Independent Haven missions

The Bulwark

Before mission

Mission briefing

After mission

Rewards

Cybernetics for Cybernetic Deity

Retrieve the blueprints for new cybernetics from a New Jericho lab.

Before mission

Phantom's Forge is one of the strangest independent havens. Cybernetics are mandatory here: every single inhabitant is as much machine as flesh. The haven's leader, Ryan Dustin Wood, is a frightening, eccentric figure who rules with an iron fist - literally.

Dark rumors about his excesses in pursuit of mechanical perfection circulate in other havens, but the inhabitants seem happy enough... assuming those are real smiles and real teeth.

Philosophically, Wood is most open to New Jericho, although he disdains their obsession with "primitive humanity." But right now, New Jericho has what he needs, and ideological matters are secondary.

Ryan Wood: "They're working on the tech I need," he hisses. "I know it. A new generation of cybernetic implants. We had a deal. They promised they would deliver. But they didn't. Keeping it all for themselves. Profit first, progress later. Liars!"

Wood wants us to infiltrate a New Jericho lab and retrieve the blueprints for the cybernetic prototypes they're developing. He's willing to pay for our services.

Player choice 1: Accept mission. Player choice 2: Refuse mission.

Ryan Wood: "Good, good," he says with a smile, and something inside him seems to produce a whirring sound. Our operatives choose not to discover what it was. Site added to Geoscape: Cybernetics for Cybernetic Deity

Mission briefing

We must retrieve the blueprints for new cybernetic tech that New Jericho is developing, so we can hand them over to R. D. Wood of Phantom's Forge, who will undoubtedly do something harmless and benevolent with them.

After mission

We have successfully managed to obtain the cybernetic blueprints from New Jericho, hopefully without alerting them to our involvement. Now is the time to return to Phantom's Forge and see what Wood has to offer for them. Site added to Geoscape: Upgraded

When our operatives inform R.D. Wood of their success, his cybernetic eye glows with appreciation. He smiles to reveal his new titanium tongue. His teeth are bright and sharp.

"Excellent. Our transformation will continue," he says. "You know, the Disciples of Anu almost got it right. We can be perfected. But not through biology. Not through the Pandoravirus. No!

The future will be forged, and I will create the New Humanity! Oh, don't you love the apocalypse? All the old crud has been swept away, and now nothing stands in our way.

You think I'm mad, of course. I don't hold it against you. In a sense, I am. I have moved so far outside the constraining box of conventional wisdom that my actions cannot but seem mad. But one day, you will understand.

When you have a new brain, and new eyes, and a spine of steel... then you will see what I can see. And then, when there are many like me... perhaps I will be less alone.

Rewards

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -5, TECH +250, MATERIALS +200, FOOD +150, Research + 500

The Hand of Merlin

Before mission

Mission briefing

After mission

Rewards

Night of Desirable Blueprints

Steal data from Synedrion for New Sydney.

Before mission

The independent haven of New Sydney was founded by a group that broke away from Synedrion.

Its founder, now Mayor Harry Brown-Beresford, believed that Synedrion's commitment to co-existence with the Pandoravirus was simply unsustainable and that a more confrontational approach was paramount.

He tried convincing the rest of Synedrion, but was outvoted and eventually left, taking many of his supporters with him.

New Sydney tries its best to maintain good relations with all the major factions, including Synedrion.

Brown-Beresford makes a big point of his belief in diplomacy and cooperation. But sometimes... sometimes you have to take risks.

As part of his attempts to maintain peace, Mayor Brown-Beresford tries to collect as much information as possible.

Conflicts can arise from within factions as much as from without, and New Sydney needs to be prepared. Recently, he lost touch with a valuable source in Synedrion.

It's all very inconvenient. There's some information that would be extremely helpful, and I almost had it. If you could recover it... discreetly, I would be happy to pay you.

Player choice 1: Accept mission Player choice 2: Refuse mission

"Please remember to be careful," he says. "I disagree with Synedrion on some important issues, but they're not the enemy. This is about long-term strategy, not inflicting damage."

Site added to Geoscape: Night of Desirable Blueprints

Mission briefing

We need to liberate some data from Synedrion. Discreetly.

After mission

We have successfully liberated the Synedrion research data. The data is heavily encrypted, so we can only hope that New Sydney has a means to make use of it.

Site added to Gesocape: Speak softly

Mayor Brown-Beresford grins at our operatives when they return with the data.

"I really do believe in peace and diplomacy, you know. I want this haven to make the world a better place. But doing that is complicated. They say you should speak softly and carry a big stick, but we don't have a big stick, so we need... insurance."

"Here's your payment," he continues. "Not that you did any kind of job for New Sydney. Do you remember anything? I don't. This is just a gift because I felt like being nice. It's been a pleasure."

