The Firefighters

Mission Type: Heleus Assignment: Nexus

Prerequisite: Mission 2, complete Nexus Phase 2

Start Location: Nexus Common

Unlocking: Speak to Dr. Aridana

Speak to Dr. Aridana

Nexus: Tech Lab

Enter the tech lab on the Nexus and talk to the scientist Dr. Aridana (1). She tells you that she has a math problem only a mind like SAM’s could solve. This pertains to the strange transmission patterns in the Scourge. Accept the mission.

Run the Equations

Hyperion: SAM Node

Ride the tram (2) to Hyperion Habitation. Enter the SAM Node and interact with SAM (3). Select “I have equations for you.” SAM downloads the equations but also some malicious code and, as a result, becomes unresponsive. Tamper with the three panels in the same room. You must reboot them in the correct order to restore SAM to normal. To do this, activate the consoles, following closely behind the ghost hacker that SAM projects to show you the hacking order.

Speak to SAM

Once the reboot puzzle is complete, talk to SAM again, who tells you the equations contained a Trojan horse program. Return to Dr. Aridana to see what she has to say for herself.

Confront Dr. Aridana

Head back to the tram (2) and travel to the Nexus docking bay and then to the tech lab to confront the doctor (1). She denies having anything to do with the virus, and when pressed, she suggests her files have been altered or replaced by someone. Professor Herik adds that he’s seen some “down with AI” graffiti around. He suggests someone from the anti-AI group may have taken their threats to the next level. Chief Lucan adds that the VI kiosk was busted this morning.

Look for Anti-AI Activityon the Nexus

Head back downstairs and talk to Avina, the holographic guide (5). The hacker breaks through communications and speaks directly to you through Avina. The hacker believes SAM was destroyed by the Trojan horse attack, so you play along and indicate that the hacker did you a great favor.

Both possible replies insinuate SAM’s gone, so you can’t answer incorrectly. During the response, the hacker mentions the name of the movement’s founder, “Knight.” The voice says the virus wouldn’t exist without her. Ask to meet Knight, and the hacker tells you to watch your email for an answer.

Look for an Email from Knight

Tempest

When you return to the Tempest, check your email from either your room or the bridge. You should see an email from Knight expressing her excitement about disconnecting SAM from you. She invites you to talk to her on Kadara.

Before entering the hacker’s sanctuary (6) on the mountaintop in Haarfel, remember that these people think their virus worked, SAM is gone, and that you’re on their side. Knight welcomes you. During the conversation, she explains Overlord is a black-ops project involving humans implanted with AI that can kill the hosts. Continue to ask her questions to learn as much as you can about her intent and drive. You cannot blow your cover during this conversation.

Optional: Scan the Sanctuary for Clues

Without moving away from your first-floor position (where you spoke to Knight), turn and look at the console on the wall that contains the blue box schematics. Scanning it triggers an AI detector, and trying to block it could cause suspicion. Your cover is not blown if you scan it, so you’re fine as SAM masks the results as an error. But be careful; scanning a second item will blow your cover, which causes the place to erupt in gunfire.

Optional: Find a Discreet Way to Learn Knight’s Plan

There are two ways to go about learning Knight’s plan. You can scan for clues and fight Knight's gang or employ a peaceful solution by finding a cure for Alain (see the following Optional section). To go non-hostile, keep in mind that each scan triggers an alarm and after two scans the base goes hostile. This locks Alain's room and stops your ability to go the non-hostile route. You can access Knight’s computer after scanning three clues: blue box schematics, EMP device, and Nexus network map.

Optional: Build a Curative Device for Alain at a Research Center

Before scanning anything in the building, you can talk to Alain in the back room on the first floor. This is Knight’s son. He’s feeling ill from the effects of Project Overlord. If pressed, he tells you that his mom was a programmer for Project Overlord and that he was a candidate for the Human/AI Hybrid project. He participated, but his implants got hacked. After conversing with him, you can build a curative device for Alain at a research center.

To go this route, head back to the Tempest, or use the research terminal at the Kadara docks. Use the research center to develop the Cybernetic Device for 6 Aluminum and 2 Iridium.

Return to Alain (6) and give him the device to help with his implant. He responds quickly to the treatment. He says when “Mercury goes down,” his mom will lose her mind over this. You’ve got your clue. “Mercury” is the code name for whatever Knight’s working on. This allows SAM to find any relevant data quickly.

Optional: Defeat the Hackers

This is the option forced upon you if you blow your cover by scanning two objects in the sanctuary. If this is you, defeat the Outlaw Anarchist, Agents, and Laveria. 

Run the Equations at the SAM Node on Ark Hyperion

If you successfully find data via the three scans in the sanctuary (blue box schematics, EMP device, and Nexus network map), you can run equations at the SAM Node to discover the code name “Mercury.” This, like finding a cure for Alain, is a violent way of reaching the next objective.

Go to the Hacker’s Sanctuary

Kadara: Haarfel

Use Knight’s Personal Terminal

Once you’ve gained Knight’s code name “Mercury,” through whatever means, head to her second-floor office in the sanctuary and use her personal terminal (marked with a navpoint). SAM finds files relating to “Mercury.” It’s a strike to prevent development of any future AI by destroying all quantum computers on the Nexus. Those computers run half the station, so you need to put a stop to this plan.

Locate Knight’s EMP Devices

Nexus Common

Three bombs have been placed on the Nexus that must be located and defused. Select this mission from the menu to place navpoints on the explosives. The first device is located outside the Vortex behind the planter (7). Deactivate it. The last two devices are at Nexus operations, so take the tram there now.

Nexus Operations

The next device is located under a desk along the back wall of Addison’s office (8). Find it and deactivate it.

The last device is under the bridge console near the front window in Colonial Affairs (9). Find and deactivate it. Kandros announces on comms that they’ve cornered Knight and she may be carrying the last of the devices. He has a sniper ready to fire, but there may be a chance for a peaceful resolution. Knight wants to talk to you.

Confront Knight

Nexus: Docking Bay

Take the tram back to the Nexus docking bay, and find Knight (10) on the upper level near the balcony overlooking the docking bay. Talk to her to learn that the Overlord project (planting AI inside people) nearly killed her son, Alain, and her plight has been to save others from the same torment. If you went the route of curing Alain using the Cybernetic Device, tell her so to solve this situation peacefully.

Or you can choose to have the sniper kill her by selecting “You’ll die for this.” Either way, you earn a lot of XP for competing this quest.