The narrative unfolds in a future where psi powers like telepathy and clairvoyance are real, and a senator, under the guise of a mystic, investigates a series of sabotages threatening a critical space project. The senator, John Peter Gonzales, visits a covert government organization disguised as a society for mystical research. He meets with Brian Taggert, who suggests sending an agent to uncover the source of the sabotage affecting the Redford Research Team, which is working on a groundbreaking theory that could lead to antigravity technology. The team, led by Dr. Theodore Nordred, is experiencing unexplained equipment failures, and despite the senator's suspicions about a colleague, Dr. Konrad Bern, no evidence of sabotage is found. The narrative explores the complexities of psi abilities, revealing that Gonzales can sense emotional tones but struggles to penetrate deeper thoughts. Meanwhile, a young technician, David MacHeath, is introduced as a potential agent to infiltrate the team under the pretense of being a repair technician. As MacHeath integrates into the team, he begins to suspect that the equipment failures are not due to sabotage but rather a phenomenon linked to Nordred's subconscious. The story delves into the psychological implications of scientific theories and the resistance of scientists to accept new paradigms when their foundational beliefs are challenged. MacHeath's telepathic abilities allow him to gauge the thoughts and emotions of his colleagues, leading him to conclude that Nordred's mental state is inadvertently causing the equipment malfunctions. The climax occurs when MacHeath realizes that Bern is not the saboteur but rather a victim of circumstance, caught in a web of paranoia and fear. He orchestrates a plan to expose Bern's true nature as an unregistered agent while simultaneously addressing the underlying issue of Nordred's subconscious sabotage. The resolution involves a dramatic confrontation in the research facility's acceleration tube, where MacHeath apprehends Bern just as the FBI arrives. In the aftermath, the narrative reflects on the nature of scientific inquiry and the psychological barriers that can impede progress. MacHeath's actions lead to a breakthrough for Nordred, who must confront the reality of his own subconscious influences on his work. The story concludes with a commentary on the complexities of human psychology in the realm of scientific discovery, suggesting that the greatest obstacles often lie within the minds of those who seek to understand the universe.
By Randall Garrett · First published 1965 · Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery, Thriller