temporal-slippage
The phenomenon of increasing divergence or instability in time travel drops, particularly pronounced during wartime periods, affecting the accuracy and safety of historical observations.
2 chapters across 2 books
All Clear (2010)Connie Willis
In this chapter, Mr. Dunworthy investigates the increasing temporal slippage affecting historians' time travel drops to World War II, expressing concern over the safety and scheduling of these missions. He discovers that Polly Churchill has gone to the Blitz out of order and without proper notification, prompting him to plan an immediate intervention to retrieve her. The chapter highlights the operational challenges and risks involved in coordinating historical observations through time travel.
Blackout (2011)Connie Willis
In this chapter set in Oxford, April 2060, Michael discovers that his time-travel assignments have been rescheduled without his consent, forcing him to go to Dunkirk instead of Pearl Harbor. He confronts Badri about the changes, revealing the complexities and bureaucratic challenges of coordinating multiple historians' missions, including issues with accent implants and preparation time. Meanwhile, another historian, Phipps, undergoes a reconnaissance drop to 1536 London, highlighting the precision and risks involved in temporal research.