The Preventive Strike
Der Praeventivschlag
Plot Summary
Max von Valdec, aboard the REGENT, prepares a preemptive strike against what he believes to be the center of the galactic civilizations, based on coordinates obtained by Frost. Unbeknownst to him, this center is a construct of the Reality Switch, a precosmic entity manipulated by the Old Forest and the Entities to trap Valdec and his forces. The galactic civilizations, represented by Horeva of the Perm, are also part of this illusion. Queen Elia, a Controller, uses her psionic abilities to scout the target system, confirming its alien nature and solidifying Valdec's resolve.
The Steel Fleet, consisting of funnel ships, Starcruiser carriers, and container tugs loaded with nuclear weapons, embarks on a Kaiser Force transit to the target system. Meanwhile, within the Reality Switch, Llewellyn 709 encounters a Quasireal who restores his physical and emotional well-being. He then finds David terGorden encased in a Null-Sphere. The Reality Switch reveals to Llewellyn that David is a key figure in a cosmic struggle against entropy and that Valdec is the "Antagonist" in this reality.
As the Steel Fleet approaches the target system, the Reality Switch manipulates the situation, causing the entire multi-sun system to vanish, leaving Valdec's forces disoriented. The ships begin to pulse and become transparent, and the crew is frozen in place. Valdec, protected by his Super-Drivers, attempts to escape in a Ringo shuttle, but it crashes within the Reality Switch. He finds himself in a bizarre cave where he encounters frozen Terranauts and Scanner Cloud and Morgenstern, who reveal that he is a prisoner of the Reality Switch.
Valdec is then transported to a blue void where the Reality Switch explains the cosmic stakes and the impending confrontation between Valdec and David terGorden. The story ends with the Reality Switch declaring the battle has begun.
Key Events
- 01 Queen Elia uses her psionic abilities to scout the target system.
- 02 The Steel Fleet embarks on a Kaiser Force transit to the target system.
- 03 Llewellyn 709 encounters a Quasireal and finds David terGorden in a Null-Sphere.
- 04 The Reality Switch reveals to Llewellyn that David is a key figure in a cosmic struggle against entropy and that Max von Valdec is the "Antagonist".
- 05 The multi-sun system vanishes, leaving Valdec's forces disoriented.
- 06 Horeva witnesses the destruction of the contact zone illusion.
- 07 Valdec's Ringo shuttle crashes within the Reality Switch.
- 08 Valdec encounters frozen Terranauts and Scanner Cloud and Morgenstern.
- 09 Valdec is transported to a blue void where the Reality Switch explains the cosmic stakes.
- 10 The Reality Switch declares the battle has begun.
Characters
David terGorden — The Heir of Power, encased in a Null-Sphere within the Reality Switch, preparing for a cosmic battle against entropy.
Max von Valdec — The Lord Kaiser of humanity, the "Antagonist" in this reality, leading a preemptive strike against the galactic civilizations, unaware that he is being manipulated by the Reality Switch.
Llewellyn 709 — Super-Driver and Strap-man, a friend of David, who encounters the Reality Switch and learns about the cosmic struggle.
Horeva — Number One of the Directorate of Permy, a representative of the galactic civilizations, who realizes that his reality is an illusion created by the Reality Switch.
Queen Elia — A Controller, a former Gray female Driver, who uses her psionic abilities to scout the target system for Valdec.
Frost — Valdec's loyal servant, who provides the coordinates for the galactic center and accompanies Valdec on the preemptive strike.
Scanner Cloud — A Steerer who is dancing around the glass anemone.
Morgenstern — A Steerer who is dancing around the glass anemone.
Osiris 84 — A Super-Driver Clone.
Isis 31 — A Super-Driver Clone.
Locations
REGENT — Valdec's flagship, from which he commands the Steel Fleet.
Zalm — The satellite of the sun K-3, home to the Perm embassy in the contact zone.
Reality Switch — A precosmic entity that manipulates realities and serves as the setting for the final confrontation between Valdec and David.
Ships & Vehicles
REGENT — A massive funnel ship, part of the Steel Fleet and Valdec's flagship.
GLAUCEN — A funnel ship.
SCT MAX VON VALDEC — A Starcruiser carrier.
Technology & Concepts
Kaiser Force Drive — A technology that allows faster-than-light travel, but also creates Gray Holes and disturbs entropy.
Kaiser Force Lance — A powerful weapon that creates rifts in space.
Reality Switch — A precosmic entity that can manipulate realities and switch them on and off.
Controllers — Former Gray female Drivers who use their psionic abilities to scout space and provide data to computers.
Quasireals — Beings that exist only in a possible world created by the Reality Switch.
Null-Sphere — A transparent cube within the Reality Switch where David terGorden is encased.
Steel Fleet — The last levy of Max von Valdec, an instrument of annihilation.
Old Forest — A mysterious entity or group that controls the Reality Switch and seeks to eliminate entropy disturbances.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of reality vs. illusion, the nature of good and evil, and the consequences of unchecked technological advancement. The narrative style is complex, shifting between different perspectives and realities, creating a sense of disorientation and uncertainty. The tone is dark and foreboding, with a sense of impending doom.
Connections
Continues from: Likely continues from booklet 096, given the references to the False World and the events aboard the JAMES COOK.
Leads into: Sets up the final confrontation between David terGorden and Max von Valdec within the Reality Switch.
Related booklets: Booklets featuring David terGorden, Max von Valdec, Llewellyn 709, the Entities, and the Kaiser Force. Booklets dealing with the concepts of Space II, the Reality Switch, and the Old Forest.