In a distant future, humanity has colonized other planets and formed the United Earth Government. However, the government's power is threatened by the emergence of the Yillians, an alien species with advanced technology that allows them to manipulate time. The story follows a human protagonist who becomes embroiled in a conflict between humans and Yillians over control of the timestream. The Yillians seek to alter historical events to suit their own purposes, while humans attempt to prevent this from happening. As the conflict escalates, the protagonist must navigate complex temporal politics and confront the consequences of altering the timeline. Along the way, he discovers that the Yillians' true intentions are far more sinister than initially thought. The novel explores themes of free will, determinism, and the consequences of playing with time. It is a classic science fiction tale of adventure, intrigue, and philosophical speculation.
By Keith Laumer · First published 1968 · Genre: Science Fiction, Satire, Adventure · 4 chapters