Chapter 33, Tech Renaissance

February 19, 2282

"Do you want this moved over here," I asked.

"Yeah. Just move it over there, by the turbines. That should be the last of it," Elizabeth stated.

I picked up one of the round pads and slotted it in position to the rest of the teleporter pad. I gripped my back, feeling the strain after all the moving today. As I set it down and took in all the parts we had gathered, it struck me just how close we were to getting the Lutece Device 2.0 up and running. Or at least that was the pending name for it. The last three months have been us just hunting down parts to replicate the machine and doing test runs of some kind to make some progress right here in the runway hanger in Nellis. That isn't as easy as it sounds. There were some parts in New Vegas and even some from D.C. But whatever was left had to be scavenged around either through scouts, informants, or just assumed we could find something similar. Thankfully we have some help from some of the best minds at the Brotherhood in putting it all together with Elizabeth's help. We still have some time to put it together, but once it is, the change for the wasteland is going to be just something else. The possibilities are endless. My mind is racing with all kinds of possibilities. Maybe we could get it started up before my birthday in two days?

Elizabeth dropped down from the ladder, "If everything is set up right, we should have the power supply up and running by tomorrow. The real issue is making sure we have enough power drawn to even be able to power it up."

"How was it powered up before," I asked.

"Well, Rosalind had found a way to make particles hover in mid air, which is how Columbia was able to exist as it did. The science of it is strange, but doable. It just wasn't my full area of expertise."

"Think we can find them to give us a hand?"

She shrugged, "If you can find them, that would be great. But I haven't seen them in months so who knows where they are."

"Should we pray for them to come," I jokingly asked.

Elizabeth laughed, "I don't think that's how it works. They come whenever they want to. I'm sure you know now just how much of a headache they can be."

Yes, I know them all too well. They love to drop nuggets here and there with most of the time they end up making sense as some time goes on. Other times, though, I get really confused by what they mean. I think they really just love screwing with people.

"So how close could we get in powering it up like it was before," I questioned.

Elizabeth attached a few wires in the Device, "Like I said last week, it's possible for a few runs, but frequent use isn't possible yet. I…I don't even know where we could get such a power source to power it up."

"Does anyone in the Brotherhood have any ideas?"

She stepped away from her work, "We're brainstorming. So far, nothing. We'd have enough power for now for a test run, and maybe a few more runs after that. But that's it. Till we find a much more sustainable source."

I sat down on a nearby rock, "So where would you like to test it first?"

Elizabeth sat down next to me, "Well, I got some ideas. D.C. would be the first test run obviously. Then once we do a few tests there, maybe test… test a location much further away."
I had a feeling I knew what Elizabeth was wanting, but I'm going to have a bit of fun with this by teasing her.

"Like…," I asked.

She paused for a few seconds "Well maybe…no that's too far out."

I folded my arms, "Come on, I know what place you're thinking of and i'm just waiting for you to say it."

She shot me a quick glare before standing up, grabbing her left pinky again, "I…I'm not sure if that would be a smart idea. We don't even know what it would look like after all this time. Or how dangerous it would be."

"We could always send a reconnaissance team there before we teleport out there."

"Yeah," she replied, staring off in the distance.

I stood up, walking towards her, "Elizabeth, what's scaring you about going to Paris? Isn't that what you've wanted for the longest time? I had a feeling that's why you were so motivated to get this up and running."

"Yeah, but I'm just not sure. I…I don't know if I would want to see it."

I walk towards her, "Well, sleep on it and after we test D.C. we talk about the next place then."

"Ok," she replies, embracing me.

After a few minutes of us together, watching the sun starting its descent upon the horizon, we both got back to work. We started putting some more of the parts together and at least assembling the platform of the Lutece Device. Though more like the Lutece Device 2.0 if that's what we are going to call it. It's not as simple as the previous version that I remember. This one would need much more parts to get started and running. We sadly didn't have the luxury of resources that the Lutece's had back in the day to make it much simple in design. As we got the platform assembled, a Boomer boy approached us with freckles, blonde hair, and hazel eyes with a look of childlike wonder plastered all over his face as he took in what we had brought together so far.

