Constellation is finally taking the time to check on their friend and member, Barrett. Barrett had borrowed money from the player at the beginning of Starfield and now Constellation is concerned about his well-being. In the mission "Back to Vectera," players are tasked with reuniting with their old mining crew and uncovering the trouble Barrett has found himself in. This mission offers players the choice to handle the situation violently or to enjoy the mystery. Barrett has left a series of clues for players to follow in order to save him from the Crimson Fleet, who are once again causing chaos in the galaxy.
Return To Vectera
Players should start by heading to the Marion system in their ship, as this is where they first encountered an Artifact and met Barrett. The Marion system is the first known system to players. Once they arrive, players should make their way to Vectera, which is the moon of the planet Anselon. They will land at the Argos Extractors Mining Outpost.
Upon landing, players may notice that it feels colder than usual. However, they will be greeted by a familiar face who seems somewhat annoyed. This face belongs to Lin, who is not hostile and poses no harm to the player. In fact, Lin is quite friendly.
Talk To Lin
After arriving at Vectera, the next crucial step is to engage in a conversation with Lin, the head of this operation. Lin discloses that Heller and Barrett have been seized by the Crimson Fleet, and she has been unable to access a malfunctioning computer that might provide a clue regarding their whereabouts. Vectera is desolate and she feels hopeless about escaping this deserted mining rig.
Once players have finished conversing with Lin, they should proceed to the vicinity of the ruined mech she mentioned and retrieve the Emergency Power Cell, as it will prove useful later on. With this matter resolved, players should now head towards the first building on the right, where they will find the computer that potentially holds the answers they are seeking.
Fix The Comms Computer
Inside the building, players need to locate and retrieve two Emergency Power Cells. The first one can be found in the first room on the right, sitting on a shelf. Within this room, players will also come across the Digipick, a useful tool for later. Additionally, they will find Heller’s Cutter, a specialized weapon specifically designed for space mining operations. While not necessarily faster or stronger, it does provide an extra 20% damage against robots, making it a desirable item for collectors. In the adjacent office, players can find the second Emergency Power Cell.
Once players have obtained all three Emergency Power Cells, they should place them in the designated slots to activate the computer. It is recommended to save the game at this point, in case the Digipick is accidentally broken and no spare is available. Unlocking the door to the computer is relatively easy, requiring only novice skills. Once access is granted, players can use the computer to find the Sensory Array and listen to the Emergency Transmission, which provides details about Barrett's daring escape from the Crimson Fleet and the clues he left for Constellation to rescue him and Heller.
Talk To Lin Again
Now that players have discovered their next destination, it is advisable to return to Lin and confirm their findings. Speaking to Lin will provide her with peace of mind, knowing that Heller and Barrett are alive, even if she has no desire to see Barrett again. Lin informs the player that she is stranded until Argos arrives to pick her up, but she is more than willing to join the crew.
If players have the available space, there is no harm in offering Lin a ride off the surface. However, it is important to note that the most valuable crew members in Starfield are typically found in the main Constellation group. These individuals possess exceptional abilities and can also be potential romance partners.
Find The Crashed Ship
Players are required to return to their ship and set course for the Valo system. Once there, their objective is to land on Prax and locate the location of the crashed ship. In the distance, their awaited treasure can be found, but instead of Barrett, they will come across an injured Heller, who is under the influence of painkillers and experiencing relief as he sits and winces on the cold moon surface, patiently waiting for his rescuer to appear.
Upon conversing with Heller, he will recount Barrett's daring escape and how things went awry. Fortunately, Heller assures players that he is fine, albeit a bit bruised. At this point, players have the option to recruit Barrett, despite his mediocre skills. Regardless of their decision, Heller hands players Emergency Transmission 2, which contains the crucial information needed to locate Barrett.
Head To Bessel 3 And Find Barrett
The Emergency Transmission provided the coordinates to Barrett's whereabouts, which were at a Ransacked Research Outpost controlled by the Crimson Fleet in the Bessel system on the planet Bessel 3. Upon arrival, players will encounter a multitude of pirates eager to attack and loot them and their ship. It is advisable for players to carry additional weapons and healing items to gain valuable experience points.
Alternatively, players can choose to bypass these enemies and directly approach the Crimson Fleet Outpost located at the heart of the area. Once inside, the enemies will not pursue the player, allowing them to safely put away their weapons. However, players will soon realize that Barrett has surprisingly formed a friendly alliance with his captors.
Free Barrett From Matsura
Matsura, the captain of the Crimson Fleet pirate brigade, enjoys the company of Barrett as they share stories of their adventures in space. Barrett excitedly talks about seeing a unicorn or something similar. Players have various options to handle the situation. They can negotiate with Credits, use persuasive words, or resort to violence.
To persuade Matsura The Grim to release Barrett: Utilizing the Persuade tactic, players can avoid violence completely and free Barrett without any cost. This is the recommended course of action, as convincing Matsura that Barrett is not worth the trouble and that they have formed a strong bond is the most effective approach.
To Release Barrett, Pay 4,000 Credits: Another option is to pay the pirate a fee to secure Barrett's freedom. Although this may be costly for new players, knowing how to effectively utilize the currency can quickly replenish the 4,000 Credits spent, making it a worthwhile investment.
Enlist Sarah's Assistance: Sarah, representing Constellation, can intervene and assist in freeing Barrett. Constellation possesses dedicated funds for scenarios like this, where their members are entangled in cases of pirate ransom.
Engaging in an assault on Matsura and the Crimson Fleet will result in the entire base becoming hostile, potentially endangering Barrett's friendship. Nonetheless, since these are violent space pirates, if players are unable to negotiate or bribe their way out of the predicament, this course of action remains the solution.
Opting for a non-aggressive approach will cause all Crimson Fleet NPCs outside of this room to become non-hostile. They will no longer attack the player as they did upon initial landing. However, it is important to note that this does not mean the Crimson Fleet is permanently non-hostile. It is merely a one-time occurrence.
Return To The Lodge
After rescuing Barrett, players can return to the secure planet of New Atlantis under the protection of UC. To reconnect with the Constellation crew and discover the latest Artifacts in the library, players can embark on the Lodge. As a companion in Starfield, Barrett is now accessible and offers a delightful personality that adds excitement to exploring the galaxy. This wraps up the Back to Vectera mission in Starfield, with numerous adventures yet to be experienced.
Starfield is available now for PC and Xbox Series X|S.