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In the garage, Corth's truck had been gutted. Wires, engine parts, armor, and weaponry lay organized around the vehicle, as did the various tools and supplies needed for the job. However, that wasn't what caught Callen's attention. Sadie had kept the garage remarkably clean and organized. He wondered if she had OCD. "So, what's the trouble?" Callen asked as he opened the truck's door.
"I installed a new sensor module that...well...here..." Sadie pointed at a device that had been wired into the computer system that sat inside the dashboard. The covers had been removed. She handed him the goggles that sat on her toolbox and the handheld computer that she pulled from the pocket of her coveralls. "It would be easier if you had these of your own."
"I'm working on it," Callen said as he pulled the goggles over his eyes.
"Yeah, I know," Sadie said teasingly. "You should hurry up."
"Tell me about it," Callen said. "My mom..."
Sadie paused and her tone switched from teasing to apologetic. "Oh...yeah...I'm sorry...I didn't mean..."
"I know," Callen said. "I'm going as fast as I can."
Sadie took a deep breath and pointed to the computer display to break the awkwardness. "Alright, I got the plans scanned in so, just use the app right there, it will show you how it's physically integrated."
Callen held the goggle lenses up to his glasses and gazed through them. The new parts were highlighted in blue as he gazed at the car. "Very nice." He said. "These things are amazing. They show everything...elemental analysis, crystal structures, electrical flaws...I can really zoom in..."
"Yeah, there are scanners in the room that do that stuff through Mavis. Felix's goggles do them on their own." Sadie said. "Mine are just spares. Initiates don't get theirs until they officially have a role in the order. Then the eyewear apps fit the role. Your grandpa's are designed for tactical analysis in combat or investigations while Felix's do science stuff."
"I haven't gotten into the details on the apps," Callen said.
Sadie watched him gaze through the goggles like they were a pair of binoculars. "So, I'm guessing you built something into your goggles that will allow you not to wear two pairs of glasses?"
"Actually, I haven't even thought of that yet," Callen admitted. "But, from what I understand it is possible to put a layer of an amorphic substance that forms a crystalline focusing lenses that correct for my sight when stimulated by an electrical current from the command program..."
"Yeah, a simple yes would do."
"Not trying to learn any of the science, are you?" Callen sounded a little disappointed.
"I learned enough to get by and ask for help when it gets too crazy." She said. "Besides, if everyone were doing all the development stuff, then this stuff would never get done. Besides, I'm more of the building it person and hopefully will be the use it person soon."
"Like being a knight?" Callen asked as he flipped through a few application programs. He looked through the various scans and schematics that were displayed in the lenses around each part in the car.
"Yup," Sadie said.
Callen lowered the goggles from his eyes. "So, I guess this thing you installed in Grandpa's truck is a scanner designed to detect demon pheromone concentrations in targeted buildings?"
"Yup...it's a demon sniffer. He needs it for the kidnapping case. If it works right, he should be able to follow the trail of the demons and find where they're taking the victims. Hopefully, it works." Sadie said. "It's experimental of course."
"Of course, isn't everything here?" Callen climbed into the truck. He connected the handheld computer to the truck's computer and after a few software adjustments, hit activate. He wasn't synchronized to this device, so he had to use it manually. "You forgot to uninstall the old firmware from the previous sensors that you removed before you put the new stuff in. They were incompatible."
"Oh," Sadie said with a grin.
"You knew?" Callen asked.
"Yeah...I..." She smiled bashfully and took a deep breath. "Umm...when you design your goggles, can I help...I mean, with the style?"
Callen shrugged. "Alright, sounds good to me," Callen said pulling the goggles off and returning her smile.
"Helga's?" Sadie said.
“Are you asking me out on a date?" Callen said with a half-grin on his face.
Sadie blushed. "Ah...um..." She stuttered. She took a breath and her forehead wrinkled with fake anger. "No, why would I do that? Tende texted me to see if we wanted to grab food with him and your sister."
"Oh." Callen tried to hide his disappointment. He glanced at the truck's clock and took the time to swallow the lump that had developed in his throat. "But..."
"No buts," Sadie said. "You're taking a study break...then you can get back to it on a full stomach...now come on."
As they exited the fab room, they heard Felix curse loudly from his workroom, followed by a the chilling hiss of Bethany Cole. With a devilish grin, Sadie grabbed Callen's wrist and pulled him into the hallway before he could protest.
"You have to tell me the relevance," Felix ordered. "You know that project was moved beyond my access decades ago. Hell, that project was beyond my reach before you even finished college...that was before it was stolen by..."
"Don't give me that crap, Longwood. I know you." Cole hissed. "I know how you always have a trick up your sleeve. Your inability to show transparency in your work is what denied you the alchemist's rite."
"That can't be proven." Felix spat.
"Exactly my point, Longwood. You have problems with the rules." Cole stated. "As does Webb and everyone else here, apparently. Guess that's why Webb requested you when Thorne disappeared. For once that trait has a purpose and you're gonna do this for me, no questions asked."
"Say your right. Then, why should I?"
"You owe me, Longwood, plain and simple," Cole stated coldly. "Without me you would have been exiled instead of just hitting a glass ceiling."
"Maybe." Felix spat. "But then again, it wouldn't have been a question if it weren't for you...and I wouldn't have hit a glass ceiling...I would have been..."
She cut him off. "But, it also could have been worse if I didn't do what I did." Cole took a breath. "And besides...I need your help."
"You know, it's actually refreshing to hear you say that," Felix said. "This would have been a better conversation if you started with that." He sighed. "Fine, but if I'm to do it, I need genetic information to do a scan."
"It was collected in Boston." She said. "It will be here tomorrow."
"Did you notify Corth or Webb?" Felix asked.
"No," Bethany said. "It's a hunch. Keeping them out of this is the best for both of us."
"Fine," Felix said. "But after I do this, my debt is paid, especially because you're wasting my time on a hunch."
"We'll see, Longwood." Her heels clicked on the floor as she spun towards the door.
Sadie grabbed Callen and pulled him into Callen's new work room. "What the..." Callen sputtered.
"Tell me about the amorphic...crystal thingy's again..." Sadie said looking at one of the computer screens on Callen's workbench.
"Umm...ah...yeah...what?" Callen shuddered until she elbowed him in the stomach. "Oh..."
"What's your status, boy?" Cole asked from the doorway.
When he heard her voice, he knew what Sadie was doing. "Ah, going well." He answered. "It shouldn't be too long...got a lot of good ideas...and I should be done designing soon..."
"Good," Cole said sounding surprised. "I'll notify Reeves to touch base with you and Longwood when he returns from aiding the dwarf."
"You mean my grandpa?"
"Yes, the dwarf," Cole answered. "Now, get back to work. I want results not you and your little girlfriend holding hands."
"He's not my..." Sadie started, but Cole spun around and left.
"Bitch," Callen said loud enough for Cole to hear him.
Sadie shook her head as she looked at Callen, and paused for a few moments. "You aren't too good at the whole sneaking around thing are you?"
"Ummm..." Callen said.
Sadie shook her head. "Haven't you noticed this place is all about secrets? You can't be caught eavesdropping or anything. You gotta learn."
"What were they talking about?" Callen asked.
"I don't know, but you leave figuring that out to me," Sadie said. "Like she said, we're not a big fan of rules around here. Now, let's go eat...we're late."