Rendezvous in Star City
Treffpunkt Sternenstadt
Plot Summary
Trinanys-amh-Xar, a learner from Mharan, arrives at the Pyramid of Knowledge in Star City along with other Hort-relatives, guided by a Lanja. They are greeted by Knowledge Administrators who explain their purpose: to learn and help their homeworld. However, unrest and pain spread as entropy-accelerating forces, caused by "transgressors," begin to destabilize the Archive. Meanwhile, Llewellyn 709 leads a group of Terranauts and Drivers through the Pyramid of Knowledge, seeking to contact the Entities and stop Valdec's impending Kaiser Force attack on the Star City. They are pursued by Arbitrators, creatures tasked with eliminating those who threaten the Archive.
The group encounters various dangers, including Wandering Real Data Zones and the Arbitrators. Jana, the Witch, uses her Crystal of Death to absorb KF-emissions, but it drains her strength. They encounter a Knowledge Administrator who directs them toward the Sphere Tunnel, a path to the Central World of the Entities. Silent Chorp's telepathic abilities are crucial in navigating the dangers, but he is nearing exhaustion. David terGorden and Narda, piloting a Collector, arrive at the Star City, seeking the Connex Crystal to gain the Old Knowledge and reactivate the Weapon of the Ancients. They also encounter Wandering Real Data Zones and are separated from the group.
David is injured in a Wandering Real Data Zone and healed by a Wandering Helper, who attempts to awaken the Sleeping Information within him. Rehan, the Archive Administrator, intervenes, revealing the danger. David and Narda reunite with Llewellyn's group, who are under attack by Arbitrators. Scanner Cloud and Morgenstern sacrifice themselves to stop the Arbitrators, demonstrating "love" to eliminate their will to kill. David finds the Connex Crystal, but must choose between absorbing it for the Old Knowledge or using it to protect the Archive.
Ultimately, David chooses to use the Connex Crystal to stabilize the Archive and then leads the group through the Sphere Tunnel to the Central World of the Entities. Meanwhile, Valdec's fleet, guided by Frost, launches a Kaiser Force attack on the Star City. The Entities debate whether to launch a Final Strike against humanity, but David hopes to convince them otherwise. The story ends with the Terranauts arriving on the Central World of the Entities and Valdec's fleet approaching the Star City.
Key Events
- 01 Trinanys-amh-Xar arrives at the Pyramid of Knowledge to learn.
- 02 Llewellyn 709's group seeks to contact the Entities to stop Valdec.
- 03 Frost betrays Llewellyn and informs Valdec of the Star City's location.
- 04 The Pyramid of Knowledge is destabilized by KF-emissions.
- 05 Mater Lian dies from the KF-emissions.
- 06 David terGorden and Narda arrive in a Collector.
- 07 The group encounters Wandering Real Data Zones.
- 08 David is injured and healed by a Wandering Helper.
- 09 Scanner Cloud and Morgenstern sacrifice themselves to stop Arbitrators.
- 10 David finds the Connex Crystal.
- 11 David uses the Connex Crystal to stabilize the Archive.
- 12 The group travels through the Sphere Tunnel to the Central World of the Entities.
- 13 Valdec's fleet launches a Kaiser Force attack on the Star City.
Characters
Llewellyn 709 — Leader of the Terranauts, seeking to contact the Entities. He is put into a coma by the KF-emissions.
Jana — A Witch who carries the Crystal of Death and uses it to absorb KF-emissions.
David terGorden — Heir of Power, seeking the Connex Crystal to gain the Old Knowledge.
Narda — David's companion, assisting him on his mission.
Valdec — Commander planning a Kaiser Force attack on the Star City.
Frost — A traitor who betrays Llewellyn and guides Valdec.
Silent Chorp — A mute Driver with strong telepathic abilities, crucial for navigation.
Rehan — The Archive Administrator, who helps David and Narda.
Trinanys-amh-Xar — A learner from Mharan who arrives at the Pyramid of Knowledge.
Delian-amh-Kri — Trinanys' First-Sister, who accompanies him to the Archive.
Scanner Cloud — A Fast-Steerer who sacrifices himself to stop the Arbitrators.
Morgenstern — A Fast-Steerer who sacrifices himself to stop the Arbitrators.
Tse Irlowna — A Zinti Driver who analyzes data.
Claude Farrell — A Terranaut who takes command after Llewellyn is incapacitated.
Angila Fraim — A Driver who is killed by the Arbitrators.
Dime Mow — A Terranaut.
Shyla D'honor — A Driver.
Ana Madashi — A Driver.
Lem Odebreit — A Driver who attempts to amplify PSI abilities.
Kalia — A Driver who supports Silent Chorp.
Aura Damona Mar — The Oracle, who assists David and Narda.
Locations
Star City — A city on an artificial world created by the Entities.
Pyramid of Knowledge — A colossal structure containing the entire knowledge of the Entities.
Central World of the Entities — The Entities' home world, accessible through the Sphere Tunnel.
Mharan — Trinanys' home world, facing ecological collapse.
Ships & Vehicles
JAMES COOK — The ship Llewellyn's group traveled on, destroyed by Frost.
Collector — The plant giant ship piloted by David and Narda.
Technology & Concepts
Kaiser Force — A destructive energy used in weapons and drives.
KF-emissions — Entropy-accelerating emissions caused by Kaiser Force technology.
Entities — Ancient beings who possess vast knowledge and created the Star City and Pyramid of Knowledge.
Connex Crystal — A crystal containing the Old Knowledge of the pre-universe.
Old Knowledge — Knowledge from a previous cosmos.
Weapon of the Ancients — A powerful weapon that can eliminate the Kaiser Force danger.
Sphere Tunnel — A tube-like structure providing access to another dimension.
Arbitrators — Creatures tasked with eliminating those who threaten the Archive.
Wandering Real Data Zones — Zones where real data recordings become autonomous and dangerous.
Lanja — Representatives of a post-technical civilization who guide learners.
Transformers — Creatures that translate languages.
Stability Factor — A measure of a being's ability to maintain their physical and mental integrity.
Division Shadow — A shadow that separates from a being during erotic phase.
Sleeping Information — Information implanted in David's subconscious by the Steerers.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of knowledge, responsibility, sacrifice, and the dangers of unchecked technological advancement. The tone is serious and suspenseful, with a focus on the characters' struggles against overwhelming odds. The narrative style is complex, interweaving multiple plotlines and perspectives.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets detailing the conflict with Valdec and the Kaiser Force.
Leads into: The confrontation with the Entities on their Central World and the attempt to stop Valdec's attack.
Related booklets: Booklets focusing on David terGorden's journey, the nature of the Entities, and the Kaiser Force threat.