In the summer of 1986, the Universal Transmitting Company, after a long series of inexplicable failures, public indifference and financial problems, has finally perfected a matter transmitter capable of transporting a person instantaneously from terminals scattered throughout the United States to any major city in any foreign country. This transmitter, created by the genius of Chief Engineer Ted Arnold, represents man's ultimate conquest of time.

The first station is declared open in the presence of vast crowds; the whole population's imagination is captured by man's new breakthrough. But when two women, on only the second day of operation, fail to arrive at their destination, it seems that disaster has struck. Private Investigator Jan Darzek is requested to try and find out what went wrong.

What follows is not only a gripping and strange adventure story, but science fiction at its best - exploring the fate of mankind.

First published in Great Britain by Dobson Books Ltd in 1964
© Lloyd Biggle Jr 1963
First NEL Paperback edition October 1975

NEALSON, middle-aged, lonely and dissatisfied with life, discovers the young and lovely Elizabeth Baird. He clings to her to make some meaning of his life, to survive...

VANDOR, a member of a stone-age tribe on a distant planet, faces the possibility of a horrific ritual death if he fails in his task as a teacher.

What is the connection between the two men? Separated by time and space, yet linked by a common bond, they struggle to survive in alien worlds. And who are the menacing observers, WHAT WAS THEIR PURPOSE?

First published in Great Britain by New English Library in 1975
© 1975 Martin Sherwood
First NEL Paperback edition April 1977