"Wow," he said, "How much longer till it's together?"

"Can't really give that much of a timeline. Elizabeth would know more about that. Are you looking for her," I replied.

"I was looking for both of you. Mother wants to talk to you more about this since she's got some concerns on how this is going to play out," he answered.

I nodded, "We'll have a talk with her once it gets closer to dark."

"Ok. What's left?"

I continued my work on turning the wrench, "Well, quite a bit. But for now, were just getting the platform setup for now. Tomorrow it depends."

"Oh. Will you be able to go to the moon once it's done?"

"I…I don't know."

"What about the other side of the planet? Maybe I can see the Great Wall of China if it's still there," he giddy remarked.

"Maybe. I can't really tell you," I replied, trying to stay focused on my work.

He jumped up, "Oh. What about the Great Barrier Reef or the Griffith Observatory?"

Do kids always ask this many questions? I mean where is he getting all these locations? I don't remember being this annoying as a kid.

"I don't know yet. We'll get there when we get there. I need to get back to working on this. Just let her know I'll be there once we wrap this up."

"Ok," he replies, walking away.

I got back to work, tightening some screws on the platform with Elizabeth coming back over.

"What was that about," she asked.

"He wanted to let us know that Mother Pearl wanted to talk with us after we were done," I replied.

"She couldn't have just called?"

"I don't know. But he had his own questions."

She smiled, "Yeah I saw that. He's got quite the curiosity."

"Are all kids like that," I asked.

Elizabeth shrugged, "Maybe. I don't know. Never been around many kids. Back in Rapture I saw just how much energy they can have and the look of exhaustion on the parents' faces. So I guess they are quite the handful. Only other real exposure to kids I had were the Little Sisters, but I don't think that's a fair idea of how kids can be."

"Yeah," I replied, with something popping in my head.

It had been a few months since Elizabeth popped the question of having a child and was shocked by it. We set it aside and focused our efforts more on getting the parts together for the Lutece Device. We brought it up from time to time, but I always just never had much of an answer to give. I still feel uneasy about the whole idea. Bringing a child into this world just feels so…scary? I don't know. I never could find the right word. I just think bringing a child into this world with how it still is just isn't on my list of priorities right now. Besides, we should have the Lutece Device up and running before we even start thinking about things like that.

I turned and looked at her, with her just staring off into the floor. Was she thinking the same thing I'm thinking of? Or something along those lines?

Elizabeth shook her head, "Let's get some more of this done while we still have some daylight left."

I got back up and wasted no time getting back to work. The kid also ended up coming back and now I know why Mother Pearl sent him over. Just to give him something to do and now he's latched onto us to find something to occupy his time. Elizabeth took advantage of him by giving him things to do. They weren't really much. Just clean a spot over there or tidy up some of the parts we had gathered. It kept him busy and off our backs for the most part. She even found out his name was Sean. But really I wish he would bother someone else. There's a lot of things Elizabeth and I need to do together and him being here will just slow us down more than we need it to.

As the sun started to set behind the mountains, it was our cue that it was time to call it a day and continue our work tomorrow.

"So how much progress did we make today you think," I asked.

She dusted her hands, "A good amount, I think we will be able to do the test run tomorrow and see what happens."

"Great. I'll swing by Mother Pearl and let her know how we are doing. I'll meet you at the mess hall once I'm done."

"Ok. I'll see you soon," she replies, giving me a kiss before we head our separate ways.

I then made my way to where Mother Pearl was stationed, and entered her house. She was sitting in her chair, reading a book titled, Ambition and Beyond Reasonable Doubt. She then quickly took notice of me entering and put the book away to greet me.

"Hello Evan, how are the efforts on your device," she asked.

"Pretty good. We are making good progress on it. Shouldn't be too long till we get it all up and running. Your messenger is…quite the talker," I mentioned.

