Trouble on the Homefront

 is a Fallout 3 quest. It is also an Xbox 360 and PC achievement.

Objectives and walkthrough
This quest will be activated after the second quest at the Jefferson Memorial. You will pick up the Vault 101 distress signal on your radio the next time you wander near the Vault (Megaton is close enough). It is a message from Amata asking you to return to Vault 101 to help stop the Overseer. (If you kill the Overseer when escaping from Vault 101, a new Overseer is named and you can still do the quest)

Upon returning to the vault you will find it has split into two factions. One faction led by Amata wants to open the Vault and interact with the outside world. The other led by the Overseer wants to keep the vault closed permanently, in accordance with its mission.

Once you meet Amata, she will ask you to stop the overseer from sealing the vault forever. She will also ask you not to kill him.

Go and talk to the Overseer. Be aware that if you encounter Officer Wilkins, for instance by entering the red security area on the upper floor, he will try to kill you. You have a few options:

1) Kill the Overseer.

2) Kill all of the rebels.

3) Leave without doing anything (this decision, if you make it, is permanent).

4) Persuade the Overseer to open the vault with your speech skill.

5) Persuade Amata to stay in the vault with your speech skill.

6) Go to the jail and use the computer there to find out about Security's plans to raid and kill the rebels.  The computer is locked; you can hack it with sufficient science skill, or you might be able to find the password simply by searching the lockers in the room, or else you can find it on Officer Wilkins.  Then, talk to the Overseer and tell him about Security's plans.  This will have the same effect as if you persuaded him with your speech skill.

Note: You can only do this option if Officer Mack has not taken over as the Overseer. Otherwise, you will not be given the option to talk to him about this.

7) Hack the computer in sub-basement (75% Science) or steal the passcard from maintenance man.  Go into manual override mode and perform a flush.  This will flush the water chip.  Lie to Amata that it was the Overseer's plan.  Everyone runs out of vault.  You can see them again*.

8) Hack the Overseer's computer and discover communication with the Enclave. Speak to Amata and tell her this and it will convince her to stay in the vault.

If you kill or persuade the Overseer, Amata will become the new Overseer. Regardless of how you solve the problem (or decide not to bother), you will be asked to leave the Vault.


 * If you killed Amata's father earlier (during your escape from the vault), Allen Mack becomes the overseer, but it seems he cannot be persuaded to open the vault.

Interestingly enough, if you end the situation amicably, Amata's speech to the PC regarding the "tough decision" of asking them to leave the vault is strikingly similar to the speech given to the PC of Fallout 1 at the end of that game, including the line "I'm sorry. You're a hero... and you have to leave."

Depending on how you resolved the issue, you may be awarded the Modified Utility Jumpsuit.


 * One possible scenario is convincing the rebels to stay and telling Overseer Mack that you want the G.E.C.K. He will tell you that he never had one and offer the suit to you instead. You can also ask him for food and ammo instead and get 15 cram and 350 5mm rounds.

* To find Butch (assuming you've made everyone leave the vault, or got it open), go to 'The Muddy Rudder' in Rivet City and talk to him. he can also join your party and comes with a 10mm Pistol and a melee weapon named 'Butch's Toothpick'

* Amata is found later talking to the Enclave. Other Vault 101 members are scattered throughout the wasteland as well

If you kill Amata after she asks you to leave, a message will appear explaining that Vault 101 has been 'thrown into chaos', and any survivors will immediately become aggressive towards you.