Friends Like These is the fifth mission of the UC Vanguard questline in Starfield. After the events of Eyewitness, you have convinced the Cabinet that the Terrormorphs threaten humanity and have their permission to access the Armistice Archives, where banned documents related to the Colony War that ended 20 years ago remain hidden.
Hadrian has been reinstated as a Major of the UC Navy and leads the investigation. At the same time, you are the chief representative who must convince Freestar Collective and House Va’ruun to permit you to access the Archives, as you need permission from all three major factions.
- UC Vanguard Mission 05
- Planets: Jemison
- Rewards: 350 EXP and 9,400 (5,000 Credits as the UC Citizenship reward)
How to Start Friends Like These
To start Friends Like These, you must first complete Eyewitness, UC Vanguard’s fourth mission.
Speak to Deputy MacIntyre
Exit the Cabinet’s room and follow the objective marker to the Interstellar Affairs department, where Deputy Elisabeth MacIntyre will talk to Chief Diplomat Yasin through the Intercom. MacIntyre is Chief Yasin’s second-in-command.
She reiterates that Interstellar Affairs, the diplomatic division of the UC, will do everything in their power to aid your endeavor. You will hear about the history of the Armistice Archives and their banned documents once more. Access to the Archives is only granted in cases of dire emergency and requires a one-time use code from each of the three Armistic signatories: UC, Freestar Collective, and House Va’ruun.
We must now convince the ambassadors of the Freestar Collective and House Va’ruun to hand over their codes. Each code is a strip of several million random numbers, generated on the fly, based on biometric keys kept by each ambassador on their person at all times.
So they can’t be forged, but they may be stolen probably. However, MacIntyre explains that violence and threats are off the table.
Next, she will ask you about whom you want to be informed first:
- Ambassador Radcliff of the Freestar Collective or
- Ambassador Bal’mor of House Va’ruun
Ambassador Radcliff Info
Here is what we learn about Ambassador Radcliff of the Freestar Collective:
- She is a veteran of the Colony War.
- Her only goal is to make the UC miserable.
- Officially, Interstellar Affairs suggests that you should negotiate with Radcliff.
- We should infiltrate the Freestar Collective embassy to access a recording device.
- The ambassador has a disgruntled staff member, Cameron Long, who we might be able to pump for information or even convince to work with us. Cameron Long is younger than Radcliff and doesn’t hold much of a grudge against the UC. He hates Radcliff’s guts.
We are supposed to use our experience as military members and convince her to support us due to the threat we’re facing.
MacIntyre suspects other tools will be needed to get her code, though. You should access the recording device in the ambassador’s quarters and use the info it records to your advantage while avoiding being caught trespassing.
Further advice: Don’t steal anything. Don’t get caught anywhere you are not supposed to. Do not harm anyone. You will also receive 9,600 Credits, the FC Embassy Security, and a Freestar Diplomatic Access Card for clearance after the briefing on Ambassador Radcliff and the FC Embassy.
Ambassador Bal’mor Info
Here is what we learn about Ambassador Bal’mor of the House Va’ruun:
- Bal’mor stayed in New Atlantis after the signing of the Armistice.
- He’s lent his support to several archival requests, so there’s hope he might again.
- She will also mention that House Va’ruun Zealtos is a fundamentalist outshoot of the group that stayed behind while everyone else retreated into seclusion. They want to exterminate anyone who is not dedicated to their cause. However, after the Sperpent’s Crusade 70 years ago, House Va’ruun did take a real run at trying to normalize relations with the rest of the galaxy. This is why they have an embassy in New Atlantis and were included in the Armistice negotiations. But then, without warning, they left, leaving only Ambassador Bal’mor and his duty under the Armistice.
- And here is the icing: We’re not 100% sure Bal’mor is still alive. We must search the embassy for the biometric code if he is dead.
- The life signs at the Ambassador’s house indicate more flora rather than the ambassador being alive.
- The embassy’s alarms went off during the Terrormorph attack, so be ready to face the embassy’s automated security system.
You will receive the Va’Ruun Embassy Entrance Override once the briefing is completed.
