Russ Tabor is one of the top security specialists in the galaxy. Much against his will, he finds himself assigned to provide protection for Rupert Medawar Narayan ShenoyLord Shenoy, as he likes to style himselfwho is probably the human races most brilliant savant. Shenoy has become convinced that the race of ancient aliens known as the Old Ones possessed powers unknown to any modern intelligent species. He believes they had harnessed forces which may well have been actual magic, giving the Old Ones the stature of gods. Off Russ and Shenoy goto find the secret. Meanwhile, Occo, a member of the alien race known as the Nac Zhe Anglan,