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    Into the Unknown
    Into the Unknown
    Into the Unknown
    Ebook63 pages58 minutes

    Into the Unknown

    By John Russell Fearn

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    About this ebook

    A laboratory accident suddenly sends four modern-day humans backwards in time, their individual organic bodies almost untouched by the phenomenon, while the physical world around them gradually retreats through the ages. Onward and onward they careen through the past, until they appear in the vividly green Carboniferous Age, filled with overwhelmingly excessive vegetation, festering swamps, and fetid lagoons. The accumulation of rotted vegetation is everywhere around them, vegetation that will eventually become peat, and then through accumulating pressures and chemical change, hard black coal--coal for a future that has already been destroyed. Paradoxes of time--infinite and complete--surround them. But what can they actually do to save themselves...?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWildside Press
    Release dateFeb 9, 2012
    ISBN9781434449504
    Into the Unknown

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      Book preview

      Into the Unknown - John Russell Fearn

      COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

      Copyright © 1970 by Carrie Fearn

      Copyright © 2012 by Philip Harbottle

      Published by Wildside Press LLC

      www.wildsidebooks.com

      DEDICATION

      For Arthur Philip King

      INTO THE UNKNOWN

      A SCIENCE FICTION TALE

      THE Omnipotent Observer paused in his cosmic journey to study a change that had come to the Earthly solar system. To him, it all occurred in one split second of infinite Time—but that reversion, that retreat, was so enormous and colossal that even he was interested—interested enough to record the whole outstanding event within his limitless mind. A literal defiance of Time itself was indeed something worth pausing for.

      He watched, and beheld....

      * * * *

      WITHIN the home of Doctor Cassell Thurman, physicist, reigned the joyous abandon of a New Year party. What was more, it was also the first marriage anniversary of his daughter Ann, and Rodney Shenstone.

      It surprises me, Doc, that a savant like yourself should be able to enjoy a party, Shenstone commented, during an interval in the almost continuous round of drinks and rising merriment. You disprove all the old theories about scientists being cold-blooded.

      Thurman smiled faintly, tossing aside on the mantle-shelf a small chamois-leather bag, which he had been absently examining.

      Scientists are as human as anybody else, he answered in his grave voice; then, as his eyes rested on his daughter’s slender figure amidst the guests, his voice took on a new animation. "Besides, I’d do anything for Ann, Rodney.... Anything!"

      And I, her husband added, slightly uncomfortable. Thurman had been a widower for the past seven years. Still, for all that, I can’t help but feel you’ve got a double motive in throwing this party. I mean, despite it being our anniversary and New Year’s Eve—

      Yes, I have a motive, Thurman assented, dropping his voice somewhat as the radio dance music ceased for an instant. At five minutes to midnight I’m going to show you all my latest invention.

      Rodney evinced little surprise. As a Research scientist working for the Government, Thurman’s repu­tation in atomic physics had been unmatched. Although he had officially retired some years ago, he still con­tinued his own private research. That he had been work­ing on an especial ‘something’ Rodney knew full well, as his son-in-law.

      Yes, tonight is an ideal occasion to reveal the secrets of Time, Thurman continued cryptically. Being New Year’s Eve, I mean.

      Time? Rodney’s own radio-engineering instincts were aroused. A blond, slightly chubby young man, he had a much higher intellectual quota than one would have imagined. As resident maintenance engineer with the World Broadcasting Corporation he could not afford to be a fool. Don’t tell me it’s the fourth dimension! he chuckled. The older man shook his head.

      No, my boy—anything but it. Besides, this isn’t a time-traveling system; that’s out of the question. It’s something else, which postulates the possibilities lying in space itself. It ought to—we’ll discuss it later. Here’s Ann.

      The girl herself, ash-blonde and twenty-four, came forward with an impish tread. Her wide gray eyes were sparkling mischievously. She patted her father affectionately on the summit of his nearly-bald cranium.

      Dad, it’s twenty minutes to midnight, she said, apparently with some effort. It was more than obvious that she had not abstained from drinking liqueurs and cocktails. You promised me something at five to twelve. What is it? Another present?

      My dear Ann, you’ve had your present, the Doctor reminded her, indicating her gold wristwatch. Besides, what do you expect for one year only? Keep it up for twenty years, and maybe I’ll leave you my fortune. No, it’s not a second present, he continued, coming down to the issue. It is the—er—preview of my in­vention. An invention with immense possibilities. It’s in the laboratory across the way. As you and Rod know, I’ve been working in secret for some years now.

      Ann wrinkled her nose in disfavor. Do we have to go into that smelly old place? she complained. I don’t like the things you have lying about. She paused, then her gray eyes opening wider in purely girlish curiosity she asked, What have you got tucked away in there anyway? You’ve never told anybody anything.

      Thurman chuckled good-naturedly. I will soon enough. I’ll be handing over full details to government experts. But meanwhile— he raised his hand for quiet. The radio and record player were respectfully silenced and the guests ceased talking.

      My friends, you’re going to behold something extra­ordinary, he announced. Follow me into my labora­tory.... There will be a demonstration shortly at five to twelve.

      He moved to the interconnecting door

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