Cirrus@Austlit

'Downtime becomes an explosive excursion into an industrial hell-zone. With Scorpio shut down, Kevin Jarrat and Jerry Stone are on furlough, headed for a resort in Rethan's tropics. But when the clipper detours to the halfway station of Sheckley for repairs, the vacation dissolves into unexpected, unpredictable hazard. Stone is fascinated to see the 'gas can with lights' where Jarrat spent his youth, but the tour turns deadly when they run into Scorpio escapees who recognize Jarrat, and the NARC captains find themselves on a flight right into Hades. Cut off from the carrier, backup and weapons, they're surviving on their wits; furough looks like an impossible fantasy.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'All roads lead to the homeworlds, to the timeless cities of ancient worlds - dark, corrupt. For the outsider - stranger, colonial, mutoid - it's alien and dangerous. For the 'Earther' headed back after many years, it's not what you expected, nor where you want to be. Chicago, Marsport, Sequoia ... the skycities of the Jupiter system are the new worlds on the old high frontier, new battlefields were Death wears the same old face. Aerosports, Angelwar - politics gone mad - the launch of a supercarrier - the death of a friend. Nothing is as it seems; enemies and allies trade places. Trust only those you know, believe only what you see. This volume repeats the dazzling form of SCORPIO. Jarrat and Stone are back with a vengeance in a pivotal novel taking the Athena to the heart of humanity's old home. It's a thrill-a-page ride, rich with action, intrigue and sensuality, set against a background of real worlds.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.