Starfield:Supra et Ultra

Sign up for the UC Vanguard. Mission Giver: Commander John Tuala Location(s): MAST Tower ID: UC01 Rewards XP: 250 Credits ?: Conditional Other Rewards: None ← Previous Concurrent Next → Grunt Work

The road to 2330, as the UC wants it remembered

Official Summary

"The player has signed up to take the entrance exam of the Vanguard, the UC's civilian fleet. The player has to go through two tests - Adaptability (a series of obstacle courses) and Ship Piloting (which takes place inside a simulator)."

Quick Walkthrough

1. Talk to Commander Tuala.
   1. (Optional) View all the museum exhibits.
2. Complete three waves of combat simulation.
   1. (Optional) Access the debug console.
   2. (Optional) Complete up to three additional waves of combat simulation.
3. Return to Tuala.

Description

After accepting Commander Tuala's recruitment pitch, you must go through a basic orientation and exam. This will determine both how long the road to UC citizenship is and how big your first paycheck will be.

Orientation

To begin, you can take part in an orientation on UC history through a few museum displays with interactive segments. Tuala will make different comments at the end based on how many you chose to interact with. There will be other people exploring the exhibits, and various guards who will also make comments about it if spoken to. Your companions will also make comments. The narration goes:

"In 2150, humanity learned the Earth's magnetosphere would collapse sometime in the next half-century, eliminating all life on the planet. In response, the nations of Earth rallied together to begin the search for a new home among the stars. Decisive action was required. But the secure transport of an entire civilization would demand a new kind of cooperation, a new kind of courage, and a new kind of union. But the secure transport of an entire planet required a new kind of cooperation, a new kind of courage, and a new kind of union. Thus, in 2159, the United Colonies were formed to make that journey possible. Thus, in 2159, the United Colonies were formed to make that journey possible. Just one year later, the Galileo, the first of many colony ships, touched down here on Jemison, beginning a new era of human history: the age of the United Colonies."

"Today, the United Colonies stretches from rugged Cydonia on Mars in the Sol system, to the bustling Den spacestation orbiting the star of Wolf. Together with Gagarin and New Atlantis in Alpha Centauri, these three systems form the nexus of galactic commerce, culture, and industry that is the modern United Colonies."

"The exodus from Earth meant more than just the beginnings of the United Colonies, but still. A tremendous undertaking."

"In that moment, humanity changed forever. Nothing would ever be the same."

"They must have been scared out of their minds."

"What a load of UC propaganda.*sigh* Still, I can't imagine living through all that."

"With the load literally falling apart all around you."

"The effort and planning it must have taken to evacuate literally the entire planet. Can you imagine? The logistics alone must have been mind-boggling."

"From their foundation, the United Colonies strove to provide all their citizens with opportunity, security, and peace. But there were those among the UC that still wanted something more - independence. So, in 2161, the UC issued the Centaurus Proclamation, granting UC citizens the right to settle distant worlds and form their own sovereign powers. But to accommodate those citizens who wanted only independence, in 2161, the UC issued the Centaurus Proclamation, allowing settlers to form their own sovereign colonies. It wasn't long before the first new faction - the Freestar Collective - was formally organized in 2188, later followed by House Va'ruun, revealing themselves to the universe in 2230."

"The Freestar Collective was initially founded in 2188, when the citizens of Akila banded together with the pleasure city of Neon in mutual defense. The Freestar Collective was founded in 2188 when the citizens of Akila joined together with the pleasure city of Neon in mutual defense. The Freestar Collective was founded in 2188 when the independent settlers of Cheyenne joined together with the pleasure city of Neon in mutual defense. The Collective and the United Colonies lived peaceably for years. But in 2194, after the deployment of a UC medical starstation in orbit around their world, the citizens of Narion also requested to join the Collective. But when the UC deployed an unrequested medical starstation - The Clinic - around the independent world of Narion in 2194, local citizens begged for Freestar support. But with the deployment of a UC medical station - The Clinic - around the independent world of Narion, unruly local citizens begged for Freestar annexation. The resulting rise in tensions between the Freestar Collective and UC culminated in the Settled Systems' first intergalactic conflict - The Narion War. UC and Freestar Collective fleets were deployed to the system - both factions claiming self-defense - and were soon drawn into open conflict. The UC and Freestar Collective both deployed fleets to Narion, claiming to act only in the interest of defense, but were soon drawn into open hostilities."

