In a future where commerce and technology intertwine, a brilliant scientist, Dr. Claud Kellog, struggles against the ruthless capitalist Wolf Carmichael, who dominates the Saturnian economy. Kellog has developed a groundbreaking invention, the Antichron, capable of warping space-time to enable instantaneous communication across vast distances. However, he lacks the financial resources to bring his invention to market, and Carmichael's monopolistic grip on industry and commerce poses a significant barrier. After a humiliating encounter with Carmichael, who offers a predatory deal to control Kellog's invention, the scientist resolves to find a way to profit from his work independently. He realizes that wealth is often acquired not through invention but through savvy trading and speculation. With the help of his assistant, Billy Wade, Kellog uses the Antichron to gain an advantage in the stock market, rapidly amassing a fortune by trading on information from the future. As Kellog's financial success grows, he seizes control of Titan General Shops, a key asset in Carmichael's empire. However, Carmichael retaliates by cutting off Kellog's power supply, forcing the scientist to innovate further. He adapts the Antichron to establish a connection with Earth’s power grid, allowing him to sell electricity at a fraction of the local cost, undermining Carmichael's monopoly. Kellog's innovations disrupt the established order, leading to the collapse of Carmichael's enterprises, including Etherways, a major communication company. As public sentiment shifts against Carmichael, Kellog's reputation transforms from an overlooked inventor to a formidable disruptor of the status quo. In a final confrontation, Kellog outmaneuvers Carmichael in a stock trade, acquiring shares that further solidify his control over the market. The once-mighty capitalist is left in ruins, while Kellog emerges as a new power in the Saturnian system, demonstrating that intelligence and innovation can triumph over greed and exploitation. The narrative concludes with Kellog's transformation into a figure of both admiration and fear, as he reshapes the economic landscape of his world.
By Malcolm Jameson · First published 1942 · Genre: Science Fiction, Business Fiction, Drama