Rewards

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -5, TECH +150, MATERIALS +450, FOOD +150, Research +500

O Brother, Where Anu Thou?

Extract Felipe Mena from a Disciples of Anu haven.

Before mission

Bastión Irazú is an independent haven founded by refugees during World War 3. It grew to its present size when the surviving nation states finally collapsed during the Second Mist.

It welcomes people with mutations but is not allied with the Disciples of Anu, as its people are generally suspicious of religious leaders.

The haven's mayor is one of its first citizens, Fabio Mena, a Costa Rican engineer specialized in communications who accidentally found himself becoming a leader.

"Please, just call me Fabio, most people here do," he says. "Being called a mayor is strange. I'm just a man who tries to keep this place running."

There is something Fabio requires our help with.

My brother, Felipe... well, it's a really long story, but he disappeared during the First Mist, and I've been looking for him. I know what you're thinking: he's dead. But our family... well, again, it's a really long story.

Let's say there are reasons he may have survived. And recently I found out he may be living in a haven controlled by the Disciples of Anu. I've been trying to send word, but they won't forward my messages to him. So I need you to rescue him.

Player choice 1: Agree to extract Felipe. Player choice 2: Contact the Disciples of Anu to inquire about Felipe (requires attitude with Disciples of Anu higher than 35)

Contact the Disciples of Anu to inquire about Felipe

As it turns out, the problem can be solved diplomatically: Felipe, whose mutations are quite extensive, has willingly joined the Monastic Order of Silent Contemplation, and Fabio's messages were not relayed to avoid disturbing Felipe's meditation.

In this case, however, an exception will be made with the blessing of the Exalted, and the two brothers will be temporarily reunited.

Fabio and Felipe have chosen paths that are not compatible with each other, but they are brothers, and they will find a way of dealing with it. Family, as a wise man once said, should not end in blood.

Rewards

TECH +100, MATERIALS +100, FOOD +100

Agree to extract Felipe

"Thank you," Fabio says. "I appreciate your help. Sometimes we have to rely on other people, even if it's frightening. That's the first lesson we learned during the war."

Site added to Geoscape: Undercover brother.

Mission briefing

We must extract an individual who we think is Felipe Mena, brother of Fabio Mena, from this haven - ideally without attracting too much attention.

After mission

We have successfully managed to escape with the civilian. What is more, he has confirmed that he is indeed Felipe Mena, brother of Fabio Mena. Although he appears like an ordinary human at first, a closer look reveals a large amount of subtle mutations.

We will have to see what Fabio makes of this. Site added to Geoscape: Brother's keeper.

Fabio Mena is faced with a difficult dilemma: his brother, the man we extracted, is extensively mutated. Moreover, he didn't need rescuing but had joined the Disciples of Anu on purpose, to learn how to control his powers.

The only reason he came along with us is because he thought it was an opportunity to prevent further bloodshed, by showing Fabio that the Disciples can save people.

Fabio thanks our operatives, but it's clear that the decision about what to do next weighs heavy on him. "Still, even though our paths are very different, it's good that you found him.

We will have to find a way to do what we believe in without hurting each other. That's what family is all about, right? Whatever else happens, we'll always be brothers.

Rewards

TECH +150, MATERIALS +150, FOOD +450

Thunder and Sunshine

Before mission

Scheria is a friendly, culturally diverse haven which has taken in many refugees over the last decade, although it remains somewhat isolationist when it comes to the bigger factions.

Its founder is the thoughtful and charismatic Ulysses J. Black, the former owner of a global cybernetics company who was ousted after a hostile takeover by Vanadium Inc.

"You better not trust West, that lying sack of Pandoran slime," he tells our operatives.

"Honestly, I don't even think he took my company away from me because of the actual cybernetics. It's all part of his great plan, I guess. But honestly, who gives a crap about his plan?"

"Anyway," he continues, "what I want from you people is this: go to the Synedrion research lab at these coordinates, retrieve the equipment on this list, and bring it all to me for a nice reward. No questions asked. You up for that?"

Player choice 1: Accept mission. Player choice 2: Refuse mission

Mission briefing

We must secure this Synedrion research facility to recover the equipment Ulysses J. Black has requested.

After mission

We have successfully managed to retrieve the equipment Ulysses J. Black requested. These seem to be parts for advanced cybernetic devices, mostly organ replacements. It's possible Black is far less human, biologically speaking than he appears.

Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -5. Site added to Geoscape: This Gray Spirit.

Ulysses J. Black is thankful for the equipment we have retrieved for him. For a moment, his features soften.

What a world this has become," he sighs. "A truly fallen world. And we ourselves... diminished. But how does that old poem go? Tho' much is taken, much abides;

and tho' / We are not now that strength which in old days / Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are; / One equal temper of heroic hearts, / Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will / To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Rewards

What's Mine Is Mine

Before mission

Mission briefing

After mission

Rewards