Doctor Benjamin Katz

“What do you think?” Jacob asked me as he held up a compact metal case. I took it from him and carefully inspected it. “A reserve battery. The density is quite big.”

I recalled something that I had read in the texts we had recovered from Normandy so long ago. “What about the Goldberg limit of self awareness from energy density?” I asked.

“Nowhere close. And that is with using the dense flesh as a representative expression. That is one reason why it is about the size of a book. Null enchantments on the casing. With a pocket for liquid food infused with crystals to empower the flesh. I estimate about 50,000 units of energy in this casing,” Jacob explained.

“That much?” I asked in surprise.

“Indeed Doctor Katz. I suspect I can get it up to a quarter of a million. This is just the prototype after all for compact energy storage. The transmission rate is currently at 50%, but with proper attunement, we would be looking at 90% transmission.”

“That means over 200 thousand units of energy,” I muttered.

“Indeed. Michelle inspired me to look into a solution for making ritualistic crystal summoning viable for high level monsters. Give me half a year, no, a couple of months, and I think I can whip up a deployable summoning station.”

“What about control?” I asked.

“That’s the best part. You start the process of summoning, tying the monster to your control. Then the batteries would handle the rest and the upkeep. We could prime it as well. Get a bigger station, then have a smaller upkeep station dock with it, for easier deployment options. The real trick will be linking the summoning array to the batteries.”

“I will approve it. Testing with level 4 monsters only,” I replied.

“Of course. Your insights on a level 7 monster are impressive. The endowed name is quite something, it has titles. It will be interesting to study something up close if we can manage a summon,” Jacob said with quite a bit of eagerness.

“If we even survive. Just looking at it, it was able to communicate by energy expression,” I said and shook my head at the memory.

“Still, that implies something different at the higher levels is possible. Perhaps a skill or stat evolution, or something else.”

“That will take time. What about the energy draw mechanisms. You were looking to empower the flesh separately from crystals?” I asked.

“Another dead end for localized effects. We need to make a portal into this energy layer, and directly draw energy from there,” Jacob said with enthusiasm.

“And the past two accidents? That killed several people. The aperture cannot be stabilized. It quickly collapses,” I countered.

“I know. I want to use the collapsing effect to draw in excess energy. Use flesh to store it, and the process it for any number of purposes. But we will exploit that collapse, by creating a chamber to contain such an event.” It was a possible idea.

“And how would you even direct the energy?” I asked.

“That is a problem to be worked out. But I am thinking of a flesh capture array. Look, I drew up a design for you to sign off on. A core to form the portal. Then a layer of flesh to capture the energy. Surrounded by a containment chamber. We could create a sustained reaction, here look at the numbers,” he said and handed me another sheet of paper.

The principles were sound, and he was quite brilliant. But the risk was immense. “Approved for development, but implement safety procedures, redundant ones. Consider all the worst cases. Like a runaway reaction, the portal not close, and so on. Once you have the full design worked out and safety procedures in place, then we can build a prototype,” I replied.

“Excellent. You won’t be disappointed Doctor Katz. I was thinking we could call it the Katz-Copper energy chamber if we succeed.” I was flattered.

“Copper-Katz, since you are doing most of the work. I am just signing off on things. Are you thinking of using symbology?” I asked.

“Indeed. It would enhance the containment protocols. But that area is still carrying out fundamental research. I would need to test the applications in full,” Jacob explained, and I nodded. “Would we be looking at base level 6 crafting crystals any time soon?” he asked.

“Not for a while and those secured will be used by myself and Emperor Michael before they trickle down. I am thinking about redesigning my guns. Using your battery and symbology to reduce the need for crafting crystals,” I explained.

“Hmm, and feed it point crystals?” I nodded at this. “How interesting. The interfaces would be complicated. You want to replace the directed annihilation reaction, with something more like the cannons.”

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“Indeed, I am thinking we can use symbology and your developments at flesh to fill the gaps. Drawing in nearby energy similar to skills,” I replied and he nodded.

“It is possible. The probably is the curse damage to the artifact itself. That is the biggest issue in developing any such device that is meant to be reusable. For a level 7 monster, having disposable batteries isn’t a big deal. But something you are describing has issues,” he explained and I nodded at this.

“But combined with a person outputting energy, a barrier could be created, for the effect. Rechargeable batteries from ambient energy, with a filter to parse out the curse damage would be the best. Lots of applications there and as a backup. The transference would need to be customized using resonance, but if we can work around that, well the possibilities are limitless,” he said and I chuckled.

“Your enthusiasm is infectious. You really are a genius,” I said with a smile.

“Thank you Doctor Katz. But it is merely taking applications I have learned about and applying them to their logical conclusion. It is a shame I wasn’t able to replicate stats or automations.”

“How is the energy compression project going? I know you were looking at reaching the Goldberg limit,” I said. One of the many pieces of information tucked away in an obscure book that had been recovered. The woman had a lot of interesting conjectures. A shame she was dead with the United City States, one of the precursor nations to the Empire of Purgatory.

“Come, let me show you. I wish to prove or disprove the Goldberg limit. If it does exist and enough energy can imbue an object with consciousness, then the possibilities are immense.”

“I know Jacob. Self-defending shields. Self-attacking shields. And so much more,” I said, and he nodded as we made our way to the experiment chamber in the research facility. It was located at the outer edge of Purgatory itself.

We entered the room through an airlock. The walls were covered with blankets with reflection type enchantments. A massive astrolabe was rotating in the center of the room. “We are feeding immense amounts of energy into the containment area in the center.”

The astrolabe was reflecting the energy inwards. “Life type energy?” I asked to confirm.

“Yes. Since it lies on the end of the positive axis. The energy is much more transient than death,” he replied.

“You were going with flesh before, with the argument that the material portion of the type chart was better,” I said while looking over the set up.

“A mistake on my part. I have had success with flesh before. And while the material axis allows for energy to be expressed instead of contained, that isn’t what this experiment is focused on. The positive portion of the positive and negative axis is focused on energy moving and changing.”

“And you are compressing it to produce the Goldberg effect,” I muttered as the astrolabe swung rapidly about. “I notice you are using symbology and interlocking portions for the rings of the astrolabe. Level 6 enchantments stacked on. You really used a large portion of your budget for this.”

“Indeed Doctor Katz. Imagine creating an intelligence,” Jacob said with awe.

“As long as we don’t lose control and safety procedures are in place. I am glad to see the triple walls in effect and the airlock. What about the residual effects?” I asked.

“Nothing too serious. You probably feel invigorated. Time to add another life crystal.” An assistant researcher came in and gave us both a nod, before inserting a life type crafting crystal into the base of the astrolabe. A complex series of mechanical devices began moving in the base and the crystal was launched into the central mass of energy.

“So hard to get that right. Mechanical devices are not my specialty. But with the timing down, no more accidents. And better than just tossing it in,” Jacob said.

“Lots of progress since the last time I checked in. I was too caught up in the developments in symbology recently, but you are clearly making progress,” I said.

“Thank you Doctor Katz. I quite enjoy my work.”

“What is your timeline for achieving the Goldberg effect? And the energy density?”

“Well, we are at level 9 density inside the astrolabe and should eventually hit level 10. Slowly ramping it up to spot the exact threshold. But this is based on the Katz energy scale. Your measurements of a level 6 zone confirmed the progression. But level 7 would be best in case of a power skip,” Jacob said.

“There was no power skip in terms of energy density from level 3 to level 4. I don’t’ expect there to be another one. What about going beyond level 10?” I asked.

“Working on it. But I don’t believe the astrolabe would hold. Would need better materials. Perhaps with the city upgrade in the near future,” he said and I nodded at that as we left the chamber with the Astrolabe.

“Hopefully new options are created,” I replied. The stores were constantly in use by both people and carts, hauling away supplies.

“Indeed. There is also a small matter I wanted to talk to you about Doctor Katz. A young man that has taken an interest in my work, I would like to hire them as an assistant. They just have a sensitive name,” Jacob asked.

“Oh, who?” I asked curiously.

“Qi Ji Long.”

“That Divine Empress’s child? I thought he was out grinding?” I asked.

“Indeed he is, but his intellect is quite astounding. And while I could hire him under my own authority, I figured it would be better to get your sign off Doctor Katz.” I considered the issue.

“You don’t plan to experiment on him?” I asked.

“I have looked into his nature as you know. Nothing was found, but he stirred his interest in the sciences and energy. I was hoping to take him under my wing. Give him some proper guidance,” he replied.

“Well, your work has been nothing but impeccable, beyond a lack of safety protocols. Still, if you want him, I can write a letter allowing it,” I replied. Jacob was probably looking out for the young man and wanted to run some follow up tests. Qi Ji Long had been set loose, but was officially blacklisted from any government position of authority.

But this was a research facility, and it would be good to have some young blood with a different perspective. The sins of the parent didn’t reflect on the child. If I could help him on a better path, I would do that. His mother scared me to death, but all that meant was being the better person and looking beyond his terrible history and believing in him.

While Jacob was a bit reckless, he had a good head on his shoulders. It would be a good moderating influence on the child, rather than constantly fighting monsters. If he made a discovery, it would go a long way to helping show him in a positive light. I would make sure he was hired and was glad Jacob had recommended this to me. It was important to try lift people up, rather than bringing them down.