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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... Perhaps, perhaps not,” argued the PM. “Wisdom wears a number of guises. Whether right or wrong, that is precisely what we shall do.” Sorely troubled by the uncompromising nature of the reply, Klavik dared a rebuttal. “Prime Minister, I ...
... perhaps, but not the essentials. Eden's senior executive, 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 ...
... perhaps the most bellicose neohuman strain in the visited galaxy who cling to an archaic monarchy. What if they should decide it was we who . . ?” Eden's second-ranking executive broke off in distress. “Nonsense.” Shatterhand's eyelids ...
... perhaps especially so in the present instance. Having no prior experience to fall back on, yet determined to learn whether Ramyn's pre-programmed composure could be ruffled, he inquired in an offhand manner how it felt to be android ...
... perhaps the loveliest as well,” he added in afterthought. “This peculiar onset of righteous delicacy is surprising. Surely you don't consider the overly large barbarian altogether unattractive. As I recall, your taste always ran toward ...