Rod McBan is a Norstrilian, and they cannot decide whether to kill him as a defective or not.

He cannot use telepathy normally, but has 'broadband' powerful speaking ability and limited receiving capability.

Because of the conditions and their wealthy and Stroon monopoly defective people are executed at 16 after testing.

A short book obviously if they killed him at the start, but after passing the test he may still not last long, until he and his computer come up with a wild gamble, to buy Old Earth!.

A slightly restrained version of Smith's oddness and poetry, and plenty of Australian jokes to go along with this. The Norstrilians all being tough station types in general with no luxuries, because of the many many zeros on the percentage of tax they pay on such, despite being so wealthy.

To keep Rod alive and ahead of his enemies the local Instrumentality diplomat, along with some friends, hatch a plot. Rod's off on a trip, and into the middle of a plot he understands little.

4.5 out of 5

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2008/12... ( )

This started so well, with exciting narrative style. It broke rules and I was really looking forward to seeing where it took me. And then, it just meandered and eventually fizzeled out. I was sad. ( )