There, to the sinful cities of the Low Canals, came Eric John Stark, adventurer, roisterer, and outlaw from Earth.But there were evils more ancient and fearsome than could be found in the decadence and vices of the tribes and cities. Far to the north, amid the wastes of bitter snows lay the Gates of Death. And among the wasted ruins of the deserts, the tribes were losing something beyond their utmost dreams of loot and ravage.To such peril, inevitably, Stark was drawn. Who else could bear the Talisman? What other war leader could the false messiah of the tribes summon?But Eric John Stark was more than he seemed--more, in fact, than he knew."(Contains the stories The Secret of Sinharat and People of the Talisman)

    At least two advanced, intelligent species evolved on the planet, but no one is waiting for them in orbit. Dali Patel has to figure out why. Any breakdown in communication could lead to war.FIRST CONTACT is similar to BLACK MIRROR or THE TWILIGHT ZONE in that the series is based on a common theme rather than common characters. This allows these books to be read in any order. Technically, they're all first as they all deal with how we might initially respond to contact with aliens, exploring the social, political, religious, and scientific aspects of First Contact.