ALT.SF4M

  TransMat

   • Maxine O'Leary
     15/11/1996 00:00:000 UTC

     At first TransMat seemed harmless.

     After an initial stormy period, humanity adjusted to a solar system

     where personal travel was safe, inexpensive, non-pollutant and

     instantaneous. Water, power and freight could also be transmitted easily

     and cheaply. It was a world where one could dine in London, attend a

     concert in Santa Fe, and be home in time for dinner in Sydney.

     Symphony conductor Steve Leone met gem buyer Megan Gylfe at the Hatton

     Garden TransMat booth. Their wooing took place in Berlin, London, the

     space station L5, a tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef, and

     Tasmania.

     But in the sweep of that week, eccentric crystallographer Elijah

     Mayberry overturned the laws governing the TransMat. He opened a door to

     the stars, and the ultimate dimension - time . . . .

     _______________________________________

     "How far is Proxima Centauri?" asked Elijah's Pa.

     "Four point two," said Harry and Lucy together.

     "Four point two what?"

     "Light years," they said again together.

     "But that's the answer," said Lesley suddenly.

     "What answer?"

     "To Life, the Universe, and Everything."

     "Douglas Adams!" cried Lucy.

     "Yes," Lesley smiled. "Adams just missed the point!"

     "So what's the question?" asked Gordon.

     "How far to Proxima?" they all chorused.

     "How much in TransMat time?" asked Gordon, more

     to the point.

     ___________________________________

     TransMat - SF novel by Maxine Komlos. The cost is US$13, COD,

     including sea postage. Order your copy at o****i@o******.***m.au

     __________________________________________________