A religious fanatic wages war on an intergalactic bordello in this classic space opera by a five-time Hugo Award–winning author. The crown jewel of the Vainmill Syndicate's Entertainment and Leisure Division is Velvet Comet. This exclusive, extravagant, and exotic pleasure palace, orbiting Deluros VIII, is the go-to place for the rich and famous to play, relax, and indulge. But one of the guests has come for an entirely different purpose . . . The Reverend Thomas Gold—or Doctor Gold, as he prefers—is the leader of a fanatical religious sect. He is also a very vocal enemy of the Syndicate, eager to have them close the hedonistic Comet for good. But then Doctor Gold meets the Comet's two most popular employees, Titania and Oberon: two beautiful, blue-skinned, elfin Andrican aliens. They love their jobs, but Doctor Gold only sees their enslavement and declares their liberation to be his latest crusade. And so begins a war that will either end in the Comet's destruction . . . or his.The perfect choice for readers of Alan Dean Foster, Timothy Zahn, and Joe Haldeman. Praise for the Tales of the Velvet Comet series "A goodie. . . . Buy it, and join me in wondering what Mike will do with the next volumes in the series." —Analog on Eros Ascending "Well plotted, good characterizations, and an exotic setting. As good a mystery novel as it is science fiction." —Science Fiction Chronicle on Eros at Zenith