Protecting the Water Way

 is a Fallout 3 quest that is added to the game in the Broken Steel downloadable content pack.

Walkthrough
Scribe Bigsley will ask the Lone Wanderer to investigate the organised bandit attacks on the Aqua Pura caravans, directing The Lone Wanderer to speak with Officer Lepelletier of Rivet City to learn more details about the attacks.

Lepelletier can be found on the ramp leading to Rivet City, and explains that a water caravan heading towards Canterbury Commons that has just left the Jefferson Memorial. The Lone Wanderer is asked to catch up with it, talk with Officers Davis and Lorin and guard it from attack.

Following the river around will lead the player to the caravan as it is in ambush by three bandits (it seems to be almost impossible to save most of the lives of the caravan, and both Davis and Lorin could be dead by the time the Lone Wanderer arrives).

Upon searching any of the bandits the player will find an audio log titled New Meeting Place from Split Jack the bandit leader, instructing the bandits to group at Wilhelm's Wharf. When reaching Wilhelm's Warf, the Lone Wanderer can either speak to Split Jack (the password is 'Mirelurk Stew') and pass a difficult speech challenge to persuade him to give up or else kill him (killing the three bandits with him is optional for the quest). Please note that if the speech check is passed successfully then Grandma Sparkle is likely to be immediately killed by the bandits.

Lepelletier thanks the player for their assistance, but is unable to reward them. The wanderer is advised to speak to Scribe Bigsley in order to receive the reward - some captured enclave gear - Enclave Power Armor and Helmet, a Gatling Laser, a Plasma Pistol and ammo for the same.

Alternatively, you can join the bandits. All you have to do is speak with Split Jack. He will give you Metal Armor and a Metal Helmet. He will then ask you to put them on because if you want to be in the gang you have to wear Metal Armor. He then asks you to speak with Lepelletier about a protection contract. You can then go to Lepelletier and blackmail her for 500 caps after succeeding a speech check. You can also tell her that you want 500 caps now, and 500 caps after the attacks have stopped. She will soon after become hostile and attack you.