Experimental Magic Tech
Luna could not wait for her best friend to finish developing her Destiny-themed arsenal. She was practically bursting with excitement while rubbing her hands together and jumping in glee. Though, this excitement was a bit concerning for the young Tech Prodigy as Anthony began to second guess if this was even a good idea. "You will promise me that you won't go out of control with this stuff, right Luna?" He questioned with a clear sense of grave worry as Luna was quick to scoff this worry off with a wave of her hand.
"I am totally able to be responsible when needed, bud. You know me long enough to confirm that, Anthony." She proclaimed with a snarky expression accompanied by a grin. Yet this only furthered the African American even further to her dismay. "Okay... I may get carried away at times, but it isn't like I have burned down a building with experimental and highly dangerous technology before." Luna protested with a roll of her eyes.
Anthony crossed his arms with a scolding glare about the self-claim that Luna had made for herself. The obvious expression was written all over Anthony as Luna began to show a nervous swear as she darted her eyes in every direction away from her closest friend. "Luna... Sometimes, I have wondered if you are not the literal IRL take of that meme that Lance Reddick read for your favorite game had read before he passed away." He declared as Luna promptly crossed her arms with a disapproving glare at his claim about her character.
"I am not THAT bad Gibbs..." Luna swore with dignity, even if it was fruitless for her to do so. Though this was left alone as Anthony had simply returned to his endeavors to build Luna's unique form of Mana Tech. He had begun to trademark this name for the new forms of technology that he created. "Anyways," The possibly reckless Tomboy announced, "How exactly did your company alongside White Star find out about this Magic Energy? Also, how the Caborb is this a form of naturally occurring energy?" She questioned aloud while leaning against one of the large brick-sized CPUs that was within Anthony's lab. The more details that were being uncovered regarding Arcane and the Crystals that it was housed in became more conflicting with the course of the world's history as it was currently known.
Anthony laughed in pure amazement as he went into what was learned about this magical energy. "For starters, it is quite easy for us as humans to have forgotten that these Crystals existed and the fact that they form very deep underground. I do mean super deep. Plus, to extract them and refining them has been quite... Exasperating, too. With one misstep in the process, these crystals can become very volatile. As in comparison to nuclear levels of devastation." He explained with the evidenced expression of how dangerous the process can be. "Though, we have found some records of how it can be safely refined to be usable. Oddly, from groups such as The Templars and Thule Society..." The young Gibbs went on as he did ponder why groups like these had some information for this. "Then again, I can imagine why no one had taken them seriously as the thought of Magic being real was laughable for quite some time. Until now, that is." Anthony finished off as Luna did agree with this information.
"Wait... Isn't the Thule Society that cult which The Nazis made themselves a part of?" Luna asked as she had tremendous levels of frightful dread. "I don't think anyone would like to hear that Caborbing Nazis were able to mess with this kind of stuff without anyone realizing..." She said aloud as a cold sweat began to become noticeable.
"What the hell is 'Caborb'? Another Destiny term or something?" Gibbs questioned as he looked back at her with pure confusion as Luna nodded to confirm this.
"Basically, when you get crushed by a Cabal Dropship in the game... Happens a lot more than I would like..." She added on with a shake of her head for this annoying detail within the series. It was enough for Anthony to share the sentiment about the detail, despite how little he understood it.
Though, this did bring up a more important question regarding the nature of Arcane Energy and what it could achieve. Was it a good idea to allow someone like Richard Clarke to be able to utilize this power? As with any form of advancement, if given to those who may misuse it, it can create devastation for selfish intent. Though, Anthony could not back out now from what he started to prove himself to Richard.
