Camouflage

From Booklist In 2019, a mysterious, egg-shaped artifact is discovered on the ocean floor off the coast of Samoa. Denser than any known material, the object defies all attempts to either break through or communicate with it. Marine biologist Russell Sutton, whose last major feat was raising the Titanic , takes charge of the excavation, hoping to make a fortune by capitalizing on the artifact's probable extraterrestrial origin. Sutton little suspects that his destiny will soon intertwine with a pair of shape-shifting--and apparently immortal--aliens. One, known as the changeling, has been on Earth millions of years, assuming every identity from shark to human being, and slowly learning to love. The other, called the chameleon, has excelled in warlike roles and delights in killing. Neither knows of the other's existence, but their slowly merging paths will meet in a stunning climax that determines their ultimate fates--and that of the artifact. Award-winning sf veteran Haldeman proves as engaging a storyteller as ever, especially given this book's irresistible premise and page-turning action. Carl Hays Copyright В© American Library Association. All rights reserved Review Haldeman trips through history wearing alien goggles but his message is all about human nature. ( Entertainment Weekly ) An extremely intelligent thriller. ( Washington Post ) "The artifact is found seven miles below the surface of the sea and beneath forty more feet of sand. The Navy's efforts to raise a wrecked submarine uncover it - and set in motion a scientific race to retrieve it, to discover just what it is and where it came from. Denser than any substance known to man, it has broken every drill bit they've tried on it and will not budge an inch. It resists every effort to breach it - or communicate with it. So the governmenet turns to marine biologist Russell Sutton for help." "Meanwhile, unknown to any of them, two creatures have wandered the earth for generations. The aliens have no knowledge of each other, but possess a residual memory of the artifact - and an affinity for deep water. One, which calls itself the changeling, has survived by adaptation, by taking on many different forms: man, woman, snake, shark. The other, which calls itself the chameleon, has survived solely by destroying anything or anyone that threatens it." "Now, finally brought up from the bottom of the sea, the artifact calls them both...to come home. For all these generations there have been two invincible creatures on Earth. But the chameleon has decided there's only room for one."--BOOK JACKET. An Unidentified Artifact, Found Seven Miles Below The Surface Of The Sea, Stumps The Scientists Examining It But Calls Out To The Two Immortal Creatures Who Have Wandered The Earth For Centuries, Never Crossing Paths Until Now. Joe Haldeman.