Valdec's Return
Valdecs Rückkehr
Plot Summary
The story begins with Junk, a Driver on the freighter MARTIN LUTHER KING, struggling to manage an outbreak of the Cold Rot among prospectors they rescued from the mining planet CC-238. They are en route to Luna for medical assistance, but supplies are dwindling. Junk and the other Drivers use stunners to alleviate the suffering of the infected as they enter Space II.
Meanwhile, Zarkophin, a Master Builder in service to Valdec, conducts experiments with a modified Kaiser Force drive on a remote planet, CC-9134/9, using a Zarkophin Shield to contain the dangerous side effects of Space II energy. He observes the formation of Entroper and a Gray Hole, confirming the viability of his technology for Valdec's plans. A courier arrives with news from Frost that the planetary harvest from Feenhort was confiscated and loaded into the containers of their tugs.
On Earth, Manuel Lucci, a member of the Reconstruction Committee, mediates a labor dispute between Hogberg, the General Manager of Agrospace, and the Arbiter union led by Li Shu. Hogberg refuses to meet their demands, leading to a potential strike and exacerbating the existing food crisis. Lucci is summoned to Lunaport by Chan de Nouille, the Great Gray, who reveals that Valdec's agents have infiltrated Earth, carrying a nuclear bomb. Chan requests increased security measures, but Lucci is hesitant due to mistrust of the Guards.
Back on Luna, Junk and the other Drivers are quarantined in the Cosmomedical Clinic. Junk becomes suspicious when he is isolated and the Grays are unresponsive. He escapes after an attack on the clinic, discovering that Valdec's Clon have taken over the Grays through suggestion. He encounters a Super-Driver Clon infected with the Cold Rot, who reveals that Valdec is planning to return. Junk manages to alert Lunaport before being captured. Chan de Nouille learns of the Clon infiltration and prepares for Valdec's attack. She discovers that Junk is infected with the Cold Rot.
Valdec's forces launch an attack on Earth, and Chan realizes that Lunaport has fallen. She attempts to escape, but is forced to go underground. Lucci is also forced to flee, realizing that Chelskij, the General Manager of Terrestrial Chemical, is a traitor working for Valdec. Valdec arrives on Earth and outlines his plans to consolidate power, eliminate opposition, and establish a new Reich. He tasks Frost with eliminating the opposition, Chelskij with taking over the remaining corporations, and Queen Lea with hunting down Chan de Nouille. The story ends with Valdec's forces securing Earth and preparing for the next phase of his plan.
Key Events
- 01 Junk and the crew of the MARTIN LUTHER KING rescue prospectors infected with the Cold Rot from CC-238.
- 02 Zarkophin conducts experiments with a modified Kaiser Force drive on CC-9134/9.
- 03 Manuel Lucci mediates a labor dispute between Hogberg and the Arbiter union on Earth.
- 04 Lucci is summoned to Lunaport by Chan de Nouille, who reveals that Valdec's agents have infiltrated Earth.
- 05 Junk escapes from the Cosmomedical Clinic on Luna, discovering that Valdec's Clon have taken over the Grays.
- 06 Junk encounters a Super-Driver Clon infected with the Cold Rot, who reveals Valdec's plans.
- 07 Valdec's forces launch an attack on Earth, and Chan realizes that Lunaport has fallen.
- 08 Chan and Lucci are forced to flee and go underground.
- 09 Valdec arrives on Earth and outlines his plans to consolidate power.
- 10 Valdec tasks Frost with eliminating the opposition, Chelskij with taking over the remaining corporations, and Queen Lea with hunting down Chan de Nouille.
- 11 Valdec plans to counter-condition the Gray Guards and dissolve them in their old form.
- 12 Valdec plans to lift the rationing after Queen Yazmin arrives with the food containers.
Characters
Junk — A Driver and lodge member of the MARTIN LUTHER KING. He is involved in the rescue of the prospectors from CC-238 and discovers Valdec's plot. He becomes infected with the Cold Rot.
