History Literature / MasterOfTheWorld

* TransformingMecha: The ''Terror'', a flying machine that can also become a boat, a sub, or an armored car, is probably the UrExample. Sadly, Verne being the [[MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness stickler for realism]] that he was, the world had to wait another half-century for Japanese creators to come up with the now-ubiquitous humanoid robot mode.

* TransformingMecha: The ''Terror'', a flying machine that can also become a boat, a sub, or an armored car, is probably the UrExample. Sadly, Verne being the [[MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness stickler for realism]] that he was, the world had to wait another century for Japanese creators to come up with the now-ubiquitous humanoid robot mode.

Strock's superior Mr. Ward assigns him to a another, seemingly unrelated case. It seems someone calling himself the "Master of the World" has been terrorizing the country using a "tri-phibian" vehicle called the ''Terror'', which can, at will, go on land as a car, in the sea as a submarine and in the air as an airship, transforming effortlessly between all three. It's going to be Strock's job to discover who is doing this and why. He quickly makes the connection between this vehicle and the incident at the Eyrie, realizing it was the ''Terror'''s commander who threatened him.

Morganton's Mayor Elias Smith is understandably worried and turns to the federal government for assistance. [[LeadPoliceDetective Chief Inspector]] [[TheHero John Strock]] is sent from Washington to get to the bottom of things. Or, rather, the top. Of the Eyrie, that is. He, Smith and some guides make a failed attempt to scale the pinnacle and have to return empty handed. [[DrivingQuestion What is up there]]? Strock returns to Washington and receives a threatening letter, posted from Morganton, warning him stay away from the Eyrie. The writer is identified only by the initials "M.O.W."

A 1904 thriller by Creator/JulesVerne, serving as a sequel to Verne's earlier novel [[spoiler: ''Literature/RoburTheConqueror'']]. A mysterious "something" is causing explosions and mysterious lights at the top of a mountain in North Carolina called the Great Eyrie, near the town of Morganton.

* Sudden Name Change: If you remember Tom Turner from [[spoiler:the Verne novel ''Literature/RoburTheConqueror'']], you'll wonder why he's referred to as ''John'' Turner here.