Harriet Klausner Susan Danville accepts a biomedical research position at a Chicago-based university. At the facility, Susan will conduct post-doctoral research under the auspices of Nobel Prize winner Dr. Jim Mallard. Even as she relishes the possibilities of her new assignment, Susan worries over the vein of insanity that runs throughout her family. Her father resides in a mental institution after shooting at invisible creatures he calls Eidolons. Unbeknownst to Susan is the fact that Eidolons exist and these energy beings are the major causes of deadly diseases.
Mallard is one of the leading fighters trying to destroy the enemy.
Susan has been brought here so that Mallard and his staff can watch her as she has the Mer genes that could cause problems if she becomes pregnant. However, neither Mallard nor his cohorts realize that a powerful Eidolon is heading towards Chicago with Susan being the ultimate target of the deadly creature. The story line is entertaining, but requires acceptance of the Eidolons since no basis is developed for their existence. Still, this is a unique, very enjoyable tale. Any dictionary will provide an answer to the first question.