The Rituals Of Infinity: Michael Moorcock

It is nearly three decades since the discovery of the sub-spacial alternates - twenty-four lumps of matter hanging in a limbo outside space and time, each sharing the name of Earth. Now there are only fifteen of them - the rest blown to extinction by the ruthless attacks of the D-squads. Even the surviving plants are doomed to a cruel, mutilated existence. Professor Faustaff's life is dedicated to fighting the merciless demolition teams, trying to correct the Unstable Natter Situations they create. But he feels it is a battle he cannot win.