"Despite a decisive victory by the UC, the Colonies permitted the citizens of Narion to join the Collective, forming the basis for the fiercely independent union that persists to this day. Despite a decisive victory by the UC, Narion was permitted to join the Collective under one condition - no faction ever lay claim to more than three star systems. A decision that would lead to great strife in the years to come. The galaxy's first large-scale space conflict - The Narion War - had begun."

"However, the UC military's organizational advantage eventually proved too much for the young faction. The Freestar Collective fleet was finally cornered and crippled by superior UC forces in 2166. But the United Colonies was merciful in the resulting negotiations, permitting the Narion system to join the Freestar Collective, as it stands to this day."

"It was only in 2230 that the faction known as House Va'ruun first made contact with the rest of the Settled Systems. In 2230, another new faction - House Va'ruun - revealed itself to the galaxy. In 2230, not long after the end of the Narion War, another new faction - House Va'ruun - revealed itself to the galaxy. Founded by the passengers of a colony ship that had left New Atlantis and disappeared four decades earlier, House Va'ruun was a faction unlike any other. A theocracy dedicated wholely to the beliefs of its isolationist founder, Jinan Va'ruun, House Va'ruun initially made overtures of peace towards the rest of the Settled Systems. A theocratic union of noble households founded by isolationist Jinan Va'ruun, House Va'ruun initially made overtures of peace towards the rest of the Settled Systems. But the sudden appearance of a faction of strength and size to rival their own shocked the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective. The sudden appearance of another great faction shocked both the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective. They claimed their only intention was to spread the word of their god - the Great Serpent. House Va'ruun's claim that they were simply trying to spread the word of their god - the Great Serpent - was initially taken at face value. But none could have guessed that this worship might take the form of a bloody war - the Serpent's Crusade. None in the universe guessed that this worship might take the form of a bloody war - the Serpent's Crusade."

"Beginning in 2240, House Va'ruun forces declared all-out war on the rest of human civilization, initiating the "Serpent's Crusade." Over the next twenty-three years, thousands of Freestar, UC, and independent souls were killed by agents of House Va'ruun in the name of their serpent god. It was only with the death of their founder in 2263, and the succession of his heir, Jarek, that House Va'ruun finally sued for peace. There remains, however, select members of House Va'ruun who refuse to recognize the cessation of hostilities their leaders established. Even after House Va'ruun's mysterious disappearance, these Zealots remain a threat to all who encounter them, their pacification a goal of all space."

"I am beginning to find this presentation reductive and annoying."

"Of course this has nothing positive to say about House Va'ruun. I should expect no less from the United Colonies."

"Well, this is certainly an interpretation."

"Finally the UC deigns to acknowledge the Freestar Collective. Really, big of them."

"The result of the Centaurus Proclamation has always left me torn. So much conflict arose as a result. Was it worth it?"

"Of the many conflicts between the galaxy's factions, none was more brutal than the recent Colony War between the UC and the Freestar Collective. Of the many conflicts that occurred between the great galactic factions, none was more brutal than the recent Colony War. Set off by the unauthorized Freestar colonization of Vesta's Pride in 2308 - a direct violation of the Narion Treaty - the Colony War spread quickly across the galaxy. Triggered by Freestar Collective action on the world of Vesta's Pride in 2308, the Colony War quickly spread throughout the galaxy, with both sides deploying every weapon of war at their disposal. Both sides deployed every tool at their disposal: armadas of warships, mechanized combat platforms - or "Mechs" - even bioengineered alien creatures - the infamous UC Xenoweapons. Massive battle fleets, devastating Xenoweapons, and crushing mechanized combat platforms became commonplace as the war raged on. Massive battle fleets, devastating Xenoweapons, military clones, and crushing mechanized combat platforms became commonplace as the war raged on. It was only in 2311, at the Battle of Cheyenne, that the scales finally tipped. The Freestar Collective, utilizing their civilian fleet as a human shield, successfully crippled the superior United Colonies Navy. After their shocking victory against the galaxy's greatest navy, the Freestar Collective offered terms of peace, which the Colonies, out of an interest in staving off any further human costs, accepted. The galaxy has been rebuilding ever since."

