For the Federation -- Steve Brickman. Reared deep underground in a Federation fortress, he was the hottest pilot ever to graduate from the Academy. His assignment: wing man to the surface-train LADY FROM LOUISIANA, vulnerable keystone of the army sent to reconquer the Blue Sky World.

For the Mutes -- Cadillac M'Call. Tall and smooth-skinned, Cadillac looked more like a Federation man than one of his radiation-changed clan brothers. His encyclopedic knowledge set Cadillac apart from the Mutes as well ... as did his belief in a prophecy that forecast a far different Blue Sky World.

The Talisman Prophecy drew them together ... and the prophecy would decide which would live, and whose world would prevail.