The Bloodhounds of Zirth

"The Bloodhounds of Zirth" by Lloyd Palmer is a science fiction story set in the harsh penal colony of Zadda on planet Zirth, where telepathic guards use mental "bloodhounds" called mertha to control prisoners. It explores themes of escape, mental suffering, and the blurred lines of reality and identity in a world of constant mental surveillance. When convict 4W382ZT escapes, special investigator Greg Purnell witnesses the Zirthans' unique telepathic tracking abilities as they pursue the fugitive through mental techniques. The story builds psychological tension as the escaped prisoner battles the relentless mental torment of the mertha, who seek to break him down, leading to a surreal climax where the prisoner's encounter with a mysterious figure twists perceptions of history, identity, and reality.