Finalizing the Procurement List
Over the course of several weeks, Victor meticulously compiled a list of all the materials needed for his ambitious projects. He knew that the key to successfully crafting an advanced Pip-Boy and other devices lay in careful planning and discreet operations. Every tool, every piece of circuitry, every chemical compound—each was essential to his grand design.
One afternoon, Victor decided to start gathering the necessary materials. He approached his close friends individually, careful not to reveal the full scope of his plans. Instead, he gave each of them plausible reasons for his requests.
When Victor asked Paul Hannon Jr. for help finding old circuitry, he explained, "I've been working on fixing some of the old terminals in the storage area. They're beyond repair, but I think I can salvage some parts."
Paul nodded, eager to assist. "I'll keep an eye out for anything useful, Victor . I've noticed a few old terminals in the maintenance areas that might have what you need."
Victor then approached Amata, mentioning the need for some basic chemical compounds. "The irrigation system's been acting up lately. I want to try a few things to get it running more efficiently. I could use some chemicals from the storage room."
Amata, always supportive, smiled. "I'll grab what I can. The system's overdue for an upgrade, anyway."
When Victor spoke with Susie Mack, he requested old electrical panels, telling her, "The lighting in some of the lower levels has been flickering. I'm thinking of replacing the old panels to stabilize the current."
Susie, who had always been eager to help, agreed immediately. "I'll gather what I can. We don't need any more power outages down there."
Wally Mack was tasked with finding old wiring and connectors. "The wiring in the maintenance bay is ancient," Victor said, convincing him. "If I can replace it, we'll avoid a major short circuit."
Wally, always up for a challenge, replied, "Leave it to me, Victor . I'll dig around and see what I can find."
Overcoming Challenges
As the weeks passed, Victor and his friends began quietly gathering the materials. They worked methodically, ensuring that no one in the Vault suspected their true intentions. But as the work began to pile up, Victor realized that he needed to streamline the process.
In his secret lab—unknown to anyone but himself—Victor started working on an automatic workbench and a chemistry station. These devices would help him with the mechanical parts and chemical compounds needed for his advanced Pip-Boy.
However, Victor quickly realized that the Vault's warehouse only had old circuit boards—far from the advanced components he needed. Yet, rather than feeling discouraged, Victor 's mind began to race with possibilities.
"I may not have found what I need in the warehouse," Victor thought to himself, "but there's more to this Vault than meets the eye."
Victor recalled the hidden sections of the Vault that he had briefly explored in the past. Determined to find what he needed, Victor made it a priority to revisit these areas, this time with a more focused approach.
One evening, after finishing his training with Captain Hayes, Victor quietly slipped away to explore one of the lesser-known halls of the Vault. As he delved deeper, he stumbled upon a section that had clearly been forgotten over the years. Dust and debris covered the floor, and the flickering lights created eerie shadows on the walls.
In one of the halls, Victor 's exploration was cut short by a disturbing discovery—a large infestation of radroaches. Knowing the danger of provoking the creatures, Victor quickly retreated, his mind already formulating a plan.
I'll need to come back better prepared," Victor thought. "But this place… it could hold exactly what I'm looking for."
Returning to his secret lab, Victor reflected on how to proceed. He knew that clearing out the radroaches would be dangerous, but he also realized that the hidden areas might hold the components he needed to complete his workbench and chemistry station.
Victor spent the next few days researching radroach behavior and thinking of ways to neutralize the threat without drawing too much attention. He knew that any overt action might lead to unwanted questions from Vault Security or the Overseer, so he needed to be discreet.
"I'll deal with them on my own," Victor resolved. "The fewer people who know about this, the better."
As Victor continued his work in secret, he made sure to maintain his usual activities—training with Captain Hayes, helping his friends with their tasks, and contributing to the maintenance of the Vault. He had learned to balance his public life with his secret endeavors, always careful to keep his true intentions hidden.
The materials he gathered with the help of his friends were slowly coming together, and Victor could see the outlines of his grand design taking shape.