cover - Against a (gasp!) orange desert and orange sky background, a humanoid kneels in <BR>obvious pain on the ground. He clutches his over-sized head as behind him <BR>insect like space ships are seen, some close, some distant.

What had answered Mankind's call for help?

 Thors Provoni had gone to the stars to seek help for his fellow men. So far there was no evidence that any other intelligent race existed out there at all, let alone one willing to aid ordinary homo-sapiens on an Earth where he had become a second-class citizen. For in the 22nd century dominance had passed to a cabal of genetic freaks - telepaths, precogs, "New Men" with Iqs which went off the scale - and ordinary men didn't have a chance. Suddenly a message came from Provoni. He was coming back, miraculously with friends from Frolix 8 to champion the "Old Men". But who, or what, were these friends?

And what was the price?

Philip K Dick