First Lensmen

1950

With their new transluminal vessels, the Terrans rapidly expand out into the Galaxy, setting up colonies left, right and centre. Taking with them the old problems of heroin, cannabis and corruption and finding new ones such as thionite - the Purple Death! But how could a Terran policeman recognise his equivalent on Rigel? How could he communicate with a Palainian.

While Virgil Samms and his colleague Rod Kinnison consider their options regarding future operations, their fellow operatives trace out the lines of corruption. They are quickly stymied when it becomes clear that their opponents have outside help. But help comes from an unexpected quarter. Bergenholm, the inventor of the terrans' space drive tells Samms that he must go to Arisia where he will be given part of his answers.

Arisia, where no-one had ever been allowed to penetrate before, so it was with obvious trepidation that Virgil Samms followed through on this suggestion. When he returned, it was with a Lens glowing brightly on his wrist and instructions to never return. As soon as he could, he started sending operatives of the nascent Galactic Patrol to Arisia to be invested with their own Lenses as he searched out aliens to join together in Federation. All came back so arrayed except for his daughter Jill, who was dismayed by Mentor's asexuality.

Earth suffers from attacks by a massively well organised fleet of pirates, but the Galactic Patrol has been born and the invaders are destroyed. Next to go are the zwilniks, the drugs runners of Earth, in a massive operation.

Most difficult are the corrupt politicians of the North American Confederation, so don't forget: vote KINNISON for President on Election Day!

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