The Eco-Shock
Der Oeko-Schock
Plot Summary
On Pluto, Lannister Chron, a former Summacum banished by Queen Tian, is tasked with collecting detectors she placed to find evidence of imaginary Pluto inhabitants. He discovers a green leaf on one detector, a sign of impossible plant life. Meanwhile, in the Dead Spaces under Berlin, Manuel Lucci and other political prisoners are freed by Bolter's Hausfreund via a Space-Time Stroboscope (RZS) and transported to Ultima Thule.
Back in Berlin, Zarkophin and Cant discuss the deteriorating situation on Earth due to food shortages and Terranaut activity. They plan to execute the imprisoned F.F.D.E. leaders and launch a preemptive strike against rebel planets using Kaiser Force technology. However, they learn of the prison break and the emergence of an STS in Berlin. Cant orders an attack on Ultima Thule.
Lucci, Asen-Ger, and other freed prisoners in Ultima Thule witness the city transforming into a jungle due to the Cosmic Spores released by the Hausfreund. Kaiser Guard armored gliders attack, but are destroyed by a protective shield around the city. Claude Farrell arrives via STS. The spores, it turns out, are part of a plan by David terGorden to transform Earth into a green planet.
Zarkophin and Cant attempt to escape Berlin, now under spore attack, but Cant is infected and transformed. Zarkophin and Chelskij flee in a Ringo, but it is disabled by the spores. Chelskij dies, and Zarkophin is left to burn up in the atmosphere. On Pluto, Chron learns that the spores are part of a plan to neutralize the Kaiser Guards by restoring their humanity. Tian is among those transformed. David terGorden arrives in Ultima Thule and announces the death of Valdec, the end of corporate rule, and the beginning of a new era of bio-technology. He calls for all Drivers to come to Earth. Chron learns that Tian will recover her humanity. David terGorden departs on an Organ-Sailer to eliminate the threat of Kaiser Force forever, leaving Earth to its transformation.
Key Events
- 01 Lannister Chron finds a green leaf on a detector on Pluto.
- 02 Manuel Lucci and other prisoners are freed from the Dead Spaces by Bolter's Hausfreund via STS.
- 03 Zarkophin and Cant discuss the deteriorating situation on Earth and plan a preemptive strike.
- 04 Ultima Thule transforms into a jungle due to Cosmic Spores.
- 05 Kaiser Guard armored gliders attack Ultima Thule but are destroyed.
- 06 David terGorden arrives in Ultima Thule and announces the death of Valdec and the beginning of a new era.
- 07 Cant is infected and transformed by the spores in Berlin.
- 08 Zarkophin and Chelskij attempt to escape Earth but are killed by the spores.
- 09 Chron learns that the spores will restore the humanity of the Kaiser Guards, including Tian.
- 10 David terGorden departs on an Organ-Sailer to eliminate the threat of Kaiser Force forever.
- 11 The Drivers form a Lodge and send a PSI-call across the galaxy.
- 12 The Entities hear David's call and understand that he is keeping his promise.
Characters
Lannister Chron — A former Summacum and Kaiser Force expert banished to Pluto. He is in love with Queen Tian and collects the detectors she placed.
Tian — The Queen of the Kaisergarden on Pluto. She is cruel and possibly insane, but Chron loves her. She is transformed by the spores.
Manuel Lucci — Formerly coordinator of Commando Brak Shakram and a leader of the F.F.D.E. He is imprisoned in the Dead Spaces and freed by the Hausfreund.
David terGorden — A famous Terranaut and symbol of resistance against the corporations. He arrives in Ultima Thule and announces the end of corporate rule.
Zarkophin — Master Builder of the Kaiser-Earth Trust. He is in charge of the government on Earth in Valdec's absence.
Cant — Cosmoral of the Kaiser Guards and deputy of Reichscosmoral Yazmin. She is a ruthless and powerful figure. She is transformed by the spores.
Morgenstern — A Steerer and former member of the JAMES COOK crew. He is responsible for the ecological transformation of Earth.
Bolter's Hausfreund — A psiotronics that frees the prisoners from the Dead Spaces.
Ignazius Tyll — Former financial inspector of the Reconstruction Committee and a prisoner in the Dead Spaces.
Asen-Ger — The towering leader of the Terranauts.
Christin Dorf — An Arbiter leader and prisoner in the Dead Spaces.
Chelskij — Economic expert of the Kaiser-Earth Trust. He attempts to escape Earth with Zarkophin.
Claude Farrell — A Terranaut who arrives in Ultima Thule via STS.
Llewellyn 709 — The famous Strap-man and a Terranaut.
Locations
Pluto — The ninth planet in the solar system and the location of a Kaiser Force base.
Berlin — The metropolis of the Second Reich of Humanity and the location of the Kaiser Headquarters and the Dead Spaces.
Ultima Thule — An old city in Greenland and a hiding place for the escaped prisoners.
Earth Orbit — The space surrounding Earth, where the Cosmic Spores are released.
Shondyke — A planet where the Cosmic Spores and Bioregulatoren are prepared.
The Dead Spaces — A high-security wing of Berlin, in the underground beneath the old city of Berlin.
Land Irminsul — A holy valley on Earth.
Ships & Vehicles
JAMES COOK — A spacecraft that departed with Frost, two Super-Drivers, and a delegation of Terranauts to conclude a standstill agreement with the Entities.
Ringo — A spacecraft used by Zarkophin and Chelskij to escape Earth.
Organ-Sailer — A semi-organic spacecraft used by David terGorden to travel to the stars.
Cosmic Spore — A pod capsule with solar sails used to spread the spores across Earth.
Technology & Concepts
Space-Time Stroboscope (STS) — A device that creates a transmission field for teleportation.
Kaiser Force — A dangerous technology used for space travel and warfare.
Cosmic Spores — Genetically engineered spores that transform the plant life on Earth.
Bioregulatoren — Enormous flying lizards bred on Shondyke that destroy the cities and prepare the Earth for ecological transformation.
Drivers — Individuals with psionic abilities who can communicate with and control the plant life.
The Jin — Tiny spores that neutralize the Kaiser Guards by restoring their humanity.
Organ-Sailer — A semi-organic spacecraft.
Konnex Crystal — A crystal that guides David terGorden on his mission to eliminate Kaiser Force.
Lab-21 — A conditioning drug used on the Kaiser Guards.
Summacum — A former caste.
Themes & Notes
This booklet explores themes of ecological transformation, the dangers of unchecked technological advancement, and the possibility of redemption. The tone is a mix of dystopian and utopian, with a focus on the potential for humanity to create a more harmonious relationship with nature. The narrative style is fast-paced and action-oriented, with a strong emphasis on plot and character development.
Connections
Continues from: Previous booklets detailing the rise of Valdec and the threat of Kaiser Force.
Leads into: David terGorden's journey to eliminate Kaiser Force and the establishment of a new society on Earth.
Related booklets: Booklets dealing with the Terranauts, the Entities, and the history of Kaiser Force.