The world of The Ends of Time is a stark, dystopian future dominated by a powerful, tyrannical regime that has successfully harnessed and monopolized the technology of time travel. The core mythology of the book revolves around the oppressive nature of this “New Rule” and a desperate rebellion seeking to rewrite history.
The political structure of the universe is defined by the absolute rule of Dictator Thayne.
The Regime: The dictator is a central, menacing figure, recognizable by his distinct, powerful appearance: a long red robe and a high, futuristic collar. His rule is enforced by a state of constant surveillance and military power.
The Enforcers: The Planetary Police are the armed force of the regime. They consist of both armored human officers and fearsome, mechanical Planetary Police robots wearing gray body armor. Their methods are brutal, as seen in the pursuit and killing of rebels.
Surveillance: The police utilize advanced technology for tracking, notably the A.P.B., which is described as a floating, self propelled gunmetal gray disc camera designed to hunt down fugitives.
Historical Context: The regime’s control appears to be rooted in a past conflict or historical shift referred to as The New Rule Arbitration, which dictates the conditions and possibilities of the present day.
Time travel is not a secret but a regulated, commercialized, and critical aspect of the society, though its access and use are controlled by the regime.
The Time Port: The primary hub for all time based transportation is the Time Port, which is established at the location of the old LAX. This facility acts as a high tech airport for chronological journeys.
The Service: Booking time travel is a standardized process, handled by an entity like United Times at the airport and facilitated by companies like Old Fashion Travel. This suggests a bureaucratic system overlays the powerful technology.
The Technology: The actual gateway is the time portal, which emits a bright, signature electric blue glow. This technology allows precise jumps to specific historical or future dates, such as the year 2272. The presence of the portal in secure, remote locations highlights its importance to the regime and the rebels.
The book’s central conflict is a war fought across time, fueled by the regime’s attempts to control its own ancestry and destiny.
The Rebels: The Stranger (Gary), Josh, Adam, and their allies are members of an active rebellion, fighting a desperate, violent campaign against Dictator Thayne. They operate outside the law, using force to evade the police and utilize the time portals for their cause.
The Farrow Family Connection: A key mythological element is the Farrow family (Steve, Anne, and Ben), who are simply on a tourist trip to the year 2272. They become targets because Ben Farrow is identified as a direct descendant of Dictator Thayne.
The Stakes: The pursuit of Ben suggests that the rebels or the dictator himself believe that the integrity of Dictator Thayne’s lineage and thus the very existence of the “New Rule” is tied to the survival or elimination of his ancestors, making the Farrow family an unwitting, vital pivot point in the struggle for the universe’s timeline.
