The choice
What the operation puts to you, what each answer pays, and how it turned out. An option with two outcomes is one that can go wrong. This contract is authored several times over and the strategy layer rolls one of them, so the options you get depend on the version you draw: read the briefing and match it to the one below.
Our team looks into the meeting coordinates the mysterious stranger sent us and discovers it's an ambush. A Pyke Syndicate Underboss looking to make a name for himself has hired an assassin to take out known Hutt Cartel Associates. Apparently, that includes us. What should we do?
Which option to pick
Every answer pays the same. They differ in which zone the influence lands in.
AAttack first. Assign 2 operators to get the jump on our would-be assassin.
Our operators made short work of the would-be assassin. Problem solved.
Requires 2 operators assigned.
BBribe the assassin. Pay them to walk away.
Our team paid the assassin to forget she ever heard of Zero Company. Money well spent.
CCall the authorities. Set them up for arrest.
Our team tipped off the authorities, who were only too happy to scoop up a lone Pyke assassin. Problem solved.
Our team arrives at the meeting coordinates only to find that it's an ambush! Pyke Syndicate assassins emerge from the shadows, blasters hot. What should we do?
AFight for our lives.
It wasn't an easy fight, but our team dispatched the Pyke assassins. That's what they get for trying to get the drop on Zero Company.
Requires 4 operators assigned.
Our team arrives at the meeting and are greeted by an Ishi Tib merchant named Drongg: "Zero Company! I've heard you're in the market for some exceptional equipment? Don't worry about how I found you. Your secrets are safe with Drongg."
APurchase. The price is steep, but the goods are good.
Drongg was pleased to sell our team some new equipment: "Great choice! I'll see you again soon. Don't worry, I'll come find you. I always know where my best customers are hiding."
BPurchase. The price is steep, but the goods are good.
Drongg was pleased to sell our team some new equipment: "Great choice! I'll see you again soon. Don't worry, I'll come find you. I always know where my best customers are hiding."
CPass. No deal.
Drongg shrugged: "Maybe next time. Don't worry, I'll come find you. I always know where my best customers are hiding."
We receive coordinates to a no-droids-allowed bar, where a former Techno Union worker is waiting for our team in a dark corner. Her brother joined the Coil after a bad breakup, and she knows how dangerous their cult can be. She's heard Zero Company is fighting them. What can she do to help us?
Which option to pick
Take "Bring her on as a Contact". It is the only one that hands over Contacts.
AAssign to Upgrade Facility. A former Techno Union employee will have industrial knowledge we can use to improve our facilities.
The former Techno Union worker enhanced our Upgrade Facility. She was happy to do her part to help fight the Coil.
BBring her on as a Contact. We can use her as a source.
We brought the Techno Union worker on as a contact. She was happy to do her part to help fight the Coil.
Our team arrives at the meeting point to find Kathar Indiin, a legendary operator known for her discreet, flawless work for corporate clients. An old friend of Runa's, she offers mentorship in one area to one fortunate operator.
AUnbroken Concentration. Assign an Operator.
The assigned operator returned from their session with Indiin, awed by her skills and stronger than before.
Requires 1 operator assigned.
BHand to Hand. Assign an Operator.
The assigned operator returned from their session with Indiin, awed by her skills and stronger than before.
Requires 1 operator assigned.
CKeen Eyes. Assign an Operator.
The assigned operator returned from their session with Indiin, awed by her skills and stronger than before.
Requires 1 operator assigned.
DCompounding Strength. Assign an Operator.
The assigned operator returned from their session with Indiin, awed by her skills and stronger than before.
Requires 1 operator assigned.
Our team arrives at the meeting to find Leeshui, a Devaronian who claims to represent the Bounty Hunters' Guild. She informs our operators that in our work as independent contractors, we have violated several Guild bylaws, and unless Zero Company wants a visit from some of the Guild's nastier members, our team must pay her our penalty fees, now. What should we do?
