Earth has become radioactive. In Earth's past, R Daniel wanted too force mankind into space traveling among the cosmos. As a solution, to overpopulation, R Daniel exposed Earth to low grade radiation preventing large densities of humans to congregate and forced humanity too leave for the stars. As a result, 200 million other planets formed making up the Empire and over the centuries expanded until they forgot earth was the seed of humanity. Earth is despondent, only 20 million people can be alive, at one time. Earth has a strange policy for controlling population, death at sixty except for rare contributors of humanity.

Dr. Shekh has developed a machine called the synapsifier that enhanced the speed of neuron bioelectrical transmissions resulting in genius intelligence.

At the Institute of Nuclear Research, a lab assistant was preparing a electrolytic copper determination, however, something went wrong. Heavy radiation was taking place, possibly crude uranium fission reaction, thought Dr. Smith when he saw a corona forming; he panicked and knocked the flask to the floor out the hands of his assistant. A tiny hole penetrated metal to the outside world. No signs of radiation or burns was accounted. However, a time bubble had formed and it accidentally affect Joseph Schwartz.

Schwartz's accidental atomic energy resonance cause him too travel from the past into the future. In the future, Schwartz discovers no cars; he runs along a highway and finds a hard white structure, the people inside were dressed in beautiful clothes. Schwartz meets two people whom he can not communicate with. Loa and Grew are Off Worlders and Loa is a daughter; both of them are associated with the society of ancients. A man of the Empire coming to earth seems odd. Schwartz dialect is strange and he is not registered with the census.

Bel Avardan is an archaeologist and consult the procurator. Avardan tells Ennius that he discovered evidence earth men had established interstellar trade. The empire has 50 planets a day achieving a population of 500 million people. The Empire has one hundred million planets. The procurator is afraid of terrestrial diseases and dislikes contact with others.

Earth is having problems with the Sirus Sector. Off worlders think that are better than earth dwellers. There is debate whether earth was originally radioactive.

The Grand Council has jurisdiction over usage of the synapsifier. Ennuis wants the synapsifier to be used throughout the galaxy to create a race of super genius people.

Pola is Shekt's, daughter.

Arbin takes Schwartz to Shekt because the institution is looking for synapsifier volunteers. Arbin tells Shekt that the synapsifier may be able to help remove Schwartz muteness, saying, "He doesn't talk - can't talk". Shekt removes Schwartz facial hair with a sauve. Shekt is an earthman. The synapsifier improves learning speeds. Shekts institution is in Chica and visitors must wear lead impregnated clothes.

Three times earth has rebelled against the Empire and failed, in the last 200 years.

Ennuis learns from Arvandan about the theory of earth: Earth will be the center of the galaxy; the empire will be destroyed; Earth will triumphant in pristine glory; Earth will become the rightful ruler of the galaxy; and earth was the original home of humanity.

Arvadan is a Siran, outsider and guest of the procurator. Arvadan meets Creen while traveling to Chica. Creen thinks Arvadan's evasion is uncivilized and says, "don't treat me like a dog" calling him a "stinking outsider".

Shekt tells Pola that Schwartz's anatomy is like a living fossil with differences in appendix size and molar counts.

Schwartz escapes the Institute into the city and a private search for him begins.

Schwartz receives food from a coin fed Foodmat. Arvardan traces Schwartz to the Diner and is convinced Schwartz has radiation fever spreading the word and causing fear. Arvadan captures Schwartz being significant stronger. Pola and Arvadan agree to have Natter deliver Schwartz back to the institution. Pola dismisses radiation fear demonstrating Schwartz has no mouth tissue swelling. Natter contacts the Imperial Police officer and they inspect Pola for radiation fever. Avardan intervenes breaking Lieutnant Claudy's arm. The Officers strike down Avardan with a neuronic whip, paralyzing him; he awakes in a military base. Avardan tells the Colonel he is a guest of the procurator and demands an apology for Pola. Pola learns Avardan is an important man and fears him. Avardan is attracted to Pola and doesn't want special attention.

The Secretary of the ancients was not known by anyone. His name is Balkias. Balkias reported directly to the High Minister, but kepts him confused through complex reporting. Balkias believes Schwartz is an empire Espionage agent and Shekt is the contact man along with Avardan.

Balkias captures Avardan, Pola, Shekt, and Schwartz. Balkias believes Avardan is an agent and wants to know which secret plans he has discovered. Avardan falls in loves with Pola. Balkias paraylzes Avardan with a Neurowhip.

Schwartz uses his mind reading to reveal Balkias intentions were bent on deploying virus missiles to destroy trillions of lives in the outer worlds; every one earth person having 25 billion out-worlders. Schwartz did use his mind to hurt Avaradan, but said, "he is not interesting in hurting all people". Balkias wanted to enslave humanity become king and dictator of the human race.

Avardan is brought before the Ennius and he testifies that Schwartz is the master mind behind the plot to destroy the galaxy by spreading "the cold virus" to the 200 million planets in the Empire. Ennius does not find fault in Ennius and Avardan is knockout with a neurowhip. The time has past for launch of the virus and Schwartz reveals that he escaped, force Lt. Claudy, to destroy the Temple of Soolan, the pentagon, prevent the launch of the virus. Pola can not leave earth with Avardan believing she is too common for the Galactic people.

Maybe we all have our preferred time frame that matches our personality, dna, and essence. Schwartz seems too have fixed the future with his past understanding that earth population of 2 billion, pollution, and population growth. Schwartz resonated correctly in the future and prevented evil men from destroying humanity. In the end, everything work out favorable to humanity.

People in the future are free to move and earth crowned with glory, the seed civilization. Schwartz struggle too understand helps him realize the value of his own humanity. Like Elijah Bailey, he must show humanity the absurdity in population control and teach the people that humanity has the characteristics for infinite growth and potential. Humans are not the vermin of the universe, but the answer for the existence of the universe. The future needs humans.