How to unlock the “Top Secrets” mission
You can access the “Top Secrets” mission immediately following your successful theft of the prototype schematic during the “Maintaining the Edge” quest in Starfield. To receive your next assignment, have a conversation with Imogene.
How to complete “Top Secrets” in Starfield
Imogene will accompany you to meet with Ularu, who will request your assistance in dealing with Simon Ryczek, an informant, and procuring some highly confidential data.
Meet with Simon Ryczek
After concluding your discussion with Ularu, proceed to Cydonia on the planet Mars to meet up with Simon. You can utilize the blue marker displayed on your HUD as a guide.
Simon, being a Confidential Informant in Starfield, necessitates a specific approach for interaction. Initiate a conversation with Simon and, when he mentions “Galactic Raiders are the number one pick for the Universal Championship this year,” respond by selecting the phrase “Razor derby is the only real sport.”
The choice of correct code words is pivotal to advance the mission.
Subsequently, Simon will inform you that the price for the information has been raised. While Ularu initially provided you with 1,000 credits to obtain the information from Simon, he now insists on receiving 10,000 Credits.
There are various approaches to handle this situation.
How to deal with Simon – Persuade, Pay, or Trade?
Utilizing your persuasive abilities can lead to Simon reducing the cost to a more manageable 8,000 credits.
If your aim is to expedite the completion of the Top Secrets faction quest, you can opt to pay Simon the full 10,000 Credits from your own resources.
Alternatively, if you’re reluctant to expend your personal Credits for procuring information from Simon, he will propose a barter arrangement. You can assist him in a task aimed at eliminating Malai Liskova in exchange for obtaining the information without charge.
Simon will task you with terminating Malai and providing proof of her demise by returning with her weapon.
Should you kill or negotiate with Malai?
If you’ve opted for the third option to retrieve information from Simon, head to Saturn’s Orbit, where you’ll be hailed by Malai’s Datura ship in Starfield.
There are two possible outcomes when encountering Malai: negotiation or confrontation.
You can initiate contact with Malai, explaining your situation to her. Malai may then request that you board the Datura. Employ your persuasive skills to convince her to hand over her firearm, which you’ll use as evidence of her demise when reporting back to Simon.
If you’re not interested in dialogue and wish to swiftly complete the task, you can eliminate Malai and take her weapon with you. This choice will not impact the progression of the Top Secrets faction mission in Starfield.
It’s essential to note that even if you choose not to kill Malai, you’ll still receive her weapon as a mission reward upon successfully concluding the Top Secrets mission in Starfield.
Should you kill Malai or betray Simon?
You have the freedom to select either of the two options, and the end result remains unchanged. However, it’s worth noting that opting to betray Simon and convincing Malai to collaborate with you represents the optimal choice in the Top Secrets mission. Your companions will endorse this decision, and your affinity levels will remain intact.
How to get Ember Pistol in Starfield
The Ember Pistol in Starfield is considered one of the finest, if not the absolute best, pistols available. You’ll have the opportunity to acquire this exceptional firearm during the Top Secrets Starfield quest. It’s important to note that Malai is the origin of this pistol, and you’ll obtain it only after addressing her.
If you choose to persuade her, she will personally provide you with the Ember Pistol. Alternatively, should you decide to eliminate her, you can retrieve the Ember Pistol from her remains.
Return back to Simon
After successfully handling Malai, return to Cydonia and rendezvous with Simon. Present the firearm as evidence of Malai’s demise. Simon will request that you retain the weapon and, in turn, furnish you with the required information.
Access your inventory and navigate to the new items section, where you’ll discover a file handed to you by Simon. Examine the file to unveil Stanley McMillan’s schedule. Stanley is the individual in possession of the Dominion Files coveted by Ularu.
Retrieve the Dominion Files from Stanley McMillan
Follow the blue marker displayed on your HUD to reach Stanley’s computer terminal. If Stanley is presently occupied with his computer tasks, exercise patience for a brief period or use the option to fast forward time until Stanley prepares to depart.
Once Stanley vacates the area, access his computer and proceed to abscond with the Dominion Files.
Head back to Ryujin Towers
Once you’ve acquired the Dominion Files make your way back to Ryujin Tower and speak with Ularu. Ularu will then take you to speak with Masako marking an end to the Top Secret faction mission in Starfield.
Starfield – Top Secrets mission rewards
- Ember Pistol (Malai’s weapon)
Starfield – Top Secrets bugs and fixes
During the quest, your primary objective involves accessing Stanley McMillan’s computer to obtain Project Dominion’s files. This crucial information becomes accessible once you’ve gathered both written and audio files from Simon.
Subsequently, you’ll receive instructions to breach Simon’s computer, indicated by a mission marker. Unfortunately, there’s a bug where the mission marker fails to appear, leaving you in a perplexing situation.
In such a scenario, you have two options. You can either restart the mission, sacrificing your progress, or opt for the alternative approach: manually searching for the computer. The latter method is recommended, particularly since it’s nearly the final step of the mission, and losing progress at this juncture can be rather frustrating.
