"and when he saw her, his heart gave a little bump, like a geiger responding to an ionizing particle. It always did that, although they had been together for twelve years, and married for ten."

I knowww, it has nothing to do with the scifi but I just adored the above quote and wanted to share it. How

There are some problems with the dialogue between husband and wife in he beginning of this story, the conversation just isn't believable. Other than that, this is an good read.

This is a good story of scientist forming a group and selling their services to the highest bidder.

I'll open by saying I love H. Beam Piper. That said this is a good story but far from his best, honestly, one of the weaker ones I've read. What's interesting as with so many of H. Beam's books is the thought behind them. In this case looking at contractors as mercenaries and more importantly them h

As I'm learning, many of H Beam Piper's heroes are larger than life, take charge, Alpha male scientists, who are also excellent athletes, and who are comfortable with their own sovereignty. Such is the hero of this book.

Like all the Piper I've read these past two weeks, the story is marvellous and

I actually liked this story, the characters and settings really focused on just plain storytelling rather than getting too engrossed in the science. While in this short story it was the focus, the dialogue pretty much took care of it, and was a bit short, which I'd give a lower rating but that would