The next subcommittee meeting was charged with a palpable tension. Tom presented his findings, the data logs showing the anomalous temporal distortion spike. He meticulously explained the experimental parameters, highlighting the precise energy levels at which the anomaly had occurred. He emphasized that this nonlinear temporal distortion was not predicted by their current theoretical models and could indicate a fundamental instability in their approach.
Dr. Finch scrutinized the data logs, his brow furrowed in concentration. “This is… unusual,” he conceded, his tone grudging. “The magnitude of the temporal distortion at that energy level is higher than our simulations predicted. However, it was a single, fleeting event. It could be an artifact of the equipment, a random fluctuation.”
“I ran the test multiple times, Dr. Finch,” Tom countered, his voice firm. “The spike reappeared consistently when the energy input reached that specific threshold. It is not random. It is a direct consequence of the energy field configuration we are employing.”
Other members of the subcommittee leaned forward, their initial skepticism beginning to waver. Dr. Vance, in particular, looked concerned. “If Tom’s findings are accurate, this could have significant implications. We need to understand why our models failed to predict this temporal distortion.”
Finch remained cautious. “While intriguing, this single data point is hardly conclusive. We need further testing, more robust data before we can draw any definitive conclusions.”
“We may not have time for extensive testing, Dr. Finch,” Tom said, his voice laced with urgency. “We are rapidly approaching energy levels where these instabilities could become catastrophic. The theoretical research I’ve been reviewing suggests that these non-linear temporal distortions can amplify exponentially, leading to unpredictable and potentially devastating consequences.”
He hesitated, then decided to reveal a carefully curated piece of his alien encounter. “I… I came across some highly theoretical research, from outside our conventional scientific channels, that postulates a direct link between energy field manipulation and temporal stability. This research suggests that exceeding certain thresholds could trigger a runaway energy reaction with… planetary-scale consequences.” He deliberately omitted the source of this “research,” knowing it would undermine his credibility.
Finch scoffed. “Planetary-scale consequences? That is highly speculative, Tom. We are talking about a cloaking device, not a weapon of mass destruction.”
“But what if the underlying principles are the same?” Tom pressed. “What if, by manipulating the fabric of spacetime for concealment, we are inadvertently destabilizing it in ways we don’t yet understand? The anomaly I detected could be the first sign of that instability.”
A tense silence filled the room. The implications of Tom’s findings, however preliminary, were unsettling. The potential for unforeseen consequences, even if remote, could not be ignored.
Dr. Vance finally broke the silence. “I think we need to take this seriously. Tom, I want you to work with a dedicated team to replicate your experiment and gather more data on these temporal distortions. Dr. Finch, I would appreciate it if you could dedicate some of your team’s resources to re-evaluating our theoretical models in light of these findings, particularly the potential for non-linear temporal effects.”
It was a breakthrough. While skepticism remained, Tom had finally managed to convince them to take the threat seriously. He had a team, resources, and a mandate to investigate further. The race against time had begun. He had to prove the danger before they inadvertently unleashed a catastrophe they couldn’t control.