
On Venus, a simple knock on a door can launch a wild adventure, and few places spark more rumors than Khaljean’s—an uncanny zoo and petshop that trades in everything from harmless curios to nightmarish synthetic beasts. The proprietor, a mysterious figure whose origins are unknown, treats every creature as a marvel, keeping ten for his own collection while selling a few to the curious and the bold. Travelers speak of the place in hushed tones across the solar system, weaving tall tales of impossible hybrids and daring rescues.
Things turn perilous when a raid on the shadowy business district of Castarona sweeps up a motley crew: Pao Chung, a ruthless drug lord; Bat Ferris, a wanted spaceman seeking redemption; and Bogus Angel, a mutant with winged terror and a fierce loyalty. Their unexpected capture drags them into a tangled web of intrigue that threatens to expose the secrets of Khaljean’s menagerie. As alliances shift and danger looms, listeners are left wondering how far the reach of the Venusian underworld extends.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (61K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2021-01-16
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1911–1974
A mid-century science fiction and fantasy writer with an artist’s eye, he filled pulp magazines with energetic space opera and strange adventures. His work also stretched into editing and small-press publishing, giving him a hand in several sides of the genre.
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by Stanley Mullen

by Stanley Mullen

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by Stanley Mullen

by Stanley Mullen

by Stanley Mullen

by Stanley Mullen