Chapter 37: Preparing the Next Step -

October 25th, 2274

In the morning, Victor was already awake, reviewing the data from the R-bots' overnight reconnaissance. NIM was processing all the visual data transferred recorded by Recon,His neural interface allowed him to view the incoming visual more efficiently, as if it were his own eyes scouring the wasteland. The Recon had completed a full map of the area, including several points of interest—natural caves, old bunkers, and even the dangerous territory of a super mutant encampment.

Victor glanced at the detailed map now laid out in front of him, hovering in a virtual screen directly visible in his mind.

"Good work, NIM. AZ, is Recon ready for further missions?"

"All systems operational. No interference detected, but caution is advised near the super mutant camp," AZ replied, his tone neutral as always.

Victor considered the map for a moment before speaking, "We'll hold off on approaching the super mutants for now. I'll need better equipment before we attempt anything there. Focus the bots on the area near Megaton and Springvale for now. I want to know everything about those places before I set foot outside."

As the bots continued their reconnaissance, Victor shifted his focus to the day's tasks inside the Vault. After all, his secret projects couldn't be his only focus—he needed to maintain appearances, especially now that he had embedded himself into the medical department as an official lab assistant.

After getting dressed in his standard Vault suit, Victor made his way to the medical department. The halls of Vault 101 were as busy as ever, with children playing in the corridors and adults going about their duties. Victor passed a few familiar faces, greeting them with casual nods, careful not to draw too much attention.

Medical Department:

Victor arrived to find Jonas already at work, carefully preparing a series of blood samples. His father, Dr. James, was also present, engrossed in a medical journal. Victor's entrance was met with a brief look of acknowledgment from both of them.

"Morning, Victor," Jonas greeted him, sliding over a tray of samples. "We've got some new stimpack variations to test today. You'll be working with these samples—run the usual tests and record any anomalies."

Victor nodded, taking the tray and moving to his workstation. His mind was already half on the job and half connected to NIM, who was running simulations in the background. The data was constantly updating in real-time, feeding directly into his neural interface, though outwardly, Victor seemed just like any other diligent lab assistant.

As he began testing the stimpacks on tissue samples, Jonas glanced over and spoke casually, "You've been spending a lot of time in here lately. Not many kids your age show that much interest in this kind of work."

Victor chuckled lightly, keeping his tone relaxed. "Just want to learn as much as I can, I guess. Besides, it's not like there's much else to do around here."

His father looked up from his journal, a small smile on his face. "Your enthusiasm is commendable, Victor. If only more of the kids in the Vault shared your drive."

Victor smiled back, though his thoughts were already miles ahead. As much as he appreciated the sentiment, he knew that his true goals extended far beyond the medical experiments happening in this small lab. The wasteland awaited, and he was merely biding his time until he could venture out.

Later that Evening:

After finishing up in the lab, Victor met up with his friends in the canteen. They were chatting animatedly about the upcoming VR session, eager to escape the monotony of Vault life once again. Victor had been careful to provide them with regular distractions through the neural helmets, ensuring they stayed engaged without suspecting anything unusual.

As they sat around their usual table, Victor pulled out a small container and slid it across the table. Inside were freshly made fruit candies—another one of his small DIY projects.

"Here," Victor said with a grin, "Made these yesterday. Thought you guys could use something sweet after all the practice sessions."

His friends eagerly accepted the candies, their faces lighting up as they tasted the different flavors.

"These are amazing, Victor!" Amata exclaimed, popping another piece into her mouth. "How do you always come up with this stuff?"

Victor shrugged nonchalantly, "Just something to keep me busy."

The group laughed and continued chatting, but Victor's mind was already turning toward the next phase of his plan. The neural interface had been a success, and the tunnel to the outside was complete. Now, it was only a matter of time before he ventured into the wasteland for real.

Back in Victor's Room:

After spending time with his friends, Victor retreated to his room, where his hidden lab reports awaited him. He activated his Pip-Boy, the data flowing seamlessly into his neural interface. The armor upgrades had progressed significantly, and the latest tests on the shock-absorbing plates showed promising results. The combination of nano-polymer alloy plates and elastic polymer layers had greatly improved the durability and flexibility of the armor.

"NIM, how are the simulations on the armor?" Victor asked as he reviewed the data.

"All tests are proceeding as expected. The layered armor shows significant improvements in both projectile deflection and energy absorption. Plasma resistance, however, remains slightly below optimal levels," NIM reported.

Victor leaned back in his chair, considering the next steps. "Focus on improving plasma resistance. I'll need that before we make any further moves outside."

"Understood,"NIM replied.

Victor's eyes flicked to the latest reports from the neural chip implants as well. The data was promising, with no signs of interference or malfunctions. He now had instant access to NIM and AZ's full capabilities, allowing him to process vast amounts of information in mere moments.

"AZ, any updates on the security bots for the outside tunnel?" Victor asked.

"The tunnel's external entrance has been fully camouflaged, and the bots are patrolling as ordered. No intrusions detected," AZ replied.

Victor smirked, satisfied with the progress. Everything was falling into place. With the tunnel secured, the armor nearly perfected, and his neural implants functioning flawlessly, the time was fast approaching for him to step outside and take control of his own destiny.

The Night Before:

Lying in bed, Victor stared up at the ceiling of his room, his mind buzzing with anticipation. The wasteland awaited him, and soon he would be ready. For now, he would continue playing the part of the diligent Vault resident, careful not to reveal the extent of his preparations.

But deep down, he knew it wouldn't be long before he left the confines of Vault 101 for good.

"NIM," Victor whispered into the quiet, "run simulations for tomorrow's final armor test."

"Already in progress,"NIM replied smoothly.

Victor closed his eyes, a grin spreading across his face as he drifted into sleep, already dreaming of the wasteland beyond.