The latest Star Trek Movie

I finally got to watch it last night.

Now I have to rework part four of my next book as part of the story was just too near to what I had planned!

I'm not saying what part!

WOW!

I see I have had a HUGE number of visitors after KG from Crusader Rabbit gave me a plug!

Welcome and thanks for coming!

If any of you want help getting a copy of the book- just say so here.

I know not everybody had one of them danged credit cards so if you want a copy, I can work something out.

Advertising and reviews are just another form of currency to me- I love trading!

Now in Paper copy!

'Meddlers in Time' IS now available in dead-tree format here!

Although it isn't cheap at $25 US +P&P!

Christmas Present

From Christmas day until New Year's day only, I will be GIVING AWAY Meddlers In Time at Smashwords. You heard it right- ABSOLUTLY FREE!!!

Watch here for the discount coupon code!

UPDATE:

Here is the coupon code:

WT78Y

Customers enter the code prior to completing their checkout to receive a discount.

UPDATE:

Now click the picture on the right to go to Smashwords where the book is sold!

Progress

Slow but steady- I'm climbing the ladder at Smashwords and are now in the top 25% in the Adventure and Sci-fi categories.

I just wish they would put fantasy away in it's own class and not with sci-fi!

Work- the writer's curse!

With a 60-70 hour week and two young boys it's a mission to get enough QUIET time in front of this screen.

But I have finished the first draft of Meddlers In Time-Catspaw (Part One)

The storyline for Part Two - The Cockatoo River Incident- is finished and now I just need to type it up.

I will be putting this one out as a stand-alone novella. Thanks to Smashwords, doing this in ebook form is a doddle!

Part Two

The Cockatoo River Incident

Prelude

Throughout the Empire of Man there are many great memorials to the fallen. On the planet of Yalumba there is one of the smallest, yet the events leading to its creation, history has shown to be the most pivotal in the course of the empire.

In the Ikuntji province, exactly 847 meters from the Cockatoo River Misson bell tower, there is a small knoll. The grape vines now have been cleared for 200 meters around. Circling the top is a simple tall hedge of Arcacia. Within the hedge is a circular grass lawn. Around the border of this lawn are 37 simple crosses- half a meter high and irridium plated. At the center of the Lawn are 16 similar but smaller crosses, grouped together in four rows of four. The single gateway of wrought iron has no decoration but a single word.

'DUTY'

This is the story of the events leading to what is now known as 'The Cockatoo River Incident'.

The day the Empire realized that 'Live and let live' was no longer an option...

This one's for Annie

For Anna Woolfe:

I wrote this one night last year- it will be expanded and go into one of my future 'Meddlers In Time' series.


Collecter of Souls

Sandra was dying.

At 3am the body ebbs lowest and Sandra was having to concentrate on her breathing. The cancer was in it’s final stage, having long since metastasized and the Morphine pump was no longer keeping pace with the pain. She instinctively knew that her time was near.

Sandra knew that the end was inevitable- even welcome at this time, yet still she fought with what remained of her fading strength. Each new breath a battle against pain, each new breath the tiniest bit harder than the one before. Nothing remained but to breathe. There was no capacity left to think, to speculate- to reminisce.

***

At 3am, there was little activity in the hospice, but Sandra felt a presence in the room and forced her eyes open. She was correct- a man stood at her bedside. She had never seen him before- a tall, powerfully built man of an indeterminate age looked silently down at her. He had the look of a person who knew exactly what he was doing and gave off an air of quiet competence.

He raised what looked like a medical instrument to her neck and there was a soft hissing noise. Beyond belief, her pain melted away for the first time in months! It was a sensation as if cool, pure water had been pumped through every part of her body, washing away the agony.

Able to speak now, she asked “Who are you?”

He gave a quick smile. “I’m a… consultant that they sometimes use here. Do you feel better?”

“Yes, thank you- I feel quite better now!”

“It won’t last” he replied. “The injection will only work for a short time, in which I need to talk to you about your future”

“I’m dying” replied Sandra flatly. “I have no future”

The stranger gave that little smile again. “Your body is dying, but that is of no consequence. I’m here to make an offer for your soul!”

Sandra’s eyes widened. “Who are you- the devil?” she whispered.

Again the smile and a chuckle. “That would really depend on the circumstances under which you met me. Let me introduce myself- Wayne Jamieson. An angel to some and indeed- the devil to others!”

