"[A] combination of mystery and science fiction almost reaching the level of Isaac Asimov's classic LIJE BALEY—Daneel Olivaw novels." —CHICAGO SUN TIMES The second volume of the spectacular science fiction thriller evolving from the works of Arthur C. Clarke, the grandmaster of science fiction. Her code name is Sparta, whose beauty veils a mysterious past and abilities of superhuman dimension; the product of advanced biotech engineering. When a team of scientists is trapped in the gaseous inferno of Venus, Sparta must risk her life to save them, unaware that her actions will help recover a mysterious artifact: irrefutable evidence of life on another planet. This new edition contains revised technical drawings and specifications.