"Yes he is. I was just trying to find something for Sean. He always wants to do something. He's sweet, but I would be lying to you if I didn't find it frustrating at times. I hope you were able to get things still finished with him being of some help. "

"Yes we were. There's just a bit more we need to do. Once it's done though, the possibilities are going to be endless on what we can do with it. Elizabeth definitely seems happy about it too."

"That's wonderful to hear. I'm looking forward to it. How are the two of you doing?"

I nodded, "Good, we're doing good. We've been just chatting a bit about what comes after the Lutece Device is done."

"Oh. I see. Are you looking to tie the knot," she inquired.

"Tie the knot," I asked, confused by what she meant.

"Start a family. Are you thinking about having children," she rephrased.

I froze for a split second with that notion. Children as in many. I'm already struggling with the notion of having one. More than that? I'm not even sure how I would even survive. I can't imagine multiple Sean's in my life.

"Uhm…something like that? I…we're not sure yet," I stuttered.

"I see," she replied, staring at my intently.

We were quiet for a few seconds, the echoes of outside pouring in to fill the silence before she cleared her throat, "Well, better to have them as soon as you can. Least that is how I look at it."

"Oh, did you have any children," I asked.

"Yes, a long time ago. I had a daughter many years ago. Her father died a few years later. Got a bit drunk and unintentionally rubbed the wrong man. Got shot for it unfortunately. Raised her for many years until she finally wanted to see more of the world. I tried to coax her to stay, but she had that fiery spirit I had when I was younger to do more with her life. So, she left many years ago. I've been so occupied here, I haven't had the opportunity to see her. I got an old postcard from her that was from Miami a few years back. I wonder how she got all the way there and how she was able to send a postcard like that? Well, enough about me. I'm sure you have some things to wrap up tonight and I wouldn't want to keep you. Just wanted to know how the progress on the device was and also how much power it would draw."

"It's going to draw a bit. Our test run shouldn't need that much. But for longer use, it's going to need quite a bit. We'll talk with the Brotherhood on getting more efficient ways to power it and bring more things in," I answered.

She nodded, "Ok. Just keep me in the loop. It still feels strange seeing so many new faces coming in and out of Nellis these last couple of months. "

"We will. Thank you for letting us set this up at Nellis."

"No problem. Give my regards to Elizabeth when you see her."

I nodded as I exited the house and made my way to the mess hall, where I could see the commotion of people gathering, eager to get food in their stomach. I got myself in line and scanned the area to see if I could find Elizabeth. No such luck after a few minutes looking. Maybe she hasn't had a chance to come in line? Or she got carried away with her work again. Still hoping it doesn't become a habit of hers.

I got to the front of the line, and could smell the aroma of a green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and Bighorn steak filling the air. I could even see some chocolate cake out at the end of the table calling my name with the glisten of the cake being almost as bright as the lights above. I wasted no time in dishing up a plate while also dishing up one for Elizabeth just in case she shows up.

As I finished my food and waited a few more minutes, I looked at the line. It was pretty much done and everyone was wrapping up their food. Which told me that Elizabeth most likely got caught up with her work again. Lets hope I don't find her asleep again like that one time.

I gathered up the food with some utensils, and made my way back to the hanger. As I got closer, I saw her hunched over, looking at something, rubbing her head. Trying to figure something else out most likely.

"Hey, I missed you at dinner. Are you thinking too hard," I asked.

She cracked a brief smile, before looking back at the pile, "No, I'm thinking about how many more runs we could do before we will need a much bigger power source and where… where we want to test this after our D.C. run. "

"You're thinking about Paris aren't you," I stated.

She nodded, "Yeah. Maybe you're right. Just give me the night to think about it. And let's also test this thing tomorrow."

"Yeah. For now, I think you should eat," I say, handing her the food I got her.

She took the plate out of my hands and made her way to a nearby table to sit down and eat. I sat next to her where she wasted no time to start eating like she hadn't eaten all day. She ate a few bites of the casserole and mashed potatoes before then digging in the cake for a taste.

