Blake followed this frieghter through the barrier
A star system unmentioned in any Old Calendar record, the destination in five hundred Earth years of the rocket Avon launched from Cephlon in Deliverance. The only information given about the system was the report that four of its planets had compatible biospheres for the survival of the new community of people that would be produced by the rocket's fertility cells.
The system, or perhaps the constellation of which it was part, was either named after St. Mary Magdalene, or someone or something named after her. She was, according to the Bible, a follower of Jesus Christ who, after being freed by him from seven devils, was one of those who assisted him and the Apostles, providing for their material needs (Luke 8.2-3).
She was a witness to the crucifixion and burial of Jesus (Matthew 27.55-56, 61; Mark 15.40, 47; Luke 23.49-56; 24.10). In the Gospel of St. John she stood by the cross with Jesus's mother and the Beloved Disciple (John 19.25-26).
She was the first to see the empty tomb and the resurrected Christ (John 20.1-2, 11-18; Mark 16.9-11), who personally told her to report His Resurrection to His brothers (John 20.16-18). Her feast day is on 22nd July.
This reference to St. Mary Magdalene was one of the few explicit references to Christianity in the series.
See also CHRISTIANITY.
| Defence mechanism around the planet Horizon. Any ship without a demagnetised hull was atomised on contact. Liberator only survived because the force wall was activated prior to contact. Three pursuit ships were destroyed penetrating the barrier whilst moving in against Liberator; Blake reasoned that since Zen had no information about the defences, the pursuit ship commanders wouldn't either, and so he ordered the ship to stay put to lure the Federation flotilla into the barrier. | Blake followed this frieghter through the barrier |
Tool used by Avon on the paraneutronic generator on Saurian Major.
A communications terminal, apparently serving an entire planet and of vital strategic importance. Terminal 4006 (at one point noted as Terminal 406) was on Helotrix, and the focal point of Hunda's activities. Igin and then Hunda both entered the city to see if flood levels (from reservoirs blown in the early stages of the fighting) had dropped sufficiently to lay charges beneath the terminal and destroy it, thus isolating Federation forces on the planet. Practor was informed by Leitz that he had direct access via the magnetrix terminal to Federation headquarters: Practor noted that such access was hardly direct if it had to be via the terminal.
The fragment of a space craft Vila collected on Crandor was the main drive stabiliser of a Type 6 survey ship.
| Probably Tel Varon's wife, she helped him uncover the truth about Blake's trial, bribing the duty officer at the Public Records Computer with her brooch to gain access to Central Clinic admissions data. She later picked up records of the treatment of the three children involved and joined Tel in a trip to the scene of the massacre reported by Blake. Like Tel, she was shot dead by security personnel outside the city. |  |
Rank within the Federation. Thania and Grenlee were both Majors. Possibly the same rank as Space Major, or a rear echelon equivalent. Provine on Albian held the rank of Space Major. Jarvik was temporarily made an Acting Major. In other forces, Hunda on Helotrix held the rank of Star Major, and Quute guessed that Hunda had given himself this rank.
| A Primitive of Chenga, who assisted Lom in helping Vila evade the Hitechs When Lom was hit by a tranquillising dart, Mall carried him away, accidentally leaving Vila behind in the process. |  |