Dying for Terra
Sterben für Terra
Plot Summary
Oltan Crench, a Gray Guardsman, is sent to Lancia in the Calina System to investigate Max von Valdec's base. He finds it abandoned, with dead Humo colonists, and encounters San Chornon, a Humo who reveals Valdec's destruction and the aid of Cloud/Scanner Cloud. Meanwhile, on Earth, Manuel Lucci of the F.F.D.E. witnesses corporate violence in Moscow. He plans a general strike and an attack on V/O Kulturaimport, aided by a sentient glider. The glider reveals its master is David terGorden and warns of Anlyka terCrupp's plan to nuke IWF headquarters in Geneva.
Anlyka terCrupp in her Ural bunker, laments the failure of Ignazius Tyll and distrusts Chan de Nouille. She plans a nuclear strike on Geneva. Chan de Nouille and David terGorden return to Earth, where David intends to end the civil war. He orders the Geneva Guard Garrison to act against corporate murder squads. An assassination attempt on David and Chan fails, killing Queen Anafee. David learns of Warlord Gambelher's betrayal and ASK's involvement.
Manuel Lucci, guided by Bolter's Hausfreund, learns of David's return and Ignazius Tyll's presence with Sarneyke Eloise. Ignazius Tyll reveals corporate assets transferred to the Inner Sector. Anlyka terCrupp attempts to escape the Shadows in the Urals, launching a decoy space ferry piloted by Gworsch. She orders the nuclear strike on Geneva. David, in Geneva, meets Ludomir Chelskij, who offers cooperation. The Terranaut delegation, led by Llewellyn 709, arrives, accusing David of being Chan's tool.
An explosion rocks the Council administration. Gambelher and traitorous Queens, using time-distorting technology from Ultima Thule, attack. David, aided by Llewellyn, Sarneyke Eloise, and Ignazius Tyll, fights back. Ignazius Tyll and Sarneyke Eloise are killed. Gambelher is killed by a VIP Glider. Manuel Lucci arrives and mourns the dead. David and Manuel Lucci address the world, announcing the end of the War of the Castes, the dissolution of the Council, and the transfer of corporate assets to worker control. Chan de Nouille pledges the Guards' service to the people.
David, urged by Bolter's Hausfreund, resigns as Lord Colonel and prepares to leave Earth for Sarym to seek his destiny. He transfers mistletoe to Bolter's Hausfreund. Bolter's Hausfreund reveals it is connected to Yggdrasil. David's friends arrive, and he departs. Manuel Lucci visits a monument to Sarneyke Eloise and vows to continue the fight for freedom.
Key Events
- 01 Oltan Crench investigates Valdec's abandoned base on Lancia.
- 02 Manuel Lucci plans a general strike in Moscow.
- 03 The sentient glider reveals David terGorden is its master.
- 04 Anlyka terCrupp plans a nuclear strike on Geneva.
- 05 David terGorden and Chan de Nouille return to Earth.
- 06 An assassination attempt on David and Chan fails.
- 07 Manuel Lucci learns of David's return and Ignazius Tyll's presence.
- 08 Ignazius Tyll reveals corporate assets transferred to the Inner Sector.
- 09 Anlyka terCrupp attempts to escape the Shadows in the Urals.
- 10 The Terranaut delegation, led by Llewellyn 709, arrives.
- 11 An explosion rocks the Council administration.
- 12 Gambelher and traitorous Queens attack using time-distorting technology.
- 13 Ignazius Tyll and Sarneyke Eloise are killed.
- 14 Gambelher is killed by a VIP Glider.
- 15 David and Manuel Lucci announce the end of the War of the Castes.
- 16 Chan de Nouille pledges the Guards' service to the people.
- 17 David resigns and prepares to leave Earth for Sarym.
- 18 Manuel Lucci vows to continue the fight for freedom.
Characters
Oltan Crench — A Gray Guardsman lead pilot who investigates Valdec's base on Lancia.
San Chornon — A Humo on Lancia who reveals Valdec's destruction and the aid of Cloud/Scanner Cloud.
Manuel Lucci — Coordinator of Commando Brak Shakram and member of the Joint Council of the F.F.D.E., he plans a general strike and negotiates with David terGorden.
