Abyss and the consequences of Nordstrom's betrayal.
Related booklets: Booklets dealing with the Terranauts' conflict with the Council and the Gray Guards, and the mythology of the world-trees.