Established in 2275,[Non-canon 1] the OSI, is the primary research and development agency within NCR. Formed after splitting away from the Followers of the Apocalypse, OSI focuses on finding practical applications for knowledge, rather than research for its own sake. However, many executives at the board of directors, back at the organization's headquarters, still hold the old ideals close to their heart, much to the chagrin of some people.[1][2]
The OSI focuses on several fields of research and is the leading technological edge of the Republic. They research and develop practical sciences, such as medicine, engineering, biology, etc.[3] Their East branch is focusing on optimizing the power output of Hoover Dam and other local energy production facilities.[4] Unofficially, they are also tackling the problem of food shortage in the near future.[5][6]
OSI also performs studies on the future of the NCR, such as studies done that have lead them to conclude that a food shortage is inevitable in the next decade,[6] and makes contributions to Republic-funded projects, such as the NCR sharecropper farms.[7] The OSI also relies heavily on outside contractors, but contrary to claims of putting great value on them and significant benefits, they are treated as expendable tools. Or, at least, that's the stance of the Director of OSI East, Thomas Hildern.[8]
The OSI branches are divided depending on their locations. The main branch, OSI Central is located in Shady Sands and the lab based in Camp McCarran is the headquarters of the OSI East branch. The OSI is also the only other organization, other than the Followers of the Apocalypse, known to be capable of teaching and training people for higher learning purposes.[9]
Organization[]
OSI has their own accounts, separate from the Republic's governmental accounts.[10]
↑The Courier: "Doesn't sound like a good place for a person of ambition." Thomas Hildern: "[SUCCEEDED] Exactly right. Imagine what the Followers could have accomplished if they were properly motivated... if they had a unified purpose!Those of us who founded the OSI... we wanted to put our knowledge to work. And we have, to some degree. But the execs at OSI Central... they're still bound to the old ideas. Society of equals, and all that. There's still too little direction. If I can make real breakthroughs here... show the President what can be done when junior researchers are kept in line... kept focused on task...Who knows. Maybe I'll be sitting in OSI Central, in a few years time. And there'll be no more coddling of "free spirits" like our friend, Williams." (Thomas Hildern's dialogue)
↑The Courier: "No problem. I can wait." Thomas Hildern: "I think... Williams' decryption algorithms seem to be working...Yes... here it is! The data is mostly uncorrupted. This will make the board of directors finally sit up and take notice... Here, then... as promised. An agreeable sum, payable upon delivery of the data. You've more than done your part." (Thomas Hildern's dialogue)
↑The Courier: "Tell me more about the OSI." Thomas Hildern: "The Office of Science and Industry. That's a rather expansive topic. I could talk for hours, but I'm sure I'd bore you. Suffice to say, we are the leading edge of the NCR. Our work focuses on practical matters. Medicine, engineering, biology. The Dam, for instance. OSI routes its energy supply to our cities in the west. That's only one responsibility of this office." (Thomas Hildern's dialogue)
↑The Courier: "Are you a scientist?" Angela Williams: "I know I don't sound the part. Get raised by brahmin ranchers, and you never lose the twang. Drives Hildern crazy. But I know every inch of the power grid from Hoover Dam to Shady Sands. That's what we do here - try to optimize the power output from the Dam. Some of the others are working on an agricultural project, but... truth be told, they aren't making much progress. Not yet, anyway." (Angela Williams' dialogue)
↑The Courier: "You said you were the Director of OSI?" Thomas Hildern: "Director of the entire OSI? Me? If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to plant seditious ideas in my head. Ha ha ha. No, I direct our eastern operations. I've been responsible for squeezing unprecedented levels of power from the Dam. I'm also confronting the problem of food production, in what little spare time I have. But I've found some promising leads." (Thomas Hildern's dialogue)
↑ 6.06.1The Courier: "NCR has a food shortage?" Thomas Hildern: "Not yet. But our government understands the value of proactive thought. Our studies project an imbalance between production and consumption. Or, for a layman such as yourself - not enough food, too many mouths to feed. Mass starvation. In a decade or so." (Thomas Hildern's dialogue)
↑The Courier: "What other responsibilities does this office have?" Thomas Hildern: "We aid some programs the Republic has sponsored involving sharecropper farms in the area, but those haven't panned out too well from what I hear. There've been complaints about the amount of water we're supplying, but those are just excuses for lack of diligence, I'm sure." (Thomas Hildern's dialogue)
↑The Courier: "I'll think about it, and maybe I'll be back." Thomas Hildern: "I assure you, the OSI places considerable value upon our contractors. We will take good care of you, should you decide to accept our offer." (Thomas Hildern's dialogue)
↑The Courier: "What do you think of Dr. Hildern?" Angela Williams: "The Director? He's... very well-spoken. And... knowledgeable." The Courier: "Hildern mentioned the Followers of the Apocalypse..." Angela Williams: "My father used say good things about them, but that was years ago... back when they'd teach farmers and ranchers about crop rotation and the like. Nowadays... they've changed. They're doing what they can to discredit the NCR, give us a bad name with the locals. Dr. Hildern trained with them, years ago. Not me, though. I'm an OSI girl." (Angela Williams' dialogue)
↑The Courier: "All right. I'll do it." Thomas Hildern: "Good. No need to check in with the NCR authorities, I can authorize your payment from OSI accounts.Vaults typically contain a server room on a lower level, where they would have backed up their research data. A computer room, you understand? Download all the information on the central server to your Pip-Boy. And you'll be certain to bring me any notes or samples that you find, won't you?" (Thomas Hildern's dialogue)
Non-canon
↑Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition p.458: "Important Dates 2275 Camp McCarran is established as NCR Headquarters in the Mojave. Sporadic fighting begins with the Mojave Brotherhood of Steel. The NCR government withdraws official support from the Followers of the Apocalypse and founds The Office of Science and Industry."
↑Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition p.458: "Important Dates 2275 Camp McCarran is established as NCR Headquarters in the Mojave. Sporadic fighting begins with the Mojave Brotherhood of Steel. The NCR government withdraws official support from the Followers of the Apocalypse and founds The Office of Science and Industry."