Sandra remained silent

Wayne continued. “You are dying- you will be unconscious in six hours and will be dead within two days. I want what is colloquially known as your soul- the intangible you. You have something I want and I have something you need- more life. But it’s your choice and there is a price for you to pay.”

“I want more life” Sandra exclaimed “The cost I will pay.”

“But don’t you want to know the price?” Wayne quietly asked.

“What matters the price for more life?” she replied.

“Good answer! And it’s not forever, as the legends might have it- in your case, the price is ten years service- a standard contract with us.”

“Then I accept!”

“Before you accept, I shall inform you of the terms, which are not onerous. Firstly, your soul will be relocated into a new young adult body as you once had.

Secondly, you will do my or my associates bidding for the next ten years.

Thirdly, given that you are dead, you will never return to this world unless by approval of myself and this will not be readily given.”

“Where will I go?”

“To another world, another time and you have my assurances that it is a most hospitable place.”

Again Wayne gave that enigmatic grin and added “It has be described as heaven by some and your presence may help to make it more so!”

“Oh really!- I’m just a hairdresser!”

Wayne gently took her hand. “A hairdresser is just the sort of person to make my home into a slice of heaven- for my lady associates. Will you come with me?”

“And why not!” said Sandra, now thinking she was in an opiate dream.

Wayne unfolded a case and removed what looked like a platinum tiara. Placing it gently on her head, he opened another larger case. "This will be like a dream”, he cautioned, “In time you will awake in a new body- now remember this- for a while you won’t be able to make your new body do anything- you have to establish the new connections, but this will only take an month or so.”

Raising another injector to her neck, Wayne activated the doser, shooting a cocktail of hypnotic drugs into Sandra’s bloodstream, then started the upload. He sat quietly for a time, watching Sandra sleeping peacfully, then removed the tiara and closed the two cases. Picking them up, he walked to the nurses station.

***

The duty nurse looked up to see the familiar face. By now she was well used to the enigmatic Wayne’s Jamieson's comings and goings. He handed her an envelope. “By way of thanks” he said.

“Sandra’s time has come then” Elenor stated.

“Yes” he quietly acknowledged.

“I’m glad you came for here- I really liked Sandra! 48 years old- she was too young to die!”

“They all are” he replied.

Wayne picked up his cases and headed back to Sandra’s room, where Elenor knew he would disappear from.

“Goodnight, my angel of death” she whispered. “When my time comes, I just hope you will come for me…”

***

Back in the hospice room, Sandra’s body slid even faster towards it’s final moments, now free from all pain. Her children would be comforted by the peaceful appearance of her now vacant body. Wayne paused briefly by the body, then passed though the gate field with Sandra’s soul.

Into a new place, a new time and a new beginning.

Wayne Watson- A Bio

Born in 1960, it can be said that I was born into one of the more interesting periods in our history. Forty-nine years on, I can certainly say that I have led an interesting life. Factory hand, soldier, technician, labourer, manager, ambulance officer, corrections officer- just to name the main jobs - I think I can truly call myself a jack-of-all-trades

It’s been up and down all the way- see-sawing between dirt poor and well-off- in the peak of fitness to near dead a couple of times. I have worked with many fine individuals and many of New Zealand’s worst. I have seen very ordinary people succeed beyond all expectations and watched those destined to do great things fall and loose everything. Working in areas like defense, corrections and ambulance you get a real insight into how people act and react under the most extreme of circumstances. Along the way I got to use a lot of really interesting bits and pieces- the Army was good for that- if a new piece of kit came through the workshops- it wasn’t hard to convince somebody that you needed to try it out!

This was a useful background for somebody who wishes to write tales of adventure…

Now, like most, I have settled into a quieter life of family and work, with adventure left in the past- although it comes to visit from time to time. I wish it wouldn’t!

As life slowed down a little, from the needs of raising a family and an accumulation of old injuries, I started to amuse myself in a fantasy universe distilled from the many tales I had absorbed over the years- this beats the hell out of morning radio while stuck in traffic! This stepped up a gear after a bad car smash left me recovering from multiple injuries over two years. From this period came ‘Meddlers in Time’- my escape from the realities of my life. Writing this story down probably saved my sanity!

Nowadays, I’m back at work- spending more time than I would like keeping the local water supplies working. Once a week I get my six-guns out and shoot up a bit of paper and steel plate. Twice a year I fire up my still and run a few gallons of moonshine, although I drink more coffee than whiskey these days. The rest of the time I spend as an indentured servant to my wife and two boys.

