Ticking Timebomb

 refers to an unmarked quest in Fallout 3.

In Red's Clinic in Big Town, you will find Timebomb lying in the operating room. You can revive him provided your Medicine skill is high enough (40+), netting you 5 caps. If Timebomb survives the super mutant attack then at the end of Big Trouble in Big Town he will give you his Lucky 8 Ball. However, you can heal him after you defend Big Town from the super mutants, and not risk his life in the battle.

You also have the option of putting him out of his misery. Doing so gives bad karma, and a message calling you a bastard.

You also have the option of healing him, then while conversing with him tell him that you just wanted him to be awake when you killed him. Dialogue will exit and Timebomb will become hostile.

Strategies

 * For extra Medicine skill try equipping the Environment Suit or the Wasteland Surgeon Outfit or the Wasteland Doctor Fatigues, or use Mentats to increase your intelligence. You can even use the Winterized Medic Armor from Mothership Zeta as it gives a +5 Medicine Bonus.

Reward

 * Lucky 8 Ball (increases Luck by 1 while it remains in your inventory)
 * 5 caps
 * Free healing from Red
 * 200 caps (If anyone dies during the attack, this is the only reward you will receive)