Acquire the Freestar Collective Archival Code
MacIntyre recommends we start with Ambassador Radcliff now that the attack is still fresh in her mind. Take the elevator to the MAST building’s lobby. Your next stop is the Commerical District, and follow the objective marker to the Freestar Collective Embassy.
Take the elevator to the ambassador’s office and follow the objective marker to reach her. She will be talking to Cameron Long, mocking the UC’s failure to protect the New Atlantis Spaceport from the Terrormoprh attack as you enter the office.
If you talk to Cameron Long before you talk to the ambassador and lie that you were sent here for him, the objective will change to “Follow Cameron.”
Note: You can already talk to Ambassador Radcliff and persuade her at this point, but talking to Cameron and following him won’t do you any harm. Listening to the UC Listening Device won’t prevent you from using Persuasion on the ambassador. So I recommend finding out her secrets.
Follow Cameron
Cameron will take us to an isolated room down the stairs.
Speak to Cameron
You can convince Cameron to grant you the Freestar Utility Access Key by lying to him, or you can pay him 1,000 Credits. He will also explain that he can’t steal the code for you or give you access to the Archival Code Machine. So, your best option is to take the Freestar Utility Key to access the UC Listening Device.
Access the UC Listening Device
The Freestar Utility Access Key will grant you access to the utility room from which you can climb some boxes and access the embassy’s vent system. It will also unlock the vents. Drop down from the first hatch you find to the ambassador’s bedroom. You will find the UC Listening Device inside a planter in the bedroom.
Once you activate it, you will hear a conversation between Ambassador Evangeline Radcliff and Cameron Long about a rejection from the Council of Governors to join it, which is very incriminating, to say the least. Radcliff drops a hint that they could reach out to some experts to open a sit at the Council. The ambassador won’t be happy if this conversation leaks. Now, you have the leverage to convince her to grant you the Freestar Collective Archival Code.
Acquire the Freestar Collective Archival Code Option #1: Persuade the Ambassador
Note: Saves you time but it’s not the best option.
The persuasion route is the fastest to get the ambassador’s access code. The Freestar Collective Settler Trait can be of great help here. Here is how I convinced her:
- Turn 01: There are lives at stake here.
- Turn 02: The Terrrormoprh Xenoweapons project was a failure. That knowledge isn’t dangerous.
- Turn 03: Freestar Collective Settler The Collective’s my home. I just want what’s best for it. And that’s working with the UC.
If you don’t have the Freestar Collective Settler Trait, you must pick a medium-difficulty dialogue option at some point. Don’t let that be your third turn, as you may need that extra turn. Taking about the lives at stake here has a better chance of convincing her. Obviously, convincing her completes the objective.
Acquire the Freestar Collective Archival Code Option #2: Confront Radcliff
Note: This seems by far the best option here.
At this point, we have everything we need. We can either persuade Radcliff here or go with the confrontation route. You can also get the Ambassador’s pistol, Laredo (the actual name in the game is Ambassador) if you take the “You call that a negotiation? Without even offering me a gift?” dialogue option.
Radcliff’s only requirement is that you only access the Terrormoprh Xenoweapon data when you access the Archives (and your silence, of course).
Moreover, you can ask for a fee from her before you finally agree, granting you 7,000 Credits. Here is the Ambassador Pistol variant I received:
Follow Radcliff
Let’s not forget that we came for the Freestar Collective Archival Code, not to blackmail the ambassadortime to get it then. Ambassador Radcliff will again ask for your discretion as she passes you the Freestar Archival Code.
Acquire House Va’Ruun’s Archival Code
To acquire House Va’Ruun’s Archival Code, you will once again head to the Commercial District. Look for the door on the right side of the Galbank to reach a corridor that will lead you to the locked Va’Ruun embassy door.
Use the Va’Ruun Embassy Entrance Override to unlock the door to the Va’Ruun embassy lobby. You can take the elevator straight to the embassy or explore the first and second floor of the lobby.
Approach the Intercom
The Va’Ruun embassy has been completely taken over by floral life. Head to Intercom to listen to what the voice you hear is saying.
