Friends Like These

**Next quest** | "Reflections of the Moon"

**Friends Like These** is a quest in  Season 14.

## Treasure Pack Rewards

Players can find  Treasure Packs in-game, once per day (players can also purchase all the available Treasure Packs for  25).

Treasure Pack rewards vary, and include  Weapon Charms,  2,  15 and  Apex Packs.

All of the rewards need a total of 45 Treasure Packs to unlock.

After all the Treasure Packs are collected, the player gets three rewards: the Scourge Of the Plains Devotion Skin, an  Apex Pack, and  10.

## Story Progress

There are 8 chapters.

* Chapter 1
* Chapter 2
* Chapter 3
* Chapter 4
* Chapter 5
* Chapter 6
* Chapter 7
* Epilogue

### "Party Down"

* "Maybe if I'd gotten that Crypto impersonator to walk around saying how much he wants to be me-maybe then SOMEONE would've shown up to the 'Mirage Loves his Friends' party."
* "But no. Just me, you dupes, and a bunch of rapidly-deflating balloons. Knots are NOT my thing."
* "C'mon guys. Knots, not-now see, Wattson would've caught that and it would've been hilarious. Where is she? Where is ANYONE?"
* "We can still make this party a hit, right, fellas? All a party really needs is Mirage, and we've got one, two, mumble mumble-FIVE whole Mirages! Six, if you include me. Alright, who's up for some 'Spin the Bottle'? I know THIS guy is."
* "Alright, that's it. This is officially the last party I throw to show I'm a good friend to my clearly-super-bad friends"
* "I mean, yeah, Renee not coming to a party? That tracks. Ramya's probably got her head stuck in an exhaust... tube ... engine thing and didn't see the invite. Crypto'd just murder the karaoke machine with his grizzled 'Mr.Cool' voice so that's a freebie."
* "But being stood up by Path? That just..."
* "hurts..."
* "I know what it is. Everyone's too busy with their 'drama' to appreciate that I'm the glue of the friend group. Clearly I'm not sticky enough."
* "That came out wrong."
* "That's it-party's cancelled."
* "Ok-bye!"
* "AH! Where'd you come from?"
* "I've been here the whole time. Did I scare you?"
* "What? No. I just did a little ... party scream. Phew, kid, learn to make some noise. It's a party! Noise is allowed-encouraged, in some circles."
* "There are rules? This is my first party."
* "Hang on-let me write that down. 'Parties: noise ... encouraged.' Got it."
* "Your first party? Well that's-hm. Mara-can I call you Mara?-at least parties will only get better after THIS disaster."
* "Especially if you remember party rule number one: SHOW UP! And number two: Don't throw a party in the first place-if you're me..."
* "Show up ... don't throw ... in first place ... if unpopular ..."
* "Whoa, whoa, whoa, I never said I was 'unpopular'."
* "Well... that's obvious, right?"
* "Listen. People don't like me-they LOVE me. I have throngs of fans screaming my name every day!"
* "Maybe they're mad at you."
* "I... never considered that."
* "Say, did any of the others tell you if they're on their way or...?"
* "They don't tell me anything. I don't know them. The only person I know is my mom."
* "Did you invite my mom? She's in prison so she's not coming."
* "You don't have friends? That tone is half-surprise, half-totally-not-surprised, by the way."
* "I didn't have people to be friends with. And I don't see the purpose. Especially if they don't show up to parties."
* "Don't they know parties have rules?"
* "Speaking of, is there a specific time in a party to tell everyone about how your mom's been caged for things people say she did but she didn't actually do and you all need to get her let free?"
* "Hoo-boy. Okay. Listen. Uncle Mirage is going to put some wisdom down for you."
* "Once upon a time, I was like you. I wasn't Mr.Popular like I am now-tonight, notwithstanding."
* "After my brothers, uh, y'know... passed away, I had some really.. lonely years there."
* "You had brothers? How many? How'd they die? What kind of music did they like? Were they unpopular too? When-"
* "Reading the room isn't really your thing, is it?"
* "Let me part more of my infinite wisdom. You wanna do well in the Games?"
* "You can't just hide behind this tough-survivalist-my-closest-thing-to-a-friend-was-a-pinecone mask of yours."
* "You've gotta make friends-real, non-pinecone friends. People who'll have your back out there."
* "Gotcha. Like a 'know your enemy' thing..."
* "No! Well, yes, but ... we call them friends outside the ring, enemies in ... it's confusing and it's not the point."
* "The point is: friendship's about you getting to know someone else, and letting them know you know them, y'know?"
* "No."
* "Work with me here, kid. You can't expect the Legends to care about your problems if you don't care about theirs."
* "Make sense? Go make friends, now!"
* "What about the party rules? Is it okay to leave a party if you're the only person who showed up and the party master is having a breakdown?"
* "I'm not-"
* "As 'Master of the Party', I make the rules. You can go now and make friends."
* "And find out why they didn't come to my party. But subtle-like."
* "Okay. Bye!"
* "Hello Mirage. Will you be my frien-"
* "Circle back to me. Now get outta here!"
* "Wait, did I just shoo away the one person who showed up? TWICE? What is wrong with me?"
* "Don't answer that, dupe, or I'll un-dupe ya."

