The Key of the Keplian

To those who ensured this book in some way.

To Greg Hills, who persuaded me to begin writing as an amateur.

To Steve Pasechnick of Strange Plasma, who purchased my first professional story.

To my agent, Susan James of Curtis Brown Ltd., whose acceptance of me as a client strengthened my belief in my work.

And to my friend and collaborator Andre Norton. Your books were the first in the genre I ever read. They opened new Worlds and still do. May you live and write them forever—less is unacceptable!