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Trouble on the Homefront
Fallout 3

Trouble on the Homefront

Guide to completing the Fallout 3 quest 'Trouble on the Homefront'. Includes steps to resolve the Vault 101 conflict, find items, and make key decisions.

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Guide to completing the Fallout 3 quest 'Trouble on the Homefront'. Includes steps to resolve the Vault 101 conflict, find items, and make key decisions.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Turn on your Pip-Boy 3000 and listen to the "Vault 101 Emergency Frequency" to receive the password to the Vault door and initiate the quest.
  2. 2
    Enter Vault 101 and find the bodies of Jim Wilkins and Steve Armstrong. Loot Steve Armstrong for a Stealth Boy.
  3. 3
    Head west to find Officer Gomez, who explains the Overseer's reaction to James leaving and presents options: side with the Overseer, visit the rebels, or leave.
  4. 4
    Proceed west down stairs to the Vault 101 Atrium/Upper Level.
  5. 5
    Encounter Freddie, a Tunnel Snake, and Officer Taylor. After Taylor shoots Freddie, proceed south through a door, then west through another door into a red-lit room.
  6. 6
    Continue to the Jail. Search lockers for the "Jail Cell Password" note. Check the terminal to understand the situation. Unlock the cell door (Average difficulty) to find Mr. Brotch.
  7. 7
    Continue west and enter the room where Jonas was killed. Proceed to the Overseer's Office.
  8. 8
    Converse with the Overseer. You can choose to side with him and speak with the rebels, or succeed at a Speech challenge to convince him you must leave the Vault. If successful, he will tell Amata she is the new Overseer.
  9. 9
    Head back to the hallway and find the door to the Vault 101 Living Quarters.
  10. 10
    Follow the stairs down, ignore the northern tunnel to the Vault 101 Sub-Level for now, and continue east. Where the path splits, go south to the cafeteria, or north up the stairs.
  11. 11
    In the Vault 101 Living Quarters, you will encounter Butch. He proposes sabotaging the Vault's reactor.
  12. 12
    To sabotage the reactor, go to the Vault 101 Sub-Level and access the Vault 101 Maintenance Terminal (Hard difficulty). Select "Begin Water Chip Service," then "Begin Manual Service," and finally "Run Systems Purge."
  13. 13
    The Overseer will appear. You can convince him a rebel sabotaged the reactor with a Speech challenge, leading him to believe he must stay.
  14. 14
    Proceed to the Vault Entrance. Amata will speak with you. You can convince her the Overseer was at fault with a successful Speech challenge. You can now leave Vault 101.
  15. 15
    Head east to your Dad's old clinic to find Amata. She will ask for your help resolving the situation. Succeed at a Speech challenge (easier than with the Overseer) to convince her the rebels will stop trying to get out.
  16. 16
    In the room south of the clinic is your Dad's old office. Find Andy and Beatrice. Talk to Andy to learn about Beatrice's death. Search the framed quote on the wall (Average difficulty) to find 300 Caps, the note "Home Sweet Home," and the Schematic - Rock-It Launcher.
  17. 17
    Make your final decision regarding the Vault's future.
Tips
  • Before leaving Vault 101, ensure you have collected all desired items, including the Bobblehead - Medicine and any Schematics.
  • If you sabotage the reactor and have neutral karma, Butch can be recruited at the Muddy Rudder bar in Rivet City.
  • If you convince the Overseer to open the Vault, Amata gives you a Modified Utility Jumpsuit.
  • If you convince Amata to give up the rebellion:
    • Ask for food and ammo: 15 Cram and 355 5mm Rounds.
    • Ask for technology: Modified Utility Jumpsuit.
  • If you sabotage the reactor: No direct reward, but Butch becomes recruitable.

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