### "Web of Lies"

The narrator is Wattson

* *Together, we have worked hard on repairing it. Finally, I have the right parts and I'm so close to getting it running!*
* *But there's still something not quite right.*
* *Maybe more solder here? But the current still isn't going through. Hm… There was that other wire…*
* "You're a very messy person."
* "W-what?"
* *I jump in my seat as I turn around. Vantage.*
* *Ah, right, I was so lost in concentration I'd forgotten I just let her in.*
* "Oh…Oui, perhaps… Did you need something, Mara?"
* "Mirage said I should make friends when I was at his really sad party."
* "So I'm here to become your friend. He says you'll care about my problems if I care about yours."
* *I can't resist turning back to the computer as she speaks. I don't mean to be rude, but I know I'm so close…!*
* "Hm? Ah, well, my CURRENT problem is this board…"
* "But making friends isn't only about learning about the problems of others. You have to learn about the person too."
* "That's good, because I've learned a lot about you already. You're a forgetful and nurturing person, who prefers quick meals."
* "How do you know that?"
* "It's not that hard. There are a lot of things on your desk, like all those notes tacked up in another language."
* "Then those feathers-my mom used to put them in my hair, but you don't wear them. They must be toys for your feline companion."
* "And that's cereal, right? I recently tried ‘Dry Wheat Bites’. They're way too sweet."
* "You also hafta know a thing or two about making friends. You have a picture there with Wraith, and I see you around Crypto and Caustic a lot."
* "Ah, well, Renee is like family to me. And Crypto and Caustic…"
* "They aren't family like Wraith, are they? Because Caustic doesn't seem like your friend-dad and there's no way Crypto's your friend-brother."
* "Oh? Why do you say that?"
* *I bite my lip, adding solder to another wire with unsteady hands. I switch the computer on but there's no response.*
* *Maybe it needs more power…*
* "Caustic is more cautious around you and sometimes looks to you for guidance. That's odd since he's waaaay older than you. I thought it would be the other way around."
* "With Crypto, his profile says his name's Hyeon, but sometimes it's like there's something else you want to call him."
* "Plus, that computer thing you're working on? He gave it to you on the dropship yesterday."
* *I pull a cable from my pylon and drag it up onto my desk, trying not to fidget. Perhaps just an extra jump to the battery…*
* "They are also…friends. Yes, that's right. Has…someone been talking about my relationships with them?"
* "No, but you're pretty defensive. Creatures only get that way when they have something to protect."
* "What're you protecting? Information, maybe-like secrets. Do you know secrets about them? That's interesting."
* "Wow, I'm really getting to know you. Friends do that, hun? Keep secrets for each other?"
* "How did you…? No-I…"
* *In my surprise, I knock over an old bowl of cereal, Oh, there's milk everywhere! I rush to protect the board, but I drop the cable and-*
* *Sparks fly, electricity surges, and the computer screen flickers. I blink. Someone's face is on the screen.*
* *A girl-red hair, green eyes… It's-!*
* "Who's that?"
* *I slam the briefcase shut and spin around in a rush. Vantage stares.*
* "Nobody! Nobody at all!"
* "But you seem to recognize here. Is she your friend too? Another secrets person?"
* *I guide her to the door, trying not to push too hard. She's already seen too much!*
* "I-I'm sorry, I need to focus. Please don't say anything about that to anyone! Or-or anything about the secrets either!"
* "So keep the secrets a secret and I'll be your secrets friend too? Got it!"
* "I won't let you down. Now, so you care about me, my mom's in pris-"
* "No-that isn't…nevermind. Thank you. We'll talk again. Please go!"
* *I close the door as soon as she's across the threshold and I return my attention to the briefcase. I take a deep breath.*
* *Mila. Tae Joon's sister.*
* "Allô?"
* **Mila**: "Ugh, I thought this comms server bit it after Quentin kicked the bucket, but I guess you managed to get it up and running again…"
* "You are Mila, aren't you?"
* **Mila**: "And you're Wattson. Natalie. Don't look so surprised. 'Course I know who you are."
* **Mila**: "Think I haven't been keeping tabs on my own brother?"
* **Mila**: "Speaking of which, he isn't there, is he?"
* "No, but I'll go get-"
* **Mila**: "NO!"
* "But… you want to see your brother, don't you?"
* **Mila**: "Look, I miss that dumb nerd, but he CANNOT know about this. In fact, this comms unit you just fixed?"
* **Mila**: "He can't know it was fixed either."
* "I…I don't understand."
* **Mila**: "You know how much Tae hates the Syndicate. He has this idea we'll reunite and magically clear our names together, but that's just naive."
* **Mila**: "The Syndicate's too powerful, especially now that Silva's pulling the strings."
* **Mila**: "So I'm…doing what I have to: working with the enemy to find out who framed us."
* **Mila**: "If Tae knew that, he'd flip out and ruin everything-probably get us both killed."
* "The Syndicate, it won't be an issue. My family worked with the Syndicate, but he still wanted my friendship. He trusts me."
* **Mila**: "And he trusts ME too, but…I'm punching a timecard. He won't get it, after what they did to us."
* **Mila**: "Maybe that's trust'll dry up. That's a risk I can't take."
* "If I speak with him-"
* **Mila**: "You can't. No about me or fixing that comms unit. Please. It's for his own good."
* *The idea of keeping something like this from Tae Joon makes me feel ill. He trust me, but his sister is here putting her trust in me, too.*
* **Mila**: "Natalie, if Tae comes after me, that target he scrubbed off his back goes right back on. You'd be protecting him."
* "Okay…I won't tell him. You are Tae Joon's sister. I trust you."
* **Mila**: "Thank you. Seriously. My brother likes you a lot, you know. I can see why."
* *I feel my face grow hot. She can't mean…?*
* **Mila**: "Alright, I'd better jet before anyone catches us talking."
* **Mila**: "Remember, don't tell Tae, and make sure he doesn't get access to these comms either or he's dead and so am I."
* *My stomach rolls in regret. I open my mouth to stop her-to tell her these secrets are all too much for me-but she cuts the line and the screen goes dark.*
* *Oh no…What have I done?*

