A soldier in the Disciplinary Corps, Bronson, experiences a psychological break and believes he has received a mysterious "CALL" from Mars. After killing a fellow crew member, he seizes control of a cargo rocket bound for Venus, intending to divert it to Mars, where he believes something significant awaits. As he navigates the ship, he reflects on the nature of the CALL, which he perceives as a profound, almost religious experience that compels individuals to abandon their mundane lives. Bronson's journey leads him to confront the dark history of humanity, including a catastrophic war that resulted from the suppression of knowledge and creativity by a ruling elite known as the Psychologists. They have conditioned society to reject curiosity and individuality, leading to a population that mindlessly follows the CALL without understanding its true implications. Upon reaching Mars, Bronson discovers a dome that symbolizes the culmination of human intellect and potential, a remnant of a movement called Freedom Unlimited that sought to liberate humanity from its oppressive conditioning. As he gains insight into the nature of the CALL and the manipulation of human consciousness, he resolves to return to Earth, determined to free others from their mental shackles and fulfill the promise of true freedom.
By Bryce Walton · First published 1989 · Genre: Science Fiction, Suspense, Thriller