The Alien's Sanctuary
Das Versteck des Ausserirdischen
Plot Summary
Vilosh Moran, a secondary interrogation technician for the Kaiser Corporation, is taken into custody by Gray Guards and subjected to a psycho-hood interrogation to ensure he hasn't leaked information about Servis Kormolan Jilith (actually the Xaxon alien, Gorthaur). Max von Valdec learns that Gorthaur escaped and orders Fay Gray to locate and eliminate him, while also monitoring and eliminating the Terranauts if possible. Valdec also manipulates events to discredit his opposition within the Council, including Anlyka terCrupp. Meanwhile, a Mushni observer in a post-technological ship analyzes the situation on Earth, deeming humanity a dangerous, chaotic influence.
Gorthaur, on the run and needing to find host bodies for the remaining Xaxon egos, travels to Madrid and then to Geneva, seeking out Anlyka terCrupp. He manages to take control of her body and several other ASK managers, planning to disrupt the Earth's computer networks. The Terranauts, along with Chan de Nouille's Gray Drivers, are searching for Gorthaur. They follow leads to Paris, Sofia, and Perth, encountering various dangers and unrest caused by the Brak Shakram Command.
Anlyka terCrupp and other Council members plot against Valdec, but he anticipates their moves and frames them for sabotage and unrest. Lord Inspector Ignazius Tyll investigates Valdec's financial dealings, becoming a major threat. Valdec orders Fay Gray to eliminate Tyll and frames Anlyka terCrupp for the act. Gorthaur begins manipulating the Earth's computer network, causing widespread chaos and downgrading millions of Relax to Noman status. Valdec uses the chaos to consolidate his power, declaring a state of emergency and dissolving the Council.
The Terranauts are captured in Perth but rescued by Chan de Nouille. They realize the computer network disruptions are Gorthaur's doing and trace him to the Kaiser Corporation headquarters in New Berlin, where he is attempting to assassinate Valdec. Valdec is nearly killed by Gorthaur (in Anlyka terCrupp's body), but is saved by Gray Guards. Gorthaur escapes to the ASK headquarters in Geneva, where he is eventually confronted by the Terranauts. Gorthaur realizes his mistake in condemning all humans and, using the Arma, sacrifices himself to atone for his actions and prevent further harm. Valdec consolidates his power, dissolving the Council and declaring a state of emergency. The Mushni observer reports back to her superiors that the danger on Earth has not been eliminated.
Key Events
- 01 Vilosh Moran is interrogated to ensure secrecy about Servis Kormolan Jilith.
- 02 Max von Valdec orders the elimination of Gorthaur and the monitoring of the Terranauts.
- 03 Gorthaur takes control of Anlyka terCrupp and other ASK managers.
- 04 Anlyka terCrupp and other Council members plot against Valdec.
- 05 Lord Inspector Ignazius Tyll investigates Valdec's financial dealings.
- 06 The Terranauts search for Gorthaur in Paris, Sofia, and Perth.
- 07 Gorthaur manipulates the Earth's computer network, causing widespread chaos.
- 08 Valdec frames his opposition for sabotage and unrest.
- 09 Valdec orders the elimination of Ignazius Tyll.
- 10 The Terranauts are captured in Perth but rescued by Chan de Nouille.
- 11 Valdec is nearly killed by Gorthaur but is saved by Gray Guards.
- 12 Gorthaur is confronted by the Terranauts in Geneva and sacrifices himself.
- 13 Valdec consolidates his power, dissolving the Council and declaring a state of emergency.
- 14 Ignazius Tyll survives multiple assassination attempts.
- 15 A Mushni observer reports that the danger on Earth has not been eliminated.
Characters
Narda — A fourteen-year-old Driver with telepathic abilities and a member of the Terranauts. She is instrumental in locating and understanding Gorthaur.
Llewellyn 709 — A Riemenmann and super-Driver who fights for the Terranauts. He is involved in the search for Gorthaur and the psionic confrontation with him.
Asen-Ger — Lodge Master and Summacum of the Terranauts, providing guidance and tactical expertise. He is also involved in the psionic confrontation with Gorthaur.
Max von Valdec — Owner of the Kaiser Corporation, Chairman of the Council of Corporations, and the main antagonist. He seeks to consolidate his power and eliminate his opposition.
