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
Results 1-5 of 30
... natural satellites. The obscure stellar system's lesser bodies were left to seek equilibrium on their own. Terraforrning then began in earnest. An atmosphere enrichment program began concurrently with extensive mountain-building ...
... nature of the reply, Klavik dared a rebuttal. “Prime Minister, I hope to convince you of the danger associated with that approach. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to preserve your anonymity in Eden. As an individual, I can ...
... nature, his fierce, forceful resolve. The uncompromising statement also brought Kurani up short. “Impossible, your Royal Highness.” “I'll listen to no argument, Prime Minister. I meant what I said.” Visibly upset, Kurani took a grip on ...
... nature, Eden was thus far as perfect in both broad strokes and detail as monied ingenuity could make it. Despite the resort world's notoriety, its clientele, while doubtless much less than perfect, was self-limiting, with patronage ...
... nature, Klavik said, “A mythical place of beauty in the afterlife. Certain ancient cultures subscribed to an idyllic Paradise where after death one might enjoy an eternity of hedonistic delights.” He was relieved when the prince seemed ...