The Best There Is is the fifth faction mission for Starfield‘s Crimson Fleet. After completing Breaking the Bank and learning that Legacy is a GalBank ship that disappeared in Bannoc IV’s orbit, you must steal the ComSpike, a decryption system developed by the UC. The ComSpike will be installed on your ship and help you locate the Legacy when you reach Bannoc IV’s orbit during Eye of the Storm.
- Crimson Fleet Mission 05
- Planets: Jemison (Alpha Centauri System), SY-920 orbiting Luyten’s Rock (Luyten System), Suvorov’s Orbit (Kryx System)
- Rewards: 250 EXP, Credits
Meet Naeva and Jasmine on The Key
Once you wrap up the preceding mission, converse with Naeva and Jazz to gather intel on the elusive ComSpike. This coveted device is said to be housed in the highly classified UC Starstation SY-920. To actually locate and gain access to this covert facility, you’ll require the expertise of Huan Daiyua shadowy affiliate of the Crimson Fleet. You can find him awaiting your arrival in New Atlantis.
Speak to Naeva
Naeva will issue a fair warning: keeping in her good graces is crucial for successfully infiltrating the Star Station. Once inside, the burden falls on you to identify and seize the ComSpike, regardless of its developmental stage. While she’s indifferent to a more aggressive, guns-blazing approach, opting for this strategy will likely trigger a fierce counterattack due to the station’s heavy military personnel. Conversely, utilizing stealth and persuasion could significantly smooth your path. Therefore, arming yourself with specialized chemicals to enhance these skills wouldn’t be a misstep.
Meet Huan Daiyu in New Atlantis
You will find Huan Daiyu at the Well in New Atlantis. Ideally, you can take the elevator between Jemison Merchantile and Terrabrew Coffee in the Spaceport District, as it will get you very close to Kay’s House, where Huan Daiyu is (upper floor).
Speak to Huan Daiyu
Huan Daiyu’s role is limited to smuggling you to UC Starstation SY-920, and it’s best you keep it that way since, in the previous mission, Naeva didn’t like us telling Rokov about her plans with the ES Award (a different situation, but still). The plan is to board Huan Daiyu’s ship, the Jade Swan, and act as part of her crew until you find a way to sneak into the Starstation.
Huan’s Talk (Evidence) – Burden of Proof
Before you go, head to Kay’s House kitchen on the ground floor to loot the Huan’s Talk Data Slate from the counter next to the refrigerator. It’s another piece of evidence you can deliver to Lieutenant Toft for the Burden of Proof mission.
Meet Huan on the Jade Swan
The Jade Swan is a massive cargo ship that landed at the New Atlantis spaceport close to your ship. As a crew member, you can loot items inside the ship without stealing them, so pick any Med Packs and Trauma Packs, along with some Credits from Storage Boxes, before you head to the cockpit. Make sure to loot the Cargo Hold and the Captain’s Locker, as the latter has several Credits that depend on your level inside, while both contain many resources.
Travel with Huan to SY-920
Once you are ready, inform Huan, and the ship will take off.
Wait for the Jade Swan to Dock
After you use the Grav Drive to get to SY-920, it’s time to talk to Huan.
Speak to Huan
Huan Daiyu will tell you to head to the barracks through the vents by getting to the maintenance door downstairs. Once in the barracks, you must find a military uniform to blend in with the station’s crew and find an elevator to the Command Bay.
Gain Access to the Barracks to Find a Uniform
Option #1: Use Persuasion
The Persuasion route is quite hard, even with Persuasion Rank 3 and a +10% chance buff from liquor. Approach the marine guarding the entry to the main station instead of heading towards the objective. I recommend picking only easy options, at least whenever you have one turn remaining, to extend the conversation as much as possible. It took me eight steps to convince him, with some reloads.
Option #3: Use Elijah
If you access the Cargo Bay Computer, you will find out that a cargo hauler, Elijah, has lost his SY-920 Maintenance Keycard. Talk to every cargo hauler until you find Elijah. Then you can talk to the UC Marine Grunt guarding a SY-920 Maintenance Keycard to send him to Elijah and loot the card.
