CHAPTER ELEVEN
Callen's days washed by on a tide of progress that floated on the sound classic guitar rifts. He sank everything he had into his work and his mind was like a sponge. In the glow of the assortment of display screens, flashes of electrical tools, and the hum of reactors, he scrutinized his final designs. One of the thin monitors hanging from the wall behind his bench flicked on and an image of the fully assembled goggles appeared along with a dotted outline representing his wrist computer. A series of numbers and codes cycled on the screen while images of goggle subassemblies flashed green and blue.
"Alright, Mr. Longwood, all the designs are done and I just started all the virtual testing," Callen said to the computer image of Felix that he appeared on one of the vacant screens.
"Be there in a minute," Felix said.
Callen brought up the other devices on separate screens to make it easier for Mr. Longwood to check his work. He activated Mavis's diagnostic program and test data began cycling on the screens.
"I hope your progress is impressive..." Felix said with a sigh. "Not that I'm rushing you, but that bitch has been up my ass since she got here. It will be nice to shut her up..." he turned towards the flashing design images of Callen's goggles, computer, and disruptor.
"I think it's as good as it's gonna get through virtual modeling..." Callen said. "We all know no virtual model is a perfect match for reality...I think it's about time for me to get my hands dirty."
"All that green is expected...but the blue...that means you improved on the original design." He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and struck a match. He continued examining the plans. " I can't deny it, your molecular arrangements are ingenious..."
"You told me a few days ago to pay attention to the crystal layers. Those crystals are the goggle lenses. They will be able to shift to allow me to change vision modes and put data on them." Callen said. "I now see why, and your assignments related to the EMP device were a great introduction."
"So, you admit there's method to my madness? I had to give you something to start with that connected the virtual programs to real-life fabrication to introduce you. If I dropped you into developing your rig from scratch, it would have been a train wreck. I admit I should have stepped you into molecular engineering slower, but...you have what it takes..." Felix laughed as he drilled into a few of the subassemblies and the molecular arrangements of the individual parts. "I must say, I'm impressed. Very impressed...so..." He paused. "Mavis, begin the manufacture, purchase, and/or requisitions of the parts that are required by Callen's designs."
"Understood sir," Mavis answered, in its electronic monotone voice.
Callen rubbed the back of his hair. "Thanks." He grinned. "The stuff you use here is very similar to what Matt taught me on in the hospital...and then with everything else, it just clicked."
"I'd say, but I'm not talking about you working with Mavis or putzing around virtually." Felix laughed. "I'm talking about your application of science. That's that part that amazes me. Your molecular models are...spot on...I love how you arranged each molecule and how even the geometry of the electron orbitals..."
"So, I did good?" Callen asked with a half grin on his face.
"Yah did good, kid," Felix said. "Some people are amazing in music, art, or any of the other classical disciplines...but you...well your gifted in something that isn't even supposed to exist yet."
"It's all physics and chemistry," Callen said with a grin. "Least that's what my dad always said when I asked him what he did every day."
"And he's right," Felix said. "Everything comes back to those two things."
"Even magic?"
"Even magic," Felix said. "Somewhere it all makes sense. Where, well...I don't know...and I wonder if anyone even does...or ever will."
"My dad did, didn't he?" Callen asked. "I mean, that's gotta be the controversy connected to him."
"No, your dad was an amazing scientist. The controversy surrounding him, well...I have only heard a few rumors and none of them deal with magic." Felix said. "But, magic, as far as I'm concerned, it depends on how you define it. Magic, how I see it, is relative."
"Like Einstein's theory of relativity-relative?"
"Well, yes, in a sense. In my opinion, what is magic and what is technology is contingent on the knowledge of the observer," Felix said. "Think about it this way. If you saw an airplane today, you would understand that it flies because of a combination of speed, aerodynamics, pressure differences that result in lift, among other scientific principles...however...if you lived in say...Europe during the Dark Ages...well...you would think it was magic that was making the object, which you would lack the vocabulary to define as an airplane, fly."
"Makes sense," Callen stated. "But Grandpa defined magic as evil and you essentially defined magic and technology as a difference in understanding. So, doesn't that make technology evil too?"
"No," Felix said bluntly. "Technology is born out of understanding of our surroundings through human observation, experimentation, innovation, and invention. The wisdom is earned and the control is that it is limited by man's understanding of their surroundings. Magic, on the other hand, comes from the application of knowledge that has not yet been earned and learning it generally requires some sort of pact with an evil being with knowledge to sell."
"Yeah...philosophy, not quite my strong point..." Callen said.
"Alright." Felix took a puff of his cigarette. "Try this scenario. A kid is getting picked on in school and feels powerless to stop it. The kid gets angry and when he gets home from school he sees his brother shooting tin cans with a .22 pistol. The kid asks his brother if he can try. The brother says sure and hands the kid the pistol. He takes a few shots and manages to hit the can. Then the brother says I love shooting, it makes me feel powerful. A day later the kid ends up on the news because he shot the bully with a .22 that he stole from his brother. That's magic. The kid didn't earn the knowledge for himself, didn't understand really what everything that surrounds that the tool means, and the results are tragic. Thus, the application of said knowledge is evil. Now, on the other hand...the brother doesn't shoot anyone because he has learned respect for the tool, how it works and has the proper maturity level to manage it."
