Some Got Hopes and Dreams, We Got Ways and Means

[Drew Conner]

It wasn't often that someone who thought so highly of themselves as Drew Conner would allow another to lead them around, especially in public.  This, however, was an entirely different situation than most kids Drew's age would find themselves in.  Drew was here, slowly walking through the cluttered aisles of a second hand tech shop tucked in the far corner of the Kalispell Center Mall, looking at the bins of various wires, cords and random pieces of what he would only describe as junk on behalf of none other than Karsen Ford.

Karsen was one of the few people at the Academy Drew trusted enough to offer even a peek into his less than legal affairs.  Sure, Drew was far too young to have his finger in the certain pies he did, was more than capable of talking his way out of most problems and had enough financial backing from his family's estate to buy his way out of anything else, but one didn't reach the heights he wished to attain by flashing their intent.  Drew was, rightfully so, as secretive as an heir to a publicly criticized, multi-billion dollar corporation could possibly be.

"Are you looking for anything specific?"  Drew asked, his brow furrowed as he looked out over the sea of random detritus.  It was all gibberish to him.  Even the small, handwritten signs posted in front of each bin and rack did little to explain the nature of whatever object or objects were being sold.  For all his intellectual merits, Drew found himself largely lost in the world of technology and computers.  He knew the basics in getting his way around a computer and could handle the typical problems or tasks that one would run into.  While not clueless, anything beyond simple program instillation and standard security remained a foreign language.

His eyes flicked from the racks and bins to the younger boy in front of him.  Karsen was, as far as anyone else would be concerned, a solid business investment.  In truth, Drew had grown a little fond of him as he was prone to being around people that didn't tend to pry into his life or want to ask questions about his rumored antics, both personal or 'professional'.  "Well..."  He said, shifting his gaze to the bins.  "Go nuts.  What're you working on right now, anyway?"

[Karsen Ford]

Karsen was like a kid in a candy store, because well what else was he supposed to think when he was surrounded by technology. He was currently leading Drew around the second hand computer shop that was hidden amongst all the stupid shops in the store. He looked through the bins of spare parts and broken refurbished screens with a gleam in his eyes. He was considering how necessary a bed was when he needed the space it was occupying for more important things than sleep. He was picking out things that could help him optimize his performance so to speak.

“Uhm yes and no….you know how I only have a laptop, well i’m thinking about just using my laptop for school and video watching and building a faster one that’s not on the grid so to speak.” Karsen was pretty sure that running things like bugging programs and such from his laptop was risky especially when he had to erase his hard drive every so often. The amount of flash drives and disc in his room was driving him crazy.

“You know those awesome spy movies with the hacker who has like ten screens? Well i’m going to build one like that, but it can do ten different things. I already have the blueprints and stuff i just need the parts.” He was saving up for it but then Drew had offered to help him get upgraded.

“I also have something akin to google glass in the works…it’s going to be way awesomer though because I was reading the articles and having to talk to use it seems lame.’ He had a basket with him putting the parts that he needed in it. There was a fifty-fifty chance that everything in the basket was going to be turned into something else.

“I might have a few other projects in the works, but my friend just recently test a watch that records, sound, video and projects things from the internet. It’s a bit bulky but i’ve yet to invent a smaller design for the circuits. I can’t shrink things ya know?” He said with slight annoyance at the end, why couldn’t he find a way to have mini circuits? He’s heard of microchips why not micro motherboards. If Drew wanted something in particular he was going to have to be specific.

[Drew Conner]

"Uh huh." It was a good thing Karsen mostly spoke in laymen's terms or else Drew would've been lost. He caught most of what the other teen was saying even if he did translate it all as pretty much 'I'm going to make an awesome computer and do tech stuff'. Which, of course, was just fine for Drew. He wasn't the tech guy and never would be. He knew what he needed to know about computers and that was it. There was a reason large corporations had IT departments, after all.

Hearing the enthusiasm in Karsen's voice as he went on about his future plans did bring out a bit of a smirk on Drew's face. He'd made the right choice in tabbing Karsen as an ally. The boy was ridiculously smart and passionate about what he did. It almost made Drew feel a little guilty that he knew the boy's natural curiosity and excitement when it came to fabricating new things made him easier to manipulate. Almost.

