The Territory War Begins
Transcript
==
Lodi: Ms. Morn, I'm gonna reach out. The closest of the Nine will answer. If we're lucky, we'll get two.
Eris: I have you. I will keep your spirit anchored here. IV (through Lodi): YOU WAIL ACROSS SPACE LIKE A COWARD, VI. SET ASIDE YOUR SHRIVELING VESSEL AND SPEAK DIRECTLY. YOU SEEK TO TEAR THROUGH REALITY TO ESCAPE ITS LAWS, THROUGH MIMICRY OF THE DEATH YOU FEAR. VI (through Bael): PREACHING WHINGLING CHILDLESS FATHER GOD ARE USELESS WHEN I ALREADY FEAST ON TITHES I AM MAGNITUDES GREATER THAN ANY WORM IV (through Lodi): YOU CAST LIFE INTO THE FURNACE WITH IGNORANT ABANDON, HOPING THE WARMTH WILL BRING YOU STRENGTH. BUT YOU WILL ONLY BURN. VI (through Bael): PATIENCE AND TIMELINESS WHEN MY WEAPON IS ATTUNED HE WILL KILL ONLY ONE
Lodi: Guardian, there's a cloning facility on Europa because of course there is. Uh, Ikora says it]s the last Imperium stronghold left. Clear this out and you'll break their hold on the system. Hell's bells. My head is killing me, Guardian. Like something is trying to talk to me.
{Mission begins}: ::Stolen NLS Crusier Cargo Bay, Forging Matrix
After selecting their Renegade Abilities, the Guardian boards a Hawk and heads down to the surface.
Forging Matrix
Bael: Emissary. Coddling, nodding, saying you understand—only to tell me I suffer alone!
Lodi: And you shouldn't! It's VI's fault for using you. He isn't treating you like a Human.
Bael: Oh, neither of us are Human, Emissary.
The Guardian tracks down the Totality bounty target.
Bael: I know you lose yourself straddling centuries between bouts of insomnia. I know your skin forgets where it sits on the periodic table.
Lodi: Stop it. I'm still Human.
Bael: Nonsense. Our bodies contain the uncontainable. We're bound.
The Guardian forces the bounty target to retreat.
Lodi: Everything Bael said is true. I know it's concerning… I didn't say anything because I don't want you to worry. What I am makes it hard, sometimes, to still feel Human. I… [sighs] I try, Guardian. I don't want you to see me any differently.
The Guardian takes out Intel Officers to gain intel on their target.
Bael: Being the Weapon is my purpose. VI will honor my agency. Besides, he can't alter the future if he's tied to me.
Lodi: It's true. They can do so much with us but they're stuck to our dimensionality. They can see the future when they're in a body but they can't change it.
Bael: Don't tell me what I already know! Something greater than me needs me. This is what I'm supposed to do!
Lodi: I know.
The Guardian confronts the bounty target.
Lodi: VI gave Bael the Imperium. Made him his Weapon. All to tithe, grow strength, build enough power to one day escape reality. And tying them to a body keeps them bound by our dimension. Bael even said that word—bound. We stop the threat of extinction by presenting VI from changing the future. Are… are bodies the answer?
The Guardian defeats the bounty target and heads to the exfiltration site.
Lodi: Listen, by taking this facility down you're creating a power vacuum. Without the Imperium patrolling the frontier, expect an all-out conflict between the Tharsis Reformation, Totality Division, and the Pikers. They respect you now… and that means they'll want your help. Choose your side wisely. And uh. Congrats on starting a turf war.
The Guardian sucessfully exfiltrates and returns to the cargo bay.
Lodi: I still don't know what normal is here. Sometimes it's nice, the food is great, City's terrific, and talking to Ikora is just—so easy. But when it's just me, it's hell. The whole world turns in for the night and I'm still awake thinking about everyone who isn't here. And if I do fall asleep, I'm lost. In the haze of a comet. In Cocytus Station. In the Mesozoic… In Chicago, in a body that]s not mine, far underground. And it gets harder and harder to wake up. Listen, give me a call next time you can't sleep, I could use company. We can go for a walk and keep working on Welsh. There's something I need to think about. Hwyl fawr.
Step 7
Speak with Lodi through your Ghost in the Tharsis Cantina.
- Message heard
A ping from your Ghost indicates that Lodi would like to speak with you. Head to the Cantina and establish a link with him.
Lodi: The other Nine didn't stop VI, which means they didn't know what he was going to do. Being in that vessel, in this dimension, prevented the other Nine from Seeing him. But there's a catch—I know when the Nine use me they can't alter the future. But VI stayed anyways. My gut is screaming that we prevent extinction by stopping the Nine from altering fate. Bind the Nine by binding each of them to a body. And I know where we can start. There's something that's been trying to talk to me. And when I talk back, all I can remember is how it felt to channel III. It's dangerous. And worse part is I know exactly where it is. Adams and Wabash. It's under Chicago. I'm going to ask Ikora to scout it out first, we can meet up with her there. Guardian, I don't want to go home. But I'm certain whatever Nine we bind first is there. I can't go there without Ikora. I can't go there without you.
Step 8
The Syndicates are recruiting allies for the brewing territory war. Visit their quartermasters to hear their pitches and see what they have to offer.
- Pikers consulted
- Tharsis Reformation consulted
- Totality Division consulted
{{quote|As tensions get worse and all our friends among the Syndicates ready their knives, Guardian, I think one thing—that it pays to be a middle man.|Spider}}
The Pikers' quartermaster Deoriks beckons you over with a confiding air.
"You know us, Guardian. Do you want the frontier run by a military force with Imperium ties? Or a bunch of soup that likes to gamble? Pikers are the only answer."
She leans in. "Listen, Riliks is a weird one, but they've got vision. I've never regretted joining up. I'll take this gang over any House you could name.
"We've got the best tech, the best perks, and—let's be honest here—the best company. Ride with the Pikers, Guardian. You won't regret it."
Reformancer Guzheng unfolds itself from a crouch on your approach.
"Zephyrus requests your assistance in trouncing our pathetic foes. Rewards are promised, as are access to desired items and abilities.
"Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be part of the Vex? Your imagination could not simulate reality, but our Deflectors and Stun Fields may give you a taste.
"Gamble on the Reformation. Win big."
Aghol scratches his chin. "Looking for a Syndicate to ally with? I won't say we couldn't use you. And you couldn't do better than the Totality Division.
"One thing about the Divison is Rao doesn't brook any nonsense. We won't mess with your Glimmer. We share resources accordingly. What am I gonna do with a Praxic Blade, cut my hand off? Any mods come in, they're earmarked for you—if you earn 'em.
"I see you back here soon, right?"
Step 9
Ally yourself to one of the Syndicates at their banner.
<span style="color:#40678e;">You will be able to change your allied Syndicate at a later time.</span>
- The Pikers
- Tharsis Reformation
- Totality Division
Step 10
Your new Syndicate's leader wishes to have a word with you.
- Syndicate leader consulted
{{quote|A bold choice. Whatever your next move, I'll be watching to sweep up the profits…|Spider}}
Zephyrus sits back with a hydraulic hiss. "You have made a logical choice, Guardian"
"Rao is clever, but focused only on the Psions. Riliks is resilient, but aimlessly rebellious."
"We keep our prediction-matrices fixed on the future. With your cooperation, that future expands."
"The tiny gears in his hand click as he offers it to you. "To our mutual benefit."
Rao floods your mind with a waking dream, assuaging your subconscious with pure, tempered gratitude."
<nowiki>'</nowiki>You are welcome here, as before. A proven power. A welcome weapon.<nowiki>'</nowiki>
<nowiki>'</nowiki>Our task on Tharsis and across the Lawless Frontier demands constant pressure. Escalating warfare.<nowiki>'</nowiki>
<nowiki>'</nowiki>The Pikers, the Reformation… mere criminal syndicates. Unaffiliated, without a task or purpose.<nowiki>'</nowiki>
[dismissal] <nowiki>'</nowiki>We will beat them at their own game and drive away the survivors. Go now, fo the Totality.<nowiki>'</nowiki>
Step 11
Work your way up your Syndicate's ranks by completing a Priority Contract for your Syndicate. You may optionally complete an Invasion on the Lawless Frontier to disrupt rival Syndicates. Wager additional Deathmarks to increase rewards from successful invasions.
<span style="color:#40678e;">Check your Map Guide on the Renegades Map screen to review your current contracts.</span>
- Priority Contract completed X/1
Additional Deathmarks wagered X/1 Invasion completed Contracts award credits, Dark Matter Ingots, Syndicate Reputation, and more. Completed Priority Contracts will reset daily. Syndicate Contracts are automatically refreshed after completion. {{quote|Getting your hands dirty already? Don't suppose I can sway you over to my side?|Spider}}
Step 12
Return to your Syndicate's den in the Cantina and deposit Dark Matter Ingots in their War Chest to increase your Reputation with them.
- Dark Matter ingots deposited
Dark Matter Ingots are earned by completing Jobs and Contracts. Deposit them in a Syndicate's War Chest to your standing with them.
Step 13
Speak with your Syndicate leader to debrief on your activities on the Lawless Frontier.
- Syndicate leader consulted
{{quote|A lone wolf is a dead wolf. But then, so is a wolf backstabbed by its so-called allies… Best choose your path wisely, my respected Renegade.|Spider}}
Zephyrus's optic scanner sweeps you. "No excessive exertion. Valuable Dark Matter Ingots retrieved."
"An exemplary performance. I will have my Vex study your data closely to emulate your success."
"Though such measures may be unnecessary... if you continue to lend us your skills."
Step 14
Continue completing Syndicate Contracts and doing Jobs on the Lawless Frontier. At the next daily reset, your <span style="color:#40678e;">Priority Contract</span> will reset, and you can decide to stick with your current Syndicate or ally with a new one.
- Jobs completed X/2
- Syndicate Contracts completed X/2
- Dark Matter Ingots deposited X/10
- Priority Contract reset
Completing your <span style="color:#40678e;">Priority Contract</span> from the Map Guide in your Holomap will lock your Syndicate choice for the rest of the day. You may switch at any point before completion, or the next day.
Category:Quests