The Heart of Rorqual
Das Herz von Rorqual
Plot Summary
David terGorden and the Terranauts, including Asen-Ger, Nayala del Drago with her dragon Sufnor, and Thorna, find themselves inside the hollow world of Rorqual. They discover a massive accumulation of wrecked spaceships, a "space trap" controlled by a World Tree called Tau Ulema. The Tau Ulema reveals that Rorqual is located in Space II and is part of the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System, created by the Ancients and maintained by Steerers to combat entropy.
The Terranauts explore a Council super-freighter, the EPSILON-37, finding it mostly intact but with its computer systems locked. They encounter a marching army of beetle-like creatures (Coleoptera) inhabiting a disc-shaped spacecraft within the hollow world. Nayala, Thorna, and Bo Nilsson investigate the Coleoptera's ship, discovering their primitive culture and livestock, but get lost. Meanwhile, David communicates with the Tau Ulema, learning about the history of the Anti-Entropy System, the Helpers, and his own destiny as the "Heir of Power." The Tau Ulema demands that David surrender the seeds of Yggdrasil, leading to a conflict.
The Tau Ulema activates the super-freighter's security systems, unleashing robots against the Terranauts. The Terranauts fight back, destroying robots and creating chaos. Nayala, Thorna, and Bo Nilsson escape the Coleoptera's ship and rejoin the others. The Tau Ulema reveals that the robots are meant to protect the seed ship and itself. A fire breaks out, threatening the Tau Ulema and the entire system. David negotiates with the Tau Ulema, demanding an end to hostilities on Rorqual's surface and the lifting of the planet's isolation in exchange for extinguishing the fire.
Nayala uses her powers to create a massive storm, extinguishing the fire. The Tau Ulema agrees to David's demands and transports the Terranauts to the TASCA, which is in orbit around Adzharis. The Steerer observes these events, acknowledging David's importance but lamenting the disruption of its plans. Meanwhile, former Gray Guards Hege Krotzer and Zalia are reborn in cloned bodies, retaining their telepathic abilities, and the Steerer has great plans for them. The Tripsychogon is moved to safety in the Pilot's Station.
Key Events
- 01 The Terranauts enter the hollow world of Rorqual after passing through the Great Abyss.
- 02 They discover a massive accumulation of wrecked spaceships, a "space trap."
- 03 David communicates with the Tau Ulema, learning about the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System.
- 04 Nayala, Thorna, and Bo Nilsson explore the Coleoptera's ship and get lost.
- 05 The Tau Ulema demands that David surrender the seeds of Yggdrasil.
- 06 The Tau Ulema activates the super-freighter's security systems, unleashing robots against the Terranauts.
- 07 Nayala, Thorna, and Bo Nilsson escape the Coleoptera's ship and rejoin the others.
- 08 A fire breaks out, threatening the Tau Ulema and the entire system.
- 09 David negotiates with the Tau Ulema, demanding an end to hostilities and the lifting of Rorqual's isolation.
- 10 Nayala uses her powers to create a massive storm, extinguishing the fire.
- 11 The Tau Ulema agrees to David's demands and transports the Terranauts to the TASCA.
- 12 Hege Krotzer and Zalia are reborn in cloned bodies.
- 13 The Steerer observes these events and acknowledges David's importance.
Characters
David terGorden — The leader of the Terranauts and the "Heir of Power," destined to play a key role in the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System. He communicates with the Tau Ulema and negotiates for the safety of his companions and the people of Rorqual.
Asen-Ger — A former Summacum and co-founder of the Terranauts, acting as David's advisor and fatherly friend. He is knowledgeable about the Kaiser Force and the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System.
Nayala del Drago — A young dragon witch from Adzharis who is an ally of the Terranauts. She uses her powers to create a storm and extinguish the fire.
Thorna — A Terranaut and admirer of David. She accompanies Nayala and Bo Nilsson on a reconnaissance mission.
Tau Ulema — The World Tree of Rorqual, a component of the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System. It communicates with David and ultimately agrees to his demands.
Tripsychogon — A being composed of three egospheres residing in a temporary ectoplasmic body. It is moved to safety during the fire.
Steerer — A powerful being who oversees the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System. It observes the events on Rorqual and acknowledges David's importance.
Bo Nilsson — A young, somewhat clumsy Terranaut who accompanies Nayala and Thorna on a reconnaissance mission. He develops a crush on Thorna.
Claude Farrell — A Terranaut with a nicotine addiction.
Hege Krotzer — A former Gray Guard who is reborn in a cloned body.
Zalia — A former Gray Guard who is reborn in a cloned body.
Locations
Rorqual's Surface — The initial location of the Terranauts before entering the hollow world.
Rorqual's Interior — The hollow interior of Rorqual, containing a massive accumulation of wrecked spaceships.
EPSILON-37 — A Council super-freighter within Rorqual's interior, explored by the Terranauts.
Coleoptera Ship — A disc-shaped spacecraft inhabited by beetle-like creatures within Rorqual's interior.
Pilot's Station — A station orbiting beneath the inner surface of Rorqual.
TASCA — A ship in parking orbit around Adzharis, the Terranauts' destination after the transit.
Ships & Vehicles
EPSILON-37 — A Council super-freighter that the Terranauts explore.
Technology & Concepts
Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System — A system created by the Ancients and maintained by Steerers to combat entropy in the universe.
World Tree — A sentient tree that serves as a control unit for space traps and other installations.
PSI-Matter — The material from which Rorqual and other artificial constructs are made.
Heir of Power — The title given to David terGorden, signifying his destiny and connection to the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System.
Kaiser Force — A military force that uses pro-entropic drives, making them a target of the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System.
Steerers — Powerful beings who oversee the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System.
Ancients — The creators of the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System.
Helpers — Beings who assisted the Steerers in maintaining the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System.
Coleoptera — Beetle-like creatures inhabiting a disc-shaped spacecraft within Rorqual's interior.
Transit Field — A technology used to transport beings and objects across vast distances.
Yggdrasil's Seed — Seeds from the World Tree on David's home planet, possessing great significance.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of destiny, responsibility, and the conflict between individual freedom and cosmic order. The tone is serious and suspenseful, with moments of humor and interpersonal drama. The narrative style is dense and exposition-heavy, focusing on the complex lore and mythology of the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets detailing the Terranauts' journey and David's connection to Yggdrasil.
Leads into: The Terranauts' next mission after being transported to the TASCA, and the ongoing conflict with the Kaiser Force. The mystery of David's destiny as the "Heir of Power" and the Steerer's plans are left open.
Related booklets: Booklets that feature the Intercosmological Anti-Entropy System, the Steerers, and other World Trees. Booklets dealing with the Gray Guards and their conditioning.