
Part 1
Dr. James Lawrence, chief psychiatrist at St. Paul's Neuropsychiatric Hospital, is jolted out of his routine when a dark‑haired stranger bursts in, gun in hand, demanding his most enigmatic patient, Bette Bauer. Bette, a former theoretical physicist now trapped in a catatonic state, has long fascinated Lawrence with the flicker of brilliance that still haunts her mind. As midnight drapes the ward, the doctor is forced to lead a group of unsettling men through the silent corridors toward the padded cell where she lies.
The intruders are unlike any ordinary agents; their leader wields a weapon of unknown design and his companions move with a cold, rehearsed precision. Before Lawrence can react, the gun fires a blinding flash, knocking him unconscious and unveiling a grotesque, reptilian‑insect hybrid looming over him. Awakening in pain and confusion, he realizes the rescue of Bette may have drawn him into a far‑reaching menace that stretches beyond Earth’s borders.
Language
en
Duration
~23 minutes (23K 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
Apr 21, 2021
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1927–1987
A prolific writer of science fiction and fantasy, Randall Garrett became known for sharp, inventive stories and the popular Lord Darcy mysteries. He also collaborated with Robert Silverberg and wrote under a wide range of pseudonyms.
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b. 1935
A prolific voice in science fiction, Robert Silverberg is known for imaginative worlds, rich historical scope, and probing questions about identity and society. His celebrated work spans novels, short stories, and influential anthologies, from Nightwings to the Majipoor series.
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