
A brilliant but morally ambiguous schemer named Malenson has spent his life perfecting the art of timing—turning minutes into profit and crimes into flawless operations. When he finally pulls off a daring heist, stealing five million iridium dollars and a cache of government certificates, he vanishes into the void aboard a self‑sufficient starship, confident that the vastness of the galaxy will keep him hidden forever.
The ship, packed with books, recordings, and every comfort a solitary traveler could need, propels him beyond the solar system at faster‑than‑light speeds. As he charts a course toward the distant Taurus constellation, the emptiness of space proves both a sanctuary and a subtle threat, forcing him to confront the strange distortions of light and the sudden perils of meteor swarms. Malenson’s confidence begins to waver, hinting that even the most meticulous plans may stumble when the universe tests his mastery of time.
Language
en
Duration
~22 minutes (21K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2021-02-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1921–2004
A prolific mid-century storyteller, he brought wartime experience and pulp-magazine energy to science fiction, thrillers, and adventure novels. His work ranges from sharp short fiction to ambitious alternate history like The Burning Mountain.
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