Defiant Agents (Textbook Binding)

~ Andre Norton (Author)
Key Phrases: control cabin, Wolf Daughter, Again Travis, Travis Fox (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Long years of research in the sppace labs of Terra enables Science to return man to the mental and emotional prototypes of his ancestors with a full awakening of racial memory. A group of volunteers penetrates the land of Topaz where the Apaches have been enslaved by a powerful machine in the hands of the Reds. Travis and his associates become leaders of the underdog and fall at negotiation with the enemy. A master plan to usurp the mysterious treasure house in the towers is more effective and the Reds are thus rendered powerless. But the Apaches do not respond in kind. Instead they decree that both sides shall live in peace. Andre Norton, a polished writer of science fiction, weaves his outlandish fare in patterns intricate enough to attract the most devoted addict. Do not try to contrive a consistent political allegory out of his flight into fantasy. This is pure science fiction with obvious pertinent overtones. (Kirkus Reviews) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

"A tiny sound--perhaps the scrape of a boot on a ladder. Travis edged back into a compartment. A flash of light momentarily lighted the corridor; the approaching figure was using an electric torch. Travis drew his knife with one hand, reversed it so he could use the heavy hilt as a silencer. The other was hurrying now, on his way to investigate the burned-out engine cabin. Travis could hear the rasp of his fast breathing. Now!" ... Alien technology scavenged by U.S. and Russian scientists has started a race to colonize planets outside our solar system, but the U.S. scientists are losing the race. In a desperate move the U.S. government decides to use a group of Apache volunteers in an experimental attempt to colonize a primitive planet, but before they can even begin their spaceship crashes on the planet Topaz... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Textbook Binding: 190 pages
• Publisher: Gregg Pr (June 1979)
• ISBN-10: 0839824238
• ISBN-13: 978-0839824237
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,265,613 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars SF Beginings, April 8, 2009

By	Sandra A. Mccord "Sandra McCord "mystery ... (Hutchinson, Mn.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Excellant Andre Norton SF. Yes she is old fashioned but check publish date. A joy for the older reader who probably read this and others by author years ago. Fun for someone young just discovering the genre.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Extrasolar Claim Jumpers, December 17, 2008

By	Arthur W. Jordin (Smyrna, GA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Defiant Agents (Paperback)

The Defiant Agents (1962) is the third SF novel in the Time Traders series, following Galactic Derelict. In the previous volume, Travis, Ross, Ashe and Renfry inadvertantly travel through space on a Baldie starship, stopping once at a refueling point where silver apes rule the night. Then they reach the center of the Baldie empire and assist a tribe of flying creatures against their enemies.

In this novel, Travis Fox is an Apache indian with post-graduate training in Archaeology. After returning from his trip in time and space, he convinces some fellow Apaches to volunteer to settle on a extrasolar planet named Topaz (for its yellow skies). Forty are selected for their skills in various areas.

Dr. James Ruthven is informed of a leak of information on Topaz to the Russians by a mole within the time agency. He insists upon pushing the training of the volunteers by using the untried Redax machine. This device raises ancestorial memories from the brain, immersing the subjects in vivid dreams of the past. The Council agrees and the Apaches are treated without their consent.

While attempting to deliver the Apaches to Topaz, the starship is attacked by Russian space mines. The pilot manages to overcome heavy g-forces to activate a new defensive system. The attacking devices are diverted for a few moments and the damaged ship crashlands under auto-pilot.

The crew members in the pilot compartment are killed in the crash, as are many of the passengers. Yet some survive and so do a pair of very intelligent coyotes in the cargo area. The coyotes are the first to escape the ship, but Travis is close behind them.

In this story, the surviving Apaches gather around a campfire to plan their activities. Their thoughts are confounded by memories of the past. Some are fully living among their ancestors, but others are less affected.

Travis is one of the few relatively free of ancient memories. He is also the most experienced with galactic planets. But he is a loner and doesn't really want to be chief. Moreover, he has been accepted by the coyotes, so the others tend to think of him as a witch and the coyotes as spirits.

Deklay is among the ones living fully in the past. Although he knows that they are not on Earth, his thoughts have turned to the ancient ways. He thoroughly distrusts anyone who is not an Apache.

Jil-Lee is less affected by the stimulated memories. So are Buck and Nolan. Several of the younger Apaches are also relatively free of the memories.

The Apaches decide to find a more inhabitable area in which to live. Travis scouts ahead and discovers a canyon with a good spring of water and numerous game trails. The Apaches move there and build a camp site.

After the Apaches are settled. Travis prepares to scout for signs of the Baldies. He is convinced to take Tsoay -- a younger Apache -- with him. On the second day, they find fresh horse dung.

This tale brings the Apaches into alliance with Mongols runaways from Russian masters. Unfortunately, the Mongols are sensitive to Russian mind control devices and turn against the Apaches on several occasions. Then Travis finds three towers constructed by the long gone Baldies.

The story pits the primitively armed Apaches and Mongols against the better armed and equipted Russians. Most of the Mongols are still trapped within their main camp. Yet the Russians must be defeated or all of them -- and maybe everyone on Earth -- will suffer. Enjoy!

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of primitive warriors, advanced enemies, and ancient foes.

-Arthur W. Jordin

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting twist on clash of cultures, past and present, September 1, 2009

By	Tactitles (Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Defiant Agents (Paperback)

Travis Fox and other modern day Apaches are transported for colonization to Topaz. They are unwillingly subjected to Redax, a procedure which occurs during stasis. They are mind-linked with their ancient ancestors during transport, and upon arrival are expected to use that knowledge to help survive the early colonization. Upon arrival they crash and encounter modern day Russians, who have also been exposed to their Mongol ancestors' ways. The Russian government is able to control the Mongols' behavior remotely from a ship located on the surface. The Apaches and Mongols must unite and work together to free the colony from the Russian government. There is a nice blend of themes here, with Fox using science and tradition to help him with the problem of modern day oppression. Another winner from Norton.