"Few settled worlds were left untouched by the Colony War. The Colony War at its peak reached across the galaxy, from Mars on the UC side, to the Freestar Collective worlds of Vesta's Pride and Piazza. But nowhere could the viciousness of modern warfare be seen more clearly than on the Freestar planet of Niira. But nowhere could the viciousness of contemporary warfare be seen more clearly than on the Freestar planet of Niira. Initially occupied by invading United Colonies forces as a forward operating position, repeated attempts to take and retake the planet by Collective forces led only to devastation. Swathes of the world were transformed into scorched husks, a nightmarish testament to the depths of human ingenuity and human cruelty. The world was transformed into a nightmarish testament to the depths of human ingenuity and human cruelty. Waves of combat robots, advanced Mech platforms, and devastating alien weapons ultimately left the planet a scorched husk of its former self. And today Niira remains a continuing reminder to the horrors of unfettered war."

"In the midst of the Colony War, a different kind of tragedy struck the UC city of Londinion. A newly constructed but critical supply center for the United Colonies' war effort, Londinion found itself overrun by one of the galaxy's most mysterious predators - the Terrormorph. A critical supply center for the United Colonies' war effort, the city found itself overrun by one of the galaxy's most mysterious predators - the Terrormorph. A rare but pervasive threat to all human-settled worlds, Terrormorphs swept over the city seemingly out of nowhere, on a scale never before seen in recorded history. To this day a rare but pervasive threat for all human-settled worlds, Terrormorphs struck the city without warning. Valiant efforts by the UC military slowed the onslaught, but the creatures proved unstoppable. Valiant efforts by local military slowed the onslaught long enough to attempt an evacuation, but the creatures proved unstoppable. Ultimately, the decision was made to destroy the Londinion spaceport - sealing off the city, the outbreak... and its citizenry from the galaxy at large. To prevent the outbreak spreading further, the decision was made to bomb Londinion's spaceport, sealing off the creatures - and the city - from the galaxy at large, and leaving the people of the United Colonies grief-stricken. The tragedy of Londinion is mourned by the UC to this day."

"I suspect many in the Freestar Collective would take issue with the way the Colony War is represented here."

"Omitting the verifiable facts about a conflict only ensures a repeat performance."

"This... "History" is really starting to piss me off. All of it is spun so much it's basically lies."

"The Colony War was a horrible conflict that irreparably wounded the Settled Systems. There were times I felt that it would never end."

"After the devastation wrought by the Colony War, the UC and Freestar Collective came together to ratify a treaty that became known as "The Armistice." After the devastation of the Colony War, a collection of rules were implemented to keep such an event from ever happening again. The terms of "The Armistice" were stringent. Both sides agreed to a vast reduction in standing forces and that Xenoweapons and Mech warfare would be outlawed. All related research was sealed away, accessible only in cases of dire emergency. All related research was archived and kept under guard, accessible by mutual agreement, and only in cases of dire emergency. All related research was archived and kept under lock and key, watched vigilantly by a union of Freestar and United Colonies forces. But the Collective had another demand - that the active commanders of the UC military stand trial for their actions. The United Colonies, in the interest of peace and galactic security, agreed. In 2311, three United Colonies senior officers were found guilty. Commander Henry Durant, General Indira Rastogi, and Fleet Admiral François Sanon, known better as "Vae Victis." All were sentenced to death for their actions, bringing the Colony War to a close and returning peace to the galaxy at long last."

"After everything, it is almost impossible to believe that the Armistice happened. But I admit I am glad it did. The Settled Systems have benefitted."

"It was a scary time, to say the least. The Armistice was the only way we could survive... until the next terrifying weapon, anyway."

"Well, they got this right at least. The Armistice was a necessary move. "

"To make sure the next war doesn't wipe us out for good."

