Tum Par and Jan Kal are scientists in the year 9,852. They are arrested for conducting experiments which run contrary to the World Government, which argue that their society has all its needs fulfilled by machines and experimentation threatens the established order. Tum and Jan admit their guilt, but explain it is not a crime to prepare for a dire future, however distant. The pair is sentenced to travel to the distant future in the time machine they built. It is presumed by their prosecutors that the pair will travel millions of years into the future to find an idyllic world. When they do so, however, Jan and Tum find a future with a dying sun and without humans. Only large, rock-throwing reptiles are seen. Escaping the fusillade of tossed stones, Tum and Jan enter a building. They discover a museum established by the last of humankind. A placard acknowledges that Tum and Jan were correct. Tum and Jan take the time machine and the placard back to the past. With such overwhelming evidence, the judgment is rescinded. Tam Par and Jan Kal are given orders to continue their experimentation and help rebuild the practice of science.
Description Tum Par and Jan Kal are scientists in the year 9,852. They are arrested for conducting experiments which run contrary to the World Government, which argue that their society has all its needs fulfilled by machines and experimentation threatens the established order. Tum and Jan admit their guilt, but explain it is not a crime to prepare for a dire future, however distant. The pair is sentenced to travel to the distant future in the time machine they built. It is presumed by their prosecutors that the pair will travel millions of years into the future to find an idyllic world. When they do so, however, Jan and Tum find a future with a dying sun and without humans. Only large, rock-throwing reptiles are seen. Escaping the fusillade of tossed stones, Tum and Jan enter a building. They discover a museum established by the last of humankind. A placard acknowledges that Tum and Jan were correct. Tum and Jan take the time machine and the placard back to the past. With such overwhelming evidence, the judgment is rescinded. Tam Par and Jan Kal are given orders to continue their experimentation and help rebuild the practice of science.
