Converse and Conflict — L. Neil Smith

ALIEN BEINGS, STRANGE SECRETS

In the 21st century, an interstellar expedition leaves earth for 5023 Eris. Its mission: to exploit the distant planetoid for mankind. But all expectations are destroyed with chilling might by technologically advanced creatures known as the Elders. Now, thirty odd human survivors are stranded on 5023 Eris. All they want is a ticket home ...if they live that long.

Enter Eichra Oren, a human from a parallel universe. Eichra and his trusty talking dog, Sam, have been hired by the Elders to protect an ancient "secret" from the earthmen. But how can Eichra do the job if the Elders won't even tell him the secret? Convinced there's foul play on the asteroid circuit, Eichra and Sam set out to find the truth--and alter the fate of every human on 5023 Eris.