Backstory: Dignity Colony, Project Monarch

Lex and Cal are fraternal twins, born and raised in a secret compound called “Dignity Colony” in Chile, in a secret subproject from the modern-day continuation of the CIA’s MKULTRA.   After Dignity Colony was in danger of being exposed, they were smuggled to safety by the Dr. Percival Vodnar, who continues to break them of their mind-control programming.

 

Synesthesia, Lucid Dreaming, and Altered States

Due to complications at birth Lex and Cal were both born with completely colorless eyes, along with acute synesthesia.  They can interpret everything around them as music, and in turn can create music which can trigger visuals, smells, pleasure, pain, and a host of other feelings in other people.  While they are safely deprogrammed by the Scientist, he helps the two brothers develop their ability in conjunction with lucid dreaming, psychotropics, sensory deprivation, holographic theory, and just a bit of luck.

 

The W.I.L.D. Machine, and Time Travel

It’s not exactly safe to time travel, as has been explained in many different ways, including the famous chaos theory.  Instead, the Scientist has modified Lex and Cal’s musical equipment to sample stored vibrations in antiques, ancient objects, even monuments and locations.  With this technology, they can create something like a carbon-copy of snapshots in history – although of course it’s not as easy as it sounds.  Create too much entropy within the system, and there’s no telling what can happen.