Mission Type: Heleus Assignment: Elaaden
Prerequisite: Access to Elaaden; must have interrogated Vehn Terev in Hunting the Archon
Start Location: Elaaden
Unlocking: Approach the outpost
Speak to Dirk Barrett
Elaaden: Sea of Ataraxia
Approach this small outpost (1) to the northeast of the Paradise, which is settled next to the same canyon (or very large pit). Open the front door to find Dirk Barrett and two other Outlaw Raiders inside and ready to fight.
After Barrett says he’s glad you haven’t shot him in the face, a conversation prompt triggers that gives you the choice to do just that, or allow him to talk. We suggest you allow him to talk. He tells you he needs your help. The Raiders need a bigger base, and there’s one about 20 clicks away that another gang has taken. He wants your help clearing it out. Afterward you can grill him about his operation and what else the Raiders might want later.
Head to the Outpost
Paradise Sands
Barrett harbors aspirations of turning Elaaden into something more than the lawless wasteland it is now. To do that, he needs a well-fortified hideout and has his sights set on a rival gang’s outpost. You can find this outpost (2) in Paradise Sands. It’s a desolate area that stands out like a sore thumb. Look for the three large floating machines hovering around a fort.
Clear Out the Scavengers
You can easily enter the outpost through the large ungated front entrance. Your biggest threat is the dominant Hydra in the middle of the compound. Take this mech on first before dealing with the other Outlaws, which include Saboteurs, Raiders, Sharpshooters, and Pariahs.
Secure the Outpost for Barrett
After clearing the outpost (once), a dropship arrives to deliver another wave of scavengers to continue the battle for the outpost. The squad consists of a few Raiders and a Sharpshooter.
Defeat the Reinforcements
Clear the squad of scavengers that come from the dropship, and soon after, another dropship delivers its payload of a similar squad. Now you know why Barrett didn’t want to do this himself. Defeat the new arrivals.
Optional: Locate Armory Door Controls
Enter the westernmost building’s first floor and interact with the terminal to unlock the armory door, which is in the other building on the second floor.
Optional: Investigate the Armory
Inside the second-floor armory of the easternmost building is a crazy amount of ammo and health crates, as well as a shipping crate inside an open cabinet. Search this crate.
Disarm Explosive Devices
Inside the shipping crate are explosive devices. During the conversation options, you can choose to believe Barrett is honest, or you can confirm your belief that he’s playing you and all of this has been his master plan to get to these explosives. No matter what you think of Barrett and how you end this mission, there’s no wrong choice or adverse reactions to your decision. You can keep the devices for the Initiative or let Barrett have them.
Contact Barrett
Follow the navpoint to the room on the second floor of the adjacent building, then to a console in the back of the room, where you can call Barrett. Nothing is mentioned of the explosives, and once you tell him the outpost is clear, he offers you the container of loot that was in his building (1). You earn a good amount of AVP for completing this mission and +5% Elaaden Viability.