Synopsis
Taken from his research on a moon of Neptune by representatives of an ancient civilization of intelligent machines that strive to preserve life in the universe, John Bandicut unwillingly learns a technology that helps him prevent Earth's destruction.
Reviews
In this promising series kickoff about an astronaut exploring the surface of Neptune's moon, Triton, Carver ( Dragons in the Stars ) masterfully captures the joy of exploration, although the story itself follows a fairly standard save-the-world plot. Pilot John Bandicut has been cut off from his internal link to the "datanet" by faulty technology, leaving him subject to maddening "silence-fugues." His need for contact makes him a perfect candidate for a symbiotic relationship with the alien quarx, who are trying to save humanity from a mysterious disaster threatening Earth. The quarx, creations whose understanding of Terran culture comes mostly from monitoring old TV and radio programs, have a certain gee-whiz quality, although their interactions with the datanet are intriguing. A rather adolescent love story combines amusingly with an unlikely case of xenophobia, and a fiery conclusion sets Bandicut up for further adventures in yet another alien world, where Carver may find greater room to employ his gift for the fine rendering of difficult scientific concepts.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
First of a series involving aliens and chaos theory, and set on Neptune's moon Triton, from the author of The Rapture Effect (1987), The Infinity Link (1984), etc. After alien ruins are found on remote, chilly Triton, the MINEXFO mining corporation sends an expedition to prospect and recover usable, if mysterious, metals. Surveyor John Bandicut, wandering past his allotted search area in a fugue state (his implanted computer links have been disabled in a medical accident, and he's crumbling mentally), falls into a cavern beneath the ice, where he encounters an alien machine known as the ``translator'' and its disembodied companion, the ``quarx,'' which, much to Bandicut's confusion, ends up inside his head. The quarx, a sort of wandering galactic do-gooder, has been slumbering on Triton for millions of years; but the translator has been wide awake and, thanks to its advanced understanding of chaos theory, has determined that a comet will soon smash into the Earth. Slowly, Bandicut comes to believe the quarx and helps it make plans to save the Earth. These plans, to Bandicut's consternation, involve, first, stealing a spaceship; then, boosted by the translator's magic--sorry, super-scientific--glowing stones, they'll whiz across the solar system and blast the comet. After that, Bandicut will find himself somehow light-years from home, approaching an alien installation hanging in space. And so to the next installment. Unevocative, with recycled ideas, poorly digested and extrapolated science, and no characters worthy of the term in a drama that has its more ludicrous aspects. Not an auspicious send- off. -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Attached to a research and mining project on Triton, John Bandicut becomes the reluctant "host" of an alien mind who needs him as a vehicle to save Earth from a cosmic catastrophe. The author of Dragons in the Stars (Tor Bks., 1992) and The Infinity Link (Bluejay Bks., 1984) excels at exuberant storytelling as he explores the very real day-to-day problems of playing host to an internal guest. Hard-science aficionados will delight in the story's focus on chaos theory; general sf fans will appreciate the adventure and mood. A good purchase for most libraries.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
With works such as The Infinity Link (1986) and his popular Star Rigger novels, Carver won acclaim as a master craftsman of compelling hard science fiction. This captivating opener to a new series incorporating the emerging science of chaos theory should keep that reputation flourishing. John Bandicut is a reclusive survey technician for a mining operation on Neptune's mineral-rich moon, Triton. He is still suffering the psychological fallout of a broken neurolink to the ubiquitous computer, the datanet, when his land rover pitches him into an underground cavern. There, Bandicut establishes mental contact with an unseen alien entity that identifies itself as a quarx--nicknamed Charlie for convenience--and Bandicut as its newly adopted host. While struggling to keep Charlie's presence a secret from his coworkers and tap back into the datanet, Bandicut is irrevocably drawn into the quarx's ultimate, altruistic mission--to save Earth from certain destruction by a wayward comet. Carver has created yet another electrifying scenario as well as a winning combination in Bandicut and the sometimes vulnerable yet superintelligent quarx. First-rate entertainment. Carl Hays
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