Throw the Power Switch
Throwing the power switch will restore power, but the hissing voice on the Intercom will warn you to beware of the embassy’s defenses. Loot the Storage Box, a Spacesuit, a Gun, and some resources from the room with the Intercom before you move on.
Continue Deeper Into the Embassy
Follow the objective maker deeper, and your objective will change to Approach the Intercom once again.
Approach the Intercom
Note: You can avoid destroying the Turrets around this area as you can hack the computers and turn them to your side.
You will now encounter some Va’Ruun Robot Model As and Turrets MK I, which should be easy to deal with. You will have to follow a circular path to the next objective marker (you will pass the Living Quarters, where you will find the Living Quarters Local Systems Computer, or you can climb the branches in the middle of the garden to reach the entrance to a conference room where two Turres MK I await you (I’ve destroyed them in the image above). You will find the Intercom and the second Power Switch inside the Conference Room. You will also find the Conference Room Security Computer.
Throw the Power Switch
Throw the second Power Switch. The hissing voice will tell you that only one switch is left upstairs.
Continue Deeper Into the Embassy
As you exit the conference room, you will notice the door to your front right leads to a room where the stairs up are visible. Get in there and climb the stairs.
Approach the Intercom
Once you reach their end, the door to your right leads to a room with three Va’Ruun Robot Model A enemies and 2 or 3 Turrets, so be on alert. Once you dispose of them, you can either lockpick the first door to your left (north side of the room) or get in through the second one to find the third Power Switch and the next Intercom device (and the Common Room Security Computer).
Throw the Power Switch
After you throw the third power switch, you must follow the stairs down and then take the stairs right in front of you to the basement. The hissing voice will also mention “demons.”
Approach the Intercom
The hissing voice will say, “Beware –guardians– –basement– must– eliminate–.”
Explore the Basement
Once you enter the basement, you will encounter two Va’Ruun Robot Model S enemies. Now, approach the stranger in the basement.
Approach the Stranger
The stranger is Ambassador Bal’Mor himself!
Speak with Ambassador Bal’Mor
Ambassador Qasrik Bal’Mor will only ask you to ensure that the information you retrieve from the Armistice Archives is used for good to provide you with the House Va’Ruun Archival Code. Makes sense after all this trouble to get to him.
Acquire House Va’Ruun’s Archival Code (Continued)
Follow the ambassador to receive the House Va’Ruun Archival Code. Make sure to loot the Industrial Crate in the room. Time to head back to Interstellar Affairs now that we have all three Archival Codes.
Return to Deputy MacIntyre (Interstellar Affairs)
MacIntyre will be impressed that you recovered both codes and got Radcliff to agree (and surprised that Bal’Mor is still alive). She will grant you the UC Archival Code and the Armistice Archive Keycard.
Report to the Armistice Archives
It’s time to head to the Armistice Archives, take the elevator to the Archives and talk to the officer in the Monitor room. Once she briefs you that you can only access the Terrormorph files in Unit 18, you can insert the three Archival Codes at the three receptacles. Then, you can head to Unit 18 inside the Armistice Archives vault and retrieve the data.
Return the Data
Return to Interstellar Affais. After a brief conversation, MacIntyre will ask you to hand the data over to Hadrian.
Give the Data to Hadrian
The research will take place at the Red Devils’ old HQ on Mars. Hadrian will see you there. Now, you must talk to MacIntyre about your citizenship approval.
Speak to MacIntyre
Follow MacIntyre to the balcony overlooking New Atlantis outside the Cabinet’s conference room and speak to her. You will receive your UC Citizen ID and 5,000 Credits. Elizabeth MacIntyre will also inform you that they have informed the Aphelion Realty office out in the plaza that you’re approved to purchase property in New Atlantis. You can now buy yourself a house in New Atlantis.
There is one more thing MacIntyre will discuss with you. There is one more person in the UC that wants to discuss with you, but that person is in a sensitive position. That person holds information on the Terrormorphs, and they asked for you by name, so the UC decided to consider their request based on the current circumstances.
You must agree that everything you are about to see is kept in the strictest confidence. Agree to her terms, and you must now head to Subsection Seven. You will be cleared for access by the time you get here.
Friends Like These is now completed, and the next mission, The Devils You Know, is unlocked.
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