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Control - Directorial Override mission: Reaching Maintenance Sector, Ahti the Janitor location, NSC Power Plant

It’s time to catch up with Ahti the janitor.

Directorial Override is the third mission in Control and, since you now have access to the Hotline, it's all about lifting the Internal Lockdown, so that you can access the rest of the Oldest House.

To do this you need to head down into the depths of the Maintenance Sector to reunite with Ahti the janitor. Rumour has it, he knows how to fix the NSC Power Plant.

This mission will also have you asking questions like - is Ahti the janitor psychic? How does this massive cavern fit underneath a normal American street? What's powering the Oldest House?

None of these questions will be answered.

On this page:

Need more help in your quest through the Oldest House? Then check out our Control walkthrough hub, with links to all our Control guides.

13 Ways Control Gameplay Connects To Alan Wake - Control + Alan Wake Easter Eggs!Watch on YouTube

Starting Directorial Override in Control

Before you start looking for a way into the Maintenance Sector, head to the Central Executive Control Point. It's time to learn about Abilities and Astral Constructs.

Astral Constructs allows you to build or upgrade Weapon Forms and Mods - both Personal and Weapon. To do this you use the Source Energy you receive from killing the Hiss and Materials, which are found in chests and by killing the Hiss.

Abilities allows you to upgrade Jesse's various abilities. At the moment, you'll have four abilities to choose from - Health, Energy, Melee and Launch. Spending ability points allows you to unlock additional Personal Mods Slots and Weapon Form Slot.

This is the Abilities upgrade screen.

Take the time to decide how you want to spend your ability points. Currently, you should have 4 Ability Points and we recommend spending them all, so that you can unlock a second Weapon Form Slot.

This will allow you to use the new Weapon Form - Construct Shatter. That's if you have enough Materials and Source Energy to make it, of course.

Collectables to be found:

  • Correspondence - Official - Agent Death Notification
    • (Return to the lobby before the Director's office and go through the Clearance 1 Level door.)
The location of the collectable Agent Death Notification.

Search for a way into the Maintenance Sector in Control

Can you hear the sound of singing in the air?

It's time to head to the Sector Elevator, which is directly opposite the Board Room. Once you're in the elevator, head straight down to the Maintenance Sector Access Corridor.

Find Ahti the Janitor in Control

Leave the elevator and follow the corridors, until you're attacked by a group of Hiss Guards and Demolition Experts.

Once you've taken care of them, cleanse the Control Point and take the corridor to the right, where you'll again be attacked by the forces of the Hiss.

After you've dealt with the Hiss, continue along the walkways towards the Janitor's Office. There is also a chest hidden away in an alcove along the left-hand side of the room.

You'll have the option right now to investigate a weird light in the break room and start the A Merry Chase side Mission or continue looking for Ahti.

Head this way to do the A Merry Chase Mission.

For Ahti, follow the sounds of his singing and you'll come to a door with what appears to be a picture of Ahti on it. Head inside.

Find a way to fix the NSC Power Plant in Control

Ahti reminds you that since you're his new assistant, it's your job to fix the power plant and he gives you a Clearance Level 2 card.

Ahti will also place side Missions for you on the task board in his office. The first, What a Mess: Burn the Trash is already up. Make sure you check back regularly to see if Ahti has anymore tasks for you - he can't go on his holiday if you don't!

You'll be able to find Ahti's Missions here.

For now, head through the Clearance Level 2 door at the back of the office.

If you head through the first set of double doors to your right, you'll find a chest and open up a pathway that avoids the Janitor's Office.

Heading left takes you towards the NSC Power Plant; try your best not to worry about any loud bangs or minor earth shakes. You'll come to an access lift, jump on and head down to the next floor.

Follow the corridor around and you'll find yourself at the NSC Power Plant.

Collectables to be found:

  • Hotline - Northmoor
    • (Receive as part of the story line.)
  • Correspondence - Official - Arish: Escaped OoP
    • (On a table directly opposite the access lift.)
The location of the collectable Arish: Escaped OoP.

It’s time to journey into the mysterious Federal Bureau of Control. Our Control walkthrough can help you through the storyline missions, including Welcome to the Oldest House, Unknown Caller, Directorial Override, Old Boy’s Club, Threshold, My Brother's Keeper, The Face of the Enemy, Finnish Tango, Polaris and Take Control. You can also learn new supernatural powers by completing A Merry Chase, A Good Defence and A Captive Audience. We also have guides on upgrading the Service Weapon, your Abilities, how to use Weapon and Personal Mods, how to unlock every outfit and the solution to the Roulette Wheel puzzle.


Speak with Security Chief Arish in the Security Booth in Control

A guard will spot you and tell you to speak with Security Chief Arish in the Security Booth. Head past her and into the room on the right to talk to Arish.

If you want to do some quick exploring beforehand, you'll find a chest in the shelter to the left of the Power Plant entrance.

Head into the Security Booth.

Talk to Arish in the Security Booth and he'll ask you to fix both the NSC Coolant Pumps and Energy Converters. You can continue talking to him if you want to know more about the Maintenance Department.

Make sure to open the chest in the Security Booth before you leave.

Collectables to be found:

  • Correspondence - Official - Arish: Security Matters
    • (On a cabinet in the Security Booth)
The location of the collectable Arish: Security Matter.

Head further into the Maintenance Sector to fix the NSC Coolant Pumps and Energy Converters.