Harkness

Harkness, designation A3-21, is an android and Rivet City's security chief in the year 2277.

Harkness is a prototype Generation 3 synthetic humanoid, or "synth," and the most advanced android created by the Institute as of 2277. He originally worked for the Institute's Synth Retention Bureau and had the duty of tracking down other escaped synths. He later escaped after he became sentient and started to sympathize with the escaped synths he was tasked to capture.

While he successfully escaped the Commonwealth, he was hunted by the Synth Retention Bureau like any other escapee. With the help of the Railroad, he got facial reconstruction surgery, altered his voice, and had his memories of being a synth suppressed with those of his new Harkness persona.

Believing himself to be an old combat veteran awakening from a coma, Harkness joined the Rivet City Security Force, eventually becoming its chief officer and member of the council. He is known for his very fair treatment of Rivet City's Hangar Deck and Upper Deck citizens, something which makes him popular with the former group.