"The cake is a bit dry, " she said, with some of it in her mouth.

"Didn't you learn that it's not polite to eat with your mouth full," I sarcastically said.

She stopped chewing and gave me her annoyed stare like she always does when I do this. I always like doing it to get that look on her face. And I could feel the smile on my face growing as I looked more at her face before she punched me right in the arm, wiping the smile off my face and into a laugh.

"I'm sorry, I just… really do like seeing that annoyed face you make," I replied, rubbing my arm.

She shook her head and turned around to go back to her food.

"Aside from that, were you able to make much progress," I asked.

She nodded, "I'm more confident that tomorrow for sure it will be able to start up. Then we'll see what happens next. It's one thing to say it works then it is actually showing it does. "

"Yup, but I think you'll be right. We've spent so much time the last couple of months, getting all these parts together, it's got to work."

"Doesn't always mean that, but yeah I think it will work."

After a few more minutes, Elizabeth finished her food and stood herself up to throw away the trash, then started to wipe her hands to get rid of the debris of food left behind.

"Well, I think I'm going to end tonight. I'm really tired and tomorrow is going to be a big day getting this turned on. Ready to hit the hay," she asked.

'Yeah. I think I am too," I replied standing up.

We walked side by side, making our way to our room to get ourselves ready for bed. We went through the motions of brushing our teeth, taking a shower, and getting our pajamas on. Once we were all ready, we climbed into bed and embraced each other.

"These last couple of days, I've..I've been thinking more and more about us having a child, and the more I do, the more I want to do it.

I subtly shook,"Really?"

"Yeah, there's a part of me Evan that just feels…empty. I'm grateful for Sally and she's been such a joy to have in our life, but it isn't the same as you know a human being. I don't want to make it sound like I'm pushing, but there's something inside of me that wants this. I don't know how else to describe it. "

I think I do, and more of me is starting to put pieces together. I know she wants someone blood related, but also she has some motherly instincts? Or intuition? I think that's the best way to describe it. Like there's a need or a void that needs to be filled to help make her feel more whole. Even talking with Mother Pearl earlier, it's starting to make a bit more sense to me in a way. But for me, I just still feel like it's a lot to handle and being in the world we are in doesn't make it much easier. Maybe we can get some things set up to help make this a reality. Get some support setup to make this a reality. Right now, our focus should be on the Lutece Device and getting that actually working.

"I…I want to say yes Elizabeth. I really do. But I just…I don't feel fully ready yet. Maybe we should wait a bit more. Till we have the Lutece Device at least start up.

"Evan, we have mostly everything we need for the Device to start up. Once it starts up and we do a test run to D.C. things are going to accelerate much more quickly. I feel like we should do this as soon as possible once that happens. I know I really sprang on you months ago about it, but I think we both are ready for this."

I'll think about it more. Maybe now would be the best time. The calm before the storm as they say. Who knows how chaotic it could get as we get closer to that point.

I tried to open my mouth to say something, but Elizabeth stole the words from my mouth, "Besides, I've felt a part of myself wanting to…see more of you."

She rubbed my shoulder, looking at me with those seductive blue eyes of hers before her hand went behind my back. It took me a second before I realized what she was implying. I felt my knees under the sheets start to quiver and shake like they had before when we first got intimate with each other.

She then leaned over and whispered in my ear, "And I know you want to see what's beyond my underwear. Our last time together, I felt your hands getting a bit…touchy than they normally would."

That statement alone made me blurt out a gasp of air so loudly, I thought I coughed something up. She burst out laughing and only got closer in my arms. She really knew how to get me riled up like that. And she's right. I've noticed I've been getting a bit more touchy with her in the last month. There's been moments where I've been really… grabby with her? If that's how I can best put it? Like there's a part of me that's wanting to see more of her to where my hands almost have a mind of their own. I've been scared to act on it more because, well I don't want to become too aggressive? No that's not the word. I guess too strong and animalistic? That's as best as I can put it.