"Excellent." Drew said with a nod. "Maybe one day I'll go and learn what all this stuff is." He plucked an old motherboard from a bin of assorted computer parts. He ran a finger along the circuits, picking up the thin layer of dust that had accumulated. With a disdainful frown he dropped the board back into the bin and plucked a handkerchief from his suit jacket to wipe his hands off. "Maybe not."

With that, Drew turned his focus to the young man who's shopping spree he was funding. After replacing the handkerchief and straightening his tie a bit, Drew's hands found their way into his pockets as he moved alongside Karsen. "So." He started, his eyes lingering over a bin of old, broken keyboards. "Where was home before you came to Bellefonte?"

[Karsen Ford]

Karsen was happy to babble away about his plans as long as Drew would listen but he knew there was something off about the whole thing. He had already known going into this thing that Drew had a reason for everything, he just didn’t ask. There was something about not wanting to live in the now that made his curiosity simmer down. Not to mention the fact that second hand was way better than anything he had in his room and rigging company websites to various computer part distributors was incredibly risky to do all the time.

Karsen snorted slightly “All you really need to know is how to determine if your phone and computer is bugged. besides that you just need a very good virus protector and the basic everyday computer skills.’ It was the normal stuff after all that what he was there for, to fix the tech stuff that was broken. He was too excited to even worry about the fact that added to the comic con offer this was just too sweet of a deal. It was really hard for Karsen not to want to get more involved with Drew even if he knew that’s might have been the older boy’s point.

“Uh, Montreal...people are normally surprised that i’m Canadian but after the school burned down awhile back I was transferred here. I don’t visit all that much during the summer because my parents are busy.” He was steadily adding random parts to his basket, he wanted to make sure he had enough to run through the test trials. The odds of circuits burning out and and fires were going to be high with this project.

[Drew Conner]

Of course Drew knew the basics of the technology he regularly made use of. His 'work' phone and tablet were encrypted and secured using programs and terms he'd long forgotten and never knew the meaning of anyway. The only thing he was concerned about was the party who had set everything up was trusted and somewhat close to him. If there was anything more he needed to worry about, well, that was exactly why he surrounded himself with people like Karsen. Drew was merely the middle man. He was the guy who brought people together and made the deals happen. It was wonderful when it all worked out.

"Haven't spent much time in Canada." He mused with a nod. It seemed his passport had been stamped for just about everywhere else, but the 'Frozen North' wasn't exactly a buzzing hub for the business his parents were in. There was little reason to venture that direction, so they rarely did. "I hope you didn't lose anyone in the fire." He said with a faint frown. He'd heard of the tragedy that claimed one of Bellefonte's sister schools. He wasn't a stranger to such things himself, even though that happened to be among the many things he commonly avoiding speaking of.

[Karsen Ford]

Karsen made sure he didn’t totally zone Drew out, it was hard to keep his power under control. Especially when part of it was buzzing with all the things he could build. The downside is that he didn’t have any paper to sketch a quick blueprint. Therefor he was completely useless for the moment as he had forgotten to pack his sketchpad. Come to think of it...did he even have his bag...nope he didn’t have his bag.


“Nah, I wasn’t close to anyone and I’m an only child. Unless my parents decided to try and spawn a normal kid.” While Karsen’s relationship with his parents was okay, they were still upset he didn’t want to move back to Canada after the school was fixed. They just didn’t understand how much he had going for him where he was. Not to mention all that French had the tendency was getting on his nerves.

“Besides, It’s not all that it’s cracked up to be, I like it here better to be honest” Of course being away from home was exciting. Plus when he really did leave his room and not just for classes he enjoyed everything, although that centered around the ice coffee he got from the coffee shop a few stores down. That didn’t matter “So I got a couple of things I finished mostly spy type watches and these things awesomer than that bs google glass. I hate how you have to talk it and can’t interact that much. I was thinking about setting up shop but I don’t know exactly how to starts a business.” Not only that he had no idea if it was even a good idea, not that it would interfere with that he had going on with the older boy.

[Drew Conner]

Even though he allowed his vision to remaining scanning over the various bit of junk and debris Karsen seemed to be so at home among, Drew made sure to take in every single word that fell from the other boy's lips. Everything that was said made up another piece in the puzzle Drew was putting together. Even if he wasn't intending to do so, it was simply how he operated. He idly let his power wander perilously close to Karsen and picked up a few active, surface thoughts that expressed exactly what the younger boy was showing on the outside. In spite of the brief talk of the tragedy, Drew couldn't help but crack a bit of a smirk. Karsen was happy where he was at. That was good. Happy associates were loyal associates.

