Timescape Chapter 4

1998

• Gregory Markham cycles to the Cavendish Laboratory and meets Renfrew and Peterson.
• Markham, a theoretical sort, explains to Peterson that the proposal and experimental technique are sound. Whether they can actually communicate with the past or not is a gamble, but he believes they could save millions of lives eventually.
• Peterson explains it's all a matter of priorities. In fact, the World Council has been meeting since that morning, discussing the dieback in North Africa and the algae bloom in South America.
• Although the King promised funding for scientific experiments as a top priority, Peterson says that was to look good for his coronation. In truth, money is short and decisions must be made carefully.
• Markham drops some hints about potential paradoxes, but Peterson says he'll want to discuss those later.
• Peterson leaves to return to London with the proposals. Markham and Renfrew walk him out.
• Markham gets the feeling that Renfrew and Peterson are two opposite men. Renfrew is a good man but dull, while Peterson is anything but dull, and certainly not a good man.