"Well, you caught me. I think I have. But I am too tired to do much more tonight. Good Night Elizabeth," I responded.

She smiled, "Goodnight Evan."

We embraced each other tightly, before I felt myself drifting off into my sleep, thinking about the results tomorrow may bring.

I opened my eyes, to see that Elizabeth was already out of bed and ready for the day ahead. I guess she's either eager to get this started, or she's nervous as hell as what's going to happen next.

I got myself out of bed and went through my morning ritual of getting ready. I got myself ready and met Elizabeth at the door where we then made our way to the cafeteria to fill our bellies. It was just your standard eggs, toast, and waffles kind of breakfast. Nothing too crazy. As we were eating, I felt in the air the uneasiness alone on how this was all going to play out. It could just not start up at all or it could only partially work. We won't know until we start it all up.

Once we were done eating and cleaned up our trash, we made our way back to the hangar, with our silence still filling the morning wind around us. We got to work in getting everything plugged in and the power hooked up with the numerous generators we had littered around that would hopefully suffice as enough power. Then without further ado, Elizabeth was in position, ready to turn it all on.

"Ready," she shouted.

"Ready," I shouted back, keeping my fingers crossed.

She turned on the machine, and a mechanical whirl sound erupted in the hanger, letting us know that it was starting up alright. Good so far.

Elizabeth ran down to the computer, "Ok, setting the coordinates for D.C."

Once she set the coordinates, the Lutece Device started to vibrate, and a tear started to appear, almost ready for us to enter, but then it disappeared in a quick flash as the device shut down.

"Shit," I hear Elizabrth exclaim.

"What happened," I asked.

She ignored me as she ran past me toward the left side of the machine. She opened the panel there and looked around for a moment before hitting the side.

"I had a feeling this wouldn't work. But I still wanted to try and prove myself wrong. Thing is, I don't know where I could even get this part now," she said to herself.

"So what's wrong," I asked again.

She took a breath, "Ok. So, the substitute for the Heat Sink, it was a long shot that it would work, but the main issue is how I had the power routed. It needs a strong enough copper mixture in it to help conduit a strong current that it can handle. I thought the copper we had was strong enough for it. But I guess it wasn't. We need maybe some copper mixed with some lead then maybe it will be able to handle it or something similar. Something that will give it a bit more stronger integrity."

"Any ideas," I questioned.

"No. That's why I was hoping this would work. I don't know where you would even find a copper substance even close."

She sat down in a nearby chair while I sat next to her, trying to think where else to look.

"What about the REPCONN test site? Did we look truly everywhere there," I suggested.

"Yes we did. That's where I got some of the parts for the makeshift Heat Sink. We still need a different kind of copper to use," she replied.

I shrugged, "Well I can't think of anywhere else we haven't checked here in New Vegas that would fit what we are looking for. Guess we need to expand our search?"

"Most likely. Regardless, the fact that a tear was starting to form tells me that has to be the only issue. So in theory, we fix the heat sink, we can get this started up and ready to go. "

I nodded, "Ok, lets see if I can radio in to the Brotherhood and start expanding our search to further out. Maybe expand it to 100 miles?"

"Maybe, but that will take time to even narrow down a specific place. We need more of a lead on where to go and what other places would have it. Some kind of manufacturing plant or something similar where they would have either copper or know where to find it."

"Yup. I'll contact them and see if I can get a lead hopefully."

I walked over to the other end of the hanger to use the long way radio we had set up to contact the Brotherhood. We had this installed once the parts started coming in and were being discovered just to keep in contact to coordinate. It wasn't small to say the least, it was almost 15 feet long and 10 feet tall with the amount of wires, antennas, and circuitry that was needed to power it. But we were able to talk all the way from the West to East coast and made things much easier.

I tuned the frequency and entered in the passcode to open up the channel for communication. Then, I put the headphones on and started talking.

"Capital this is Mojave, do you read me," I asked.

I gave it a minute before asking again, finally a voice came through.