Transitioning over to The White Star Corporation, Straxus was making his way to the R&D Department within the building. Yet, his mind was plagued with odd headaches, which flared every so often. Though they would not remain for long since he was quite quick to recompose himself from things like this despite his old age. The walk to the laboratory was at least peaceful as he entered. As expected, the environment within the R&D Department was filled with many scientists, research equipment, experimental technology, and computers running simulations to determine probable outcomes of their experiments. Though, Straxus was in search of one of the scientists who oversaw these operations while grabbing himself a cup of tea. Thankfully, she was able to notice the CEO as the woman rushed over quickly as possible. The woman wore the usual attire of any who worked in the position that she held. Being consistent with a lab coat, blue collared shirt, a long skirt over her knees, and glasses over her yellow-green eyes. Her chosen hairstyle was a ponytail with twirly bangs over her left eye. "Hello, Mister Lithson. I wasn't expecting you to be visiting us..." She spoke with a minor accent of Italian origin while sheepishly readjusting her glasses. Though, they weren't exactly in peak condition as there were signs of damage and scratches on her glasses.
Straxus did not pay that detail any mind as he prepared the cup of tea within the department's break room as he picked out a tea packet for the Chamomile variant. "I believe that a surprise visit helps you and your colleagues to remain on your toes with projects, Belina." He explained with a soft tone accompanied by a small smirk. "So, would you do me a courtesy and inform me regarding the progress with understanding this energy you are labeling as Arcane Energy Miss Casali?" Straxus requested while pouring boiling water into his mug as the packet hung on the side.
"Of course, Sir!" Belina proclaimed, though unable to hide how nervous she was about this topic, "I know that the title of Arcane seems quite odd for the energy housed inside these crystals we found. Thanks to your guidance, of course. Yet... These Crystals and the power they have can not be described as anything but pure magic." She went on while reviewing the data, which was compiled by her team as well as herself. This inescapable fact was hard to imagine to be true, yet here it was as clear as day. "What we have discovered regarding the nature and potential of these jewels are nearly limitless. From creating elemental conditions, altering substances into dramatically different materials, and even transforming animals into powerful beasts." Belina went on as she could not believe what she was stating before turning one of the pages on the clipboard of written data. "Though, doing all of this requires a high level of intelligence to perform certain actions oddly." She explained as Straxus was intrigued by this information.
"Elaborate if you will." He requested as Straxus awaited his tea to cool down for consumption.
"For example, Mister Lithson. If one wanted to transfigure an animal from a reptile to an avian, one would need to have to possess a good degree of knowledge of Zoology and Biology. For one to create a ball of fire, one would require an understanding of Chemistry and Physical Science to generate it." Belina continued with her discoveries of understanding this magical power.
"Simply, Magic can be described as a higher level of science instead of an abstract interpretation for mysticism?" Straxus questioned as he was quite impressed by Miss Casali's progress so far. "Guess the author Arthur C. Clarke was more accurate regarding the nature of magic than he was given credit for." He announced while taking a drink of the tea. Belina nodded in agreement with her boss' statement.
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, as he put it assuming I recall the quote correctly." She added as she gestured for Straxus to follow her through the lab to showcase the experiments, which allowed them to understand Arcane Energy and how to master its power. "I would expect that you would like to see what my team has been able to create from these gemstones. Though, I have to admit that it is surprising to discover the artifacts that were told about within the myths of time. The staff that Agent Lin Chao has, for example... Plus the Ring of Fafnir, Book of Thoth, Aegis, and more relics of Greek Mythology?" She began as curiosity began to perk in her mind, "How did you know where to look for such items, Mister Lithson? I have to ask how you know the locations of such legendary items." She insisted as her childish eagerness for knowledge sprouted outwards, yet it was soon shattered due to Straxus being unwilling to disclose this information.
"How I knew about these items is not important. After all, I only insist for these scouting missions after the confirmation of what these gems held. If this was a form of magic, how false were the stories of gods and monsters?" He inquired with narrowed eyes and a chilling sip of his tea to express a warning for Belina to not press any further about this topic.
Though, the disappointment regarding this outcome was quite clear as Miss Casali let out a heavy sigh. Belina, however, knew that when the CEO made declarations such as this. Straxus meant them and carried them out if he deemed necessary. Yet, her desire for knowledge couldn't be tamed so easily as Belina made a mental note to discover the truth for herself.