Chan de Nouille — Owner of the Gray Guards and an uncertain ally of the Terranauts. She helps rescue the Terranauts and provides support in their search for Gorthaur.
Gorthaur — A Xaxon alien seeking revenge for the destruction of his homeworld. He possesses the body of Anlyka terCrupp and manipulates the Earth's computer network.
Ignazius Tyll — The Lord Inspector who investigates Valdec's financial dealings. He becomes a target for assassination.
Fay Gray — Queen of the Gray Guards and loyal to Max von Valdec. She carries out his orders to monitor and eliminate threats.
Vilosh Moran — A secondary interrogation technician for the Kaiser Corporation, briefly detained and interrogated.
Ormil Deshmarn — Finance Manager of the Kaiser Corporation, reporting to Valdec about Tyll's investigation.
Tariah daMarden — GeneralManag of Transport Stellar.
Lucia Takamahi — GeneralManag of Interstellar Wood & Furniture and a member of the Council opposition.
Wilbert terBarden — GeneralManag of Green Hill and a member of the Council opposition.
Timian Mira — GeneralManag of Export-Kartell and a member of the Council opposition.
Andras Mulin — A Relax who experiences the consequences of the computer network disruptions.
Lyla Fertochen — A Relax and friend of Andras Mulin.
Miliim Gramis — A Relax and friend of Andras Mulin.
Vyria Vram — A young woman used by Gorthaur to infiltrate Valdec's quarters.
Manuel Lucci — Coordinator of the Brak Shakram Command.
Locations
New Berlin — Location of the Kaiser Corporation headquarters and Valdec's residence.
Geneva — Location of the Council administration, ASK headquarters, and the center of the Council opposition.
Sofia — A city with a significant entertainment district and the location of Interstellar Wood & Furniture headquarters.
Perth — A city in Australia where the Terranauts are captured and later rescued.
Earth Orbit — Location of the Mushni observer's ship.
Liweuten-Bau — Gorthaur's home.
Sarym — A prison world for rebellious Drivers, on which PSI experiments are conducted.
Stonehenge II — Location of secret Kaiser research projects.
Quostan — Location of secret Kaiser research projects.
Ships & Vehicles
Magnetic Glider — Used by the Terranauts and Gray Guards for transportation.
Heavy Combat Glider — Used by the Gray Guards for combat and transportation.
Council Glider — Used by Ignazius Tyll for transportation.
Technology & Concepts
PSI — Psychic abilities, particularly important for the Drivers and the Xaxon.
Kaiser Force — A destructive form of energy used in space travel and warfare, responsible for the destruction of Gorthaur's homeworld.
Sarym Shield — A technology used to block PSI abilities.
Dream Crystal — An outlawed crystal used to induce deep dreams and illusions.
Relax — Individuals who indulge in pleasure and entertainment, often using drugs and cosmetic alterations.
Noman — Individuals who are not officially recognized and lack basic rights.
Arbiter — Members of a caste.
Gray Guards — The army of the Council, used for security and enforcement.
Gray Drivers — Gray Guards with PSI abilities.
Terranauts — Individuals with PSI abilities.
Brak Shakram Command — A trade union movement.
Open-Hearted — A sect that strives for absolute sexual liberation.
Arma — A Xaxon concept.
Mushni — A representative of a threshold power.
Entities — A higher level of civilization.
Ancients — A civilization more powerful than the enigmatic Entities.
Tunien Theory — States that a permanent contact with extraterrestrials will not occur until around the year 2800.
Triadic Monochord — A supposed transmitter that operates without any side effects.
Space II Energy — Destructive, entropy-threatening energy.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of revenge, prejudice, the dangers of unchecked power, and the potential for understanding even between enemies. The tone is dark and cynical, with a focus on political intrigue and social decay. The narrative style is fast-paced and action-oriented, with frequent shifts in perspective.
Connections
Continues from: Die Terranauten 052 (evident from the ongoing search for the escaped alien and the political tensions)
Leads into: The aftermath of Valdec's power grab, the state of Earth under a state of emergency, and the ongoing threat of the Entities.
Related booklets: Booklets focusing on the Terranauts, the Council of Corporations, the Kaiser Force, and the Xaxon.