In his second novel building upon E.E. "Doc" Smith's original Lensmen series, David A. Kyle continues his explorations into the three non-human Second Stage Lensmen. Lensman from Rigel focuses on the enigmatic Tregonsee, the Rigellian head of S.I.S., the Galactic Patrol's Secret Intelligence Services, and one of the greatest strategists ever to wear a Lens of the Arisians.
Following the events of The Dragon Lensman (the first book in the "Second Stage Lensman" Trilogy), Tregonsee is made violently aware of a deadly new threat to the forces of Civilization when he is targeted for assassination by an unknown power capable of precisely controlling hyperspatial tubes -- portals that fold the fabric of space-time itself to make possible instantaneous, untraceable transportation anywhere in the universe. This feat is beyond any technology known to Civilization, and at a stroke it renders nearly every existing security measure obsolete. Though he survives the attempt, Tregonsee acts quickly to spread news of his death to try and lure the conspirators into the open. But even before he can put his plan into action, five of Civilization's greatest scientists are kidnapped through the same hyperspatial tubes -- only to be quickly returned, seemingly unharmed but with their brains obviously manipulated. The scientists' specialties? Hyperspace, vortices, and black holes. As more reports come in from Tregonsee's intelligence network, it soon becomes clear that the Galactic Patrol and all of Civilization is in even greater danger than it first appeared -- now they face the possibility of black holes being sent down tubes as targeted weapons!
While Tregonsee and the other Second Stage Lensmen begin mounting their defense and planning their response to this growing menace, a lower-level Patrol technician named Benson "D.D." Cloudd is about to bring them a vital piece of the puzzle. Hunting a mysterious plague of mechanical probes that have been appearing throughout the galaxy, Cloudd manages to capture a piece of a "mother ship" with several intact probes within. What he discovers next leads him into the inner circle of Tregonsee and his ultra-secret Special Mission Forces, where preparations are underway to follow the trails of the attackers back to their source.
For Cloudd and Tregonsee, that means a fateful mission to the planet Tanse and its mysterious Moon of Lost Souls, where roiling hurricanes of psychic energy rage, ready to destroy the minds of any who attempt to land on its surface. Behind this shield, awaiting discovery, is the key to all that Tregonsee has uncovered -- a secret that can either save Civilization, or destroy an entire galaxy!
David A. Kyle's experience in Science Fiction dates back to the 'Golden Age' of the early 1930s. An active force in both the earliest and present-day worlds of Science Fiction fandom, he began publishing fanzines as a teenager, and he participated in the first science fiction convention in Philadelphia in 1936. He attended the first World Science Fiction Convention in New York in 1939, and went on to chair the 14th Worldcon in 1956, and was Worldcon Fan Guest of Honor in 1983.
His professional career in the field spans six decades; beginning as a writer and illustrator for pulp magazines, then as publisher, anthologist, illustrator, book designer, editor, and literary agent. In 1947 he co-founded Gnome Press, the imprint that pioneered the first hardcover editions of works by such authors as Isaac Asimov, Sir Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert Howard.
He has collected an array of honors, among them First Fandom's Science Fiction Hall of Fame; a special award from the British Science Fiction Association; and an award for Outstanding Achievement from The International Society of Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy. He has been chosen by Starlog as one of The 100 Most Important People in Science Fiction and Fantasy.
His works include the award-winning A Pictorial History of Science Fiction and The Illustrated Book of Science Fiction Ideas and Dreams.
