FIRST BANTAM SPECTRA EDITION. Oct. 1985 mass market paperback, SHARON WEBB (EarthChild). Ten thousand years have passed since the immortals (led by Kurt Kraus) left Earth to explore the galaxy. An anomaly reveals a strange rift in space-time. While trying to save the planet Aulos, Kurt finally understands that infinity is indeed not linear, earning him a chance to make The Choice that was never available to him in the beginning.