Officer Armstrong greets the Lone Wanderer after they re-enter Vault 101 during Trouble on the Homefront in Fallout 3, if the player chose to kill officer Gomez on their way out.
Background[]
One of the rank and file members of the Vault's security team, Armstrong and the others have been trying to maintain order inside the bunker ever since its doctor absconded, unleashing a crisis that claimed far too many lives within the Vault.[1] He is somewhat resentful towards James over the crisis,[2] and is completely unaware of the fact that Overseer Almodovar's actions greatly exacerbated the conflict. He does know that the whole situation resulted in a revolution brewing in the Vault, as his emergence led others to question whether staying behind the Vault door is the right idea.[3]
Regardless, he considers James a good friend, and the news of his passing is quite upsetting.[4] He has known the Lone Wanderer since birth, and is one of the dwellers who genuinely likes them.[5] As such, he does not immediately try to arrest the Lone Wanderer when they return. He does not particularly agree with the overseer's mandate, nor takes a side in the conflict that is tearing the vault apart. He is perfectly willing to let the Lone Wanderer just wander off and seal the door behind them,[6] and for the vault to try to continue as it were, but he is not sure that resealing the vault and leaving the conflict untouched is the best solution.[7]
Of course, the fact that by this point the Lone Wanderer is the most experienced person in the Vault, possibly more experienced than most everyone down there actually, is a strong argument against just letting them walk away.[8] Similarly, he is somewhat intimidated by the overseer,[9] and would rather he and Amata, the leader of the rebellion, reconcile their differences.[10][11]
Interactions with the player character[]
Interactions overview[]
| Interactions | ||
|---|---|---|
  |
This character is involved in quests. | |
Quests[]
- Trouble on the Homefront: If Officer Gomez is dead, Officer Armstrong will be the first security member encountered upon entering the vault. He can escort the player character to the overseer, Amata or let the player character go in alone. He also offers the alternative option for the Lone Wanderer to leave forever.
- Armstrong is a stand-in for Officer Gomez, an exact copy save for the face (cloned from Officer Richards) and name. In fact, characters will address him as if he was Gomez, and he will interact with Pepper Gomez as if he was her husband.
Inventory[]
| Apparel | Weapon | Other items | On death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vault 101 security armor Vault security helmet |
Police baton |
Notes[]
Officer Armstrong is one of the few named characters to physically appear in the game and not have an entry in the Wasteland Census.
Appearances[]
Armstrong appears only in Fallout 3.
References[]
- ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "I mean, I just had a hunch she was in trouble."
Armstrong: "Maybe. She isn't the only one, that's for sure. Ever since that night, it's been madness down here. Nothing but trouble."
(Armstrong's dialogue) - ↑ Armstrong: "Everything went crazy, is what happened. Your dad opened that door, bugs started attacking, and people started going crazy. When the smoke cleared, there were a lot of casualties and not many answers. Didn't help that our doctor had just left, either."
(Armstrong's dialogue) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "That was never supposed to happen! That was the Overseer's fault!"
Armstrong: "Really? Well, that would explain a few things, all right. It's a good thing you're here, after all. After that night, a lot of your friends started thinking, "If it's safe to go outside, why stay down here forever?" And that's not the sort of thing the Overseer likes to hear. Things have gotten pretty tense."
(Armstrong's dialogue) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "Dad would be horrified to know all that... if he were still alive."
Armstrong: "I'm... I'm sorry to hear that. Regardless of how things turned out down here, he was a good friend. I always figured he'd do well outside. Matter of fact, a lot of folks started thinking he had the right idea. He usually did. So if it was safe out there, why stay down here forever? Well, the Overseer didn't like that one bit, and started cracking down on that sort of thought. Guess he didn't plan on you coming back."
(Armstrong's dialogue) - ↑ Armstrong: "I've gotta say, it's a shame to see you go. I still remember when you turned ten. Who could have guessed how you'd grow up?"
(Armstrong's dialogue) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "So what now?"
Armstrong: "I probably ought to put you under arrest and take you in to the Overseer, but frankly, I know better than to try that. Meanwhile, some of your old friends think opening the Vault is a good idea. I bet those rebels would like a word with you. Now, more than ever. Of course, if you want, you can just walk away as if you were never here. Out of respect for your dad, I won't even tell anyone I saw you."
(Armstrong's dialogue) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "This is too messed up. I'm leaving again. Just pretend I never came back."
Armstrong: "Well, I can't blame you. I'll change the passwords behind you, and we'll figure out a way to work things out for ourselves. We've made it on our own for this long. I'm sure this'll blow over in time, too. Best of luck to you out there, kid. Don't worry about us."
(Armstrong's dialogue) - ↑ Armstrong: "Stop right there! I don't know how you got in here, but... Hold on... Wait a minute! It's you! I hardly recognized you with all the dust and grime from out there. Guess that explains how you got that door open. You've got more experience with it than most everyone down here combined."
(Armstrong's dialogue) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "I think I'd like to have a talk with the Overseer. Take me to him."
Armstrong: "We're already headed there. Can't you smell the fire and brimstone?" - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "Could you escort me to Amata? I need to talk to her about all this."
Armstrong: "As chance would have it, she was one of the first people to talk about life outside the vault after you left. No surprise; she always did like you. I hope you can talk some sense into her... or maybe the two of you can come up with some other plan? Just be careful about it."
(Armstrong's dialogue) - ↑ The Lone Wanderer: "Well, let me through. I've got work to do."
Armstrong: "I can't do that. Not officially, at least. As much as some of the rebels would like to talk with you, the Overseer said you weren't welcome back. Of course, if you survived whatever's out there, none of us could stop you if you really wanted to cause problems. But I'd prefer if you don't. But out of respect to your dad, I could turn a blind eye. You could slip out and say you were never here - I won't tell a soul."
(Armstrong's dialogue)
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