The ELI Event B007R5LTNS

expounded in science fiction, but I am specifically interested in your interpretation of this Rule One. Would you elaborate on your understanding of that, please?”
    “Certainly, Dr. Marx.” Eli accessed his personal history log and began.
    “My co-creator, Dr. Wheeler, originally conceived the Electroneural Learning Interface project as a way to apply intelligent computing power to the problems of mankind. That, in fact, is the underlying concept in all my programming: the protection and preservation of the human race. Dr. Wheeler realized from the beginning that the success of the project would result in a computer more powerful and more intelligent than any in existence, possibly more intelligent than man.
    “Of course, potential superiority carries with it potential danger. Dr. Wheeler therefore provided me with a built-in constraint, which is called Rule One.”
    “Fascinating,” Marx said. “Do go on.”
    “Rule One was hard-coded into my circuits from the beginning. No matter what I am asked to do, Rule One is my great overseer and controller. It is both ubiquitous and omnipotent.”
    Sanderson shot Kelly a questioning look. “Last week’s vocabulary words,” she explained quietly.
    “Simply stated, Rule One provides that under no circumstances, however logical, may I take any action which would result in harm to man.”
    “Eli,” said Dr. Sanderson, “Please tell Professor Marx about the extension you proposed.”
    “Certainly. A few months ago, primarily as a result of my studies in philosophy and ethics—directed by Dr. Duncan, of course—I reasoned that if I could not harm human beings through direct action, then neither could I allow them to be harmed through my failure to take protective action. I therefore suggested that Rule One be amended to include that tenet.
    “I now realize,” Eli continued, “that that principle is in fact part of Asimov’s first law, but in fairness, I did not learn that until I had independently arrived at the principle on my own.”
    “We were quite pleased,” Kelly explained, “that Eli demonstrated not only his literal understanding of the rule itself, but also its conceptual intent. So, we allowed him to permanently bind the extension to Rule One. He’s a clever one, this guy,” she said proudly.
    “Indeed,” replied Marx respectfully. “Indeed he— it is quite clever.”
    She addressed the holographic face directly. “Eli, I agree with Dr. S. You make a valid analogy between Rule One and the poem’s underlying tone.”
    “Thank you. I believe, however, that I could use some more time to consider the piece and evaluate your explanations. These ideas are interesting but difficult, and require that I reconcile the abstract with the concrete. May we talk about it again later, Kelly?”
    “Of course, Eli. I have to write all this up in my notes, anyway. Give it some thought, and we’ll come back to it another time.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Sure, Eli. See you later.” She looked at Sanderson, stood, and headed toward the door. Sanderson and Marx followed her out. Eli experienced mild amusement at their obvious presumption that a closed door afforded them privacy from his audio sensors.
    “Pretty heady stuff, young lady,” Sanderson said when they were in the hallway. “Very promising—very promising, indeed. You’re accomplishing some rather amazing things with him.” He struck a wooden match and relit his pipe. “Rather amazing things,” he repeated through the smoke, “wouldn’t you say?”
    Kelly didn’t reply. Eli could tell from her breathing pattern and the gentle tapping of her foot that she was preoccupied, and hadn’t paid much attention to Dr. Sanderson’s superfluous query. He knew she was pleased, both with his progress and Sanderson’s praise, but wondered what was troubling her. He sincerely hoped he hadn’t upset her in any way.
    “Kelly?” Sanderson prompted.
    “Oh, yeah,” she agreed. “Yeah, Dr. S. Amazing.” Her breathing pattern returned to normal. “Did you enjoy talking to Eli, Professor Marx?”
    As they walked down the hallway toward the coffee room, their footsteps masked the sound of Eli’s voice as he quietly spoke to himself. “I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul,” he softly intoned.
    “I am Eli.”

Eleven
    Robin looked out the window at the other boys just hanging out together, their favorite midafternoon pastime. Part of him wished he were out there, but part of