Pandrusa - Knight of Oberon

**Pandrusa - Knight of Oberon** is the first book in Matthew Beale's *Pandrusa* series. It was written by Matthew Beale and featured Pandrusa and Jimmy Nash. The novella was first published on 9 June, 2020 by Deck 10 Publications.

## Publication information

### Publication date

9 June 2020. (1st edition)7 November 2020. (2nd edition)

## Book description

In the late 20th century, private-eye James “Jimmy” Nash boards a plane bound for a new life. What he doesn't expect is to find himself on an alien world billions of light-years from his home.

In the far future, Pandrusa, a fearsome warrior with a reputation across the galaxy, completes another mission for the eminent Grand Order of Oberon. On his return, he is brought to a desolate planet where he encounters a private detective lost in time.

Two worlds collide as Jimmy Nash is pulled into the life of Pandrusa and a galactic-wide struggle between order and chaos.

## Plot

In the Prologue, private detective James "Jimmy" Nash reminisces about the life he is leaving behind as he boards the plane at the airport to take him to New York City.

### Chapter One: Tempus Fugit

The flight has progressed well and the aeroplane cruises across the Atlantic. Nash attempts to ooze confidence to his fellow passenger, Ada, but his fear of flying becomes more apparent as they encounter unexpected turbulence. Appearing the fly through a storm, Nash realises that they are experiencing time distortion phenomena and the plane is plunged through a tear in space and time.

Nash briefly dreams he is back in the town of Philipham End where he grew up, and imagines he has been hit by a German bomb.

When Nash awakes, he discovers he is on an alien planet in the presence of two scavengers, Cliff and Rorvik. They inform him that he is on the planet Toros and that the plane he was on crashed in the desert, leaving him the only survivor. He tries to prove his strength of character to the two but passes out from shock and the alcohol Grokwiz he is given to drink.

### Chapter Two: The New World

The next morning, Nash learns that Cliff and Rorvik were the cause of the plane crash and that they relish in the plundering of other crashed vessels that they are able to lure to Toros. Left with little choice, he decides to accompany the Sirens - as they call themselves - on their search of the enormous dreadnought they crashed on Toros.

### Chapter Three: The Sirens

Once inside the ruined structure of the dreadnought, Nash joins Rorvik to raid the ship for equipment. However, they are interrupted by the arrival of the ship's only occupant, who kills Rorvik and gives chase after Nash.

### Chapter Four: Knightfall

Fleeing from the stranger, Nash reunites with Cliff just in time for the killer to catch up with them and silently dispatches Cliff. Resigned to his fate, Nash gives in to death and prepares for the killer to slit his throat. Instead, the man introduces himself as Pandrusa, a knight of the Grand Order of Oberon, and decides to spare Nash's life.

### Chapter Five: Escape Velocity

Departing the atmosphere of Toros, Nash experiences space travel for the first time as he and Pandrusa head into deep space. Conflict arises between the two unlikely companions as Nash attempts to comprehend the world he left behind and understand his place in the Human Empire and that of Pandrusa's role in keeping galactic law and order.

### Chapter Six: Blacksword

Arriving on Treonus, a shipyard and refuelling station, Pandrusa attempts to acquire a new ship which will take him and his companion onwards to the Andromedean Galactic Alliance. Nash tries to relate to the Ularian foreman working at the docks but succeeds only in offending the dockworkers and a brawl breaks out, forcing Pandrusa and Nash to fight their way out. Pandrusa displays the reverence towards his position as a knight of Grand Order of Oberon, and the brawlers lay down their arms before the knight known as *Blacksword*.

### Chapter Seven: Observatory

Learning more of the Grand Order of Oberon, Nash begins to respect Pandrusa and becomes interested in his crusade for order and stability and the codes of conduct the knights must follow. In return, Pandrusa recognises in Nash the skills required to become a squire, due to Nash's own sense of justice stemming from his life as a private detective.

Owing to their fight with the Ularians, a band of Morosi pirates arrives at the Observatory and captures Pandrusa and Nash.

### Chapter Eight: The Fang

Aboard *The* *Fang*, the Morosi pirate ship, Pandrusa and Nash are taken from Treonus in chains. Before they can plan an escape, an enemy ship attacks *The Fang* and identifies itself as the Kratos Horde. The Morosi attempt to bargain with the Kratos by offering the hostages, but only succeed in infuriating Chieftain Hasar Vaahn when Pandrusa is forced to unveil himself as an enemy of the Kratos.

Left aboard the disintegrating ship, Pandrusa and Nash attempt to flee *The Fang*, much as the Morosi did when the Kratos opened fire. Nash is injured in the escape attempt and Pandrusa realises that they are outmatched as the ship's airlocks suddenly begin to open. They are relieved to encounter not the Kratos but fellow knight Hercule Grimaldi and his squire, Holmob, who rescue them from the Kratos. Nash passes out from the pain of his broken fingers.

### Chapter Nine: Knights Haven

Hours later, Nash wakes aboard *The Desire* with his hands healed, thanks to the wonders of nanotechnlogy. Approaching Ospiri, the homeworld of the Grand Order of Oberon, he is introduced to Grimaldi and Holmob, realising the similarities and subtle differences between Pandrusa and his fellow knight. They touch down at Knights Haven and Pandrusa and Nash head for the Temple of Oberon, much to Pandrusa's chagrin when he learns that Grimaldi had informed the Grand Order of his arrival.

At the Temple of Oberon, the knights have convened for an Assembly to discuss the recent attacks by the Kratos Horde, who have been becoming bolder. Pandrusa speaks briefly with Archon Demas and orders are given for Quartermaster Stend to find the appropriate accommodation for Nash as the prospective new squire for Pandrusa.

## Characters

* James "Jimmy" Nash
* Ada
* Cliff
* Rorvik
* Pandrusa
* Geraf
* Hasar Vaahn
* Holmob
* Hercule Grimaldi
* Seban Demas
* Talas Stend

## Notes

* Jimmy Nash and Pandrusa both originated in Matthew Beale's Doctor Who fan series *Doctor Who - Revelations*, and were played in audio drama by Daniel Wright and Alex Ranahan.

1. ↑ Although offically published on *Amazon* on this date, the novel was released as an ebook prior on 12 February 2019.

## References

1. ↑ Beale, M. (2020) *Pandrusa - Knight of Oberon*. Bristol: Deck 10 Publications.