I’m occasionally described as a grumpy old sod and a know-it-all, with an opinion on EVERYTHING! I try to live up to that.

I like the simple pleasures of red meat, black powder smoke, Islay whiskey and the occasional good Dominican cigar- all to be savored in the outdoors. By beliefs are staunchly libertarian- each to their own if they harm no other. I believe that politicians, lawyers, busy-bodies and do-gooders are like salamis- greatly improved by hanging for a time.

My writings continue as time permits.

A short precuror to Meddlers In Time

This short piece was written while I was putting the storyline of MIT together:

Meandering in the Time Streams

Those who navigate the flow of time often find themselves in…unusual circumstances.

The traveler may move by mechanical or arcane means, but however they step outside the flow, they will take on an innate ability to be subjected to the whims of an eddy of time. A fate only that only happens to the Time-Traveler. Our great privilege- and our curse.

My latest impromptu sojourn was perhaps the one that has had the most impact on me- so far. I will carry the memories of this brief interlude for the rest of my days…

***

As the experienced traveler knows, there are subtle changes when he or she shifts from the main flow. They differ for all of us, but for myself, I start to notice the occurrence of the surreal. I find myself in places I know have never existed, with improbable- sometimes bizarre surroundings.

I’m one of the lucky ones who slip gently into my new place as easily as falling asleep, or more correctly, like waking from dozing off during the day.

This time, the transition was to a vague place in the past, with the familiar feel of somewhere I had been before. I knew I had shifted when I saw a man who was out of time. He belonged some 25 years further forward in this flow.

I was in my body of this time- one half the age of my usual form and in somewhat better condition. I wore a uniform- starched green cotton and long black boots but carried no weapon. I was moving about the edge of what had been a parade- some kind of medal presentation had taken place. I was on onlooker, not a part of this occasion.

Then I saw her.

My old friend from the past- but something was different about her. It’s hard to say how, but one traveler can always tell another- she was indeed now a traveler! Like me, she was in her body of this time. I knew her well, but not as a traveler.

She too was dressed in an Army uniform of the 1970’s, but even that failed to detract from her beauty. After 25 years, everything about her came back to me- her voice, the smell of her hair- the times we spend together, neither bold enough to make the move from being friends to lovers.

Her eyes met mine and we moved together. I don’t think a word was said- we just looked into each other’s faces, our eyes and expressions saying all that needed to be said. In her eyes I saw regret at a past opportunity missed, the years wondering how it could have been and a longing- a longing so strong it had given her strength to break free from the singularity-like pull of time. In those moments I saw every pore of her skin on her young, unlined face, the faint hint of tears and the look of wanting- of being barely able to contain the whole spectrum of emotions.

She saw the same in my eyes. The sleepless nights wondering how we drifted apart, the self-reproach for letting her go- the finally finding a love that was lost. That with age and time, I had come to realize that there was nobody better, nor would there ever be.

She threw her arms around me, and kissed me with all her strength and psssion- it felt like she was pulling me into her. The rest of this world faded into insignificance.

“Come with me” was all she said.

We found our way to her room- a motel room by the look of it. Inside we tore at our clothes, both knowing we needed to hurry before time caught up with us and moved us back where it thought we belonged.

We made love in a frantic, hurried twining of bodies, both wanting as much as we could get before we were torn apart as must happen. Trying to keep as much of our bodies pressed together in contact with each other, as if that could stall our inevitable parting

As we lay there embracing, caressing, we spoke of our mutual regrets of the past now that we knew how things could have been- and how we wished they were.

My last recollection was of the creamy soft skin of her naked body- then the room changed and I knew I was back in the time I had come from.

Our all too brief moment was over.

But now I knew how she truly felt- feels!

She is out there, somewhere and I will find her- or she will find me.

Now that we both knew what we had suspected for so long!

News Flash!

Meddlers in Time has MOVED!

Bookhabit has been sold to Smashwords and the book has migrated there.

Available at $4.00 US and I'm cutting me own throat here!

BUT

The preview freebie is now a huge 25% of the book!

The interview continues...

Can you give us a few hints as to what is coming up?

The back story continues- in the future! Most of the next book is set in an intersteller empire, in the 35th century. This is a challenge, creating a whole new society! You will see some of the events and circumstances that have shaped the main characters.

So there will be more character development?

