Dark science fiction. 1979. The Soviets occupy Afghanistan. Silence denies the truth. Surmised by Prof. Semenov seconded to the GRU on the trail of an alien artefact. With a hidden agenda. Bizarre murders in outback Australia. Occult manifestations in ancient Varanasi. Portents in Buddhist monastaries. An alien ingress stirring. One the Soviets seek to control. Operating through the enigmatic Countess in West Berlin who has her own agenda. As have the mujahedin. From outback Australia, through Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistann, to West Berlin & Moscow agents of influence leave death in their wake to secure the prize. Unaware the powers behind it are intent on sabotaging the destiny of the human race.