### "Reading the Room"

The narrator is Rampart

* *Before I can find a pint, I see why Obi asked me to come inna disguise. Ya, these plonkers are PISSED. Makes sense, though.*
* *They're protestin' about their planet falling apart with some bloke on stage yelling about all the ways they've been neglected for so long.*
* *Been searchin' for Obi for 15 minutes in this huge crowd.*
* *Weird not seein' HIM on the stage, but I have seen lotsa shoddy signs with his face and moth logo crossed out.*
* *Startin' to worry they got to him first.*
* "Huh?"
* *I turn around and see Obi snuck up behind me! I can barely recognize him. He's got a giant cloak that'd fit five of him.*
* *Ha! Looks like a wizard. Hoodie's workin' fine for me, but that's Obi: flashy even when ya spose ta lay low.*
* "Obi! Good. Look, I don't know if we're the ones to be here. I try ta avoid parties where they wanna bash my head in."
* "The drinks are never good."
* "You are correct..."
* "Oh, great! Let's get out of here and find a pub-"
* "I must reveal myself and speak to them directly."
* "What!?"
* "There is a misunderstanding, Ramya. My planet is hurting and they think I do not care."
* "If they hear the words from me, unmuddied by a reporter's smears, they'll know where my heart truly lies."
* "Been in lotsa crowds with fools like this, mate. They want ya heart lyin' in the dirt. They're not ready to listen."
* "Let's just hit a pub or somethin' till this blows ova-"
* "I know how to connect with them."
* *This fool tries to take off his hood, but I grab him my way. I'm getting fed up.*
* "If you're lookin' to get knocked out, I got a wrench with my name on it--'cause it's mine."
* "I can't let ya do this. At least when I knock ya out you'll have a pint waitin' for ya when you come to. These plonkers..."
* *I can see it in Obi's eyes. He wants me to support him, but even for me this is just too reckless.*
* *I like a mosh pit as much as the next ne'er-do-well, but this is bad. I can only shake my head at him.*
* "Obi, mate, I understand ... but ya gotta figure out another way."
* *Some of the protestors start throwing things at a Seer poster on the wall.*
* *These folks will be all warmed up if Obi jumps on that stage right now.*
* "I can't let them believe I don't care."
* "I think ya hafta, mate. Sometimes folks just need space to let off some steam. Hell, I can relate."
* "The good thing about The Games is if some plonker pisses me off, I can raise bloody hell on the field."
* *Obi's face lights up. I might finally got through to the bloke!*
* "The Games. Yes. If we bring the Games here, we'd bring money and work to the local community."
* "That's NOT what I said. Ya, sure that may be true, but you privy to the bloke runnin' The Games, right? Ain't a friendly plonker."
* "Octavio's father, correct? Yes, he requires good press."
* "It would behoove him to treat our problems and not only over the people of my planet, but all of the Outlands."
* "Seer's right, Rampart."
* "GAH! Where didja bloody come from!?"
* "Not sure if your disguises are good or if Echo is getting complacent, but it took me too long to find you two."
* "Echo's still going to get a treat, though."
* "Aha! See! The new Legend understands. I have to do something, because this is my home."
* "And because they hate you."
* "Well ... yes. See, Ramya?"
* "BUT, Rampart is also right. This must be another rule of friendship. What do you do in this situation?"
* *Obi smiles and looks at me.*
* "To put it another way: would you still go to each other's party? Or would you skip it like you did the last one?"
* "Hm? Friendship requires compromise. I seem to have forgotten this and I thank you for the reminder, Vantage."
* "Ramya, I will not reveal myself here today, but I AM going to speak with Duardo."
* "Wait!"
* *Vantage grabs Obi's arm and pulls him close so she can whisper. She has a stone cold look of determination.*
* *This must be what she came to talk about.*
* "Are we friends, Seer? If we are, is it more appropriate to call you my 26 year old friend, Obi Edolasim?"
* "You know, to cut out the formalities."
* "Why of course, ah-I don't know your true name..."
* "It's Xiomara-Mara for short. And Ramp-"
* "Sure, sure I'm your bloody friend, now stop saying our bloody names and let's get the bloody hell out of here."
* *I really hope Obi thinks through this plan. Does Boreas even want help from Seer?*
* *And what party was Vantage talking about!?*

