'Empire of Two Worlds' (157 pp) was published by Ace Books in 1972. The cover art is by John Schoenherr.
The novel is set far in the future, thousands of years after Man has settled the planet Killibol. Killibol is not a pleasant place; it's a dimly lit, gray, arid wasteland whose cities resemble giant termite mounds. Within these cities, the residents live out their lives dependent on continuous access to synthetic protein grown in massive 'tanks'. Transgressions are punished by cancellation of ration cards, forcing affected residents to starve, or fend for themselves within the ghettos occupying the bowels of the cities.
The opening chapters of 'Empire' introduce us to Klein, the first-person narrator. Klein, a resident of the city of Klittman, once had been a law-abiding member of society, but an argument with his supervisor had led to the loss of his ration card......and eventual banishment to the ghetto.
While working in a Mud Street dive named Klamer's, Klein finds himself caught up in a mob-driven takeover. The new owner of Klamer's is a stocky, hardcase criminal overlord named Becmath. Because Klein has brains as well as brawn, Becmath invites him to become his ally in his efforts to take control of Klittman.
At first, Becmath's scheme bring results, but when the city authorities realize the threat he represents, the whole plan falls apart and Becmath, Klein, and an assortment of fellow criminals and eccentrics are forced into exile aboard a big-tired vehicle known as a sloop.
Condemned to wander the wasteland as the supplies of water and food within the sloop run out, Klein regrets allying himself with Becmath. But it turns out that Becmath has a plan: somewhere in the wasteland is the Stargate from which humans first came from Earth to Killibol. And if Becmath can find the Stargate, then travel to Earth is possible. And maybe, just maybe, Earth is not well prepared to deal with a takeover fostered by a syndicate of brutal, clever, and desperate criminals............
Perhaps reflecting the ethos of the New Wave era, 'Empire of Two Worlds' takes an offbeat approach to the action sci-fi genre by featuring reprobates as its lead characters. Becmath and Klein are willing to visit mayhem on all and sundry, if so doing brings their goals within closer reach. They also are not above making alliances of convenience with other parties of questionable morality. These facets of 'Empire' make it an effective counter to the usual sci-fi trope of the square-jawed, noble hero dedicated to righteousness and the abolition of evil.
Where 'Empire' suffers is in its short length, which has difficulty accommodating all of the plot developments introduced by author Bayley. The result is an overly compressed narrative in which major plot shifts take place in an almost casual manner. This can't help but lend a note of contrivance to the recounting of the adventures of the outcasts from Killibol.
The verdict ? Those readers who are fans of Barrington J. Bayley likely will want to have a copy of 'Empire of Two Worlds' in their collection. Others can pass on it without penalty.
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