Slowly the vapour was taking on the form of a man with the proportions and bearing of a Greek god. Bright rays of light radiated from him like a shining white aura. He was tall. Six foot four at least. But what was startling was that while his face, perfect in every detail, was real enough, his body was luminously translucent, as though he were clad in a shining blue grid-like amour, similar to the VDU’s graphic display. Through it there seemed to be a kind of Milky Way of twinkling stars which were impossible to look at for long without turning away, for every star had the brilliance of a laser.

The rays of light began to spin and all at once the Adonis came to life. He turned to Walter and regarded him with penetrating blue eyes.