Chapter 18 Fortunate encounters

December 6, 2273

"Victor was late for his morning exercise recently."said Gloria while missing the handsome figure of Victor in the training hall.

Ellen who had some guesses didn't want to tell her encounter with in her room last month to anyone shrugged,"maybe he got more relaxed these day , afterall he still a teenage boy ."

Gloria didn't notice Ellen's behavior," yes , he is still a teenage boy . His growth is exceptional, turning him into a fine young man . Always sensible, polite. If only ..." wandered off in her thinking.

Ellen, who heard her, kept silent , thinking about last month's incident.

Victor enters the hall but he is not alone and sees Ellen and Gloria there just nodded respectfully not knowing what last month's incident was caught by Ellen.

His eyes did stay on Ellen who was doing yoga poses he taught he few years back remembered last month's enchanting figure . He controlled himself and started doing exercises with his friends.

Doing all the routine exercise all sweaty he went for a shower not knowing Ellen and Gloria were just next to the shower room .

He heard the teasing low voice of Gloria "hey, I saw you stealing a glance at Victor , where do you have something in your heart. Come on, share with your bestie."

"Hmm, Says who was ogling him hungrily."came Ellen's voice among running showers.

"Alright , I confess he is handsome, what can I do?"said Gloria as she shuts her shower off.

Hearing them talking about him did make him excited but he warned himself to have more restraint in future. Coming out of the shower quickly he has no desire to get caught, got dressed as fast as he could and went to his official task saying bye to his friends.

After finishing his exercises, he checked his to-do list for the day, which included repairing a flickering light in Stanley Armstrong's room, addressing some issues in the canteen due to Andy's glitches, and assisting with minor maintenance tasks.

Victor : "Alright, first stop: Armstrong's room."

He made his way to Stanley Armstrong's quarters, his toolkit slung over his shoulder. As he approached the door, he noted the usual hustle and bustle of the Vault, a reminder of the various lives that interwoven within its walls.

When Victor arrived at Armstrong's room, he found the door slightly ajar. Given that Armstrong was usually punctual and reliable, Victor assumed he was already aware of the repair request. Stepping inside, Victor was met with a less-than-pleasant sight. The room was in disarray, with scattered clothing, used undergarments, crumpled tissue paper, and dirty plates littering the floor. It was a stark contrast to Armstrong's usually meticulous reputation.

Victor : "Looks like someone missed a few housekeeping lessons."

Not one to be easily put off, Victor set about his work. He focused on the flickering light, carefully inspecting the wiring and connections. With practiced ease, he replaced the faulty components and ensured the light was functioning properly.

Victor : "There we go. That should fix the problem."

He left a memo on the desk for Armstrong, noting that the repair had been completed. Victor was meticulous in his work, always leaving clear records of his tasks for the sake of accountability.

Victor : "Task done. Moving on to the canteen."

Next, Victor headed to the canteen, where he was informed of some glitches with the Andy unit. Andy was the Vault's assistant robot, often prone to occasional technical hiccups. Victor quickly found the source of the problem: a few loose connections and minor software errors.

Victor : "Let's see what's causing this mess."

After making the necessary adjustments and updates to Andy's system, he tested the unit to ensure it was back to its optimal performance.

Victor : "Much better. That should keep Andy running smoothly."

His final task of the day was assisting in the maintenance department. He helped with various minor repairs and general upkeep, ensuring everything was in working order.

Maintenance Worker: "Thanks for the help, Victor . We've got quite a few things that need fixing, and your assistance is always appreciated."

Victor : "No problem. Just let me know if there's anything else you need."

By the end of the day, Victor had managed to complete all his assigned tasks efficiently. His reputation as a reliable and diligent worker continued to grow, and his contributions were valued by everyone in the Vault. Despite the occasional mess or technical glitch, Victor maintained his focus on ensuring everything ran smoothly, balancing his work with his secret projects and social interactions.

As he made his way back to his quarters, Victor felt a sense of accomplishment. The day had been productive, and he looked forward to the continued progress on his chip project and spending time with his friends.

Victor : "Another day well spent. Time to unwind and catch up with everyone."

After completing his tasks, Victor returned to his quarters for a brief respite. The day had been busy, with repairs and minor tasks filling his schedule. The peace and quiet of his room provided a welcome break from the constant activity of Vault 101.

He reviewed his to-do list and checked the status of his ongoing projects, but he kept his focus on the more immediate needs of the Vault. His secret chip project remained hidden, and only AZ knew the full extent of his work.

As the evening arrived, Victor joined his friends in the common area. They were gathered around a table, catching up on each other's lives. The camaraderie was a welcome diversion from the stresses of his tasks.

Amata: "Victor , you're always busy these days. How's everything going with your repairs and maintenance tasks?"

Victor : "Busy, but everything's under control. Just making sure everything in the Vault is running smoothly."

Wally: "You've been running around a lot. Are you taking care of yourself too?"

Victor : "I'm managing. It's important to stay on top of things, especially with all the repairs and issues that keep coming up."

Their conversation flowed easily, and Victor enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. It was a reminder of the strong bonds he had with his friends and the sense of community within Vault 101.

Later in the evening, Victor went to his secret lab to check on AZ. The robot had been working hard, and Victor needed to ensure that everything was progressing smoothly.

Victor : "AZ, how's everything going with the mechanical workbench and chemical station?"

AZ: "Sir, the mechanical workbench and chemical station are fully operational. The precision tools, diagnostic tools, and laser engraving tools have all been set up according to your specifications."

Victor : "Excellent. How's the maintenance of the equipment?"

AZ: "There were some minor issues with calibration and maintenance of the tools, but they have been addressed. Everything is functioning within expected parameters."

Victor : "Great work, AZ. Anything else that needs attention?"

AZ: "There were some issues with the wiring and circuitry in the mechanical workbench, We should be ready for the next phase of the project by next week."

Victor : "Thanks for keeping everything in check. Let's make sure we're prepared for the next steps."

Victor took a moment to appreciate the progress he had made. His work on the mechanical workbench and chemical station was progressing well, and his secret project remained hidden. He was pleased with AZ's performance and the improvements to the Vault's systems.

As he prepared for another night of work, Victor felt a sense of accomplishment.

Victor : "One step at a time. We're making good progress."

He continued his work, determined to keep everything running smoothly and to ensure that Vault 101 remained prepared for any challenges.