Invaders from the Infinite · Chapter
Home Again explained
Arcot, Morey, and Wade return to Earth after their accidental time jump, finding the planet under siege by Thessian forces.
What happens
Arcot, Morey, and Wade return to Earth after their accidental time jump, finding the planet under siege by Thessian forces. They reunite with Torlos of Nansal, who has arrived with a fleet to aid Earth. Arcot reveals their time travel experience and begins work on a new apparatus to counter the enemy, culminating in a demonstration for Earth's scientists.
Themes in this chapter
Time and Paradox
Arcot and Morey discuss the implications of existing simultaneously in two time rates and the forced time slip when trying to coexist.
Unity Against a Common Enemy
Torlos brings a Nansalian fleet to aid Earth, demonstrating solidarity across galaxies against the Thessian invasion.
Technological Progress and Its Consequences
The development of time fields and ray screens shows both the benefits and dangers of advanced technology, including accidental time jumps.
Characters to notice
- Arcot
Returns to Earth and explains the accidental time jump to his father, then leads the development of new defensive apparatus.
- Morey
Accompanies Arcot back to Earth and participates in the discussion about time paradoxes.
- Wade
Returns with Arcot and Morey, present during the reunion and planning.
- Torlos
Arrives from Nansal with a fleet to aid Earth; assists in building the new apparatus.
- Dad
Arcot's father, who updates them on the war situation and helps coordinate the defense efforts.
Key passages
““One thing that puzzles me,” he commented, “is what would happen if we were to go down now, and see ourselves.” “Either we can’t or we don’t want to do it,” pointed out Morey, “because we didn’t.””
Arcot wonders about the paradox of meeting their past selves, and Morey reasons that since they didn't experience it, it must be impossible or avoided.
Highlights the theme of time paradox and the crew's awareness of temporal mechanics.
““We have not been idle. Following your suggestion, we built up a large ray screen apparatus, in fact, several of them, and carried them in ships to different parts of the world.””
Arcot's father reports that Earth has constructed multiple ray screen devices based on Arcot's earlier idea, deployed globally.
Shows the proactive defense measures taken by Earth during Arcot's absence.