"I was a strong supporter of the Armistice. All of the terrible weapons that both sides used against one another... it had to end."

"It was into this new world that the Vanguard was born. An official branch of the UC Navy, the Vanguard is the United Colonies' volunteer fleet, serving a myriad of security, logistical, and reconnaissance roles. And after a sufficient length of service, UC citizenship is guaranteed to every Vanguard member. Open to all captains, regardless of origin, the Vanguard is leading the charge to protect and support the citizens of the United Colonies, wherever in the galaxy they may be."

"No one is born a United Colonies citizen; only through service to the UC can one hope to earn one's citizenship. But the UC prides itself on taking care of its people. Cost of living controls mean citizens pay less than their foreign counterparts for needs big and small. All citizens are issued a grant upon joining to get themselves on their feet. And only UC citizens have the opportunity to purchase property, getting the chance to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the Settled Systems. By joining the Vanguard today, you too can begin earning your place here, in the heart of galactic civilization - as a citizen of the United Colonies."

Acing your Fighter Ace Exam

After talking to Tuala, head down the elevator to the Vanguard Orientation Hall. Quick head over to a terminal at Recruit Registration to sign up and begin the examination, the go through Orientation Hall. In order to get a perfect score you want to listen to every showcase, or just press the button and continue on to the next one. After you either take in the history of the United Colonies or ran down the hall pressing buttons, ride the elevator down to the piloting simulator. Down there head towards the end towards a large room with two pods. Below the pod to your left you find a vanguard technician at work. A bit past them you see their yellow tool trolley from which you can pick up Simulator Admin Systems Keycard. Head up the left of the two staircases ahead to simulator one to begin your piloting test. Talking to Exam Proctor Samuelson will give you a hint that you can and are encouraged to cheat during the test. In front of simulator two you can find a fellow vanguard applicant who would like to quit working at TerraBrew.

Once in the pod, sit down in the piloting chair to begin, after a few seconds AI ships should appear and start attacking. You can either immediately exit the chair and head to the debug panel to cheat or just destroy them. If you have a simulator admin systems keycard or advanced security skill you should hack into the advanced debug options allowing you to cheat without limit. Doing so will grant you an ally, improved shields, and improved weapons. Return to your seat and begin dogfighting the AI ships. Cheating will make the test easier but not assured. In order to get the highest possible score you will still need to complete all 6 rounds.

After either destroying all 6 waves of enemies or gracefully accepting defeat, leave the simulator and return to Tuala. He will evaluate you based on your actions during both the orientation and the simulator. Pushing every button in the hall gets you a bonus point. Just accessing the debug panel will get you another. From there you are judged based on the results of the simulator. Should you do all of the bonus objectives and manage to defeat every enemy you will get both a giant sack of money and be awarded with a drastically shortened path to citizenship.

Making it official

After reviewing your results Commander Tuala asks you if you want to join the UC Vanguard. If you do he takes you outside for a brief ceremony. Follow him and swear you oath. After this you get your probationary mission.

Credit Reward

The credit reward for this mission is contingent to your performance in the simulator:

• 2 x Faction Wow

Player earned the best signing bonus from their exam performance.

• Faction Large

Player got the second best signing bonus from their exam (set from being a vet or a score of 5 on the exam).

• Faction Medium

Player got the lowest signing bonus. Set from using a debug option or beating four tiers.

• Faction Small

Player got the third best result - 4+ kills in the Sim or found one secret path.

AND

Player got the lowest signing bonus. Set from using a debug option or beating four tiers.

Plus an additional 1,000 if you are UC Native.

