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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... means reconciled to Kurani's implacable decision, the prince's declaration of intent had left him in a state of shock melded with a foreboding verging on abject despair. Kurani had grossly understated the youth's unshakable desire to ...
... mean, uh . . .” “Ah, yes, but against whom would their vengeful attitude be directed?” “Add m-matters up for yourself,” faltered Buford. “Kraan has a nasty reputation, a planet of hotheads, perhaps the most bellicose neohuman strain in ...
... mean to have her pose as an android unit.” The reply gave rise to a third period of thoughtful silence. “Wheels within wheels, Shattehand? An authentic female posing as an android unit. This poor creature distinguishes a potential ...
... mean with another . . . android?” “Why, yes, I suppose that's what I meant. An affair of the heart with a neohuman ... means, sir.” There! That barb had evoked a brief emotional spike of considerable amplitude. He bore down, disliking ...
... mean.” Klavik pondered. “I hadn't considered the matter. Perhaps they're relegated to menial duties, culinary and maintenance tasks, cleaning chores, domestic services, something similar.” “That's terrible!” was Kewart's uncompromising ...