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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... move of some kind, and a murderous, underhanded move will most likely be. I know they're behind it. Know it!” “Behind . . . what, sir? What basis have you for —?” “Basis!” The other blanched, directed a scathing glare at Klavik, and ...
... moved about. Engaged in a rather one-sided conversation, Eden's planetary director listened with half an ear to the vociferous complaint of a caller whose agitated image glowed in the vidicom display. When the renowned holovision ...
... moves often invite error on the part of both contestants. The opening gambit we discussed will be exercised. Has all been arranged?” “The stage is set,” replied Shatterhand, “with one minor difference.” “Might this poor creature learn ...
... move against prohibitive cost and schedule overruns he could never explain were the locale to be scrapped in its entirety. He was still debating the issue when Timmy, his key grip, interrupted the gloomy reverie. “Chatty, I think we've ...
... move to board the carriage. Something about his body language made Kurani ask, “What is it?” “We have visitors, sir. Please stay in the carriage until I learn who they are, what they want.” # “Hallo-o-o,” hailed Victor Chatham. Wearing ...