Option #3: Sneak and Steal the Card
Option #4: Lockpicking
Head to the Jade Swans Landing Bay entrance; you will find the docker’s door there. Use it to enter SY-920 and reach the station’s Cargo Bay. Take a cargo elevator to the lower floor.
(Optional) Speak to Huan
You can use the Intercom device to speak to Huan before going through the door to the Storage and Mess Hall. The door itself has an Advanced Security Level lock, which should be easy enough to pick, or you can pickpocket someone for the key.
Find an Ensign Uniform
Enter the Storage Room and open the vent. You now have three objective markers pointing to a different ensign uniform in the living quarters. Once you exit the vent closest to the objective marker of your choice, it’s best to sneak. I picked Ensign Ziremi’s Uniform, while I also found some Credstiks, a Digipick, and a few ammo in his dorm. The other options are Ensign Ngata’s Uniform also in the Living Quarters and Ensign Akaska’s Uniform inside the Security checkpoint. I do not know how to get the last one without wearing a uniform.
Note: Once you wear the Ensign Uniform you can start looting without stealing, so it’s a good time to explore the station. You can even lockpick in front of marines without an issue.
Enter the Command Bay
Head towards the objective marker and pass the Security checkpoint to reach the Transport Lifts.
Now, you will reach the Transport Lifts area, which you can also reach by picking the Expert Security Lock inside the vent system. However, a word of warning. I don’t think you can skip getting an Ensign Uniform Part. You can sneak past humans but can’t sneak past the cameras.
Once you reach the Command Bay, you must secure access to the Operations Room. Before you start, you can talk to Huan through the Intercom device for advice. Don’t forget to loot the UC Marine’s Slate once you enter the lobby.
(Optional) Talk to Huan
Huan will tell you that your uniform won’t be enough from now on, and you should look at the computer in the Security Room for an Access Code. The alternative is to use a Ventilation Shaft inside the Utility Room.
(Optional) Obtain a Clearance Code – Security Room
To get access to the Clearance Codes of each Ensign, head to the Security Room (Check the image above) and hack the Clearance Code Computer (Novice Security Level). You will even find some Digipicks in the same room.
- Ensign Akaska Clearance Code: AK127C
- Ensign Ngata Clearance Code: NG983P
- Ensign Zireme Clearance Code: ZX321D
(Optional) Find a Ventilation Shaft
Your alternative to bypass the next security checkpoint is to head to the Utility Room and go upstairs to find a vent. Enter it to make it past the security checkpoint.
Find Information on the Comspike (Operations Room)
Regardless of how you make it to the Operations Room, you must now head to the Archives and access the Data Access Computer. If you came through the ventilation shaft, you can completely bypass this room, but I recommend accessing both the Security Rooms and the Server Rooms, as you will find a Mannequin (the armor set is nothing special but will earn you some Credits), a Safe, multiple Credstiks and several lockers to open. Note that except Commander Natara, most marines will be alarmed by your presence, and you may have to Persuade them to be off the hook.
Check the Commander’s Computer as you learn about potential evidence about the former Commander, Commander Woods.
Once you are ready, head to the Archives room. There, you will find a Data Access Computer, where you will find information on the ComSpike. You will learn that Dr. Gabriel Vogel is the Project Leader. You can find him at Engineering Bay 4, Lab #4.
Upgrade Security Clearance for Engineering Bay 04
Once you upgrade your security clearance, you can access the Records Office Computers to open the emergency door and head towards the elevators to the Engineering Bays.
Go to Engineering Bay 4
Once you reach Engineering Bay 4, you will find Lab 01 and 02 on the upper floor and Lab 03 and 04 on the lower floor (remember that Dr. Vogel is in Lab 04).
Expect increased scrutiny here, as personnel are more likely to question your presence. It’s imperative to find a new way to go unnoticed. As if navigating this high-security labyrinth isn’t challenging enough, your time with Huan Daiyu ends abruptly. She can’t delay her departure, leaving you to fend for yourself. Her parting wisdom: prioritize securing a new disguise to facilitate your movements within the base. There are two ways to blend in here. Initially, you can find a Lab Coat, but once you reach the lower floor, a Pilot’s Suit will work wonders and may help you persuade Dr. Vogel that you are a test pilot for ComSpike’s ship.
