You need to find a way to clear Milena’s name in Rough Landings for her to continue business in Starfield.
The “Rough Landings” miscellaneous mission centers around a man named Marco, who survived the Shaw Gang’s assault on Akila City in Starfield.
Having been his benefactor previously at GalBank, Marco now beseeches you once more for aid in rescuing his family from the clutches of hunger. Driven by the heartfelt plea of a man determined to provide for his loved ones, you will embark on interstellar journeys to fulfill his request.
This mission doesn’t entail much combat but offers a plethora of divergent paths to conclude its narrative. Let’s delve into the process of unlocking and successfully completing “Rough Landings” in the world of Starfield.
How to unlock the Rough Landings mission
To access the “Rough Landings” side mission in Starfield, you must first complete the “Job Gone Wrong” quest and resolve the conflict at GalBank, successfully securing the release of the hostages.
Unlocking “Rough Landings” also grants you additional benefits. It activates “The Empty Nest” mission for your companion Sam and opens up the opportunity to become a Freestar Collective Ranger.
Here’s how you can successfully complete the “Rough Landings” mission in Starfield:
Journey to Akila City within the Cheyenne System and proceed to take the left path’s stairs after entering the city gates. Continue straight towards Sinclair’s, then make a right from its base to locate Marko Jensen near the shelters.
Marko is one of the hostages who survived the Shaw Gang’s attack on GalBank. He explains that his family had migrated from Cydonia in pursuit of a better life, but despite being part of a caring community, he struggles to make ends meet financially.
Extend your offer to assist him, and Marko will reveal that his wife’s cousin, Milena Axelrod, manages freights that are scheduled to pass by soon. She has the capacity to help him secure a legal job, so Marko requests your support in speaking on his behalf, given that he lacks his own spaceship.
In “Rough Landings,” Milena’s ship will be orbiting a random planet within the Cheyenne Star system in Starfield. In our case, it was orbiting Navaha.
Speak with Milena
Return to your ship, chart a course towards the designated marker, and prepare your weapons, as you’re poised to engage with the Crimson Fleet ships. Once you’ve vanquished your adversaries, you’ll gain access to board the Dalliance and engage in a conversation with Milena.
Milena is willing to grant Marko’s request, but there’s a minor hiccup. Recent complications with Akila City have constrained her business operations there. If you can help alleviate the misunderstanding, her business activities can resume, ensuring that Marko and Simone secure their jobs.
You have two potential avenues to clear her name: either by consulting with a fixer named Tom Starret from the Trade Authority or by engaging in dialogue with the Mayor of Akila City, Cartwright.
Should you speak with Tom or Cartwright?
In the “Rough Landings” mission in Starfield, you have several available choices to address Milena’s predicament.
If you’ve accumulated sufficient Credits to spare, one option is to follow Tom’s route, which requires a payment of 1000 Credits. Alternatively, you can opt to pay the bounty to Cartwright, which costs 5000 Credits but allows you to complete the mission.
For those who prefer not to spend their hard-earned Credits, there’s the possibility to employ persuasion to resolve the matter with the Mayor without any financial outlay.
However, we highly recommend pursuing the final route to successfully conclude “Rough Landings” in Starfield. The most effective way to clear Milena’s name involves vouching for her with Cartwright. This option is exclusively available if you’re actively engaged in the Freestar Collective questline as one of their recruited rangers.
We advise advocating for her if you’re a Freestar Ranger. If not, then persuading the Mayor is a viable choice, as all options lead to the same outcome, rendering any expenditure unnecessary.
Choice 1: Speak with Tom Starret
If your choice leads you to consult with Tom Starret during the “Rough Landings” mission in Starfield, your next step is to return to Akila City.
Upon reaching the city gate, make a right turn near the Rock, ascend the stairs on your right, take the first right again, and then descend the stairs until you encounter Tom Starret, who will be leaning against the side of a building.
Inform him about Milena’s situation, and he will divulge that she is currently blacklisted, with a bounty placed on her. Other captains affiliated with the Trade Authority possess entry permissions, granted in the form of credentials.
To assist Milena in navigating the city without arousing suspicion, you can opt to forge a set of credentials under a false name. However, acquiring these credentials from Tom will entail a non-negotiable fee of 1000 Credits.
Choice 2: Speak with Mayor Cartwright
If your decision leads you to engage with Mayor Cartwright during the “Rough Landings” mission in Starfield, the next step is to return to your ship and make your way to Akila City.
Upon arriving at the city gate, proceed straight towards The Rock, and then take a right to ascend the nearby stairs. Continue ascending until you reach the top, where you’ll discover Elias Cartwright inside the building on the right, cheerfully whistling a tune.
Mayor Cartwright is welcoming and open to sharing information about the city, providing a dose of local lore if you’re interested. However, when you explain your intention to remove Milena from the blacklist, he understandably harbors reservations, given her previous actions of punching him and engaging in smuggling activities.
At this juncture, you have two options: you can either settle her bounty of 5,000 Credits or employ your powers of persuasion to convince him to clear her name without any financial transaction.
If you choose the persuasion route with Cartwright in “Rough Landings,” you’ll need to successfully navigate an 8-bar persuasion check. Commence by selecting the dialogue featuring the [persuade] prompt, opt for the +4 orange option, inquire about the problem for an additional +3 points, and conclude with either +3 Orange or +5 Red, depending on your prior investment in the Persuasion Skill.
If you happen to be a Freestar Ranger in Starfield, you can expedite the process by informing Mayor Cartwright of your intent to vouch for Milena as a fellow Freestar Ranger. This revelation will surprise him, showcasing your willingness to go to great lengths for her.
Ultimately, the choice is yours to make, and Mayor Cartwright will express his hope that you won’t come to regret your trust, granting Milena permission to return to the city.
Report back to Marko
Once you’ve successfully rectified Milena’s situation, return to have a conversation with Marko. He’ll excitedly relay that he’s been extended an offer to become the Official Importer and is eager to share this wonderful news with his wife, Simone.
Having rekindled hope within this modest family, you’ll have successfully wrapped up the “Rough Landings” side mission in Starfield.
Starfield – Rough Landings mission rewards
Upon the successful fulfillment of the “Rough Landings” miscellaneous mission, you’ll receive a reward of 75 XP. Additionally, you’ll be granted a credit reward ranging from 7500 to 9000, contingent on your character’s level in the Starfield game.
