Ruptura

This Spanish-language science fiction serial, "Ruptura" by Clark Carrados, begins with spaceman Myrin Kopper, sole survivor of the merchant vessel *Massilia*, pinned down under fire from Extharían forces on planet Exthar V. After an overwhelming assault kills his entire crew, Kopper is captured and loses consciousness. He awakens in a cave to discover his injuries mysteriously healed and his appearance surgically altered—hair now black, facial features reconstructed, eye color changed. The Extharían leader Sbinia, a woman of supreme authority, reveals the truth: Kopper's ship was engaged in piracy, not legitimate commerce. She has transformed him into an assassin renamed Alvan Bett and demands he commit a murder off-world to serve Exthar V's political survival, threatening death if he refuses. Kopper learns thirty-nine days have passed during his captivity and extensive surgery.