Poul Anderson 
Mirkheim 
Polesotechnic League Book 5

The Doomed Planet The gigantic planet of Mirkheim was gone — blasted and vaporised by a supernova. But its core had survived the holocaust, and now, transmuted, it was the only source of certain vital supermetals. David Falkayn, agent and troubleshooter for the powerful Polesotechnic League, governors of the Terran Empire, had plans for Mirkheim. But the Baburites — an unscrupulous alien race — were one step ahead of him and had claimed the priceless minerals as their own. The conflict could mean only one thing — war, on a titanic scale — unless Falkayn could turn the tide and negotiate a peaceful agreement. But with the Baburites, that was a near-impossible task.