"Setting up shop?" Drew's brows quirked at that one. It seemed like everyone with a technologically based power was looking to go into business for themselves these days. He didn't blame them. He planned on doing the exact same thing in just a few years. If he could do the things his friend Maddie or Karsen could do, Drew would be tempted to forego school and set out on his own. "The key to starting any business venture is having a clear view of what you want it to be. What are you looking to do with this... shop?" Karsen now had Drew's full attention.

[Karsen Ford]

Karsen wasn’t shy about asking Drew for advice. There was obviously a lot to admire about Drew all illegal business aside. Still Karsen figured he might as well benefit from their friendship of sorts. He put a few more Items in the basket as he tried to find flaws with in another. He didn’t want to get something that was already in worse shape than when he was done with it. Yes second hand was probably not as good a brand new, he would save that for things he was sure would work perfectly.

”It’s simple really, I know i’ll never outdo Google or Microsoft but I want my Products to be used just a much. There’s no real goal besides making new and innovating things and of course donating a portion of the money to various charities.” It was simple, he just want to make things like phones, computers, video games and the like and sell them. However without starting a business he’d run the risk of having to let his creations collect dust it was simple really. Of course he was thinking more Stark enterprises from Iron man than like Google or Microsoft but it was implied...it was implied.

[Drew Conner]

Drew chuckled lightly. Karsen was ambitious, he could relate. Not everyone had the benefit of a multi-billion dollar corporation laying in wait for them to take over. Some, much like the other boy, would have to forge their own path wrought with struggle and painstakingly long hours. That was, of course, if they didn't have friends in high places. Drew's head shook faintly as he moved up alongside Karsen. "Think small for right now. Hone your craft, develop your special 'talents', go to college to get your degree." He rolled his eyes. "You'd be surprised how important that piece of paper actually is." But he quickly was back on track. "Remember. Start small, think big."

Drew had recounted the advice almost verbatim from his father. The Conner Twins had received more than a few words of wisdom from the patriarch of the Conner clan. Their father was prone to sayings, quotes, and one liners. It would have been amusing if Drew didn't constantly find himself in situations where they were applicable and made sense. "I'm going to be frank with you, Karsen. We're too damn young to be thinking of stealing a market share from Google or Microsoft." He reached up and placed a hand on Karsen's shoulder. "But that'll change before we know it. You're going to do great things, I've no doubt about that. Let's revisit this conversation in a few years, what do you say?"

[Karsen Ford]

Karsen resisted the urge to groan, Drew hadn't told him anything he hadn't already known. He just figured that it was best to lay out the long term goals. His short term goals would be to actually decide what stuff he wanted to sell and what he wanted to keep exclusive for close friends. He understood what Drew was saying though, it was hard to take someone seriously if they didn't have degree. "Okay that seems logical, I guess. Though it also sounds kind of boring. I guess ill just sell my computer programs on the side and also make a video game." Okay so maybe Karsen's version of big and Drews were a bit different. Considering Karsen was thinking jetpacks and flying cars...it was small.


"I guess, that sounds fair. I mean I still have a bunch of projects to help Tim with and my pending video game." It shouldn't be that hard since he had set up a virtual world reality headset. Think about it seemed to get a smile on his face, yes the video game had to happen. Which meant he had make a drawing pad thingie to hook up to his laptop. Not to mention he totally had to make that supercomputer.

[Drew Conner]

"Business, by it's very nature is boring, Karsen." Drew mused, hands moving to his pockets as he wandered about, looking over the bits of junk. Even though just a college freshman, Drew had sat in on far more meetings and been privy to the inner working of international business for years. His father had insisted upon it. It was long hours pouring over figures, crunching numbers and analyzing market trends, expenses, assets and a thousand other variables and factors no one realized went into the operation of a global corporation. There were so many working parts and unpredictable forces at work it was no wonder those who made it were looked upon as the rock stars of their industries. "That's why there are people like me." He cast a short glance toward Karsen. "You just think about the next big product and let me worry about everything else. Deal?" Because if Karsen didn't think Drew was already considering another section of the corporate conglomerate he was to inherit that centered around technological research and development, the other boy was sorely mistaken.

Drew nodded again at the mention of the other young man who'd done work for him. "Don't burn yourself out." He said, although the smirk on his face and lightness of his tone of voice showed plainly he didn't feel that would be a problem for Karsen. He loved what he did, which was exactly why Karsen was such a valued asset. "And let me know if there's anything you can't find here you need. We're not limited to dusty shops tucked away in the back of the dirt mall."

