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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... believe a Kaolin coup might be brewing, sir?” “Why . . ? It's not a matter of what I myself believe, ” assured the other, his intonation ascerbic. “It's all but a surety. That pack of white-robed renegades has readied a stealthy move of ...
... believe the data sent along by the operator of that noisome hellhole, all we're liable to find there is a cratered roadway surrounded by packs of unreliable, two-faced pimps and scoundrels.” “What might be found in Eden,” said Klavik ...
... believe common adversity may have temporarily salved all wounds. Either the Kaolin renegades are better actors than credited, or they've done a remarkable switchabout and formed solid ranks behind my so-called 'bipartisan' government ...
... believe you're in the right. As for going in with combat-ready guardsmen, we shall see. Tell me, have you adequately researched the hellhole?” On firmer ground, Klavik tempered his response. “Much of it was done for us, Prime Minister ...
... believe me when I tell you who they are.” “How can I,” said Shatterhand with no hint of malice, “if you never get around to telling me?” “Royalty!” There was high drama in Buford's declaration. “The heir apparent of those stiff-necked ...