### "Definitely, Maybe"

The narrator is Fuse

* "Me? I love livin' on the edge of disaster, but Talos ain't no place to raise an entire bloody community."
* "Not when Hammond keeps pushin' her close to complete collapse..."
* "It's high time Houndy's people found themselves somewhere safe."
* "Walter, will you help me lift these supplies?"
* "Hell yeah! Just remember: lift directly from ya back, Not a bent knee in sight, alright?"
* "Hah, I appreciate you looking out for me."
* "My absolute pleasure, mate."
* "That's terrible advice."
* "AH! Where the bloody hell'd she come from?!"
* "You should do the opposite of what he said. Bend your knees. Protect your back. Backs are important."
* "You a newcomer to the concept of banter, kid?"
* "Very new. Is banter "giving terrible advice"?"
* "It is a type of conversation between ... close friends. A way of expressing your, uh, familiarity."
* "Also, there are jokes."
* "Your definition's suspiciously vague, and I still don't get it. Maybe it's because I don't have any close friends?"
* "That's why I'm here, actually. To make you my close friends."
* "Mirage says the first step is caring about their problems, so please, tell me all your problems."
* "Would ya believe me if I said *mild back pain?*"
* "I would, because you're old."
* "..."
* "Oh. BANTER!"
* "I assumed repatriation would prove the most challenging part of my day ..."
* "First thing's first, pup: Don't listen to Wit...About anything, come to think of it."
* "There's more to bein' mates than just sayin' you care about their problems."
* "You gotta bloody engage with 'em, one on one. Share a beer through the rough times ..."
* "It's hard, but you never give up on each other."
* "Really? I can tell you and that Maggie know each other by the way you pretend you don't. Doesn't that mean you gave up on her?"
* "...Nah."
* "I never gave up on Mags."
* "What Walter was attempting to explain is ... friendship is like a hunt. It can take time to get close."
* "One must be attentive and listen. Take Walter and I, for example\_"
* "Oh, no, I'm talking about FRIENDLY friendships, not ROMANTIC friendship, like you guys have."
* "Hah, well yeah, I guess you could say we're-"
* "Nei, we are not- we are just-"
* "Houndy thinks we're just ... *just*?"
* "The hell does that mean?"
* "... Yeah. It's like they said. We're mates 'n' nothin' more."
* "Then why are you both blushing?"
* "How can you know-I am wearing a mask!"
* "Oh I wasn't sure ... But not I am!"
* "I've learned a lot about you. More than you want me to, I guess. That makes us friends, right?"
* "Maybe even secret friends, like Wattson and me!"
* "... Sure, kid. We're the friendliest."
* "Righto, Hounddog. Reckon we've, uh... got a lot to unpack."
* "... Nei, only the packing of my people requires attention."
* "Right. Yeah, right. Focus. Priorities. 'nother time then-"
* "OH! More banter! I get it. I'm THE BEST at friendships!"
* "You guys better come to all my future parties."
* "I don't want up sad and clingy and friendless like Mirage is at his."
* "..."
* "Wait-"
* "Mirage had a party?"

