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,who 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. But Jim... more »39;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