In a future where advanced machines, modified by a new technology, exhibit seemingly intelligent behavior, Earth faces a mysterious threat from broadcasts originating from an unknown source. These broadcasts disrupt communication devices, causing them to malfunction and raising alarms among military and scientific authorities. The first signs of this interference appear in 1972, leading to widespread concern as various nations experience similar disruptions. The story follows Sergeant Bellews, a technician skilled in maintaining these advanced machines, particularly a communicator named Betsy, which uniquely manages to receive the enigmatic broadcasts. As the military and scientists scramble to understand the nature of these signals, they uncover that the broadcasts contain warnings about a catastrophic mutation of a staphylococcus strain that could decimate the human population. The narrative escalates as Bellews and a team of scientists realize that the broadcasts may be from the future, specifically from the year 2180, where humanity seeks to prevent its own extinction by communicating vital information back to the past. However, skepticism arises regarding the authenticity of these messages, particularly when another group claims to be from 3020, further complicating the situation. As the team works to decipher the broadcasts, they discover that the signals are not merely warnings but may also contain instructions for creating a transmitter capable of sending messages back in time. The scientists, led by Bellews, devise a plan to respond to the broadcasts while ensuring they do not inadvertently create a device that could lead to their own destruction. The climax unfolds as Bellews and his team manage to establish communication with the future, but they must navigate the treacherous waters of deception and potential betrayal. They realize that the wave type used in the broadcasts could potentially disrupt not only machines but also living beings, leading to a moral dilemma about the implications of their actions. Ultimately, the team crafts a response that could either save humanity or lead to its downfall. The story concludes with a tense resolution, as the consequences of their choices ripple through time, leaving the fate of both the present and future hanging in the balance. The narrative explores themes of technology, communication, and the ethical responsibilities that come with advanced knowledge, culminating in a cautionary tale about the potential perils of human ingenuity.
By Murray Leinster · First published 1970 · Genre: Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Dystopian