Trial Run?

Cinnabar answered the sponsor's suggestion. It might be possible. But there was something that might have made the choice unacceptable. The Engine could only be used once. The material part of the Engine was consumed in the creation.

The sponsor replied, "Ah, project delays. Those are inevitable. We will just build a second Engine. Consider this a trial run. We might as well create a small city of dwarves. It would give us a chance to improve when we do the final creation, and as a bonus, we would rescue to dwarf race from extinction."

The elf Asternin of the Great Falls, who had been one of those chosen to be in the group to control the Engine asked Cinnabar, "When you say that we can only use the machine once, what do you mean?"

Cinnabar answered

1. the physical materials - the minerals and metals - were gradually consumed as fuel for the creation. There was a practical time limit for its use.
2. the physical materials - the minerals, metals and the bodies of those controlling the machine - were gradually consumed as fuel for the creation.
3. Once a group started using the Engine, it could be used indefinitely, provided that all the members of the group were still alive. Once that happened, the remaining souls would never have that power again, even if another machine was built.
4. Sarah interrupted Roger. "It is getting late, and I am getting sleepy. Can you finish the story in no more than thirty words?"

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