January 10, 2274
Mornings in Vault 101 had always started with breakfast with Victor's father, a cherished routine that offered a rare moment of connection amidst his busy schedule. Lately, however, his work had kept him increasingly occupied, and those shared breakfasts had become infrequent.
This particular morning, as Victor was finishing his morning exercise routine, Ellen greeted him with her usual warm smile. The encounter was unexpectedly awkward, stirring memories of the previous evening. Victor hurried through his exercises, eager to leave before the interaction could become any more uncomfortable. Gloria, who had witnessed the brief exchange, looked on with a raised eyebrow. After his departure, she approached Ellen with a look of suspicion.
Gloria: "Ellen, you seemed quite chummy with Victor this morning. Everything alright?"
Ellen: "Oh, it's nothing, really. Just a friendly greeting. Don't read too much into it." She shrugged it off, though her dismissive tone only piqued Gloria's curiosity further.
Back in his lab, chip manufacturing continued to progress slowly. With AZ (the Mr. Handy robot) handling the trial and error phases of the chip development, he found himself with rare free time. To make the most of it, he delved into medical science and biology books to enhance his knowledge. he also focused on repairing the auto-doc, a complex task requiring careful dismantling and reassembly.
He methodically took apart the auto-doc, ensuring each component was handled with care. To aid in this process, Victor attached new sensors to AZ, allowing him to study the auto-doc's internal structure more effectively. This meticulous work, while time-consuming, was essential for ensuring no damage was done to the sensitive equipment.
Meanwhile, he took the opportunity to secretly update his friends' Pip-Boys to better suit their individual needs:
- Butch: His Pip-Boy was adjusted to emphasize physical strength and combat readiness, reflecting his more physically inclined nature.
- Amata: Her Pip-Boy enhancements focused on leadership skills, aligning with her natural abilities and aspirations.
- Freddie: Updates to Freddie's Pip-Boy catered to his interest in tinkering and engineering, with additional features to support his technical curiosity.
- Christine: Medical-related upgrades were added to Christine's Pip-Boy, enhancing her ability to manage health and medical tasks.
- Wally Muck: His Pip-Boy was equipped with features to support his passion for growing things, including tools and resources for agricultural activities.
- Paul Hannon Jr.: His Pip-Boy received updates to improve his research and scientific capabilities, matching his interests in scientific study and experimentation.
- George: His Pip-Boy was customized to enhance his skills in general maintenance and repair, reflecting his role in keeping the Vault's systems running smoothly.
- Susie: Her Pip-Boy was upgraded with features to aid her in social interactions and community activities, aligning with her friendly and outgoing personality.
- Stevie Muck: His Pip-Boy was tailored to provide additional support for his athletic interests, helping him with training and physical activities.
With each update,he ensured that the modifications would support their growth and interests, all while keeping his work discreet and untraceable.