Martin Martel is an exile in trouble with the gods in this SF novel The Hammer of Darkness by the bestselling writer L. E, Modesitt, Jr, now back in a trade papeback edition from Tor. After finding out that he has unusual powers, he is banished from the planet Karnak. Martin is thrust into the tranquil world of Aurore, vacation paradise for the galaxy. There he finds that the reality of Aurore is much different from its serene veneer. The gods are wantonly cruel and indifferent to the chaos they cause: are they really gods or just men and woman with larger-than-life powers? Whatever the answer Martin Martel must challenge their supremacy to defend his life, love, and the fate of all mankind. Other Series by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. The Saga of Recluce The Imager Portfolio The Corean Chronicles The Spellsong Cycle The Ghost Books The Ecolitan Matter The Forever Hero Timegod's World Other Books The Green Progression Hammer of Darkness The Parafaith War Adiamante Gravity Dreams The Octagonal Raven Archform: Beauty The Ethos Effect Flash The Eternity Artifact The Elysium Commission Viewpoints Critical Haze Empress of Eternity The One-Eyed Man Solar Express “This is smart, aware, provocative, and engrossing on several political, economic, and professional levels.” ― Kirkus, starred review on Flash “A marvelous thriller that plausibly extrapolates from current possibilities in IT, AI, media, and crime. . . Modesitt-at his best.” ― Booklist on Flash L. E. Modesitt, Jr. , is the bestselling author of the fantasy series The Saga of Recluce , Corean Chronicles , and the Imager Portfolio . His science fiction includes Adiamante , the Ecolitan novels, the Forever Hero Trilogy , and Archform: Beauty . Besides a writer, Modesitt has been a U.S. Navy pilot, a director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant and staff director for a U.S. Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer. He lives in Cedar City, Utah. The Hammer of Darkness By Modesitt, L. E. Tor Books Copyright ©2006 Modesitt, L. E. All right reserved. ISBN: 076531567X Chapter One In toward Galactic Center, the myth implies, there is a star so hot it is a mere dot in the sky of that planet where the God of Darkness and the Lady of Light live. Just as this sun has only one planet, so is there only one God, the God of Darkness. In fact, stars that hot, FO or hotter, don’t have planets. And if they did, the star wouldn’t last long enough to allow planetary development of a terrestrial environment. Even if such a god existed and if he could build a planet from scratch, why would he be humanoid or interested in humanity? —Lectures on Pan-Humanoid Myths Prester Smythe Kinsel University of New Augusta 1211 A.O.E. Chapter Two The young woman sits on the edge of the ornate bed where she is being watched. “Everyone watches the Duke’s daughter,” she says in a low voice. Even the Duke’s security force. More since the accident, she suspects. She cannot remember much of what she knows she should know. The Duchess was solicitous, and her father the Duke growled. Yet he cares. She frowns and leans forward, letting her long black hair flood over the shoulders of her pale blue travel suit. Why should her memories be so cloudy? She can remember everything since she returned so clearly, but the people around her, the rooms, they all have a clarity that the past does not have. Yet she belongs. The well-thumbed holobook in her father’s study shows images of her growing up, standing at her father’s knee, holding his hand. Perhaps her studies at the Institute will help. Perhaps time will remove the awkwardness of relearning her past. Perhaps . . . “Back into the fishbulb,” she says out loud, crossing the room that would have held five of the single sleeping room she had occupied at Lady Persis’. Somehow, the long row of garments hanging in the wardrobing room does not surprise her, although she has not remembered them. She walks through the wardrobe to the tiles and direct light of the bath. Neither does she remember its luxury. Half shrugging, she catches sight of herself in one of the full-length mirrors. “Disheveled,” she observes, looking at her hair. Something is right about it, for the first time in a long while, and something is not, nagging feelings she cannot place. She squints until her eyes close. She opens them again. Her reflection awaits her. Chapter Three “I don’t understand, Martin. You’re not registered . . .” Not registered . . . a Query on your name . . . blocked even from the Duke’s code . . . Kryn’s words are clipped, and even without the underlying concern he can sense, Martin knows of her unrest from the shortened speech. The courtyard, the one where they always meet, is chi
