The Star Kings

The Star Kings, Edmond Hamilton, Paperback Library, 1967

First published in 1949, this is the story of John Gordon, a World War II veteran having a hard time adjusting to life in an insurance company. One night, he is telepathically contacted by a man named Zarth Arn, who says that he is calling from 200,000 years in the future. He proposes a temporary mind exchange; Arn will experience life in the primitive distant past, before space travel, and Gordon will see mankind spread throughout the galaxy. Gordon wants adventure; he's about to get it.

Zarth Arn is part of the ruling family of the Mid-Galactic Empire, the biggest interplanetary empire. Its foe is the League of Dark Worlds, led by Shorr Kan. War is coming between the two, and the smaller empires are getting very nervous. Narrowly missing a kidnap attempt by League soldiers on Earth, Arn is taken to the Empire's home world, a long way away. He finds that he is supposed to marry Lianna, empress of one of the smaller empires. It's a purely political marriage (Arn already has a wife), but, at least, Lianna is gorgeous.

Arn/Gordon orders a spaceship to take him to Earth, where he has a secret laboratory. Just before departure, Arn Abbas, Zarth Arn's father and leader of the Empire, is murdered. Suspicion immediately falls on Arn/Gordon. He and Lianna are hustled on the ship, and, instead of going to Earth, they are going to the League's home world. Shorr Kan discovers Arn/Gordon's real identity pretty quickly, and Gordon tries to pass himself off as an amoral adventurer interested in himself first. He has no intention of returning to the past and give up all this wealth and power. Let him go to Earth, and he will convince the real Zarth Arn to give up the secret of the Disruptor. It's an ultimate weapon that is the only thing stopping the League from attacking the Empire. Gordon will give the secret to Kan, in exchange for a high position in the new League of Dark Worlds.

On their way to Earth, Arn/Gordon and Lianna are rescued by Empire forces. They are ready to execute Arn/Gordon immediately, convinced that he really did kill his father. He convinces them to let him clear his name back on the Empire's home world. Arn/Gordon succeeds in clearing his name; the League suddenly starts its attack against the Empire. The only chance for the Empire, and the only way to keep the smaller empires from joining the League, is to use the Disruptor. Arn/Gordon has little idea how to use it, but he has it installed on a ship, and goes out to meet the League armada. Can Gordon save the galaxy? Does he return to his own time?

This would make a wonderful radio serial or Saturday afternoon TV movie. It may be rather light in the area of scientific plausibility, but its exciting and a very fast read.