The Stonebearers

Book excerpt: This is a story of human exploitation of planet Orsa, a Bronze Age culture. The natives' only assets are stones that their priests bear; both a terrible weapon and a source of energy. Although watchdogs were sent to insure that Earth culture does not affect the Orsans, their efforts fail. When the power of the stones becomes known, the rivalry between competing firms turns deadly and results in a great loss of life, human and Orsan. The hero discovers that the priests are hiding a shameful secret of a past encounter with visitors from the stars and this allows him to change Orsan society forever. The destruction of both rivals' ships leaves the survivors marooned for eight years until a rescue team arrives. Instead of being an occasion for rejoicing, he and a few others are arrested. This results in an armed confrontation between rescuers and natives. The planet is declared off limits to humans but six adults elect to remain and are welcomed to begin a new life among the natives.