The Shield of Time

In Poul Anderson's "The Shield of Time," the fabric of human history hangs by a thread, meticulously guarded by the clandestine Time Patrol. At its heart is Mase Everard, a seasoned and burdened Unattached Agent whose mission transcends time and space: to preserve humanity's transcendent future from any alteration of its past. His professional duty is a profound personal sacrifice, as he bears witness to countless epochs of human suffering, all to maintain the delicate balance of the timeline. Wanda Tamberley, a newer Patrol member from the 20th century, initially seeks a quieter role in scientific research, exploring ancient Earth. However, cryptic directives from the mysterious Uptime leaders suggest a pivotal, unforeseen destiny for her, inextricably linked with Manse’s grim task. Their paths converge as the insidious Exaltationists emerge, a dangerous faction bent on rewriting human history to seize control of Time itself. Manse Everard is sworn to thwart them, no matter the devastating personal cost, in a relentless struggle that will determine the very existence of humanity's future.