"Mojave this is Capital, how is your progress with the Device?"

"Good all around, but we hit a roadblock. Could we expand the scouts to a 100 mile radius around New Vegas ASAP. We are trying to locate a manufacturing plant or anywhere where copper of some kind is produced. We need more copper to help expand the heat sink."

"I wish we could. All our scouts are currently busy gathering up more scrap metal. Our reserves have been growing low recently and with the recent expansion we are looking to do, we are going to need more. Most scouts won't be back for another week. We can then start our search."

So much for this being done on my birthday. It was a long shot anyway, but still one can hope.

"Ok. We can go off of that then. Let us know ASAP. Over and Out."

I turned the receiver off and took the headphones off, letting off a loud sigh. I felt the old familiar feeling of discouragement starting to consume me again. Not this again. I don't need a repeat of what happened before. Not now.

I walked out the back door of the hanger and leaned against the wall, just to get some air. I guess we're going to have to put this on hold for a bit or at the very least do some research to find what we are looking for. But where would we even start? Like Elizabeth said earlier we would need information to help narrow down a location on where it could even be. And that wouldn't even be a guarantee that it would be there. So who knows how long this would take to find exactly what we were looking for.

I looked up for a moment and took notice of two people standing side by side, conversing with each other on the other side of the fence. My curiosity took hold to investigate and walk closer. As I got closer, their silhouettes started to become clear and it was pretty obvious who they were.

"I was wondering when we were going to see you again. It's been quite a while," I said as I reached the fence.

"Yes it is for you. For us," Robert replied.

"It's all relative," Rosalind refuted.

"But that's how time really is in a vacuum."

"Relative and from a certain point of view."

Here we go again with this. But with them here, it's got to mean something of some kind.

"However, the future," Robert stated.

"Is what you make of it. And both of you," Rosalind continued.

"It will be. Or rather, all of you."

"What are you implying," I asked.

"There comes a time, when the dove must leave the nest to grow," Rosalind continued.

"And start anew. For their life is how they make it. And growth requires struggle," Robert retorted.

"And struggle leads to a changed man and woman. For better,"

"Or for worse."

I'll humor them. But what does what they're saying mean? It's more of their word play like they always like to do. But that phrase, about dove's leaving the nest to grow, to start anew. What do they mean by that? It's clearly about me and Elizabeth, but what else does it mean? For better or worse? Are they talking about us having a child and the struggle it could bring? Could our lives get better for having a child? Or would it get worse?

I sighed, "I'm not really in much of a mood for word play right now. I know you being here isn't just for small talk. Are you here about our efforts in fixing the Lutece Device? Do you know something we don't know? Something that can help point us in the right direction?"

"Go northeast, from there you find what remains of a factory, there you will find what you seek," Robert stated.

"To repair what will be."

"For now,"

"And forever more."

I shook my head and looked to the side. I should expect this from them that they always have to throw something in to act all philosophical. Least they gave us some kind of lead. But those phrases they said earlier I think are starting to click with me. Are they also referring to them leaving us to our lives and moving on? Or is it something else that I can't see right now? But also, that factory they mentioned? We had already checked the area surrounding New Vegas in a 50 mile radius. There isn't a factory in a 50 mile radius that I know of. So, this has to be really far out. At least it gives an idea of where to go and what to look for. Maybe we could even get it together and repaired by tonight?

I looked back at where they were and as usual, they were gone. Where they went I couldn't say. Like Elizabeth said earlier, they come and go as they please when the situation calls for it or rather the future depends on it?

Chapter 34 Release Date: 1/04/25

Chapter 35 and Final Restructure: Feb 2025

Final Chapter 36 and FAQ: March 2025

I had planned to have one less chapter, but this chapter I worked on I had to divide it into two. The second half will be released this Saturday. It's nearly complete. I apologize I went dark for months. I moved and had spent time trying to get settled and also got busy with other things. Now that the dust has settled mostly, I will be completing this by March, the three year anniversary of this story.