Mission Stages

Supra et Ultra (UC01)
Stage	Finishes Mission	Mission Entry
1		(DEBUG: Jump player to the Registration Terminal)
2		(DEBUG: Jump player to the Orientation Hall)
3		(DEBUG: Jump the player to the Adaptability Exam)
4		(DEBUG: Jump the player to pre-piloting exam)
5		(DEBUG: Move player into Sim Ship)
6		(DEBUG: Jump the player to the final scene with Tuala)
7		(DEBUG: Jump the player right to the Stealth Course)
11		(DEBUG: Drop the player out of the Ship Sim)
100		(Player has been directed to use the registration terminal. Set from a trigger near the entrance of the cell.) Step one of joining the Vanguard - register at one of the terminals in the Orientation Hall inside MAST.
200		(Player registered. Direct them to the Orientation Hall.) I've registered for the Vanguard. I can now either explore the United Colonies "Orientation" displays or head straight to the exam.
211		(DEBUG: Player activated the first display. Throw the message box.)
280		(Player heard second to last orientation entry. This unlocks dialogue with Bea in Sector B)
299		(Player entered trigger at entrance to the Vanguard course area. If they haven't completed objective 200, remove it)
300		(Player listened to the last item in the Orientation Hall. Have them continue to the exam room.) I've listened to the specified United Colonies Orientation displays. Now I can either keep exploring the hall or take on the exam itself.
301		(Player entered prep room. Pop the "Resupply" objective (and play the scene once we're able). Triggered from Trigger 301)
302		(Player activated the weapons locker. Give the player their equipment and complete the objective.)
303		(Player activated the medkit locker. Check to see if the weapons locker has also been activated. If so, complete the objective.NOTE: TTP# 28225 - this needs better completion criteria in the future (the player emptying the container))
304		(Player has accessed weapons locker and the medkit. Complete the "Collect stuffs" objective)
305		(Player approached Bea. Trigger her scene.)
306		(Player started Bea's scene. Close out her objective)
307		(Player selected Bea's first question loop. Unlock the others.)
308		(Player asked Bea about support. Unlock the two skill checks.)
309		(Player heard Bea's initial spiel on Sector B. This unlocks the special option to ask Bea for a secret path through Sector B.)
310		(Player entered the Adaptability Exam proper. Play the intro scene)
320		(Player has activated the button for Sector A. This is used to clear out that objective marker)
325		(BREAK THE SIM: Player broke the sim for Sector A. Set from the destruction state of the main power cable above Sector A.)
330		(Player has activated the button for Sector B. This is used to clear out that objective marker)
331		(Player approached the trigger around Sector B. Have a line play.)
340		(Player has activated the button for Sector C. This is used to clear out that objective marker)
345		(BREAK THE SIM: Sector C. Player entered the trigger near the top of the hidden stair case in Sector C)
348		(Player killed Bea after the course was completely done. Used to track dialogue in Tuala's scene.)
349		(Bea was killed. Fail her objective.)
350		(Player got to the part where Bea told them all about the Leeches, but they haven't accepted yet)
355		(Player gets Bea to attack them.)
360		(Player agreed to kill all the Leeches for Bea)
362		(Player killed all the Leeches on condensor 01. Check the others and advance if they're done.)
364		(Player killed all the Leeches on condensor 02. Check the others and advance if they're done.)
366		(Player killed all the Leeches on condensor 03. Check the others and advance if they're done.)
370		(Player successfully wiped out the Leeches)
371		(Player unlocked Bea's friendly scene by telling them all the leeches are gone. Direct them there in the future.)
375		(Player asked Bea for help with the exam in the "good solution" scene. Unlock those dialogue options)
377		(Bea offered to hit the switch in Sector B for them in the friendly scene. Open up that option in dialogue.)
380		(Player unlocked the "debug mode" for Bea. Unlock that scene. Also counted as the "Breaking the Sim" approach for Sector B.)
390		(Player directed Bea to go activate the Sector B switch for them.)
395		(Bea arrived at the Sector B door. Open it and get her walking towards it.)
399		(Player chose to bypass the adaptabilty exam. Let them proceed.) I chose to bypass the exam, rather than finish it completely. We'll see how that affects my final score.
400		(Player cleared all three releases. Let them proceed.) I found all three Sector Releases and completed the exam. Now it's on to the next one.
401		(Stage set from stage 399 and 400 to set the adaptability exam into the "done" state (used on package/dialogue conditions, etc.))
405		(Player hit trigger before entering Pilot's Exam hall. Play the scene.)
