The narrative follows Spencer Candron, a member of a secret organization disguised as a society for mystical research, tasked with rescuing Dr. James Ch'ien, a brilliant physicist kidnapped by the Chinese government. The story begins with Candron entering the society's headquarters, where he learns about Ch'ien's situation from his colleague, Brian Taggert. Ch'ien, believed to have been killed during a conference in China, is actually alive and held captive, with a double having been executed in his place. Candron's mission is to infiltrate China, locate Ch'ien, and extract him without drawing attention. He uses his psionic abilities to manipulate his surroundings and evade detection. After a perilous journey, he leaps from a plane into China, disguising himself as an elderly local to blend in. He navigates the bustling city of Peiping, gathering supplies and preparing for his infiltration of the government compound where Ch'ien is imprisoned. Once inside the heavily guarded palace, Candron employs his mental powers to remain undetected, eventually reaching Ch'ien's cell. He uses a smoke bomb to obscure their escape, knocking Ch'ien unconscious to prevent him from questioning the bizarre circumstances of his rescue. Candron teleports them both back to his hotel room, demonstrating the extent of his abilities. The climax occurs as Candron and Ch'ien are pursued by Chinese guards. Candron manages to reach an American submarine waiting offshore, where they are safely extracted. The story concludes with a discussion among U.S. officials about the implications of Ch'ien's rescue and the necessity of keeping his abilities and knowledge intact for future interstellar projects. The narrative explores themes of secrecy, the intersection of science and the supernatural, and the moral complexities of espionage in a Cold War context.
By Randall Garrett · First published 1963 · Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure