The quest That Lucky Old Sun in Fallout: New Vegas presents players with one of the most memorable moral and political choices in the Mojave Wasteland. Taking place at the historic HELIOS One solar power plant, this mission forces you to decide which faction receives power, or if you should activate a orbital weapon system instead. Navigating the complex interior and handling the quirky NPCs makes this quest a standout side mission.
Starting the Quest and Meeting Fantastic
To begin the mission, travel to HELIOS One located along the main highway between Novac and the Boulder City area. Speak with the NCR guards at the front entrance to gain passage into the main facility. Inside, you will encounter Fantastic, a bumbling technician who oversees operations despite lacking basic scientific knowledge.
Fantastic will ask for your assistance in repairing the facility's power routing mainframe. Before proceeding deeper into the building, speak with Ignacio Rivas, a Followers of the Apocalypse operative working undercover. Ignacio offers an alternative perspective on how the solar plant's power should be distributed to help the local population.
Navigating the Facility Terminals
Head outside to the reflective mirror fields to reset the two auxiliary control terminals located on the East and West towers. Watch out for tripwires and security turrets installed around the perimeter while completing this step. Once both terminals are reconnected, make your way into the main solar collection tower.
Inside the interior facility, clear out lingering automated security robots and repair the main generator using a high Repair skill or scrap metal. Access the central mainframe terminal located near the top of the tower deck. This terminal is where you must select the final destination for the solar facility's energy output.
Power Distribution Options and Rewards
You can route power to McCarran and the Strip for NCR favor, or direct it to Freeside and Westside to assist struggling waste communities. Distributing power equally across the entire grid grants positive Followers of the Apocalypse reputation along with valuable rewards. Alternatively, you can activate the ARCHIMEDES II defense system, which powers a devastating orbital laser but turns local NCR forces hostile.
After selecting your choice on the terminal, head outside to the observation deck between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM to initiate the reflector alignment. Return to Fantastic or Ignacio Rivas to finalize the quest and collect your reputation bonuses and items. Choosing the balanced distribution path provides the best overall long-term benefits for wasteland exploration.
