“
I
’
ve read my fair share of Roger MacBride Allen novels over the years, and I
’
d have to say
The Depths of Time
is his best thus far. This novel has it all—hardcore science fiction foundation, a plot based upon a mystery that is guaranteed to drive you crazy trying to unravel it, and a deeply moving story.
”

Barnes and Noble
Explorations

Novels by Roger MacBride Allen

The Torch of Honor

Rogue Powers

Orphan of Creation

The Modular Man*

The War Machine (with David Drake)

Supernova (with Eric Kotani)

Farside Cannon

The Ring of Charon

The Shattered Sphere

Caliban

Inferno

Utopia

Ambush at Corellia*

Assault at Selonia*

Showdown at Centerpoint*

The Game of Worlds

The Depths of Time*

The Ocean of Years*

The Shores of Tomorrow*

*Published by Bantam Books

The Depths of Time

Roger MacBride Allen

Bantam Books New York

Toronto

London

Sydney

Auckland

This edition contains the complete text
of the original trade paperback edition.

NOT ONE WORD HAS BEEN OMITTED

THE DEPTHS OF TIME A Bantam Spectra Book

PUBLISHING HISTORY

Bantam Spectra trade paperback edition published March 2000

Bantam Spectra mass market paperback edition 1 July 2001

SPECTRA and the portrayal of a boxed
“
s
”
are trademarks of Bantam Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 99-40436 No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,
recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without
permission in writing from the publisher.

For information address: Bantam Books.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that
this book is stolen property. It was reported as
“
unsold and destroyed
”
to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received
any payment for this
“
stripped book.
”

ISBN-10: 0553-57497-3 ISBN-13: 978-0-553574-97-5

Published simultaneously in the United States and Canada

Bantam Books are published by Bantam Books, a division of Random House, Inc. Its trademark, consisting of the words
“
Bantam Books
”
and the portrayal of a rooster, is Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. Marca Registrada. Bantam Books, New York, New York.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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To Eleanore and Matthew,
mother and son,
for creating a
past, present, and future
filled with wonder and joy.

He hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end.

—
Ecclesiastes
3:11

That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away.

—
Ecclesiastes
3:15

Wherefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him back to see what shall be after him?

—
Ecclesiastes
3:22

Table of Contents

The Timeshaft Wormhole Transport System

CIRCUM CENTRAL TIMESHAFT WORMHOLE

5211 A.D.