The Machines of Ultimate Thule
Die Maschinen von Ultima Thule
Plot Summary
David terGorden, accompanied by Narda, Nayala, Mandorla, and Asen-Ger, returns to Earth to investigate his family's legacy in Ultima Thule. Meanwhile, Captain Gerna, a Gray Guardsman, is tasked by Chan de Nouille to retrieve Carsen, a Noman prisoner from the Luna Dungeons. Gerna is ordered to bring Carsen to Ultima Thule and meet with David. Carsen, who was captured in Ödrödir (Greenland) during the Noman uprising, is freed on the condition that he remains with Gerna.
The story flashes back to Major Gorden, David's ancestor, who experiences a PSI-induced vision of Yggdrasil, a cosmic world-tree, while on a spaceship lost in space. Yggdrasil guides him back to Earth, but demands he find the tree on Earth. Major Gorden rationalizes the experience but eventually dedicates his life to finding Yggdrasil, founding the Biotroniks Corporation and searching Greenland. He discovers the location of Yggdrasil, but crashes his glider nearby.
In the present, Gerna and Carsen arrive near Ultima Thule and meet David's group. Gerna reveals that he was ordered to bring Carsen to David. Carsen explains that he knows the location of the machines beneath Ultima Thule, which are responsible for the city's glaciation. The group enters the ice-covered city and descends into the underground bunker complex.
Inside, they encounter a powerful PSI Field generated by the machines. Carsen is unaffected, revealing his immunity. A fight breaks out between Carsen and Gerna, but is broken up by the others. They continue deeper into the complex, eventually reaching the Zentrale, the central control room of the machines. The machines communicate telepathically, revealing their history and connection to Yggdrasil. They show David a vision of Major Gorden's past, revealing his connection to Yggdrasil and the machines. The machines explain that they are tasked with protecting Yggdrasil, but are limited by their damaged state. They agree to thaw Ultima Thule and assist David in his search for his family's legacy, particularly the Book Myriam.
Key Events
- 01 Captain Gerna is ordered by Chan de Nouille to retrieve Carsen from the Luna Dungeons and bring him to Ultima Thule.
- 02 Major Gorden has a PSI-induced vision of Yggdrasil while lost in space.
- 03 Major Gorden returns to Earth and dedicates his life to finding Yggdrasil, founding the Biotroniks Corporation.
- 04 Major Gorden discovers the location of Yggdrasil in Ödrödir (Greenland), but crashes his glider nearby.
- 05 Gerna and Carsen arrive near Ultima Thule and meet David terGorden's group.
- 06 Carsen explains that he knows the location of the machines beneath Ultima Thule.
- 07 The group enters the ice-covered city and descends into the underground bunker complex.
- 08 They encounter a powerful PSI Field generated by the machines.
- 09 A fight breaks out between Carsen and Gerna, but is broken up by the others.
- 10 They reach the Zentrale, the central control room of the machines.
- 11 The machines communicate telepathically, revealing their history and connection to Yggdrasil.
- 12 The machines show David a vision of Major Gorden's past.
- 13 The machines explain that they are tasked with protecting Yggdrasil, but are limited by their damaged state.
- 14 The machines agree to thaw Ultima Thule and assist David in his search for his family's legacy, particularly the Book Myriam.
- 15 The group leaves the underground complex and witnesses the thawing of Ultima Thule.
Characters
David terGorden — A Terranaut and heir to the terGorden family, seeking to understand his "Legacy of Power" and reclaim his family's inheritance in Ultima Thule.
Carsen — A Noman prisoner from the Luna Dungeons, freed to guide David to the machines beneath Ultima Thule. He is immune to telepathy and knows the layout of the underground complex.
Captain Gerna — A Gray Guardsman tasked with retrieving Carsen and observing David. He is physically strong and possesses a high PSI potential, but is also prone to aggression.
Asen-Ger — A former Lodge Master and leader of the Terranaut movement, accompanying David on his mission. He is wise and respected, and serves as a mediator between the different factions.
Mandorla — A former Queen of the Gray Guards, now allied with the Terranauts. She is viewed with suspicion by Carsen.
Narda — A highly gifted PSI-girl and Terranaut, accompanying David.
Nayala — A dragon-witch and Terranaut, accompanying David.
Major Gorden — David's ancestor, who made contact with Yggdrasil and the machines of Ultima Thule. He founded the Biotroniks Corporation and laid the foundation for Ultima Thule.
Chan de Nouille — The supreme leader of the Gray Guards, who orders Gerna to retrieve Carsen.
Locations
Luna Dungeons — A prison on Luna where Carsen was held.
Ödrödir (Greenland) — The Holy Valley, where Major Gorden discovered Yggdrasil and where Carsen was arrested.
Ultima Thule — An ice-covered city in Greenland, founded by Major Gorden and the location of the Biotroniks Corporation. It contains a vast underground bunker complex and the machines of Ultima Thule.
Ships & Vehicles
Ringo — A space shuttle used by Captain Gerna to travel to the Moon and Greenland.
Technology & Concepts
PSI Field — A powerful telepathic field generated by the machines of Ultima Thule, which affects those with PSI abilities.
Yggdrasil — A cosmic world-tree, connected to a network of other trees throughout the galaxy. It is a source of energy and knowledge, and is protected by the machines of Ultima Thule.
Machines of Ultima Thule — An ancient alien technology beneath Ultima Thule, tasked with protecting Yggdrasil. They are capable of generating PSI fields, manipulating the environment, and communicating telepathically.
Biotroniks Corporation — A corporation founded by Major Gorden, which specialized in bio-electronic research and the production of Driver mistletoes.
Book Myriam — A mysterious book written by David's mother, containing information about Yggdrasil and the network of World Trees.
Drivers — Individuals with high PSI potential who can pilot spaceships through Space II.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of legacy, destiny, and the conflict between nature and technology. The narrative style blends action, mystery, and philosophical reflection, with a focus on the characters' internal struggles and their relationships with each other. The tone is often dark and suspenseful, with moments of hope and humor.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets dealing with David's return to Earth and the search for his family's legacy.
Leads into: The thawing of Ultima Thule and the search for the Book Myriam within the city. The future role of the machines of Ultima Thule and the potential for a renewed conflict with the Council.
Related booklets: Booklets dealing with the history of the Biotroniks Corporation, the Noman uprising, and the discovery of other World Trees in the galaxy.