Based on the details provided in the excerpt, the elements that help classify the story as science fiction include:
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Plot Events Occurring Far in the Future: This element suggests advanced technology, potential societal changes, and exploration themes common in science fiction.
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Time Traveling into the Past: Time travel is a prevalent trope in science fiction, exploring concepts of causality, alternate timelines, and historical interaction.
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Scientists as Main Characters: The presence of scientists typically indicates a focus on scientific discovery, innovation, and often the ethical implications of science, which are central themes in science fiction.
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An Extraterrestrial or Alien Race: The inclusion of alien species suggests themes of interstellar relations, exploration, and the unknown, which are hallmarks of the science fiction genre.
Overall, these clues indicate that the story likely falls within the science fiction genre due to its focus on future events, time travel, scientific characters, and extraterrestrial elements.