The Beast Author:A. E. van Vogt In this strange machine lay the potential for peace in all the planets of the universe. — Jim Pendrake, whou found the machine, was only dimly aware of its superhuman powers. But others knew, and in their ruthless ways they tried to take it from him. — When the machine disappeared, the sensible thing to do was to let it go and forget about it. B... more »ut Jim's whole future seemed to depend on solving the machine's riddle--and so he began a frantic chase that carried him to the ends of Earth, and beyond...with the chance of sudden death growing stronger all the time.« less