The “Key Ingredient” missions tasks you to infiltrate Infinity LTD and retrieve the Rothicite shipment for yourself in Starfield.
“The Key Ingredient” represents a prominent faction mission within the realm of Starfield, specifically commissioned by Ryujin Industries. This mission is characterized by its simplicity, involving the elimination of a mercenary group while simultaneously addressing long-standing grievances with Infinity LTD.
Your ascent within the company, starting with collaborations alongside Imogene and Dalton, and now under the leadership of Executive Head Masako, underscores your growing influence within Ryujin Industries. Let’s delve into the details of what “The Key Ingredient” assignment entails in the vast universe of Starfield.
How to unlock The Key Ingredient mission
To unlock The Key Ingredient you need to complete all faction missions of Ryujin Industries from Back to the Grind up till Guilty Parties in Starfield.
With the tensions high among the higher-ups at Ryujin, it comes down to you to clear the air. After choosing your side in Guilty Parties, you will now have to meet Masako to start your new assignment.
How to complete The Key Ingredient in Starfield
In order to successfully accomplish “The Key Ingredient,” your mission will involve embarking on an investigative expedition to uncover the inhumane practices conducted by Infinity LTD. Given that there is already an operative undercover within your team, the imperative to expose Lucas Dextier for his unlawful actions becomes even more pressing.
Your journey will lead you to Neon City, located within the Alpha Volii of the Volii Star System. Upon arriving at the Spaceport Terminal, veer to the left to navigate your path to Ryujin Towers.
Please ride the elevator to the R&D floor, where you’ll find Masako Imada in conversation with Camden Cho and Veena Kalra, who serves as the Head of the R&D Department.
During this meeting, Masako will brief you on the critical matter at hand: Infinity LTD has illicitly acquired the manipulative component of the neuroamp. Your mission is to don the complete neuroamp, complete with both the manipulative and shielding components, and administer a dose of Infinity LTD’s own medicine.
Before diving into the action-packed details, it’s crucial to note that the neuroamp requires Rothicite for compatibility with biological subjects. Unfortunately, there has been a delay in the shipment of this vital resource. You are tasked with assessing the situation at Carinae Station and procuring the necessary materials to ensure the neuroamp functions as intended.
Lastly, we’ll provide you with the coordinates of the shipment’s location and a keycard for access to the tower where it’s being held.
Find out what happened at CM Station RC-1
Your destination is Carinae III-A, a moon of Carinae within the Eta Cassiopeia Star System, where you’ll locate CM Station RC-1, a mining facility. Ensure you’re donning your protective suit, as this region is highly exposed to solar radiation.
Proceed towards the right-hand staircase to access the entrance of the Consolidated Mining structure. Eliminate any hostile forces in your path, then proceed to the adjacent room, where you can access the lower-level elevator leading to the mining site.
Delve deeper into the research station and neutralize any Ecliptic Agents obstructing your progress. Reach the end of your path and utilize the elevator there to access the CM Station RC-1 Computer.
Upon inspection, you’ll discover that the Rothicite shipment has been canceled by an unknown party.
While searching the room, you’ll come across a contract in the possession of one of the Ecliptic Specialists who attacked you. Access this contract under the “Notes” tab in your inventory.
This contract reveals that these agents were hired by none other than Lucas Drexier, an individual associated with Infinity LTD.
Head to the Narion Star Clinic
Use the Secure Access door on your right to exit out of the Research Center. You will now be able to use grav jump to dock at The Clinic in Narion System.
Head right from the reception to the Secure Wing. The guard outside will stop you from entering so you can either pay 15350 Credits or persuade him to proceed.
If you choose to persuade him, select the +3 Orange option and then 2 green options to succeed the persuasion check. He will issue you an Access Card Key to unlock the door.
Inside the restricted area, Sean McAfee will stop and inquire how you got into the area. Just lie to him that you are an Infinity LTD representative sent to receive an update and he will direct you to Dr. Lane.
Speak to Dr. Lane: Should you lie or pose as a technician? (optional)
Dr. Kendrick Lane will request proof of your identity as this location prioritizes security. There are two ways to outsmart him, allowing you to bypass security and remain undetected within the confines of Starfield.
Option one is to deceive him by claiming that you’ve been dispatched by Infinity LTD. Alternatively, you can masquerade as a security technician, gaining access to Lane’s computer.
Your choice won’t impact the ultimate outcome but will enable you to elude capture by the security personnel.
Should you opt for the Security dialogue route, Dr. Lane will momentarily depart to attend to a patient. Seize this opportunity to investigate his computer, where you’ll uncover evidence of his collaboration with Infinity LTD on the Neuroamp project.
It becomes apparent that they were experimenting with this technology on the patients, leading to either fatal outcomes or a state of coma. This revelation sheds light on Infinity LTD’s activities at the clinic.
On the other hand, if you opt to falsely claim you were sent by Infinity LTD to extract information, Dr. Kendrick will express frustration at your visit and disclose his ongoing struggle to obtain authorization for Project Dominion. He will report that all patients have passed the tests except one who fell into a comatose state after using the Internal Neuroamp.
Additionally, he will divulge information about the Rothicite Shipment he received, allowing you to retrieve it discreetly without triggering security alarms.
Retrieve the Rothicite shipment
The Rothicite Shipment will be in a briefcase on the table next to Dr. Lane. If you take the shipment without completing the optional objective: Speak to Dr. Lane, it will alert security so be ready to fight if you haven’t done so.
After securing the Rothicite, board your spacecraft and return to Ryujin Tower’s R&D Department, where Veena Klara and Masako await.
Deliver the Rothicite to Veena, who will use it to craft the alloy, and present the incriminating evidence against Lucas to Masako. Subsequently, Masako will instruct you to meet with Dalton, who possesses updated information regarding the mole you identified during the Guilty Parties mission.
This report marks the conclusion of your mission for the Ryujin Industries faction in Starfield, codenamed “The Key Ingredient.”
Starfield – The Key Ingredient mission rewards
Completing The Key Ingredient will reward you with 250 XP, 4000 Credits, 3 Digipicks, and Med Packs in Starfield. They are a little underwhelming considering the high level of the mission but the Digipicks are at least nice to have.
