This walkthrough is mostly spoilered, so that if people get caught on the common sticking-points they can read it without spoiling the story for themselves.
However, it is not expected that the replies will be spoilered, so don't read beyond the first post if you are stuck but don't want to know the plot!
This walkthrough is for the HQ plotline available on the Albion Prelude version of X3 and is not accurate for Terran Conflict.
If you have mods, it is possible that they may introduce problems with the plot. As this is a Vanilla forum and a repository for information and issues regarding the unmodded game, if you have a problem with a modded game you are requested to post in the Scripts and Modding forum.
The plotline begins at the end of the Albion Prelude plot, on the conditions that you are at least Teladi Majority Shareholder and you have discovered the NMMC HQ in PTNI Headquarters and the Plutarch Mining Corporation HQ in Albion Delta.
Chapter 1; Extreme Measures
You begin by talking to a Teladi, Talos Yohnus Nagas II, on the NMMC HQ. He briefs you that NMMC has taken a lot of losses to Pirates, and he believes that someone may be working underhand to bring down NMMC surreptitiously.
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Talos wants you first to build a Teladianium Foundry M in Grand Exchange. This is straightforward as long as you have the cash, which in itself isn't tricky. Teladianium Foundries are not too expensive, and they are available at the Grand Exchange shipyard. All you have to do is find a TL; there is usually one of those knocking around in every Sector with a Shipyard, but on occasion they are off building NPC stations and hence you have to find another from elsewhere, or bring your own. The same is true of Grand Exchange.
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You have to build the Teladianium Foundry on the beacon. The best way to do this is to hit the '5' key in the build map; what this does is sets the station to build at the co-ordinates of an item in the radar list. If you then scroll up/down to the navigational beacon, the factory will be placed on the same co-ordinates. Hit Enter and the factory builds.
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You are then ordered on your own underhand mission. Talos has previously installed a spy worm in Plutarch's computer systems, and he needs someone to go recover the data. You now need to dock at Plutarch HQ in Albion Delta. Hint; Take a ship that can defend itself.
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When you dock at PMC HQ, you wait a very short while before Talos tells you that the data cannot be transmitted back to NMMC and you must carry it. He also tells you that it might not be long before your actions are discovered by Plutarch... hint hint. You now have to dock at NMMC HQ, but don't jump in to the Jump Beacon. Use the South Gate.
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The reason for this is that when you jump into PTNI HQ a gang of Pirates will be waiting. If you're not in a ship that can defend itself (or run away) then you'll be walloped. Just dock at NMMC HQ and you complete the mission.
You will be given this task pretty much immediately after completing the last one. However, you can run off and do your own thing before carrying it out.
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Talos gives you a mission to bring back 75 units of Nividium. Problem is there's none in the X-Universe, so you also need an Unfocussed Jumpdrive to jump outside the gate network to find it. Talos gives you one, and it's part of your personal items, so whatever ship you are flying (and only whatever ship you are flying) will have the capability to jump off the grid, where Nividium 'roids can be found
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So; get in a ship capable of carrying XL-class cargo, and has an Ore Collector, a Mineral Scanner, and either a drilling system or a couple of Hornet missiles. You will need to set the UFJD control - typically I use CTRL-X - and when you hit it you'll jump to an unknown Sector. Jumping again should take you back to where you started, but might take you somewhere completely random.
You need to find a Sector which is quiet, with no enemies - you often find Kha'ak or Xenon in UFJD sectors. Scan the 'roids and see if any are made of Nividium. When you find one, blow it up with a Hornet and get cracking.
You need to find a Sector which is quiet, with no enemies - you often find Kha'ak or Xenon in UFJD sectors. Scan the 'roids and see if any are made of Nividium. When you find one, blow it up with a Hornet and get cracking.
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Note that Nividium is exceptionally valuable, so you would do well to collect as much as you can whilst you're free to do so. It is extremely hard to sell but can be done quickly and easily by filling a TS full of it and then selling the TS at a shipyard. You won't get the full advertised value of the Nividium but it's free money anyway.
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When you return, you are told that the data worm has paid off; Plutarch have been paying mercenaries to attack NMMC assets, and he's discovered that an NMMC station is about to be attacked in the next Sector, Scale Plate Green. You will need a good fighting ship to deal with this, because this fight isn't easy.
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When you jump in you see the force you face. It depends on your fight rank exactly what it is, but typically it could be anything from a Bomber, which can deal some pretty horrific damage if its missiles hit you, to a Corvette armed with some nasty weaponry. Whilst not easy to deal with, the force shouldn't be too difficult for a competent combat pilot.
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Once the station is safe, Talos notifies you of the location of the Pirate Base. It's in Wastelands. Go kill.
Be warned that though the shields on the Pirate base go down quickly, the hull does not. 8 HEPTs will take a full half-hour or more to bring down the base. You might want something heavier, like a Bomber.
Be warned that though the shields on the Pirate base go down quickly, the hull does not. 8 HEPTs will take a full half-hour or more to bring down the base. You might want something heavier, like a Bomber.
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You might encounter another big problem here; the Pirates don't take kindly to you destroying one of their bases. Destroying this one will destroy all your relations with the Pirates, which means that they'll all shoot you on sight. There is a way around this if you want, called various things; I call it the jump-out trick.
Basically, you get either of an M8 Bomber or M7M missile frigate with a jumpdrive and sufficient fuel to get out of the sector, with a second ship nearby and one of your ships equipped with a Transporter Device. Then - from long range, so the travel time is high - you lob sufficient ordinance at the target to blow it up. However, whilst the missiles are still enroute, you switch to the escort ship, and jump the missile ship out.
What this does is orphans the missiles, so that they are no longer registered to you. This has two effects; firstly, it means that you don't get the credits for the kill, including the rep boosts that come from demolishing whatever it is you've just demolished, but you also don't get any rep penalties for it. Can be quite useful for getting rid of things that you don't want.
Basically, you get either of an M8 Bomber or M7M missile frigate with a jumpdrive and sufficient fuel to get out of the sector, with a second ship nearby and one of your ships equipped with a Transporter Device. Then - from long range, so the travel time is high - you lob sufficient ordinance at the target to blow it up. However, whilst the missiles are still enroute, you switch to the escort ship, and jump the missile ship out.
What this does is orphans the missiles, so that they are no longer registered to you. This has two effects; firstly, it means that you don't get the credits for the kill, including the rep boosts that come from demolishing whatever it is you've just demolished, but you also don't get any rep penalties for it. Can be quite useful for getting rid of things that you don't want.
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When you are done, you fly back to NMMC HQ where Talos says he has something for you. It's an Albatross, with your very own HQ inside. Costs a pretty penny despite the generous discount he's giving you; 47M Cr.
It's well worth having though. Free Albatross thrown in. Can't argue with that, no?
It's well worth having though. Free Albatross thrown in. Can't argue with that, no?