When the Ratherians, the Time Walkers, and even the Galactic Armed Forces become interested in the time portal at Cilcourt, Michael Blayne wonders what everyone else knows that he does not. As he investigates, he discovers that throughout the galaxy other time portals are opening. He also learns of the phantoms of time, mysterious, powerful beings who are as elusive as time itself. Now he must discover who his unseen enemy is and how to stop him-or her-before the time portal at Cilcourt opens and his home and family are lost forever.