Tomorrow's Sphinx
Clare Bell1986

Two unusual black cheetahs share a mental link, one cat coming from the past to reveal scenes from his life with the young pharaoh Tutankhamen, and one struggling to survive in a future world ravaged by ecological disaster.

For Kichebo, a young female cheetah who live in the Nile Valley thousands of years after humans have migrated to space to escape an ecological disaster, game is scarce and living is hard. It is made even harder for Kichebo and her companions by the repeated attempts of two - legged creatures in strange sky vehicles to capture her. Kichebo is worried as well by her own coloration - sable black with gold markings - and by the growing affection between her and Menk, a small, two - legged creature she has pulled from the burned wreck of a vehicle. Her appearance and her feelings are quite unlike those of others cheetahs. Why is she so different? What is the meaning of her life?

And then Kheknemt, another black cheetah, appears - to Kichebo only. He was the royal hunting companion of Tutankhamen in ancient Egypt and shared with the young pharaoh a psychic bond that enabled them to join minds as one creature, strong and powerful. As Kheknemt, by mind - sharing, reveals to Kichebo poignant scenes from his life with Tutankhamen, she comes to wonder if such a bond could ever exist between her and Menk.

In a soaring climax to the event of this novel, one of surpassing originality and power, Kichebo learns the truth about herself and discovers that cheetah and humankind may once again hunt together in the vastness of outer space.

Titre original : Tomorrow's Sphinx (1986)