"But how do we make a meaningful impact within the stone's range?" I asked, more to myself than to her, and then I started to get a glimmer of an idea: The stone itself couldn't affect anything outside its range, but what if it could create something else that could? Something technological, not bound by magic's limitations? Something right out of Star Trek: A transporter device. I remembered how the big massive ones mentioned in the novels could work when utilized to their full extent. I could send all the soldiers home, every last one of them, right from my basement, where I intended to have the stone set it up. I told Karen my idea.
She blinked at me for a moment, stunned into silence. Then she let out a low whistle. "Wow, Jon. That's... that's something else. But won't that raise questions? People disappearing from one place and reappearing in another?"
I nodded, acknowledging the potential for confusion and chaos. "Yeah, it will. But if I can set up the transporter to return them directly to their homes, there'll be minimal fallout. Just a bunch of relieved families and confused governments."
"Plus," I continued, "if the soldiers return home, the fighting will stop. Russia will have to reassess. Maybe this will force them to go back to the negotiating table."
She bit her lip, deep in thought. "Jon, it's an ambitious plan. A crazy one, maybe. But... if it works, you could save countless lives."
My heart pounded in my chest, but I knew what I had to do. The power of the stone was a blessing and a curse, a great responsibility that was now mine to bear. I had to use it wisely, and I had to use it for good.
"Yeah," I whispered. "Let's do this. Let's end a war."
As we continued our walk, the weight in my mind felt a little less heavy. The stone might have its limitations, but with careful planning and a bit of boldness, maybe those limitations could be overcome. I felt a spark of hope. We had a plan, and I was ready to put it into action.