Yes, they continue to grow as the story unfolds. It had been remarked that my main characters did not act as might be expected, say, to having just been in a major battle. The reasons for that will become apparent. Jamieson may have appeared a bit too laid back in the first book- you will find that the events of that story are a bit of a holiday for him!

Do you have a favorite character?

Jamieson for sure- I would like to be him! But all the main ones are old friends to me now. It's my story and my fantasy too! Jenny is fun to write and I'm about to start on her back story, which promises a few twists.

Ok- you are a super rich time traveller- why bother with building sheds in the ninth century?

Part of this is that I'm exploring the lives of people who are practically immortal. I put myself into their situation and I would soon tire of living the life of luxury. They are doing what many so in their spare time- going primitive in the hills with reenactor groups, learning obsolete trades and crafts- becuse they have the luxury of the time and money to do so. You have do do a days hard work to really appreciate a few beers!

I could have had them using futuristic construction equipment, fighting of the bad guys with x-ray lasers and building automated robotic factories- but where is the fun in that!

I noticed that you don't really describe the physical look of the characters.

Probably an oversight on my part- as I can visuallise them perfectly! In any case, the reader with imagination will visualise them as they wish.

So how do you see them?

Physically- Jamieson would resemble Sean Connery in his forties. Jenny is Kara Thrace aka 'Starbuck' from the new BSG and Sonja is Number Six! Jane is Sigourney Weaver. They all hold their apperances to 'a well-perserved forties' look, despite being well into their second centuries. Tom looks like one of the chaps seen on the cover of the Biggles books.

An interview with the author

Where did Meddlers in Time come from?

I was always facinated by the concept of moving freely through time and space. This started at a very young age watching Dr Who and having the crap scared out of me by the Cybermen! Then at age 12 I discovered the works of Robert Heinlein, who was my inspiration for this story.

In 2004 I was badly injured in a car smash and decided to use my down time productivly and do something I had always talked about- write a novel.

How long did it take to write?

The original MIT of 85,000 words took three months, then another nine months to write what was then the second book- that was 115,ooo words. From there I spent several years tinkering with the story and editing it. Along the way the two books were combined into one.

Have you had any formal training in writing?

Very little, apart from high school to University Enterance level and a course in communication english that was once inflicted on all technician apprentices- in fact I used to hate writing until I discovered the word processer. I do have a background in business writing- producing technical and procedural manuals, writing formal letters and ISO 9000 documentation. I believe the latter qualifies me as a writer of fiction!

From the novel's ending it appears you have more to come- do you have any other novels planned?

Yes, I have a prequal to Meddlers in Time well underway- this time it will be serious Space Opera. I plan to write at least four novels in the Meddlers in Time series.

I see your main character shares your first name- is there a reason for that?

Yes, I found it easier to visualise in the first person- to see everything through Jamieson's eyes that way. Some peculiar part of how my mind works- I have to visualise everything I write about. I can close my eyes and see all the other characters, the scenery- everything. Sharing a name helped. I struggle with names as a part of me does not want to attach a name with negative memories to a character I like. Mostly I have taken names from past friends although here I need to add the standard all-persons fictitious disclaimer! I might have used a name and a trade, but here the similarity ends- or is meant to!

How do you see the typical reader?

I wrote this story to mainly appeal to male readers in their early twenties, who like adventure tales- this is a sort of 'Biggles Book' for lads of the 21st century. A critic compared MIT to one of those fast-paced adventure series of the 1970-80s 'The Executioner' This was not meant as a compliment, but I have taken it as such- after all those books SOLD!

I put copies out in a trial run and they were well-recieved by blokes in my target demiographic- but also by those who like a few twists and turns in the plot.

The story certainly poses many questions- some of which are still unanswered by the end of the book.

I planned to unravel bits of the story and the backgrounds of the main characters as the tale unfolded. I had to leave a few posers at the end to get the readers to buy my next book- although they will be waiting a while to get ALL the answers!

I have heard the question asked- why use 20th century technology when you regularly have contact with the future?

Yes, there are several reasons for doing that.

• That would make life too easy for the characters!

• In the story, we have brought new people on-board and it was decided to use equipment from their time period.
• The main characters like to have better weaponry than the new players!
• We want to use technology that will be able to be duplicated by the end of mission.
• There are other reasons that will be revealed- but not yet!

To be continued:

The Really Important Stuff

You can’t change history, can you?

