For nearly 3000 years the astronaut Perry Rhodan, who has become immortal through a cell activator, has controlled the fate of his people, when suddenly an explosion shakes the centre of the Terranian Power. During this explosion Perry Rhodan's immediate confidante Mondra is kidnapped by extraterrestrial combat robots. Alone he tries to find the true reasons for the irruption as well as the manipulators behind the conspiracy. During his search he discovers recordings about the myth of a thought to be dead, extraterrestrial race that had enslaved humanity a long, long time ago - the Illochim. With bravery, cleverness and brilliant investigation, he manages to light up the darkness... His untiring search leads him to many foreign races across the galaxy, away from his mother planet Terra to the subterranean colonies of the planet Gom Callaedus in undiscovered enemy territory. While fighting with organ traders and exiled criminals the secret behind the dangerous incidents is finally solved: the truth about the awakened, life-threatening danger for the residents of the Milky Way is lying buried on the far away moon Betha.