The narrative follows Thadeus Jadiver, a consulting engineer who awakens in a police hospital after a mysterious accident that has left him with synthetic skin and a circuit embedded in his body. As he recovers, he realizes that the accident was no mere mishap; someone had tampered with the autobath in his apartment, attempting to kill him. The police, who initially seem to be his saviors, are actually using him as a pawn to catch criminals, particularly a man named Vicon Burlingame. Jadiver's life becomes a race against time as he grapples with the implications of the circuit embedded in him, which allows the police to monitor his every move. He seeks to uncover the truth behind the accident and the motives of those around him, including the enigmatic Doctor Doumya Filone, who had treated him. As he navigates the treacherous landscape of Venus, he encounters various characters, including Cobber, a small-time criminal who becomes an ally, and Emily, a woman undergoing a transformation to evade the law. The story escalates as Jadiver learns that the police are closing in on him, and he must find a way to escape their grasp. He devises a plan to warn Burlingame and his crew about the impending police raid, but his efforts are complicated by the circuit in his body, which he suspects is a means of control. The narrative explores themes of identity, autonomy, and the ethical implications of technology as Jadiver struggles to reclaim his life. As the police tighten their net, Jadiver's situation becomes increasingly dire. He confronts Doumya, who reveals the truth about the circuit and the experiments conducted on him. In a desperate bid for freedom, Jadiver must outsmart the police and navigate the complexities of his relationships with those around him. The climax builds to a tense confrontation, where Jadiver's ingenuity and the unexpected assistance of the robot he designed come into play. Ultimately, the story culminates in a thrilling escape from Venus, with Jadiver boarding a ship bound for Sirius, leaving behind the chaos and uncertainty of his past. The narrative concludes with a sense of hope and the promise of new beginnings, as Jadiver contemplates the future and the possibilities that lie ahead.
By F.L. Wallace · First published 1990 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy