Way Station

In the secluded Wisconsin backwoods, Enoch Wallace lives an existence unlike any other. A veteran of the American Civil War who inexplicably hasn't aged a day since, Enoch secretly operates a way station for an intergalactic community, offering refuge and respite to alien travelers journeying across the cosmos. For nearly a century, he has been privy to the advanced knowledge and diverse cultures of countless species, gifted with immortality by his otherworldly guests. However, this unique privilege has become a profound burden, for it has also opened his eyes to humanity's imminent self-destruction, a fate he feels powerless to prevent. As government scrutiny intensifies and a universal peace treaty hangs precariously in the balance, Enoch finds himself at a critical juncture. The fate of Earth and perhaps even the galaxy rests on his shoulders, forcing him to confront whether humanity deserves saving, and if the cure for its destructive tendencies might be more terrifying than the disease itself. Simak masterfully weaves a tale of cosmic responsibility, isolation, and the enduring hope for human potential amidst existential threats.