No- but you can make a new reality, when you alter events. ‘Meddlers in Time’ explores the shaping of a parallel earth, by altering events in 9th century England.

A small band of time-traveling adventures recruit a specialist team, mainly of engineers and set about advancing 9th century technology. While doing this, they have to fight off invasions, win over the local population and have a bit of fun along the way.

Leaving Earth for a temporary base many light-years away, they train and prepare for the time jump back to the 9th century. Following the jump, they establish a stronghold and start making contact with the local inhabitants. Meanwhile, a more deadly mission is changing the political structure of this world.

As the tale unravels, the story of the time/space travel capabilities is revealed, along with some of the unexpected effects of using this technology.

Some were lured by money, other by the adventure- a few just wanted a new chance at life. One thing remains constant- time travel changes all who follow that path…


You can buy the book here

For the first 20 customers, the price is US$2.50, the next 30 pay US $3.00, the next 50 US$3.50

The first chapter is availabe to download free

Mystery- all part of the experience

I have been asked several times to explain certain anomalies.

Or what appear to be anomalies!

Read on and you will find an explanation. I did this so the reader can have an 'Ahhhhh!' moment.

Most things are reasoned or explained if you read thoroughly- or re-read the story...

One of the main ones regards why I use 20th century technology when I have far more advanced technology at my disposal.

A fair enough question.

One reason is that is what the team recruited knows how to use. Another is that I want technology that can be replicated in a shortish time after the comptetion of the ninth century project- internal combustion, automatic firearms and electric motors.

Of course all this could be an elabortate game and the characters are working to game rules.

You will need to buy the next book or two before you get ALL the answers!

Meddlers in Time Kit

Caterpillar D11 Bulldozer

M113 Armoured Personell Carrier

60mm Mortar

MK 19 Grenade Launching Machine Gun

Timberwolf Firewood Processer

Summers coming- writing season.

With my second laptop now working, I can now move out of the lounge- once the rest of the house warms up. Hopefully the wireless network will operate out in the garage.

Away from the goddamned noisy-box and the gibbering classes that worship it!

Encourgaed by favourable comments on my first book, I want to get on with writing the next one down- I have about 1/3 typed up, another third in my head and the story outline of the rest in a couple of exercise books.

The next one is the back story on the first (actually two books rolled into one) and as happens in time travel- is set in the 35th century. This one is space opera in the finest traditions of the old masters!

It was to be called 'Catspaw', but on doing a little research I found that this was used as the name of an old Star Trek episode!- so it's now 'Meddlers in Time- Catspaw'

This follows the adventures of the lead characters of Meddlers in Time through the 35th century, as they infiltrate the ranks of an intersteller empire to carry out a deep cover secret mission.

My mission is to redefine space combat in a novel!

You heard it first here!

The Standard All Persons Fictitious Disclaimer

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or otherwise able to take legal action against me, is purely coincidental.

All the names were pulled out of my memory and applied more or less at random. You ain't that character just because you share a first name and a trade.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Quickly!

Only nine copys left at the budget price for the FIRST Wairarapa -based science fiction novel!

The way of the future

An unsolicited plug for Bookhabit- a NZ website.

Brought a novel lately? They ain't cheap, even second-hand.

It's not like the days of my youth, when I would go into town on a Friday and come home with a bag full of books.

I still have many of them- I admit to just plain having a thing for paper copy- I prefer reading from real books.

But along the way I brought a lot of lemons.

Now there are ebooks- for only a couple of dollars through PayPal, I can try more new material than otherwise.

Hell, the US $2.50 would hardly pay for the petrol to get to a library!

And there is the matter of Bookhabit giving wannabes like myself a chance!- Which is very much appreciated. I can decide if it is worth paying (about a grand) to get a professional print run done.

A Sample

6 k Words available Here

Synopsis

Meddlers In Time- A Synopsis

The story starts several years before the main tale, with two of the main characters narrowly escaping from a trip to their near future, gone wrong.
They decide to create a new, and hopefully more friendly universe, by causing a split in time, back in the 9th century.

In order to advance the technology of the 9th century and build a power base, They set about recruiting a team of down-on-their-luck engineers and adventurers, with the lure of large sums of money, adventure and the chance escape their lives! For a one-year tour and a return to the same time and place, they are offered information worth a great deal of money, namely winning lotto numbers and sports betting information!

The reality of the mission sets in for the team, when they find themselves on another planet, Transit, hundreds of light-years from home. Here they train for the mission and learn how to use the time/space gateway to acquire all manner of equipment, from pistols to trains.

