Varian definitely watches this with unbridled glee. This is way way overkill but also the coolest thing ever. He turns his attention back to the sword gun (thankfully putting the safety on first, a moment of self-awareness he usually lacks, they are both blessed this day) looking at it more critically.

"Oh, wow! That's amazing!! A photo-acoustic wave!! Oh, man, I'd love to take this apart to see what makes it tick!"

He wants to get his grubby little hands on the insides so badly.