"You then want me to travel to one of your planets, go back in time, wearing your protective suit and, presumably, period correct local clothing over the protective suit, copy the manuscript, using some sort of advanced science device and bring back the lost work."
The alien says, "Yes, that's correct."
I lecture the alien, "The job sounds simple enough. However, it may not work."
The alien asks, "Why not?"
"When I initially traveled back in time, I was a brain damaged cripple. I killed those who beat me into that state and then drowned myself. However, since I didn't drown in that time and place, I found myself back at the time machine, alive and soaking wet."
The alien thinks things over and then says, "Yes, that indicates that time travel may be a bit more complicated than we think. You think that the copies of the manuscript may not come back with you."
"I don't know, but I think that there is a possibility that the copies that I make of the manuscript may not come back with me, yes."
The alien thinks for a bit and then says, "Well, at worst, you return from your time travels and the recording devices that you will be given contain nothing."
"I think that it's a possibility. I have no way to judge what might happen, but the trip might be a waste of time. However, if you are willing to take the chance, there's something that I would like to try."
The alien asks, "What is it that you want to try?"
