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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... waiting for me to get off the horn.” Shatterhand promised to be brief. Putting the director on hold, he opened the audio-only intercom circuit. “Were my instructions unclear? I asked you to hold all calls.” “Mr. Buford's here, sir.” The ...
... waiting, eyes demurely downcast. Klavik evaluated the “beauty mark” — a tiny, five-pointed star beneath her left eye. “I, er . . .” Taken aback by the dazzling apparition, Kurani cast a nervous glance at the open-mouthed prince. “S'pose ...
... waiting with programmed patience for the ensuing take. The shooting script called for them to rush forward en masse loosing a chorus of blood-curdling howls, and take captive the luckless shipwreck victims. “Scene forty-seven, take six ...
... Waiting with outward patience for the director to wear down, Shatterhand said, “I do sympathize with your predicament, Mr. Chatham. Now, if you will allow me to —” “Sympathize, my ass!” Chatham wrenched open the landau's door, leaned in ...
... Waiting deferentially for the footrnan to jump down and hold the landau's door, he allowed the prince and PM to alight before stepping out himself, but did not join his charges. Buford and Ramyn elected to stay in the carriage. Grave ...