Genie and Engineer 1: The Engineer Wizard (34 page)

“But you have a plan for that?” she prompted him.

“I will have to have help,” Paul asserted. “An army of my own
to counter their army.”

“An army? Against wizards? Or an army
of
wizards?”

“Of. Definitely of. Boiled down, there are three possible
choices for candidates for the army of wizards I plan to recruit,” Paul
explained with an austere air.

“Let me guess the first one. You could recruit — what did
you call us? Ah, Normals — you could recruit Normals for your army. Take a
bunch of Normals and make them wizards too.”

“That was my first thought as well,” Paul admitted pensively.
“Out of 7.2 billion people on Earth, it should be possible to select a couple
of thousand qualified people to serve in my army. They would have to be
intelligent, resourceful, fearless, honest, dedicated and focused on the
mission of the greatest good for mankind.”

“It sounds like the basis of a good TV series,” Capie noted.

“Or a science fiction book,” Paul added. “Such as the E.E.
Doc Smith
Lensman
series, or the
Search
TV series in the early
‘70’s. Even Starfleet in all the
Star Trek
series.”

“Something tells me that you don’t like that choice,” she
conjectured.

“Correct. Give that lady two gold stars out of petty cash,” Paul
responded, with a more humorous spirit. “I believe I could raise such an army and
defeat the combined efforts of the existing wizards on Earth. But what happens
after that? What becomes of all the thousands of wizards of my army? Do you
think that when they have virtually unlimited abilities and power, that they
would willingly step back into the background, resuming their former lives?”

“Ah, good point. I had not considered that problem,” Capie
conceded thoughtfully.

“There was an episode of
Star Trek: The Next Generation
.
‘The Hunted,’ where enhanced soldiers were imprisoned after a war because their
enhancements could not be reversed and the general populace were afraid to
allow them to mingle with the rest of society.”

“I remember it well,” Capie acknowledged. “You’re saying you
don’t want to create a long term problem like that on Earth.”

“Exactly, not if there is another solution.”

She looked thoughtful. “You said there were three choices.
What is the second choice?”

“I could create another species altogether to do the dirty
work, like the Oni.”

“Ugh, that sounds like a bad choice,” Capie judged.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Paul concurred. “It would be essentially
using the same techniques and capabilities that the wizards of
Errabêlu
already use. As a couple of my ‘advisors’
have already pointed out, if I want to win this war, I need to use modern
science and technology, not the same strategies and tactics
they
use.”

“You’re building up to something,” she guessed. “The third
choice. It has something to do with modern science and technology?”

“Very much so, yes.”

Paul saw her expression when she added two plus two.

“The AI project you are working on!” she gasped. “You’re
going to make robots?”

“Not exactly, no, but close. Technically speaking, a robot
is a fully mechanical conscienceless device. And an android is an autonomous
humanlike robot. What I propose to make is neither one. I intend to make an
artificially intelligent device that is capable of using magical powers.”

“That’s…bold,” Capie declared with a hint of admiration. “Is
it possible?”

Paul sighed in sudden uncertainty. “I don’t know yet. I have
two major hurdles to jump. First, creating the AI program that closely mimics
the human mind. And second, giving them the ability to use magical powers. At
the moment, I don’t know if either objective is achievable. But if they are, it
would give me enormous flexibility and power. Since such devices would inherently
be easier to program than humans, I would have no qualms about creating an army
of them to help free Earth from slavery to the wizards. Afterward, they would
act as guardians of the planet, guaranteeing no wizard would ever misuse his
powers again.”

“A Very Ambitious Plan,” Capie concluded, covering her mouth
to hide a smile. “And just how are you going to build this army of — what do
you call them?”

Paul grinned. “Since there is no word in the English
language that describes such a device, I have decided to coin a new word. They
will be known as SCOTTIEs.”

She blinked in surprise. “You’ve got to be kidding me.
Scotty?”

“A Sentient Computerized Optimal Talismanic Theurgical
Integrated Engineer. SCOTTIE.”