[Karsen Ford]

Karsen for as smart as he was, was not very good with all the boring desk work. As much as he wanted his own cooperation he would actually settle for his own brand. He had little time to talking to other business people and dress up in a monkey suit. He also lacked the interpersonal skills to make deals and such. He was more than happy to just go along with what Drew was saying. Karsen wasn't stupid, he knew that Drew did take advantage of how eager and willing he was to invent and doing things with technology. At the same time, it wasn't hurting him at all and he felt no need to try and change the relationship since he was obviously benefiting from it. If it's not broke, don't fix it. At least that's what this father used to say.


"So let you do all the boring work, while I just invent?" He had realized that he had given Karsen the okay to have a lot of fun while he did boring things? Karsen wondered if Drew got off on the whole businessman than because that was weird. However he wasn't gonna judge at all, that wasn't his place. "Deal" He was kind of glad when Drew moved away, he wasn't good with people all close. He was definitely going to have to invest in a studio/lab of some sort. Especially with the possibilities and inventions running through his mind, it was kind of epice.

"I won't, Plus with the summer coming up. Classes won't interrupt my building time." He was pretty sure he had heard it called his Mad scientist time but he shrugged it off. After putting a few piece he knew could be used to connect the screens he went over to look at some monitors. He hadn't realized how small his room was until that moment.

[Drew Conner]

"The art of business is being a good middle man." Drew pondered thoughtfully allowed. He was hardly going to get into the gritty details of the work he had, literally, been pushed toward his entire life, though he found metaphors and witty sayings tended to get the point across well enough. It wasn't as though Drew could expect anyone else to have started business management classes when they were ten. "It's all about bringing the right people together at the right time." And with that, Drew's head tilted to one side and a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You know... I've got a very good feeling about all this." Drew admitted, glancing toward Karsen. There was a great deal of potential here. Drew had spent far more time than he'd care to discuss studying the moves made by some of the most famous and successful businessmen in the world. One day he'd have to sarcastically thank his father for pushing such extra curricular studies on him from the moment he could read and understand international finance terms. "Have you thought of patenting any of your ideas for inventions?" Karsen was going places, of that Drew could tell. With a little push he felt the younger kid's will and determination, coupled with his mutant power, would take him far. "It's never too early to start thinking about protecting your work."

[Karsen Ford]

Karsen shook his head "I enjoy sweatpants too much to be a business man." He had hard enough time budgeting now, he really had to figure out which projects he was gonna put money into after the computer. Karsen nodded as he Drew went on and he snorted "I really hope that was a metaphor, I don't leave my room, you lured me here with promises of tech parts." He said snickering, as long as by bringing people together he met metaphorically because Karsen was turning his room into a tech lab with the computer he was building.

"Yeah, I've thought about it and I've done it with my virtual reality headsets and spy watch thing. Its a bunch of paperwork And junk but it's worth it. Although I only do it for serious things. My virus protection and computer optimizing program... Not so much" He said setting the basket that was over flowing with parts down so he could check out the CPUs. He would probably have to remake it but it helped having one around. The problem with Karsen was that he had a hard time not wanting to upgrade something he knew could be better. Which reminded him that he had to make his own phone, yep he needed something way better than IPhone.

[Drew Conner]

What Karsen may not have realized was that every word that came out of the younger boy's mouth was music to Drew's ears. Karsen was exactly the type of person he was looking for. Drew doubted the young technopath would ever develop the sort of shrewd sense for business and marketing that was necessary in the modern age. Sure, Karsen would be able to create things that could have a major affect on the world of technology as it moved forward, but what good would the greatest modern technological achievement be if no one ever heard about it or it didn't reach the right hands to make use of it? Drew was starting to see a very long, mutually beneficial and rather lucrative partnership beginning. "Exactly." He said with a curt nod and an almost predatory smile. "That's why you have me."

Drew was able to pick out a few words of what Karsen spoke when the young boy began talking of his current projects. While not completely in the dark about it all, Drew had precious little interest in the details and hoped Karsen would simply leave it at the vague concepts of what he was working on. "Tell you what." Drew said, eyeing the basket full of random junk warily. "I've got a business proposal I'm working on. I'll have the details ironed out within a couple weeks. I think you'll be very interested."