Training completed they jump back in time to 9th century England, landing in the Derbyshire area with a huge store of supplies and equipment. They set up a prefabricated stronghold and in their first few weeks save a local village from sure destruction. Soon the local people start to accept these strangers, who turn out to be not so terrifying as they first seemed. Soon fields are being ploughed, timber milled, wells drilled and even telephones are installed. Trade flourishes, thanks to the new roads and a few bloody executions of robbers and bandits.

Meanwhile, a more deadly game is being conducted from Transit, as the city of Rome is destroyed and the 9th century religious leaders are systematically and sometimes spectacularly assassinated.

Expecting to winter over quietly, they are surprised by the arrival of a large invading army from Europe. Despite being short on numbers, they utterly rout the invaders, at the outskirts of the city of Sheffield.

Local workers are recruited- reluctantly at first, but they soon adapt to, what is for them, a life of relative comfort and ease. Before long, working for the strangers brings high status. As the best of the local workers adapt to modern life, they are being groomed to be the next generation of leaders.

Another stronghold is established, in a more remote area out of sight of the locals. Here more material and reinforcements arrive. They set about improving the basic facilities of the original stronghold and adding a few home comforts! The district warms more and more to the mysterious travelers as they build roads, provide medicine (compliments of a medical team rescued from a Afghan jail) and bring law and order to a wild time and place.

Word reaches the King, who sends men to investigate these stories from the north. This band of soldiers are meet by the time-travelers and left in no doubt that the stories of their power are true. The Kings men are feasted and sent back loaded with gifts of swords and tools, having also had some spectacular demonstrations of 20th century weaponry.

Appeased by treasure but also made all the more curious, the King decides he must see for himself. He rides forth with his horsemen to see the steel fortress and ‘thunder bows’ with his own eyes. He has decided that an alliance would be the prudent course of action and readily grants the request for all lands ten miles around, in exchange for protection from the north.

Over the winter months, a local militia is equipped and drilled, while the tradesmen of the district come to learn the secrets of the strangers. The future leaders of tomorrow begin their education. Roading and mineral exploration continue and as the team get to know each other better, the stories regarding how the time/space gate generator was obtained and the effects of using it are revealed.

As the end of a one year tour of duty draws to an end, most of the team have elected to stay on, while those who have decided to leave the 9th century, start to prepare to return to their old lives-and their new beginnings.

Meddlers in Time Part two- A Synopsis

The story starts with three of the characters persuading their wives to travel back in time with them.other of the original group are signing up a permanent members of the group.

Not everyone is happy about the arrival of the strangers and there is a shift in the balance of power with the king deposed. Now is the time for a show of power- with 2th century weaponry and the devestating power of gate technology.

After the fate of their enemies is settled, the story jumps back four years in the baseline time, to a camp in New Zealand, 790AD. This gives a bit of background on some of the characters, as they start the first practice run for the 9th century operation. Some of the technology not revealed in the first book is used here.

In the next part, an ambitious plan to hijack a ship at sea is carried out and a new crew member is gained. A colony site is prepared in New Zealand and the story of how the gate generator was acquired is told in more detail.

A brief covert mission is carried out in the 21st century, to deal with a personal problem, with unpleasant consequences for an unwanted boyfriend. The second engineering team arrives and a spacehip makes its first appearance.

Loose ends are tied up, back in the 21st century, as team members travel back to the time and place we first proposed the mission. Meanwhile, colonists are selected for the one-way trip to 9th century New Zealand and their leaders are shown their new home. Along the way we find time to build a holiday home- in a most unconventional way.

The new technology is taking hold and the nearby citys are benefiting. Wayne tell the storu of how he destroyed a world and a local worker joins the team.of travellers and visits the 21st century. More high tech equipment is coming into use, with memory implants being used on talented locals.

The colonist are more or less willingly moved around the world and the team prepares to snatch a busload of engineers from plumetting over a cliff. The locally trained army prepares for two battles and there is an unexpected turn of events when a set of memories is misplaced.

The narration is taken over by a newly-sentient computer and some of the 52nd century characters are revealed. Another interesting character comes onto the scene and an intricate scheme for a staged 'death' on 21st century earth is carried out.

Bodies are cloned and an unexpected price is demanded for this service.

The book finishes with a wedding and the story of the third book is started at the wedding party.

Where