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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... 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; don't send an ...
... sure they'll do.” Kurani shot an uneasy glance at the lovely android “unit,” and changed his mind. “Best, I think, for you to look things over beforehand, Klavik.” “As you wish, sir. “Ramyn,” said Shatterhand, “will be happy to show you ...
... sure your services will be greatly appreciated, Ramyn. As for remaining unobtrusive . . .” Her gaze level, she looked up at the much taller man. “If I am being too forward, sir, you have only to command me, and I shall adopt a more ...
... sure I understand your question, sir. I am myself. I have no other referents.” Clever non-answer, he thought, evaluating the jittery spike of apprehension his query had generated. He decided to press on. “Do you resent your station in ...
... sure he would react instantly and violently at the slightest hint of a threat to his distinguished companions.” Finding the subject distasteful, Ramyn pursed her candied lips, gazed scomfully at the director. “Be observant,” he advised ...