Jack Vance
The Five Gold Bands

© 1953

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Paddy BlackthornTo find the secret of the space-drive, he touched off the biggest manhunt in galactic history.

Fay BursillThis Earth agent had a job to do, but she didn't know it would involve the wildest spaceship ride of all.

The ShaulsThese clever creatures had captured Paddy once. Now they would try again, and this time he wouldn't escape alive.

Dr. TalloggHe held the key to the interplanetary hunt-and to several planets' futures.

The BadausTheir most exalted ancestor was an Earthman, the race they now despised. But they had an altogether too warm an interest in the Earth women.

Zhri Khainga Now Son of Koto, he wanted the ultimate power, and he had no scruples about how he'd get it.