406		(P3: Unlocks some a hello for the Proctor after the player asks about "winning the exam" in his TL's)
410		(Player entered the Piloting Simulation Chamber.) All right. Exam time. Sounds like I need to enter one of the piloting simulation chambers to kick things off.
420		(Player found the calibration system (set from the UC01_DebugRockAliasScript). Used to adjust Tuala's wrap-up dialogue)
425		(P3: Player hacked into the high-end debug systems. Set from the UC01 sim diagnostic terminals and used to change dialogue in Tuala's wrap up scene)
450		(Player has sat in the piloting seat. Move them into the sim.)
500		(Player started the sim. The pilot's chair itself will move them into space.)
590		(Player started the ship sim. When they come back, progress this quest.) Sounds like I'll need to take down at least three tiers of enemies in order to pass the piloting exam. Time to show the Vanguard what I've got.
599		(P3: Player hit the trigger just outside the simulator after passing. Trigger the proctor's scene.)
600		(Player exited the sim. Start the final scene and direct them back to Tuala. Set from player alias script.) Success! I passed the Vanguard piloting exam! Time to speak to Commander Tuala to figure out what comes next.
601		(P3: Player hit the CF player dialogue option in Tuala's wrap up scene. If they drop out, get 'em back there.)
602		(P3: Player hit the 1st proper player dialogue option in Tuala's wrap up scene. If they drop out, get 'em back there.)
603		(P3: Player started into the actual score review. Get 'em back in there if they get kicked out.)
605		(PASS 2.5: Player told Tuala they're a vet. This'll open up a signing bonus later on)
610		(Player finished the Adaptability section of Tuala's wrap-up)
620		(Player finished the Piloting Section of Tuala's wrap-up)
630		(Player finished both the exam results with Tuala, but hasn't hit the oath yet. Used to get them back to that section of the quest if they bail)
640		(Player earned the best signing bonus from their exam performance.)
641		(Player got the best result on the exam - acing the Pilot's Exam.)
642		(Player got the second best result on the exam - finding 2+ secret solutions.)
643		(Player got the third best result - 4+ kills in the Sim or found one secret path)
644		(Player got second to last result - 4+ kills or 1 secret path, but killed Bea)
645		(Worst result. Killed only 3 ships and found no secret paths.)
646		(P3: Player got the second best signing bonus from their exam (set from being a vet or a score of 5 on the exam))
647		(P3: Player got the lowest signing bonus. Set from using a debug option or beating four tiers.)
650		(P3: Player agreed to take their oath. Get Tuala headed to the oath spot.) Apparently there's an oath I need to take before I can start working with the Vanguard. Commander Tuala said I should follow him so he can administer it.
660		(P3: Tuala arrives at the destination location. Direct the player to speak to him again.) I should speak to Commander Tuala so I can officially start working for the Vanguard.
661		(P3: Player hit got halfway through the oath. Get 'em back there.)
662		(P3: Player hit the player dialogue choice in the oath. Get 'em back there if they drop out)
670		(P3: Player completed their oath.)
690		(P2: Player started the pre-oath scene. Get 'em back there if they bail out.)
691		(Player bailed just before accepting the oath.)
692		(Player bailed from the oath scene right before the end. Set from the end fragment of scene 606 and used to condition out one the dialogue options.)
693		(Tuala gives the player their Vanguard uniform.)
694		(Player started Tuala's final wrap up scene (607))
695		(Player left right before getting their first Vanguard assignment. Direct them back to that part of the conversation.)

Notes

• Any text displayed in angle brackets (e.g., <Alias=LocationHold>) is dynamically set by the Radiant Mission system, and will be filled in with the appropriate word(s) when seen in game.
• Not all entries may appear in your log; which entries appear and which entries do not depends on the manner in which the mission is done.
• Stages are not always in order of progress. This is usually the case with missions that have multiple possible outcomes or missions where certain tasks may be done in any order. Some stages may therefore repeat objectives seen in other stages.
• If an entry is marked as "Finishes Mission" it means the mission disappears from the Active Mission list, but you may still receive new entries for that mission.
• On the PC, it is possible to use the console to advance through the mission by entering setstage UC01 stage, where stage is the number of the stage you wish to complete. It is not possible to un-complete (i.e. go back) mission stages, but it is possible to clear all stages of the mission using resetquest UC01.

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