A religious fanatic wages war on an intergalactic bordello in this classic space opera by a five-time Hugo Award-winning author. The crown jewel of the Vainmill Syndicate's Entertainment and Leisure Division is Velvet Comet. This exclusive, extravagant, and exotic pleasure palace, orbiting Deluros VIII, is the go-to place for the rich and famous to play, relax, and indulge. But one of the guests has come for an entirely different purpose . . . The Reverend Thomas Gold-or Doctor Gold, as he prefers-is the leader of a fanatical religious sect. He is also a very vocal enemy of the Syndicate, eager to have them close the hedonistic Comet for good. But then Doctor Gold meets the Comet's two most popular employees, Titania and Oberon: two beautiful, blue-skinned, elfin Andrican aliens. They love their jobs, but Doctor Gold only sees their enslavement and declares their liberation to be his latest crusade. And so begins a war that will either end in the Comet's destruction . . . or his. The perfect choice for readers of Alan Dean Foster, Timothy Zahn, and Joe Haldeman. Praise for the Tales of the Velvet Comet series "A goodie. . . . Buy it, and join me in wondering what Mike will do with the next volumes in the series." -Analog on Eros Ascending "Well plotted, good characterizations, and an exotic setting. As good a mystery novel as it is science fiction." -Science Fiction Chronicle on Eros at Zenith