Ransom

by Albert E. Cowdrey

Release: March 2002
Format: Novella
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adults
Content: Definite Time Travel
Original Language: English

Time travel agent Maks Hamilton is told by mysterious kidnappers that if he ever wants to see his own son again, he must travel back three centuries—just before the Troubles—to abduct another boy.

Despite the characters’ belief that they can change history, up in the ITTDB Citadel we all agreed that the characters are an unreliable source and this story actually lives in a carefully crafted single static timeline along with a nice bootstrap paradox.

— Michael Main

I want you to bring someone from the past to the present—someone who would otherwise die only a few hours afterward. Surely that’s possible.

DEBUT

“Ransom,” Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, March 2002.

VARIANTS

1 English variant

TAGS(SPOILERS!)

Timeline Models

Single Static Timeline: The characters are mistaken in thinking they can change history.

Time Travel Methods

Time Tethers: the wormholer, with the tethered return controled by the traveler’s handset

Themes

Bootstrap Paradox: Yamashita’s decision to send John Hammer back to the past plays a significant role in Yamashita’s own birth.
Cannot Return to Time Where You Already Exist: —So two versions of me can’t coexist at the same time.
Causal Loops: Yamashita sends John Hammer back to the past → John sires Yamashita’s ancestor → Yamashita is born →Yamashita sends John Hammer back to the past →. . .
Time Corps: Pastplor

Real-World Tags

Hope Diamond

Groupings

The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (periodical): March 2002

TIME TRAVEL ITINERARY (SPOILERS!)

From the 21st century, prior to the thermonuclear war ⋙ to Ulanor, the world city, the 24th century. Multiple trips. Note: at least 13 people, including Benjo and Sherí, each accompanied by a timesurfer from the future.
From Pastplor (the Office for the Exploration of the Past), 24th century ⋙ to Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, mid-November 2091. Note: Hastings Maks.
From Venerable Bede Cathedral School, Washington, DC, mid-November 2091 ⋙ to Pastplor (the Office for the Exploration of the Past), 24th century. Note: John Hammer and Hastings.
From Pastplor (the Office for the Exploration of the Past), 24th century ⋙ to Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, mid-November 2091. Note: Benjo and Sherí.
From Pastplor (the Office for the Exploration of the Past), 24th century ⋙ to an airplane above the arctic, mid-November 2091. Round trip. Note: Hastings .
From Pastplor (the Office for the Exploration of the Past), 24th century ⋙ to Luna (or a spaceport to get there), mid-November 2091. Round trip. Note: John Hammer, Maia, and Sandi.