Ynes — Lodge Master of the MARTIN LUTHER KING. She is involved in the rescue of the prospectors and is later taken over by the Clon.
Zarkophin — A Master Builder in service to Valdec. He conducts experiments with the Kaiser Force drive and the Zarkophin Shield.
Queen Myra — Commander of the REGENT-Four. She assists Zarkophin in his experiments.
Frost — Security Manager in service to Valdec. He is tasked with eliminating the opposition on Earth.
Manuel Lucci — A member of the Reconstruction Committee and representative of the Freedom for the Earth movement. He mediates the labor dispute and is later forced to flee.
Chan de Nouille — The Great Gray and Mistress of the Gray Guards. She discovers Valdec's plot and attempts to defend Earth.
Ignatius Tyll — WAG Inspector appointed by the Reconstruction Committee. He investigates the food crisis and attempts to resolve the labor dispute.
Hogberg — General Manager of Agrospace. He refuses to meet the demands of the Arbiter union, leading to a strike and exacerbating the food crisis.
Chelskij — General Manager of Terrestrial Chemical. He is revealed to be a traitor working for Valdec.
Li Shu — Technician and spokesperson of the Agrospace union group.
Karyn Olsh — Member of Commando Brak Shakram and Lucci's bodyguard.
Cosmoral Calinnen — Cosmoral of the Gray Guards. She informs Chan de Nouille of the attack on Earth.
Cosmoral Crow — Cosmoral of the Gray Guards. She is captured by Valdec's forces.
Cosmoral Oolga — Cosmoral of the Gray Guards. She is captured by Valdec's forces.
Locations
MARTIN LUTHER KING (freighter) — A freighter used to transport harvesting machines and rescue prospectors.
CC-238 (mining planet) — A mining planet where the prospectors contract the Cold Rot.
Luna (Cosmomedical Clinic) — A medical facility on Luna where the infected prospectors are taken for treatment. It is later infiltrated by Valdec's Clon.
Ringo (Valdec's ship) — A special spacecraft used by Zarkophin to conduct experiments.
CC-9134/9 (planet) — A remote planet where Zarkophin conducts experiments with the Kaiser Force drive.
Earth (Berlin, Perth, Geneva) — The main setting of the story, where the political and economic conflicts unfold.
Kilimanjaro City — A city in Africa with an interstellar spaceport.
Kaiser Headquarters (Berlin) — The headquarters of the Kaiser corporation in Berlin.
Ships & Vehicles
MARTIN LUTHER KING — A freighter used to transport harvesting machines and rescue prospectors.
REGENT-Four — Battleship sized spacecraft used by Valdec's forces.
Technology & Concepts
Kaiser Force — A type of faster-than-light drive that generates dangerous side effects.
Zarkophin Shield — A technology developed by Zarkophin to contain the side effects of the Kaiser Force drive.
Space II — An alternate dimension or continuum.
Entroper — Negative space-time curvatures that appear before the collapse of space-time.
Gray Hole — A narrowly bounded region in the space-time continuum where conditions prevail such as are otherwise only encountered in Space II.
Super-Driver — A genetically bred individual with enhanced PSI powers.
Multisensory Masks — Masks worn by the Shadows of the Gray Guards.
Sarym Screens — Technology that shields against PSI powers.
Biocontrol — The ability to control one's own biology.
Omikron-Serum — A serum that protects against the Cold Rot.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of power, betrayal, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The tone is dark and suspenseful, with a focus on political intrigue and the threat of a returning dictator. The narrative style is fast-paced and action-oriented, with frequent shifts between different characters and locations.
Connections
Continues from: Unknown, but likely follows storylines involving Valdec's exile and the state of the Star Empire.
Leads into: The immediate aftermath of Valdec's return and his plans to consolidate power on Earth. The fate of Chan de Nouille and the resistance against Valdec are left open.
Related booklets: Booklets dealing with the Gray Guards, Valdec's past, the Kaiser Force technology, and the political situation on Earth.