Charles Dennison has spent years in quiet research, following a clue that leads him to the greatest breakthrough in human history: a functioning immortality serum. But when he heads for Washington to patent his discovery, he finds himself hunted through the city by men who seem to know exactly what he carries—and who will stop at nothing to take it. What begins as a desperate flight becomes a descent into secrecy, manipulation, and a disturbing revelation about who truly controls the world.
Captured by an underground organization disguised as ordinary citizens, Dennison learns that immortality isn’t new at all. A hidden elite has been quietly hoarding world-changing inventions for decades, guiding humanity from the shadows. Confronted with their vision of “benevolent leadership,” Dennison must choose between submission, destruction, or joining a group of imprisoned scientists who dare to dream of breaking out and giving their discoveries to the world.
Robert Sheckley (1928–2005) was one of the most innovative voices of 20th-century science fiction, celebrated for his sharp wit, high-concept ideas, and uncanny ability to twist expectations. Known for stories that blend satire, suspense, and social commentary, Sheckley became a regular in Galaxy, Fantasy & Science Fiction, IF, and other legendary magazines.
His work explored the absurdity of institutions, the quirks of human behavior, and the surprising cost of progress. With hundreds of stories, dozens of novels, and a legacy of influencing writers from Douglas Adams to Philip K. Dick, Sheckley’s fiction remains as fresh, daring, and thought-provoking today as when it first appeared.
