There are plenty of hidden keys and passages to naturally discover in Atomfall. Most key locations have a few different methods for accessing them, and in this instance, players can use the Crane Control Keycard to ultimately gain easy, guard-free access to Skethermoor Prison.
This is great news for those who don’t feel like getting friendly with Protocol leader Captain Sims, as without his help, getting into Skethermoor Prison’s grounds is asking for trouble. Without further ado, here’s where to find the Crane Control Keycard in Atomfall.
Where to find the Crane Control Keycard in Atomfall
The Crane Control Keycard is found in the Interchange in Atomfall, and we recommend restoring power to Data Store Bravo before grabbing it, as it’ll make navigating the place much easier.
From the Skethermoor Interchange entrance – found inside the grounds of Skethermoor Prison – you want to take a left and go down the stairs into the middle of the facility.
If the leftmost door isn’t yet open, you’ll need to crawl through the broken Quarantine Seal in front of you instead and take the long way round, ultimately opening the left door from the other side. From the broken Quarantine Seal door, take a left and enter Data Store Bravo, then go downstairs. Head through the following door into the main facility, and the previously locked door that you ought to open is now on your left.
From here, however, you want to go down the stairs and into a small Maintenance room on your immediate left. Here, you’ll find a corpse you can loot that has the Crane Control Keycard on him, as well as the ‘Take Over Crane Operations’ Note, which reveals the entrance to the Detention Quarter is being blocked off by a shipment container.
How to restore power to Crane Controls in Atomfall
The Crane Control Room can be found just outside of Data Store Delta in Atomfall.
From the garage that contained the Crane Control Keycard, look outward into the main facility. Run straight ahead and up the stairs – heading left up the stairs – until you reach a small hallway where Data Store Delta is on your right, and the Crane Control Room on your left.
Now that you’ve reached the room safely, you’ll likely find that the Crane Control Lever has no power. To restore power, you will need the Signal Redirector, which you can then use on the power junction beside the corkboard in the room.
If you do not yet have the Signal Redirector, there are two ways to get it: by going to Skethermoor Prison, or by acquiring June’s Key and following her trail of notes. I personally recommend going down the June’s Key route, or simply not bothering with the Crane Controls at all, as the Crane Controls will ultimately lead you to Skethermoor Prison anyway.
For more help, here’s our guide on how to get the Signal Redirector, which details both methods of attaining the tool.
You will then need to use the Signal Redirector on two more power junctions on the ceiling as they light up, eventually restoring power to the lever.
Upon interacting with the lever, watch it. It will move a shipping container that is blocking the entrance to the Detention Quarter of Skethermoor Prison. Once it’s been moved, you can run on over and head inside.
What is inside the Detention Quarter in Atomfall
The Detention Quarter in Atomfall is a completely optional area, as you can access all Data Stores and Oberon – and complete the game – without ever needing the Crane Control Keycard or access to the area. It’s also part of Skethermoor Prison, which you can access without needing the Crane Controls.
Using the Crane Controls to access Skethermoor Prison acts as one way to sneakily gain passage to the area without having to go through the heavily-guarded prison grounds. This is ideal if you do not fancy doing Captain Sims’ quest, which provides you with a pass to explore the area without Protocol Soldiers becoming hostile towards you.
Either way, upon entering the Detention Quarter via the Interchange, you’ll find a particularly important NPC – whom you can later try and escape with – is just up ahead for you to meet.
For more on Atomfall, take a look at where to find all Atomic Batteries, where to find all Skill Manuals, and how to crack the Data Storeroom C Code.