Vadim Panov’s "The Last Admiral of Zagrata," a summary

This book is a steampunk and astropunk science fiction novel, published in 2011. The narrative revolves around a critical military and political crisis on the agrarian planet of Zagrata, where the interests of the monarchy, separatists, and an interstellar trading corporation clash. The author creates a unique world of Hermeticon, combining noble traditions, steam-powered technology, flying zeppelins, and dangerous interplanetary passages through the Void.

The novel won the Silver Arrow Award in 2011, the Bastkon Award in 2012, and was named the best science fiction book of the year by Mir Fantastiki magazine. It opens the author’s "Hermeticon" series, being the first book in the series. This series includes the novels "Red Stones of Bely," "Kardonian Roulette," "Kardonian Loop," "Treasures of the Pure Mind," and other works.

Political crisis and split in Zagrata

The events begin in the capital of Zagrata, the city of Alburg. King Henry II the Proud convenes an emergency council of dignitaries to discuss the ultimatum of Adigene Nestor der Funier. Nestor sends a daring letter demanding recognition of the division of the country and the creation of an Inca Kingdom with its capital in Zuidburg.

Zagrata is going through a difficult time. Crop failure, a cattle plague, and treasury debts have depleted state reserves. Confusion reigns within the government. Prime Minister Fowles, Treasurer Stacik, Police General Jefferson, and Army Commander General Mahoney are stunned by the rebel’s audacity. King Henry decides to personally lead the troops, taking the only armored train, heavily armored steam locomotives, and cavalry to crush the separatists.

The Company’s Secret Plans and the Liberal Conspiracy

Behind Nestor stands the Department of Secret Research of the Interplanetary Company, headed by Baron Ferenc Nucik. Vast reserves of nefa — a valuable raw material for internal combustion engines — have been discovered in the Azean desert. King Henry refused to give the Company a controlling stake, so the Galanites decided to change the government.

Nestor receives gold, weapons, and new military technologies from Nučík. Meanwhile, der Funier is playing his own game, hoping to subjugate the entire world. The Galanites are simultaneously funding the opposition Labor Party, led by Jan Zopčík, René Mayer, Emil Kumčík, and Mika Můčík. The liberals are fomenting protests in the north, blackmailing the police, and plotting a military coup.

The young Adigene, Lillian der Ti-Nofal, displays cold-blooded calculation. She mines her family’s Valley of Springs and forces the Company to buy the land, useless without water, for two million sequins.

Arrival of Pompilio and the crew of the Zeppelin

The research raider "Inquisitive Amoosh" arrives at the Alburga spheroport. Its owner is Adigen Pompilio Cesare Faha der Dagen Tur, commander of the Astrological Fleet and a master of the bambadao (shooting skills). Pompilio is the brother of the ruler of the planet Linga, but due to a family tragedy, he wanders the Hermeticon.

After a difficult passage through the Void, the crew loses the alchemist Forza, who jumped overboard under the influence of hallucinations. In his place, Pompilio and his servant Theodore Valentin recruit Doctor of Science Andreas Mersa (Oliver). The crew also includes Captain Bazza Dorofeev, astrologer Galileo Quadriga, who is struggling with his injuries, the cunning supercargo Babarsky, and Schiffbetriebsmeister Chira Bedokur.

Pompilio visits his relative, Agatha der Suan. At mass in the cathedral, he meets the heir to the throne, twelve-year-old Prince Henry. Before the campaign, the king gave his son a ring with a rare diamond, which serves as a pledge and a summons for Pompilio.

At the same time, a detachment of Bamballero mercenaries, led by the Vulenite Felix Weber, was established in Alburg. Weber needed money to ransom his brother from pirate captivity. His group accompanied the winemaker Kishkus, repelling an attack by Borov Sun’s gang, set up by a traitorous driver.

Company agent Moiza Pachik recruits the alchemist Mersa for one hundred sequins, but Mersa reports this to Pompilio. Supercargo Babarsky carries out a deal in the slums of Hussa to cash promissory notes and purchase treasury bars from Slim’s bandits, saving himself thanks to smoke bombs and spork arbitrators.