Ishtan Orzlav — A Moscow liaison of the F.F.D.E. who assists Manuel Lucci.
Anlyka terCrupp — General Manager of the Allwelten-Stahl-Konsortium, she plans a nuclear strike on Geneva.
Gworsch — Security Manager of ASK, he assists Anlyka terCrupp and is later killed.
Chan de Nouille — The Great Gray, Commander-in-Chief of the Gray Guards, she supports David terGorden and pledges the Guards' service to the people.
David terGorden — Lord Colonel, Driver, and heir to power, he returns to Earth to end the civil war and later resigns to seek his destiny on Sarym.
Queen Astavan — Commander of the Ringo, she obeys David terGorden's orders.
Queen Anafee — Representative of the Cosmorality at the Council of Corporations, she is killed during an assassination attempt.
Narda — A Driver girl and member of David terGorden's personal guard.
Nayala — A Dragon Witch of Adzharis and member of David terGorden's personal guard.
Mandorla — A former Queen and member of David terGorden's personal guard.
Asen-Ger — A Terranaut and friend of David terGorden.
Ludomir Chelskij — General Manager of Terrestrial Chemical, he offers cooperation and represents corporations that did not participate in the killings.
Llewellyn 709 — A Terranaut Super-Driver who leads the Terranaut delegation and initially accuses David terGorden of being Chan's tool.
Sarneyke Eloise — Spokesperson of the terrestrial trade union federation, she is killed during the attack on the Council administration.
Ignazius Tyll — Former Lord Inspector of the Council administration and acting Lord Colonel, he is killed during the attack on the Council administration.
Gambelher — A Warlord of the Guards who betrays Chan de Nouille and is killed.
Frig — An SD agent of the Allwelten-Stahl-Konsortium who attempts to launch a nuclear missile.
Sulai San — Finance Manager of ASK, she assists Anlyka terCrupp.
Locations
Lancia — A planet in the Calina System that was Max von Valdec's base.
Calina System — A star system located roughly four hundred and seventy-six light-years from Earth.
Earth — The central world of the Terranaut civilization, plagued by civil war.
Moscow — A city on Earth where corporate violence is rampant.
Turin — A city on Earth where the F.F.D.E. is fighting against IWF.
Geneva — A city on Earth and the location of the Council administration, later the Reconstruction Committee.
Urals — A mountain range on Earth where Anlyka terCrupp has an underground refuge.
Sarym — A green planet where David terGorden is destined to go.
Ultima Thule — A mysterious location from which time-distorting technology was obtained.
Ships & Vehicles
COSMORAL PHAN — A Starcruiser carrier of the Gray Guards.
Starcruiser — A small, deadly combat ship of the Gray Guards.
STERNENWOLF — A Ringo-class ship used by Chan de Nouille and David terGorden.
SIRTAN — A Driver freighter belonging to Lodge Master Kaiinka.
Technology & Concepts
PSI/Psionics — Mental powers used by Drivers, Dragon Witches, and other individuals.
Gray Guards — A military force serving the Council of Corporations, later serving the people of Earth.
Kaiser Force — A type of space travel used by the Gray Guards.
Mistletoe — A plant used to neutralize Kaiser Force fields.
Shadows — Special agents of the Gray Guards.
Protop — A transparent, armored material used in construction and vehicles.
Chaff/Spreu — Countless tiny electronic components, before which even the most intelligent and educated Summacum would have despaired, for these components were no product of human technology.
Lab-21 — A substance used to make Gray Guards compliant.
MS-Mask/Multisensory Mask — A mask worn by Shadows that enhances their senses.
Time Field — A field that distorts time, used by Gambelher and his Queens.
Electric Waiter — An automaton that serves as a waiter.
Electric Tyrannosaurus Rex — An automaton modeled after a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of betrayal, redemption, and the struggle for freedom against corporate oppression. The tone is dark and action-packed, with moments of hope and sacrifice. The narrative style is fast-paced and detailed, focusing on the political and military conflicts of the era.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets detailing the civil war on Earth and David terGorden's rise to power.
Leads into: The aftermath of the War of the Castes, the reconstruction of Earth, and David terGorden's journey to Sarym.
Related booklets: Booklets featuring David terGorden, Chan de Nouille, the F.F.D.E., and the conflict with the corporations.