ENCOUNTER
Killeen realized abruptly that the thing was alive. Muscles rippled through it. Six sheathed legs curled beneath, ending in huge claws.
And the head—Killeen saw eyes, more than he could count, moving independently on stalks. Beside them microwave dishes rotated. It had telescoping arms socketed in shiny steel. They ended in grappling arrays of opposing pads.
The thing was at least twenty times the size of a human.
That was all Killeen could think before gaping pads clasped him in a rough embrace…
ACCLAIM FOR GREGORY BENFORD’SCLASSIC NOVELS OF THE GALACTIC CENTER
GREAT SKY RIVER
“A challenging, pace-setting work of hard science fiction that should not be missed.”
—Los Angeles Times
“Overwhelming power…irresistible strength.”
—Washington Post Book World
“Hard science fiction at its very best.”
—St. Louis Patch-Dispatch
FURIOUS GULF
“A heady mix of science…and no-holds-barred adventure.”
—New York Times Book Review
“Benford has parlayed his expertise of science fiction into an award-winning career in science fiction.”
—Los Angeles Times
“When it comes to conjuring the marvels of space and the bizarre possibilities of high-energy physics, Benford is second to none.”
—Kirkus Reviews
ALSO BY GREGORY BENFORD
Fiction
Beyond Infinity
The Martian Race
Eater
The Stars in Shroud
Jupiter Project
Shiva Descending (with William Rostler)
Heart of the Comet (with David Brin)
A Darker Geometry (with Mark O. Martin)
Beyond the Fall of Night (with Arthur C. Clarke)
Against Infinity
Cosm
Foundation’s Fear
Artifact
Timescape
The Galactic Center Series
In the Ocean of Night
Across the Sea of Suns
Great Sky River
