After the fall of Romelas, the Klaatu artist Iyl Rayn contacted the Boggsian technician Netzah Whorsch-Boggs and asked him to construct a device capable of transmitting Klaatu through time.

Whorsch-Boggs, a slender man with a wispy beard, listened to her proposal, then shook his head.

“You already have the capacity to travel through time. Simply wait for the future to arrive.”

“I am more interested in viewing past events,” said Iyl Rayn.

“Consult your memories and your histories.”

“I wish to witness events of which I have no direct knowledge.”

“Feh,” said Whorsch-Boggs, rolling his eyes. “If in the future we provide you with a means for traveling back in time, then it follows that you have already succeeded in doing so. Therefore — I repeat myself — you do not need us.”

“If you help me, I will compensate you.”

Whorsch-Boggs stroked his thin beard. “With what?” he asked.

“Information.”

“Unanswered questions sustain us.”

“Unanswered questions may destroy you.”

Whorsch-Boggs shrugged. “Traveling into the past might destroy us as well. In any case, it is impossible. I cannot help you.”

— E³