The narrative follows Owen Baarslag, a man who has become a despised figure among the Venusian swamp people due to his cruel exploitation of them. He is haunted by nightmares that reflect his guilt and the horrors he has inflicted. Joha, a half-Venusian maid, possesses the ability to manipulate his dreams, intensifying his torment. Owen's obsession with revenge against his twin brother, Albert, who betrayed him to the Scientific Council, drives him to plot murder. He believes he can assume Albert's identity by killing him and entering a time-encystment chamber, which would allow him to escape his current life and awaken in a future where he can start anew. As Owen executes his plan, he kills Albert and assumes his identity, preparing for the time-encystment experiment. However, as he undergoes the procedure, he realizes the true nature of his fate: he is doomed to suffer the same nightmares for five hundred years, trapped in a cycle of pain and guilt. Joha, having orchestrated his downfall, is finally accepted back into her tribe, marking a twisted sense of redemption for her. The story explores themes of revenge, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions, culminating in a dark irony as Owen's quest for freedom leads to eternal suffering.
By Bryce Walton · First published 1970 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Psychological Fiction