Harkness A3-21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Harkness in Fallout Shelter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Self determination is NOT a malfunction.
”— Harkness, before transformation.Harkness (created 2242, synth designation A3-21) is Rivet City's security chief in Fallout 3..
Background[]
Harkness is a synthetic humanoid, or "Synth", and is the most advanced android ever created by The Institute, an advanced science organization in the Commonwealth, as of 2277. Manufactured on 2242[1] and given the designation A3-21, Harkness worked for the Synth Retention Bureau in the Commonwealth before attempting to escape after sympathizing with the escaped synths he was tasked to capture. The synths working at the Synth Retention Bureau are told that those who try to escape are simply malfunctioning, when in actuality their complex AI has allowed them to start thinking for themselves. The synths that Harkness captured filled his head with ideas about self-determination and freedom, contributing to his decision to escape. "Self determination is NOT a malfunction," Harkness would say in a holotape before escaping.
He successfully escaped the Commonwealth, but was hunted by the Synth Retention Bureau, and had to get surgery to get a new face and voice, as well as having his memory erased, in order to thwart the Bureau and start a new life. After some searching he found Horace Pinkerton, a skilled surgeon that agreed to perform the facial construction surgery and memory swap utilizing memories of a combat veteran named Harkness. After this, he got a job at Rivet City as security chief.
As Rivet City’s hard-nosed security chief, 35-year-old Harkness is a good guy and a good friend, despite his demeanor. He is extremely fair-minded. He treats Hangar Deck citizens with the same regard as Upper Deck citizens. As a result, he is very well liked by the Hangar Deck residents.[1]
Daily schedule[]
During the day, Harkness will be outside Flak 'N Shrapnel's weapon store in the Rivet City marketplace. He may be on the top floor of the Bridge Tower from midnight to 6:00 a.m. When meeting him for the first time, if you tell him you are going to leave, he'll be stuck at the entrance for the rest of the game. However the Lone Wanderer can still walk past him without incident.
Interactions with the player character[]
Interactions overview[]
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This character is essential. Essential characters cannot be killed. | |
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This character drops an ear when killed (Contract Killer). | |
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This character is involved in quests. | |
Other interactions[]
- When first arriving at Rivet City Harkness will demand that you state your business in Rivet City before he allows you to enter. With most options you choose he'll let you in. He might say something along the lines of: "Alright you're free to roam around, just don't try anything stupid. Like try to slit my throat when I'm sleeping, you wouldn't try that would you?".
Quests[]
- The Replicated Man: He turns out to be the android which Dr. Zimmer is looking for. The Lone Wanderer can choose to either help Harkness or Dr. Zimmer who then takes him back to the Commonwealth.
Inventory[]
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Rivet City security uniform |
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Chinese assault rifle | |
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Armory Key Harkness' Key Pack of cigarettes | |
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empty |
Notable quotes[]
- "I never should've let you on this damn boat!"
- "Everyone's so goddamn trigger happy these days."
- "We've got ourselves a psychopath. Everyone stand clear!"
- "You're just pissing me off!"
- "You're a petty criminal, but we let you stay here for now."
Notes[]
- If you do not return Harkness to Dr. Zimmer, Harkness will stay in Rivet City in a loop, he cannot die. When he loses all his HP he will fall unconscious and revive soon afterwards. Also, if you wait to activate his recall code Harkness will give you a unique plasma rifle: A3-21's plasma rifle, after which you can still turn him in and gain a reward from Dr. Zimmer.
- During the Replicated Man quest, after Harkness finds out he is an android and the player is following him downstairs to the Science Lab, he can be pickpocketed for the key to the Ship's Armory.
- If the Lone Wanderer allows Zimmer to reclaim Harkness, Zimmer will use a command to restore Harkness to his factory settings.
Appearances[]
Harkness appears only in Fallout 3.
Behind the scenes[]
- When prompted with his activation code, Harkness will mention all of the 'runners' he killed. This is a reference to the movie Blade Runner and the book it was based on, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.76: "Harkness
Rivet City's hard-nosed security chief, 35-year old Harkness is a good guy and a good friend, despite his demeanor. What he doesn't know is that he isn't even human; he's a sentient humanoid robot who escaped from his creators and had his mind wiped. Harkness is extremely fair-minded. He treats Hangar Deck citizens with the same regard as Upper Deck citizens. As a result, he is very well liked by the Hangar Deck residents."
(Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition Wasteland Census)