Content:

Never mind the set up with mankind having spread across the universe, the seperate civilisations being stuck in the same vicious circle of rapid technological development and self destruction.

Never mind the handful of people having developed psi-powers.

What is more interesting is the idea of an army of artificial humanoids whose job it is to protect mankind from harm. The results seem to be devastating: People are not allowed to use sharp objects and are discouraged from thinking altogether, as it doesn't seem to make people happy.

Naturally, some object to such a treatment and try to fight the over-protective invasion of said humanoids. In the end, I'm not sure whether Clay Forester is won over to the Humanoids because what they do is actually good, or wether it's an un-happy end, with Forster being taken over.

It might be my sloppy reading or Williamson's intention, who knows.

While Volkmer's original cover is slightly more abstract (depicting either Forsters observatory or the new "brain" built on Wing 4), Rogner's later cover is also pretty spot on.