Mission "STARDUST" (also known as Endeavor "STARDUST")

Commander Major Perry Rhodan and his crew lift off at Nevada Space Field on their mission to attempt the first Moon landing by humanity on 19 June 1971. It is the time of the cold war between the superpowers USA, the Eastern Block and the Asian Federation. Approaching the Moon with their landing module STARDUST, they were thrown off course by outside intervention, jamming their remote controlled automatic landing sequence. They had to make a crash landing outside the predetermined landing sector and became stranded behind the Moon's south pole, out of direct line of sight from Earth.

After the repairs to the module's landing gear was completed, Perry Rhodan, together with his First Engineer Reginald Bull, tried to find the electronic jamming source. Their prime directive was however, to re-establish radio contact to Nevada Fields Control. During their attempt, their radio equipment was damaged by a strange energy field in form of a green lightning bolt, melting the antenna and parts of their radio equipment.

Relying on triangular correlations, provided by Clark C. Flipper, their communications specialist, they were tracking down the jamming source, as they suddenly became confronted with a stranded spaceship of an alien race. The 800 meter spherical spaceship had stranded on the Moon and razed off a crater wall on the approach to its resting place.

Overwhelmed by such a mountain of steel, Reginald Bull was speechless, while Perry Rhodan, who even had shaved his three-day beard before they ventured out to find the jamming source, walked straight toward the alien spacecraft. Rhodan's suspicions proved to be true when he heard a faint laughter coming from the helmet radio speakers. He had all along suspected that this form of intervention could have not been achieved with terrestrial technology, and the people responsible were also be able to monitor and possibly understand the radio communication between the STARDUST and Nevada Fields Control and certainly among the STARDUST crew members.

They were invited onboard the spacecraft and introduced to the arrogant, but very good looking female commander Thora, by the scientist Crest. She made very clear that she was considering Perry Rhodan and Reginald Bull as representatives of humanity. Thora, being superior and a member of the aristocracy of the Arkonide Stellar Imperium made it very clear to Perry Rhodan that humanity was nothing less then a horde of stone age people. Both aliens displayed the characteristics of their race, albino-like eyes, white hair and a slim build human-like physique. At first glance they could not be distinguished from terrestrial people.

It didn't take long for Perry Rhodan and Reginald Bull to find out there was something wrong on this ship. Thora and Crest seemed to be the only people onboard who were agile and didn't behave like "sleepyheads" as the rest of the crew. Furthermore, they discovered that Crest was suffering from a blood disease and was very likely to die soon, if he would not receive treatment in time. Rhodan offered the help of the STARDUST Physician, Erich Manoli, who was considered a well versed diagnostician. Perry wanted to be sure before making any further suggestions.

During a discussion with Crest, he was able to obtain a status upgrade for humanity against Thora's resistance. According to codes of galactic conduct, the Arkonide scientist was then allowed to ask for help and deliver the same.

Crest agreed to Rhodan's suggestion to obtain Dr. Manoli's expertise and Dr. Manoli was transported together with Captain Clark C. Flipper and the landing module inside the Arkonide ship by means of an antigravity transport field. Manoli, immediately started his medical checks on Crest, while Flipper was standing open mouthed inside the command central, not believing his eyes.

Although, displaying her utter most disgust for humanity, Perry Rhodan had several successful meetings with Thora. They agreed to take Crest, diagnosed with leukemia, to Earth trying to find a cure for his illness. Thora, in turn would provide the necessary safety cover under the premises, if Crest would come to harm, ALL of humanity would suffer the consequences.

The STARDUST returned to Earth with Crest onboard, and landed contrary to the original intention, in the Goby Desert, located inside the sphere of interest of the Asian Federation. This was very risky as was proven by diplomatic communiques between the superpowers, subjecting planet Earth to a possible nuclear World War.

Although, labeled by Flipper as traitor, Perry Rhodan was steadfast. After explaining himself and the new situation, Reginald Bull and Dr. Manoli sided with him. Flipper was given the choice to leave whenever he wanted.

Translation excerpt:

... Rhodan closed his eyes, he had a vision. The pictures were still sketchy and out of focus but he imagined man made space ships racing through space. He imagined the roar of the faster than light propulsion systems. He saw a central terrestrial government, prosperity and galactic recognition. So far, it was just a vision but he believed in it, full heartedly.

A mysterious machine began to hum in the STARDUST 's cargo bay, erecting a dome-shaped, transparent energy field over the landing module.

The THIRD POWER was established.

Major Perry Rhodan looked up to the sky, while he slowly detached the golden oak leafs from his shirt collars and removed the US Space Force arm patches from his astro-flight suit, as well as the American flag. He stuffed the flag in his pocket but threw the metal insignias and patches far out into the desert.

Major Perry Rhodan had just quit the US Space Force!