Which option to pick
Take "Offer a big payoff". It is the only one that hands over Contacts.
AOffer a small payoff. Let's try to get out of this as cheaply as possible.
Leeshui grumbled but accepted the small bribe. Seems pretty clear now that she didn't actually work for the Bounty Guild.
BOffer a medium payoff. A standard bribe.
Leeshui grumbled but accepted the medium bribe. Seems pretty clear now that she didn't actually work for the Bounty Guild.
COffer a big payoff. If she's happy, she won't come back.
Leeshui's disposition immediately changed: "You just bought yourself a friend." Seems pretty clear now that she didn't actually work for the Bounty Guild, but at least we gained her as a contact.
DNo payoff.This scammer won't get a credit out of us.
Leeshui grumbled but ultimately walked away without the fee she demanded. Seems pretty clear now that she didn't actually work for the Bounty Guild.
Our team arrives at the meeting to find three large Trandoshans who say they work for Leeshui, a powerful Banking Clan liaison. When our operators tell the Trandoshans they thought she worked for the Bounty Guild, they seem confused, but cut to the chase: they want credits, or else.
Which option to pick
Take "Negotiate". Every other answer here is a dead end.
APay up. These guys are pretty big.
Our team paid the large Trandoshans the credits they demanded. An unfortunate encounter, but at least no one got hurt.
The game withholds what this pays until it resolves.
BNegotiate. We have a feeling Leeshui took these guys for a ride.
Our team wasn't able to convince the Trandoshans that Leeshui is a crook, but they did convince them to accept intel instead of the credits they demanded.
CFight. We can take them.
Our team lost the fight and had to flee. Those Trandoshans were tough customers!
Requires 4 operators assigned.
Our team arrives at the meeting to find a soft-spoken Cosian herbalist, who offers some herbal treatments they say will grant our operators great inner strength. Shall we try some?
Which option to pick
Every answer pays the same. They differ in which zone the influence lands in.
ATry the nysillin. Assign 2 operators.
Nysillin, a healing herb, helped our operators recover from their injuries.
Requires 2 operators assigned, no droids.
BTry the marcan herb. Assign 2 operators.
The marcan herb turned out to have strong mood-altering effects. After returning to the Den, the assigned operator and the assigned operator spent hours deep in conversation.
Requires 2 operators assigned, no droids.
CTry the brula fruit. Assign 2 operators.
The brula fruit helped our operators improve their vitality.
Requires 2 operators assigned, no droids.
DDecline. We're not interested in strange plants.
"Your loss," the Cosian shrugged, before shuffling away.
Our team takes a meeting with Qwiitl, a local smuggler. He wants Zero Company to help him set up a fractal radio to monitor local judicial comms, so he can avoid patrols while moving his product.
Which option to pick
Take "Report Qwiitl". It is the only one that pays, at 1,000 credits.
AAssign an operator Always happy to help the local smuggling community.
Requires 1 operator assigned.
The assigned operator was the right choice for the job. They set up a beautiful fractal radio that easily toggles between various judicial channels. Qwiitl was pleased with our work, and paid us accordingly.
The assigned operator was the wrong choice for the job. Their fractal radio was so staticky it barely functioned. Understandably, Qwiitl refused to pay us our rate.
BReport Qwiitl We can't let him get away with this.
Our team tipped off local judicial forces about Qwiitl and received a small reward, at the cost of Runa and Neesh's deep disapproval.
Qwiitl, the smuggler who wanted us to build him a fractal radio, wants to meet again.
AAccept the meeting. Let's see what that smuggler's up to.
Requires Success.
Turned out Quiitl booked the meeting just to thank us for our services. He gushed about how helpful the fractal radio has been for his organization and gave our operators a gift. What a nice guy!
Requires Fail.
Our team arrived at the meeting and quickly realized it was a setup for Quiitl's men to attempt to rob us. That's what we get for helping a crook.