Capie choked on an abrupt laugh and shook her head. “You
really had to reach for that one, didn’t you?”

Paul gave her a smirk. “Perhaps a little. Anyway, to answer
your question, I will use the Von Neumann principle. I will build the first one
and give it the capability to replicate itself.”

She shivered. “Like the replicators in
StarGate SG-1
?”

That comparison disturbed him and Paul shuddered at the
thought. Hopefully they wouldn’t be replicators. “No, not like them. Mine will
be based on human intelligence, not alien devices. And mine will be hard-wired
with Asimov’s four laws of robotics.”

“Wait a minute. Four laws? I thought there were only three,”
she objected.

“Yes, originally there were only three. But in his book
Robots
and Empire
, Asimov added a fourth law, the zero law, as he called it. ‘A robot
may not harm humanity, or by inaction, allow humanity to come to harm.’ Thus it
is possible for a robot to harm a human being if doing so benefits all of
humanity. Our Scotties will need that law, if they are to fight against the
wizards and Oni. Otherwise, they will be incapable of being soldiers.”

“I see you’ve thought this through,” Capie observed with a
hint of admiration. “So, you are working on an AI development program. I don’t
object to that. I think that’s great. So why do you think that your Plan might
scare me into not marrying you?”

Paul sighed, a trifle concerned about the next portion of
the discussion. They had reached the part of The Plan that worried him the
most, how Capie would react to it. “There is a part of the plan I haven’t explained
yet. When we build the Scotties, they will each need a talisman to allow them
to use magical powers. And each time a talisman is made—”

“The other wizards will know about it,” Capie concluded for him.

“If it happens on Earth, yes,” Paul added.

“On Earth?” she asked, puzzled. “But where else…oh, my Aunt
Ginger!” she said, pulling away from him. “Are you talking about making these
on some
other
planet?”

“On Mars, yes,” Paul confirmed for her. “According to my calculations,
at that distance, the wizards on Earth will not be able to detect anything when
a talisman is made.”

“Oh! So that means you actually, physically have to go to
Mars?”

Paul shrugged. “It is the most earth-like planet in the
solar system, other than the Earth itself, of course. And I will find most of
the materials necessary for life and for the construction of the Scotties
there. It’s the right choice.”

“How long will this take?” she asked, anguish in her voice.

With a sigh, Paul grabbed another root beer and popped the
top. He sipped it before answering her question.

“A lot depends on the technical hurdles. It could be as
little as four months though I think that unduly optimistic. It might take as
much as nine months but my best guess is about six months.”

“Six months! Away from Earth?” the pain in her voice was
plainly evident.

“That’s the worst part of The Plan,” Paul grudgingly
conceded. “But totally necessary. I can’t build the Scotties on Earth, assuming
it’s possible to build them at all.”

“I…am going to have to think about this,” she responded. “Six
months away from Earth, living on an alien planet? It’s a lot to ask.”

“Which is why I am telling you now and not later.” Paul could
see that the mood of the evening was now ruined. Just great. He sincerely hoped
that it didn’t go beyond that. He suddenly realized that he just
might
have talked her out of marrying him after all. His humor plummeted and Paul no
longer felt hungry.

“Capie, I’ll call you in the morning. Think about it. Take
all the time you need.” He hugged her quickly and then got to his feet. “I’ll
put the pizza in the fridge for you. I’ll see you soon. Good night.”

• • • •

On Saturday morning, Paul called her.

“Good morning, sunshine. How are things?” he asked her, with
both optimism and a twinge of fear in his voice. On such a beautiful morning,
Paul was feeling a little more confident than he had the previous evening,
after leaving Capie’s house. Yes, he was still anxious about her reactions to
The Plan but he wasn’t going to borrow trouble if he could avoid it.

“They’re better now but it was a rough night, tossing and
turning. Can you come over this morning?” she guardedly asked.

“Yes, if that is okay with you,” Paul replied, relieved that
he was not
persona non grata
at her residence.

“Yes, please. There are things we need to discuss.”

He drove over to her house, arriving fifteen minutes later.
She answered the front door when he rang the bell.

