Time Will Tell

TIME WILL TELL A modest planet and quietly progressing Troubling no other and fealty confessing Surviving well enough and paying its dues; Quiet corner of the galaxy. No foreseen surprise to bemuse The ruling committee were in contented mood Agreements reached and cautious plans reviewed Coffee served. The chairman paused, attention drew "Gentlemen, I have a little diversion for you “A friend in the Theoretica Abstracta Centre has told A researcher there, overstepping their charter of old Has made a discovery that might have some practical role May I present Mr Huri Tempus - student of that venerable ecole They perceived an odd young man had entered the room Stereotype of the froward scientist, mayhap a loon With precocious self confident air enabled He placed a strange glowing box on the conference table "I’ve discovered the laws of relational Time, and space Thus how to adjust and make their ties displace "I presume you have in that box, ah! a time machine" The expected patronising smiles were plainly seen “Rather than give the theory you’d likely not understand A demonstration will make it clear with experience first hand” Smiles froze, Chairman gave the sign to proceed” Buttons were pressed and codes were rapidly keyed A barely detectable tremor, a flicker of light Pause, then "Gentlemen, It is done" - nothing more to their sight The Chairman spoke under well practiced urbane mantle “Mr Tempus, do come again and show something more substantial The Scientist replied:. "I can do that now” - in near arrogant tones Please check the messages on your telephones" Chairman nodded.The now nettled committee sought In pockets and cases, one by one - finding naught "Perhaps I can help you, sirs. Are these your devices? Mr Tempus! I must protest. Tell us what this heist is?" “Sirs, please watch the record of events the camera has seen” As indulging a vexing idiot, they glanced at the screen, Then gradually drawn to the drama now replayed The committee sat in silence, stunned, dismayed All save Tempus had been frozen in time and space While he calmly collected phones from pocket and case In the still that followed, The Chairman in deep thought disposed Then "Mr Tempus, please come to my office. Meeting closed" Thus the seeds of the revolution that would transform Their modest planet to become font of a new empire’s dawn. They who mastered time could potentially dominate. As their project advanced more worlds would submit to their fate Control of space/time gave consequent ability extending Their gaze to regions earlier barred by time/distance seeming unending Attention reached a solar system on the Galaxy’s rim Blue/white planet, third from the star took their eye, with little prelim Plenteous water, air cover, tolerable climates, occupants primitive, it beckoned The now-routine plan was initiated. The attack lasted seconds.