Ambush at the Saluan Hills and the defeat of the monarch

Henry II’s army advances south by rail. Nestor sabotages the bridge over the Kasa River at Casbridge. The king leaves his infantry under General Mahoney to restore the crossing, while he himself, with Colonel Alistair’s dragoons, Colonel Rolling’s heavy armored infantry, and two aircruisers, presses on.

Rolling urges the king to exercise caution, but Henry ignores his concerns. That night, Nestor’s saboteurs destroy both cruisers with hidden artillery.

Near the Saluan Hills, the royal column is ambushed. Nestor makes use of the Company’s bomber aircraft for the first time. The aircraft drop bombs on the huddled squadrons, wreaking havoc.

The cavalry is scattered, and the heaviest Jabras tanks are caught in the crossfire of rebel artillery. The king’s armored vehicle is hit, and Henry himself is wounded and captured by Nestor and Nuchik.

Mahoney, arriving with the infantry, realizes the hopelessness of the situation. Nestor convinces the general to switch sides, promising him a seat in the future Senate. Mahoney takes the oath, after which the united army turns toward Alburg.

Uprising in the capital and the tragedy of the Adigenes

In Alburgh, the Labor Party is revolting. Colonel Sinclair convinces young Prince Heinrich to declare a state of siege and send troops against the demonstrators.

An attempt to disperse the crowd by force leads to tragedy. The soldiers are disorganized, and street fighting erupts in the Old City. General Jefferson tries to calm the crowd with words, but the labor leader, Micah Muchik, treacherously shoots the veteran policeman. The capital descends into looting, arson, and anarchy.

Company agent Moisa Pacik directs gangs against the aristocrats’ estates. Pompilio publicly burns Nestor’s banner in front of his house, declaring the rebel a renegade. In response, der Funier renounces his ancient family and takes the surname Guda.

Bandits under the command of Jaime Lincic attack Agatha der Suan’s estate. Pompilio rushes to the rescue and shoots the attackers with his bambadas, but carries his aunt out of the burning building already dead. Pompilio prays sincerely for her to Good Marcus.

The Battle of Zagraschloss Palace and the Evacuation

The Labor Party occupies the town hall. To ensure success, the liberals hire the bamballero Felix Weber for two thousand sequins to neutralize Pompilio. The conspirators storm the Zagraschloss palace. Weber holds the young heir at gunpoint, preventing a chaotic shooting.

Pompilio enters the throne room unarmed, accompanied by Adigena Lillian der Ti-Nofal. When the Labor leaders begin to display insolence and threaten the princes, Pompilio throws off his cloak, instantly draws his Gemini pistols, and opens fire.

In half a minute, Pompilio eliminates the top conspirators — Zopchik, Mayer, Muchik, and Kumchik. Weber recognizes the bambadao’s skill and refuses to engage in a pointless fight, considering the terms of the contract exhausted.

The Inquisitive Amoosh approaches the palace. Under the cover of Shurhaken machine guns, Pompilio, Lillian, the princes, and Weber’s squad evacuate aboard in the "sinner’s basket." Pompilio personally shoots down several attacking aircraft with his three-barreled bambada.

Breakthrough through the Void and the results of the struggle

The heir to the throne grants Pompilio a commission from Admiral Zagrata of the Royal Navy for one battle. Nestor’s gigantic twin-hulled aircraft carrier, the Hand of Justice, approaches the transition point.

Astrologer Galileo Quadriga pushes the astring to its limits. After forty minutes of contact with the Void, bleeding profusely, Galileo achieves a breakthrough. The "Inquisitive Amoosh" departs for Svemla and then delivers the princes and Lillian to Kaata.

In captivity, King Henry II learns from Nuchik about the fall of the capital and the death of the monarchy, but before his death he manages to spit in the Galanite’s face, knowing that his sons are saved.

Nestor Guda enters Alburg, takes power into his own hands and challenges the Company, intending to become the sole ruler of a renewed Zagrata.