User:DoctorWho42/Treasure of Tau Ceti

Treasure of Tau Ceti is a science fiction novel by John T. Phillifent as John Rackham. It was first published in paperback by Ace Books as an Ace double title with Barry N. Malzberg's Final War and Other Fantasies in October 1969.

Plot
Alan Noble runs into trouble when he takes a shortcut from Barry's Gym. After a stabbing, Noble intervenes and attacks the man with a knife. While he flees, Noble checks on the victim. He hands him a wig which he says is worth millions. He goes to a pub. He runs into Neil Carson who knew his father. They talk it over a drink and decide against turning the wig over. Noble's father runs a commercial space tourism business. They look the wig over at Carson's apartment. Carson's expert Fiona Knight says there's a wire containing information. It's about Tau Ceti Three and touching-stones that can heal. Knight's father studied the alien language Verlan. They decide to use Noble's connections to get from Earth to Tau Ceti Three. Carson will lead the expedition while Knight and Noble follow. However, they are followed by the criminal underground and must protect themselves. They arrive at Tau Ceti Three where the sky is rainbow and the climate tropical. They use a self-sustaining vehicle called a Roamer. They make their way to Outpost One which is close to where the Verlans live. Along the way, Knight and Noble bicker about his attitudes towards women. Knight says she has to work harder to keep expectations. Noble says he doesn't have any. They reach Outpost One and talk with Dr. Bernard who knew Knight's father. Dr. Bernard lends them craft for their mission. They meet the Verlans who are doglike but humanoid. They lead them to their chief, Uhumeelee. Knight translates. Noble recalls lessons from a dog trainer and applies them. He fixes a broken joint for Uhumeelee. The Verlans are appeased. While they wait, a female Verlan Lowloo takes to Noble. Uhumeelee decides to help. They point out the island Hlowlee. They go in a boat with two Verlans. They are followed by the villainous Acco Zeb and his crew. They find it is difficult to get the touching-stones from underground which are in a chamber protected by a water-spout. They dig their way to it using laser weapons. Knight is taken by hostage but Noble and Carson get her back. They push on. They retrieve the gems, but Carson is knocked out. After returning to the boat, Noble uses the touching-stone to revive Carson. They take Zeb's yacht's resources and bomb it. They make millions off the stones and the Verlans are recognised.

Reception
In 2018, Rich Horton called Treasure of Tau Ceti "purest yard goods, lazy writing by a guy just filling a slot."