The Merchant Prince [Paperback]

Despite his lack of physical stature, the five-foot-tall John Dee was a towering figure in Renaissance Europe: to royalty, enemy to the vicious de Medici clan -- and confidant of Dyckson, a member of the alien race known as the Roc.
Ancient and wise, the Roc have come to Earth to observe the evolution of humanity, not to interfere. But during the course of his studies, Dyckson has come to call Dee friend. When the de Medicis arrest Dee in Venice, Dyckson chooses to save his friend from prison and leave him in suspended animation until the year 2099. The philosopher of Albion wakes in a confusing future where humanity is on the brink of developing the ultimate weapon -- a weapon that will mean the destruction of the human race!
The only thing that can prevent Armageddon is a genius from the past -- but can even the great John Dee save humanity from itself?Armin Shimerman is an American actor and author known for his work onStar Trek: Deep Space NineandBuffy the Vampire Slayer.He is from New Jersey and studied at UCLA.Chapter One

Venice, 1575

I saw the way she measured you, Master. Fear stripped away the carefully cultivated French accent that years of travel had perfected, revealing the Irish brogue. You have made a bitter enemy.

Dr. John Dee touched the edge of the quill to the ink block, then deliberately etched a graceful looping curl to the end of the paragraph. I am well used to women taking my measure, he said absently. He dotted an i with a flourish, then dropped the pen to the table. Rubbing his hands briskly together, the spymaster broke off a piece of Venetian cheese from the wedge on the table before him. Its milky aroma filled his nostrils with delight, and he devoted his entire concentration to it as he savored the first bite. Then he sipped from the goblet of young Venetian wine. It was sour and tart, but once it was laid down for a couple of years, it would be very passable indeed. Dee nibblå