"So, the difference between magic and technology comes down to maturity?" Callen asked.
"And an evidence-based body of knowledge," Felix said. "Hence why in Star Wars, Luke Skywalker is a kid and uses magic, while Han Solo is an adult that uses technology. Luke becomes an adult when he defeats his magical opponent at the end of Jedi and tosses his 'magical' sword away and faces the essence of magical evil with the knowledge he gained through his adventure. He abandons the naivety of magic, faces reality, and becomes a man, like Han Solo, was in the first place."
Callen nodded. "I guess I understand. But, why is this tech stuff so much more advanced than the rest of the conventional world?"
"Maturity through experience and faith," Felix said. "God offers insights into how he crafted existence to those that have the capacity to listen. It's also a lot easier to make things for fewer people...especially with a knowledge base...and bank account...like ours. But overall, it comes down to this...as the conventional world fights over the apparent contradiction between science and faith; we see the grace of their synergy. Is it any wonder why scientists who changed the conventional world with their ideas, like Faraday and Einstein, blended their science with their faith?"
"Faith...you sound like my dad." Callen scoffed. He sighed. "I wonder if he would be proud of me..."
"I'm sure he would. It took a lot of guts to agree to what you did...any father would be proud." Felix took a drag of his cigarette. "Anyway, I think that's enough wisdom for now, my young Jedi."
"You forgot one thing, Felix," Sadie said. "Han gets the girl because he's a man. Luke isn't ready to have a girl in the movie, so L
ucas made her Luke's sister."
Callen rolled his eyes, but he also felt a flutter in his stomach when he heard her voice.
"She's right!" Felix laughed. "But not completely, Han wasn't a good man at the beginning of the story. He was jaded and disillusioned with reality. He was angry, impulsive, and indebted to Jabba. His journey is about how he overcame those hardships of manhood to become the man the girl turning into a woman wanted. Hence, why I'm so annoyed that Lucas changed that in the originals, Han shot first. It made his journey less epic."
"I liked it better when Han shot first," Callen said as he turned towards Sadie. "How long you been standing there?"
"Only since Felix started talking Star Wars." She said. "I just came to ask for some help."
"One second, Sadie," Felix said. "Callen, you still got a bit more work to do on your goggles before they're done. You get to do the fun part," he scratched his cheek. "Well...let me clarify...the fun part for non-science people."
"What's that?" Callen asked.
"The style," Sadie said.
"Style?" Callen asked turning his head. He grinned. She looked cute with a smudge of grease on her cheek.
She glanced at his black t-shirt and worn jeans. "Yeah...exactly...what's style?" She laughed.
"Shut up," Callen said. "I got style."
"Yeah, if you wanna call lack of style a style." Sadie chuckled. "But, pick something cool and not like Felix's."
"Hey, what's not cool about mine?" He asked. "They're perfect for what I designed them for." Both Sadie and Callen laughed at the pile of non-symmetrical imaging equipment that looked as if they came from a steampunk/dieselpunk fan-boy catalog that sat idly on Felix's head. "What, retro-futurism is a style."
"Touché." Sadie giggled. "But, just so you know...that's totally not you Callen."
"Alright, so what is my style?" He asked.
"I'd say...urban and-or industrial...." Sadie said.
"Ah, what?" Callen asked sounding completely lost.
Felix shrugged. "As Sadie so eloquently put, this isn't exactly my area of expertise. So, I'm gonna leave you to it then and don't forget to input commands to start the fabrication process to Mavis. The lenses take time."
"Alright," Callen said.
Felix glanced at Sadie. "So, what did you need help with, Sadie?"
"Those pistols you ordered just got in. I was wondering if you wanted me to qualify them..."
"Callen can help yah," Felix said. "Besides, if he's gonna be sticking around, he should know how to shoot..."
"You want me to teach him?" Sadie's voice was full of excitement, and when Callen saw how excited she was, he held back on telling her that he knew.
"Who else?" Felix raised his eyebrow. "Tende's terrible with firearms...and everyone else is busy...besides, you're pretty damn good..."
"Alright." Sadie grinned.
"What about..." Callen started.
Felix cut him off. "Relax, Mavis needs time to make everything...so take a break. They should be ready mid-afternoon. Then, after everything's done for the day...Tende and your sister are dying to finish that Nazi laboratory dungeon in Shadowborne. I caught my character up...so let's do some of that later tonight."
"Great..." Sadie said sarcastically as Felix left the room.
"Maybe you should just give in and play," Callen said with a grin. "All the cool people are doing it."
"Umm...how 'bout...no, code monkey," Sadie said. "And I don't think I would define any one of you as 'cool.'"
"Nice...very nice...here I am inviting you to have a nice evening after a hard day of work...and you gotta get all insulting..." Callen shot her a half grin. "But, if you wanna go that route...I could call you grease-girl."
"You're getting better at this." She huffed. "Two zings in one. I'll let you quit while you're ahead...now let's go."
"Thanks for that," Callen said sarcastically as she took the lead.