Research Lab 01
In Research Lab 01, you will find an Engineering Lab Computer containing information about Project Archangel and the transfer of pilot Alex Vong to UC Vigilance after an accident that killed two of his peers. The accident rendered the pilot in no mental capacity to continue working on Projects Archangel and ComSpike. You can also loot a First Aid Kit and a Storage Create (Novice Security Level).
Research Lab 02
While Research Lab 02 is locked (Expert Security Level), you can enter it from the adjacent room. Just ensure you keep as far away from the Marine inside as possible. You will find an SY-920 Scientist Outfit, which you can switch your Ensign Uniform to better blend into the facility. Lockpick the safe next to it, as you may find a very good weapon inside. The Engineering Lab Computer in Lab 02 has information on ComSpike, while you can use the vent to get straight to Lab 03.
Research Lab 03
Regardless of how you navigate to the lower level of the labs, Lab 3 is situated in the corner where the ventilation system descends. Here, you’ll encounter intriguing terminals that suggest Dr. Marcin Eubanks had a mutually beneficial relationship with the previous Commander Woods but was dismissed after raising concerns with the new Commander Natara. Additionally, an email titled “Safety of our Test Pilots” reveals that misallocated funds intended for safety measures contributed to an accident involving a pilot who was later transferred to UC SysDef a point you might want to discuss with him when you next cross paths.
Eubanks & Woods (Evidence) – Burden of Proof
Before you head to Lab 04 to find Dr. Gabriel Vogel, check the room joining Lab 03 and Lab 04 for the Eubanks & Woods (Evidence) Data Slate, proof that former Commander Woods and Eubanks embezzled money. This should go straight to Lieutenant Toft.
Locate the ComSpike & Arrange a Test Flight on the Prototype
Lab 04
In Lab 04, you will find Dr. Vogel and learn that ComSpike is installed inside a starship. You can take several courses of action to steal the ComSpike now.
Persuade Dr. Vogel That You are a Test Pilot
If you intend to take this path, stop by the Lockers behind Lab 04 and loot a Pilot Uniform. Wear it before you talk to Dr. Vogel, as I think it helps with your persuasion checks.
He’ll also give you both the SY-920 Docking Port 8 Keycard to reach the ship and SY-920 Control Center Password to authorize the test flight in the Engineering Bay’s Flight Control Center.
Betray Huan Daiyu
If your Persuasion fails, you can betray Huan Daiyu. This will lead all the marines to the Cargo Bay, while you will bypass any clearance protocols and be allowed to fly the ComSpike ship by Natara and Vogel, without even needing to arrange a Test Flight.
Pickpocket Dr. Vogel and Sneak
If you have the Pickpocket skill and don’t want to betray Huan Daiyu, you can pickpocket Dr. Vogel for both the SY-920 Docking Port 8 Keycard and SY-920 Control Center Password. You will also find the former on other scientists. This will allow you to sneak to the ComSpike ship through a vent in the lockers, but before you do, wear the pilot uniform and try to arrange your flight at the Flight Control Center.
(Optional) Arrange a Test Flight
Once inside the Flight Control Center room, activate a Flight Control Computer and select “Select Project to Add” to add Project: UCE-86 ComSpike to the Authorized Flights.
Escape SY-920 in the Prototype Ship
Make your way to dock 08 and loot the Military Crate before you board the Prototype Ship. Once inside, loot the Captain’s Locker and Cargo Hold.
Return to the Key
Once inside the prototype ship, fast-travel back to The Key to report to Delgado.
Speak to Huan at the Last Nova
However, before you report to Delgado, you must first catch up with Huan Daiyu at the Last Nova.
Speak to Delgado
Once you are done talking with Huan Daiyu, head to The Key’s Operations Room and report back to Delgado. Your next step will be to head to Neon and find a way to use the city’s Conduction Grid technology developed by Generdyne to protect your ship from Bannoc IV’s EM field.
Proceed to the UC Vigilance
It’s time to return to UC Vigilance. Dock with the ship and board, then head to the Operations Room to talk to Commander Ikande.
Report to Commander Ikande
Ikande will commend you if you do not cause a ruckus in the Star Station and ask you to report on what Delgado plans next. You will be told to follow along with the plan. Finally, you will receive 250 EXP and Credits based on your character level and game difficulty.
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