Mind GamesConditioned to enhance an inborn ability to acutely perceive another's emotional state, Klavik, security director of a massive world ruled by the sole monarchy in neohuman interstellar society, investigates the ruler's assassination while on holiday in parsecs-distant Eden, a terraformed pleasure world operated by a distant syndicate peopled by alien exotics. A pair of royal companions force themselves upon Klavik during his sojourn in Eden, where his empathic perception “sixth sense” enables him to fasten on a nervous official as a prime suspect to interrogate, but is frustrated because his energies must be channeled toward protecting his illustrious companions. Eden's planetary director, Shatterhand, ushers the threesome into a “hall of mirrors” where nothing is as it seems. After feints and ploys designed to distract or frighten he and his charges away, Klavik senses “nibblings” at the limbic fringes of his mind, and intuits the the presence of an alien telepath. Sly mental assaults persist until his charges are taken hostage, and the ultimate confrontation erupts in a rapacious battle of wills. |
From inside the book
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... Emil Shatterhand, has apparently made service to the Parvon Syndicate his lifework. He continues to guide the fortunes of what many consider the ne plus ultra of neohuman resorts. He signed the hyperspace transmittal of data relating to ...
... Emil Shatterhand resembled a descendant of Old Earth's least mutated bloodline, but such was not the case. Seated in the mobile prison of a geriatric chair, his aristocratic masculine features and dark, almond-shaped eyes suggested ...
... eyelids drooped pensively. “No, Emil; I don't believe that. Didn't you hear what I —?” “Certainly I heard. Stop blathering and let me think.” Seemingly of its own volition, the geriatric chair pivoted, glided MIND GAMES Walling l6.
... Emil, I'm not sure we have —” “The linguistic database,” reminded his superior, “stores every neohuman-derived tongue spoken within a two-thousand-parsec spherical radius. I also want you to run an errand. Go find Ramyn. Go yourself ...
... the director, his smooth baritone conveying minimal warmth. “I am Planetary Director Emil Shatterhand. I wish to beg forgiveness for your tiresome wait.” five Noting the executive's fluent if rather flat Kraant, Klavik MIND GAMES Walling ...