When they reached the living room, she said, “I need a hug,
please.”

Paul dropped to his knees and hugged her. It was a trifle uncomfortable
to do so with her sitting in her wheelchair but they managed.

Capie leaned back, away from him, a very sad expression on
her face. “I’ve made a decision.”

He stood up and steeled himself for the worst possible news.
“And?”

She nodded slowly. “Do you know that song sung by the group
Heart? Magic Man?”

“Yes, I’ve heard it. Is that your answer?”

“Yes, that’s my answer.” She looked up, her eyes watering.
“You are the Magic Man. Wherever you go, I will go too.”

He dropped back down to his knees and hugged her again, this
time much harder.

“We won’t stay a minute longer than necessary,” he
faithfully promised her.

After he released her, he sat back on his haunches and
smiled at her.

“Have you had breakfast yet?” Paul asked her.

“Just toast and orange juice,” Capie answered. “I’m too
nervous for anything else. Are you planning to give me magical powers now? Will
this hurt?”

“Not a bit. But it will drain you. You’ll sleep for at least
a day, perhaps longer,” Paul quietly reassured her. “Now, there is one more
thing I need, before we start. I need your solemn vow that you will not misuse
these powers, once you have them, and that you won’t use them to kill anyone.
Can you make that vow?”

“I will gladly make that vow. I do so promise, cross my heart,”
she said with fervor.

He smiled and gripped her hand. “That’s my girl. Where would
you like to do this?”

“In the bedroom, if you please,” Capie said, her face
slightly flushed.

She rolled herself back to the bedroom while he followed.
For the most part, it was a typical master bedroom with a queen sized bed, two
sets of dressers, a large walk-in closet and another door leading to the master
bathroom. Paul could see her feminine touch in all the furnishings, pictures
and knick-knacks. This room, however, was also furnished with several devices
for the handicapped, including hand supports mounted in strategic locations.
There was one such set on the side of her bed, to assist her in getting in and
out.

When Capie started to leverage herself from the wheelchair, Paul
interrupted.

“Please, let me help,” he graciously offered.

“Okay.”

He twitched his fingers and she rose slowly into the air.

“Ooh, I’m flying!” she said with a smile. “I’ve always
wanted to do this.”

Paul turned her around and sat her down in the middle of the
bed where she laid herself out flat, head on her pillow.

“I’m ready,” Capie said, teeth clinched, her body as tense
as steel springs.

The words the genie used returned to Paul’s mind.

He filled his voice with confidence, in order to reassure
her. “Now clear your mind. Shortly, you will fall asleep. When you awaken, you
will have the powers of a wizard and you will find ways to use those powers.
This is your last chance to change your mind and go back to a normal life. What
do you say?”

“Please continue,” Capie replied, her voice quavering in
excitement.

“Very well. May you from hence forth have the ability to
shape reality to your will. May you be master of time and space and have the
power to bend the laws of nature to suit your needs. So it is said, so let it
be!”

Paul waited for her to fall asleep but instead, she lay
there with her eyes open.

“How long does this take before I feel anything?” she asked,
uncertainly.

Frowning in sudden dismay, he looked at her. “You don’t feel
anything at all?”

“No, I don’t.” Capie raised her head and studied his frowning
face.

“Merlin?” Paul asked, abruptly apprehensive, his confident
manner having fled for parts unknown.

The wizard from the Middle Ages popped into the room at the
foot of the bed.

“Hmm,” he said, hand on his chin and fingertip to his lips.
“I was afraid of something like this.”

“You were?” Paul asked him anxiously. “And you didn’t say
anything?”

He shrugged. “In my day, we couldn’t just give magical
powers to another person. It didn’t work that way or otherwise there would be a
lot more wizards wandering around on the loose. But that was in my day. Since
the genie gave you magical powers, I thought maybe that had changed. But
apparently not.”

Paul blinked. “You mean I can’t give her magical powers
after all?”

“You can try again, if you wish,” Merlin said with a soft,
sad sigh. “But I don’t think so.”