
A shadow looms over the known worlds, and the Interstellar Corps finds its usual tactics useless against a conspiracy that could bring all planets under a single, unseen ruler. In desperation they turn to an unconventional weapon—one that isn’t a gun at all, but the power of a mind capable of reading, influencing, and perhaps outmaneuvering the enemy. The story follows the Corps’ most unlikely asset, a man whose only weapon is his extraordinary mental ability.
The tale opens with cadet George Hanlon under the cold stare of Admiral Rogers, forced to confront a test that dredges up a forgotten childhood talent for mind‑reading. As the admiral calmly lays out what Hanlon has tried to hide—his family's tragic past and the suppressed psychic skill—the young officer discovers that the Corps has known about him all along. What follows is a tense, introspective initiation that will thrust Hanlon into a conflict where his mind may be the galaxy’s only hope.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (374K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2006-10-29
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1893–1958
A pulp-era science fiction writer and fan, he helped shape early magazine SF with space operas, collaborations, and a deep involvement in fandom. His best-known work includes the novel Man of Many Minds and stories written with E. "Doc" Smith and others.
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