Chapter 34: Moving Forward.
In the Medical Laboratory
Jonas approached him with a smile. "Victor, your work has been impressive. You're catching on faster than we expected."
Victor returned the smile, his demeanor calm and unassuming. "I've just been focusing on the basics, Jonas."
Jonas nodded, seemingly satisfied with Victor's modesty. "Keep it up, you still have much to learn."
Despite the praise, Victor took care not to let any of his true capabilities slip. He continued to perform his assignments at a pace that was competent yet unremarkable, blending in with his peers. Meanwhile, NIM was quietly assisting him with more complex tasks, converting detailed results into simpler observations that Victor could report without raising suspicion.
In his free time, Victor actively engaged with his friends, making sure to maintain the same lighthearted, easy going demeanor they were accustomed to. After a particularly thrilling baseball match where Victor's team won by a slim margin, Butch clapped him on the back. "You were great out there, Vic! You've still got that killer instinct."
Victor chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "It's all about teamwork, Butch. We pulled through together.
Another night during a card game, Wally teased him, "Victor, you won again. You got a secret strategy or something?"
Victor grinned, shaking his head. "Maybe I'm just lucky, Wally. Besides, it's all in good fun."
No one noticed any difference in Victor, to them, he was the same person they'd always known, with no hint of the extraordinary work he was doing in secret.
Hidden Lab
Two weeks later, the sensors he'd been waiting for were finally ready.
Sensors were :-
Quantum Magnetometers:
Description: Leveraging quantum technology, these magnetometers offer higher sensitivity and precision than traditional ones. Quantum sensors can detect even the smallest magnetic anomalies, making them particularly useful for locating non-ferrous materials or objects with very weak magnetic signatures.
Neutrino Tomography:
Description: Neutrinos are subatomic particles that can pass through the earth with minimal interaction. Advanced neutrino detectors could potentially be used to map underground structures or locate dense materials buried deep underground.
Muon Tomography:
Description: Similar to neutrinos, muons are subatomic particles that penetrate deep into the earth. Muon tomography involves detecting muons that are absorbed or deflected by dense materials underground. This technology can create 3D images of large, dense objects, such as hidden chambers or mineral deposits.
Advanced Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR):Description: Improvements in GPR technology include higher-frequency radar, better signal processing algorithms, and integration with artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance interpretation of the radar data. These advancements aim to increase depth penetration and resolution, allowing for more detailed imaging of buried objects.
Hyper-Spectral Imaging (HSI) Combined with GPR:
Description: Hyper-spectral imaging captures a wide spectrum of light beyond the visible range, which can be used to detect subtle changes in vegetation or soil that might indicate buried objects. When combined with GPR, it enhances the ability to identify materials based on their spectral signature.
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Sensors:
Description: UWB sensors emit a wide range of frequencies that penetrate the ground differently, providing more detailed information about subsurface objects. These sensors can distinguish between different materials and provide higher resolution images than traditional narrow band sensors.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Sensors:
Description: NMR technology can detect specific types of atoms and molecules underground, providing information about the composition of buried objects. It's particularly useful for identifying hydrocarbons or other chemical signatures.
Acoustic and Elastic Wave Imaging:
Description: This technology uses elastic waves, generated by natural or artificial sources, to create images of the subsurface. It can detect anomalies caused by buried objects by analyzing how these waves propagate through different materials.
Gravitational Anomaly Detection:
Description: This method detects slight variations in the Earth's gravitational field caused by buried objects with different densities. Advanced versions of this technology are being developed to improve sensitivity and resolution.
Returning to his hidden lab, Victor initiated the next phase of his plan with his characteristic precision.
"AZ," Victor said, his tone focused, "install these sensors."
"Command received." AZ
After a while,
AZ responded in its usual efficient manner. "Sensors installed."
"Alright, test run the sensor and plasma gun performance in the lower levels." Victor said.
"Test initiated." AZ positioning itself near the wall aiming the gun towards the wall.
NIM started receiving the scan data and projected the organized stream on the screen. "Data stream constant, parameters are optimal, no hardened obstacle , no fluid movement, marking the most ideal area for excavation while minimizing the chance of collapse."
"Foomm." hot air gushed everywhere, plasma rays directly vaporized the soil though the temperature returned to normal quickly.
"Tunneling success." AZ reported.
"Good, I need one tunnel leading outside the Vault and another for lift directly to my quarters. It's getting too risky to keep using the reactor room entrance." Victor.
"Tunneling sequence initiated. Estimated completion of lift to quarters: one week."
"Why the delay ?" Victor replied, his voice measured.
"Tunneling too fast may cause collapse, sudden rise in temperature and also accounting for any other obstacle may arise during excavation."AZ.
"Alright proceed with caution. What about the exit tunnel for outside?" Victor
"Security protocols for external tunnels are being programmed, report will be sent after scan is completed."AZ
"To make sure the external tunnel is secure and the entrance is camouflaged." Victor asserted.
"Affirmative," AZ responded, without any inflection. "External tunnel security and camouflage will be implemented as requested."
Victor's room-to-lab lift was completed in under a week, providing him with a discreet and convenient way to access his secret workspace. The transition was seamless, with no one in the Vault the wiser.
One afternoon, while reviewing data, NIM presented its latest findings. " New Stimpak enhancement formulas have been developed. Additional biological samples and test subjects are required to optimize these results."
Victor nodded thoughtfully, considering the next steps. "Noted. I'll arrange for the necessary samples. Continue refining the formulas, but proceed with caution. We must remain undetected."
"Understood,"NIM replied, its tone devoid of emotion. "Neural interface chip development is progressing. Simulations indicate significant enhancements are possible."
Victor's interest piqued. "Excellent. Prioritize the development of those chips."
"Affirmative,"NIM acknowledged, returning to its silent processing.
In the Canteen
After a close card game one evening, Susie leaned over and teased him, "Victor, you've been on a roll lately. It's great to see you having so much fun."
Victor smiled warmly, his expression betraying nothing of his secret life. "It's important to enjoy the little things, Susie. We've got to make the most of our time here."
Through it all, Victor remained a constant presence in his friends' lives, while he was quietly orchestrating complex operations with the assistance of NIM and AZ.