The Star Virus

**Mask of Chaos**

On the masked world, the law is the deepest secret.

Mike was apprehensive about being stranded on Tome. But the peaceful city and the exquisite masks everyone wore somehow allayed his fears. The sculptured expressions of tranquility and the ghostly, frail smiles lulled him into serenity.

He soon compared his plight on Tome to a sojourn in Eden--until Mike met a flame-haired woman with an apple. She taught him to see the horror behind the masks, to look beyond what people and things "seem" to be.

But then again, *he* wasn't what he seemed to be. He didn't need a mask. He *was* a mask.

**The Star Virus**

They stole the focus of futurity.

We demand that you hand over the object.

Impossible. Ownership is in the hands of our clients.

Human ownership of the object is not admissible. Streall claim is absolute. You will notify of where-abouts.

It is already in transit.

We will intercept. Notify.

You claim must be made through the courts.

Human courts mean nothing to the Streall. Either you comply or Streall fleets will occupy the Kantor system.