
A slender intravenous tube dripped pale blue magnetizing solution into each of his carotid arteries while tiny servopumps hummed. With his nervous system deionized at the shoulders, he couldn't struggle.

Pliable bands secured his forelimbs, neck, and knees-but only for balance. He'd given up protesting, and his breath came in gasps. The prisoner, an Imperial of much lighter complexion than Dev, slumped in the entechment chair. You have a wonderful surprise ahead of you." Wonderful indeed, a life without hunger, cold, or selfish desire. The other human's fear beat at his mind like a three-tailed lash. On an outer deck of a vast battle cruiser called the Shriwirr, Dev Sibwarra rested his slim brown hand on a pioneer's left shoulder.

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Kathy Tyers is the author of the Firebird series ( Firebird, Fusion Fire, Crown of Fire, and Daystar) and stand-alone science fiction ( Shivering World, Crystal Witness, and One Mind’s Eye). She has also written several original Star Wars stories, including the New York Times bestselling novel The Truce at Bakura.
