An alien gem named the Gaze of Zeus, able to magnify energy 1000-fold, has fallen into the hands of Mussolini's ruthless Black Shirt science squad. Its commander, the murderous glass-handed Colonel Terremoto, intends to put it into a death ray and make Il Duce the master of the world. Opposing him is Molpadia Aulis, gifted archeologist, linguist, and journalist. Barely recovered from the horrifying facial wound she suffered in the Great War, she must find the Fascist team, discover how they will use the Gaze, and prevent the deadliest of crimes. Complicating things are Indian terrorists, the French police, and a suave Algerian assassin so alluring that Molly doesn't know whether to kill her or kiss her. Molly's allies are a renowned Egyptian explorer, a stubborn Sûreté detective, and her exasperating millionaire mother. Most disturbing of all: the aliens want their jewel back...and they may be living Hindu gods. From its beginning with a river of scorpions to the climactic showdown in the candlelit Paris catacombs, is a rousing historical science-fiction action-adventure.