"Professor Ramayah," Chance began, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant. "I've been thinking about this for a week now, debating whether I should bring it up. But I have to tell you—time dilation and parallel universes are real. I've experienced it firsthand."
Professor Ramayah's eyes narrowed, his usual stern demeanor replaced with a flicker of curiosity. "Go on," he said, leaning forward slightly.
Chance took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "You've considered singularities and Hawking radiation in your work. When these phenomena reach a certain critical point, they can indeed enable time travel. But it's incredibly dangerous. If our experiments succeed and this knowledge becomes public, it could be exploited by businessmen, politicians, and anyone with power. Our research could end up destroying humanity."
For a moment, silence hung in the air between them. Professor Ramayah studied Chance's face, searching for any sign of deceit or exaggeration. Then, to Chance's surprise, the professor's lips curled into a thoughtful smile.
"You've seen this?" Professor Ramayah asked, his tone betraying a mix of skepticism and intrigue.
Chance nodded. "I've traveled through time. I spent years in the Ming Dynasty, living through events that shaped my understanding of history and human nature. It's not just theoretical for me—it's real. And the implications are terrifying."
Professor Ramayah leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin. "Fascinating," he murmured. "If what you're saying is true, then we're standing on the brink of the most significant scientific breakthrough in history. The possibilities are endless."
"Endless and catastrophic," Chance countered, his voice rising with urgency. "Imagine the chaos if people from different times began interacting, or if powerful individuals used time travel to alter events to their advantage. We could lose control of history itself."
The professor's eyes gleamed with a light Chance had never seen before. "Or we could harness this power for the greater good," he suggested. "Think of the knowledge we could gain, the diseases we could cure, the conflicts we could prevent. Yes, it's dangerous, but all great scientific advancements come with risks."
Chance felt a chill run down his spine. "Professor, you're not understanding the full scope of this. It's not just about risks—it's about the fundamental nature of time and reality. We're tampering with forces beyond our comprehension."
Ramayah stood up, pacing his office. "I see your point, Chance, but we can't ignore the potential benefits. We must proceed with caution, of course, but we must proceed. Imagine the legacy we could leave behind. This could be our magnum opus."
Chance watched the professor, feeling a growing sense of dread. "And if things go wrong? What then? The consequences could be irreversible."
Ramayah paused, turning to face Chance. "Every breakthrough in science has its naysayers and prophets of doom. But if we never pushed the boundaries, we'd still be living in caves. I believe we can manage this. Together, we can set ethical guidelines, control access, and ensure it's used responsibly."
Chance shook his head, frustration bubbling to the surface. "You're talking about controlling something that's inherently uncontrollable. Time itself is fluid and unpredictable. We can't just put rules around it and expect everything to go smoothly."
The professor's expression softened slightly, a rare display of empathy. "I understand your concerns, Chance. But I also see the potential for immense good. You've had the unique experience of seeing these theories in practice. Help me understand what we're dealing with. Guide this research in a direction that minimizes risks."
Chance sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. "I'll help, but only if we proceed with the utmost caution. We need to prioritize safety and ethical considerations above all else. This isn't just another experiment—it's playing with the very fabric of reality."
Professor Ramayah nodded, extending his hand. "Agreed. We move forward, but we do it carefully, with a clear understanding of the stakes. Your experience will be invaluable, Chance. Let's make history—safely."
Professor Ramayah sat back down at his desk, a dark gleam in his eyes. Chance's revelations had stirred something within him, something that had lain dormant for years. For all his sternness and academic rigor, the professor had always been more businessman than scholar. Under the guise of academic pursuit, he had used his knowledge and influence to amass a considerable fortune through various clandestine ventures.
As Chance left his office, Ramayah's mind raced with possibilities. The young man's naive insistence on caution and ethics was almost amusing. Time travel—true, controllable time travel—was a goldmine, and he was sitting on the mother lode.
Ramayah's thoughts turned to the many ways he could exploit this discovery. Politicians would pay fortunes to rewrite history in their favor. Business magnates would give anything to know the future trends of the market. Nations would vie for the power to alter historical events, securing their dominance. The potential for profit was limitless, and Ramayah intended to capitalize on it.
His office, a testament to his double life, was filled with academic texts and research papers. Yet hidden behind this facade were secret files, encrypted communications, and a network of contacts in the shadows of the corporate and political world. He reached into a drawer, pulling out a secure phone. It was time to set his plan in motion.
"Yes, it's Ramayah," he spoke into the phone. "I have a project that requires your special expertise. We're talking about something that could change everything—time travel."