They meet the aliens, everyone thinks they are cute, although a little weird looking; then realize that they only really know the NEGOTIATOR Moties, who are designed to make you like them by acting like YOU. Then they discover the shadows against the sun of the first “crazy Eddie probe” and see that they jettisoned the crew to hide the evidence of what the space ship was, and among the jettisoned crew were Warrior Moties, who the Moties tried to pass off as fictional “demon spirits”.
Very good Science Fiction, as well as an excellent story with good characters and some GREAT dialog.
The scene when the Arab trader sees the spacesuit that is following him on the evacuation from the infested ship (MacArthur)is being operated by Watchmaker Moties would be INTENSE. On the other hand, the moties might look too strange to get the same feel from the Negotiator Moties mimicking the human they imprinted upon. But on the gripping hand, it would make a very good movie.
Didn’t know there was a sequel! Time to drop some cash at the bookstore. I’ve been meaning to buy “Gravities Rainbow” for a friend. Now I don’t need an excuse to not go to Borders.
I agree that lots of the Niven/Pournelle stuff would make great movies.
The Moties are fascinating because they aren’t your standard boring “good aliens” or “bad aliens.” They’re so different they don’t really fit either category.
Although you sure wouldn’t want them moving in next door. You think we have an illegal alien problem now!