In a distant future, Adam Slade, a condemned prisoner, escapes from a high-security prison designed to hold inmates in a time long before life existed on Earth. With nothing to lose, he kills a guard and takes reporter Marcia Lawrence hostage during her pre-execution interview. As they flee into the barren landscape outside the prison dome, Slade reveals his plan to return to the prison's time machine, believing it to be their only chance for survival. The environment is harsh and inhospitable, characterized by twisted rock formations and a primordial sea. Marcia, initially terrified, begins to see the situation as a potential story, grappling with her fear and the reality of her predicament. Slade, confident in his plan, insists they must return to the prison, despite the lack of food and the dangers they face. As they navigate the treacherous terrain, a violent storm erupts, forcing them to seek shelter. The storm intensifies, and in a moment of chaos, Marcia attempts to escape Slade, but he catches her. Lightning strikes nearby, and in the ensuing struggle, Slade is struck down, leaving Marcia to confront the aftermath. Rescued by a helicopter crew, Marcia learns that Slade's body has been swept away by the storm. In a moment of realization, she contemplates the implications of his death. Slade, a man condemned for his crimes, now becomes part of the primordial cycle of life, potentially nourishing the very bacteria that will eventually lead to the emergence of life on Earth. The narrative explores themes of desperation, survival, and the cyclical nature of life and death. Marcia's transformation from a frightened hostage to a woman contemplating the broader implications of Slade's fate underscores the complexity of morality and existence. Ultimately, Slade's legacy may not be one of evil, but rather a fundamental part of the natural order, as he becomes a catalyst for life in a world that has yet to see its dawn.
By Stephen Marlowe · First published 1964 · Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure