Angels & Demons - Hassaan Bin Khalil
Angels & Demons - Hassaan Bin Khalil
Angels & Demons - Hassaan Bin Khalil
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“My dad wanted to bring science to a higher level,” Vittoria said, “where science supported the<br />
concept of God.” She ran a hand through her long hair, looking melancholy. “He set out to do<br />
something no scientist had ever thought to do. Something that no one has ever had the technology to<br />
do.” She paused, as though uncertain how to speak the next words. “He designed an experiment to<br />
prove Genesis was possible.”<br />
Prove Genesis? Langdon wondered. Let there be light? Matter from nothing?<br />
Kohler’s dead gaze bore across the room. “I beg your pardon?”<br />
“My father created a universe… from nothing at all.”<br />
Kohler snapped his head around. “What!”<br />
“Better said, he recreated the Big Bang.”<br />
Kohler looked ready to jump to his feet.<br />
Langdon was officially lost. Creating a universe? Recreating the Big Bang?<br />
“It was done on a much smaller scale, of course,” Vittoria said, talking faster now. “The process was<br />
remarkably simple. He accelerated two ultrathin particle beams in opposite directions around the<br />
accelerator tube. The two beams collided head-on at enormous speeds, driving into one another and<br />
compressing all their energy into a single pinpoint. He achieved extreme energy densities.” She started<br />
rattling off a stream of units, and the director’s eyes grew wider.<br />
Langdon tried to keep up. So Leonardo Vetra was simulating the compressed point of energy from<br />
which the universe supposedly sprang.<br />
“The result,” Vittoria said, “was nothing short of wondrous. When it is published, it will shake the<br />
very foundation of modern physics.” She spoke slowly now, as though savoring the immensity of her<br />
news. “Without warning, inside the accelerator tube, at this point of highly focused energy, particles of<br />
matter began appearing out of nowhere.”<br />
Kohler made no reaction. He simply stared.<br />
“Matter,” Vittoria repeated. “Blossoming out of nothing. An incredible display of subatomic<br />
fireworks. A miniature universe springing to life. He proved not only that matter can be created from<br />
nothing, but that the Big Bang and Genesis can be explained simply by accepting the presence of an<br />
enormous source of energy.”<br />
“You mean God?” Kohler demanded.<br />
“God, Buddha, The Force, Yahweh, the singularity, the unicity point—call it whatever you like—the<br />
result is the same. Science and religion support the same truth—pure energy is the father of creation.”<br />
When Kohler finally spoke, his voice was somber. “Vittoria, you have me at a loss. It sounds like<br />
you’re telling me your father created matter… out of nothing?”<br />
“Yes.” Vittoria motioned to the canisters. “And there is the proof. In those canisters are specimens of<br />
the matter he created.”<br />
Kohler coughed and moved toward the canisters like a wary animal circling something he<br />
instinctively sensed was wrong. “I’ve obviously missed something,” he said. “How do you expect<br />
anyone to believe these canisters contain particles of matter your father actually created? They could<br />
be particles from anywhere at all.”<br />
“Actually,” Vittoria said, sounding confident, “they couldn’t. These particles are unique. They are a<br />
type of matter that does not exist anywhere on earth… hence they had to be created.”<br />
Kohler’s expression darkened. “Vittoria, what do you mean a certain type of matter? There is only<br />
one type of matter, and it—” Kohler stopped short.<br />
Vittoria’s expression was triumphant. “You’ve lectured on it yourself, director. The universe contains<br />
two kinds of matter. Scientific fact.” Vittoria turned to Langdon. “Mr. Langdon, what does the Bible<br />
say about the Creation? What did God create?”<br />
Langdon felt awkward, not sure what this had to do with anything. “Um, God created… light and<br />
dark, heaven and hell—”