### "Best Friends"

The narrator is Loba

* "Now? After that disaster of a meal, a quiet night eating instant noodles with Kairi sounds like paradise."
* "Hey! Wait up."
* "When I asked you to come, I didn't realize you'd show up wearing THAT. Or let your rodent crawl all over the table, or, of all things, steal bread-from other tables!"
* "These are high quality pelts, and Echo grooms multiple times in a day. He's probably cleaner than that stuffy guy that kicked us out."
* "Plus, those people weren't going to eat their bread. It's good sense to save any excess food for later. That's what my mom taught me."
* "Love, you got us removed from a restaurant. In my world, that behavior makes you look weak. It makes YOU the prey. My associates would eat you up."
* "Who are your associates? I'll shoot them before they eat me."
* "This isn't a matter of who can kill whom first; it's how we do business. A delicate balance of how to get what you want while staying alive."
* "It sounds like you're just constantly putting yourself in danger."
* "It's a tough world to navigate, and one that many can't. That's why I don't involve friends in my work."
* "But Valkyrie will help you sometimes. She's your girlfriend, isn't she? And Bangalore, I see you two talking sometimes."
* "One is my beau and the other is a close associate. I enjoy spending time with them-just not while I work."
* "This gets more confusing the more people I talk to. Everyone lists different criteria for friendship. Problems, secrets, compromise, banter ..."
* "As soon as the entrance of Kairi's apartment comes into sight, I realize this has gone on long enough."
* "I don't need to further jeopardize my night. I've got to get rid of her."
* "Listen, if you want to know about a REAL friendship, I'll tell you about Jaime. He's been my best friend, in and out of work, for years."
* "We have the only two things that really matter in a friendship: respect and loyalty. Make a note of that."
* "'Respect ... and ... loyalty ...'"
* "You're ... really writing it down ..."
* "Done! So then ... I think you and me already have loyalty. You left the restaurant with me and told of that matter-macher-"
* "Maître d'."
* "Yes. That guy. You told him he could shove 'it' up his-"
* "It sounds like we're halfway there then, beautiful. Now, I really must be going ..."
* "Wait, but how do I earn your respect? What if I show you how fast I can skin a scrounger? Do you happen to have one on you?"
* "I hurry into the lobby of Kairi's building. Vantage knocks on the glass door behind me, but my generosity for the night is at its limit."
* "Loba? I can swallow a tropplefish whole! You've gotta respect that."
* "I leave her behind and make my way to Kairi's unit. I can practically see my angel curled up on the couch, watching some variety show like she usually does at this hour."
* "I unlock her door and hear the satisfying click of my freedom. Time to leave this night behind."
* "The door opens. It's dark inside. Strange. I reach into the shadow and flick the light switch and-"
* "My keys and my clutch fall from my hands. I blink, then blink again, but nothing changes."
* "I'm ... in a nightmare."
* "All I see is Jaime, pale and still-strung by his wrists, hanging from the ceiling fan over the coffee table. Blood on his clothes, blood on the floor, blood in his hair."
* "This can't be real. Not again. NOT AGAIN."
* "A sound snaps from my shock. That's my friend hanging there in front of me. I rush over to help him."
* "Jaime! Wake up, love. Wake up!"
* **Jaime** "..."
* "Loba! I broke in because I was ... oh."
* "There's a voice from the door as I climb onto the table and check for a pulse. It's weak under my fingertips, but it's there. Caraca, Jaime! Hold on!"
* "Is he dead?"
* "I turn at her voice and realize it's Vantage standing in the door. I don't know how she got in, but at this point, I don't care."
* "Mara, help! Jaime needs help NOW. My phone-"
* "I can hear it ringing somewhere. Jaime's in my arms, but I need my phone-"
* "I've got it! I remember the emergency number. Oh, but there's someone calling. I know how to answer phones, too."
* "Hello? Xiomara Contreras answering for Loba. Oh, hi Valkyrie. Loba's too busy stabilizing her dying friend Jaime to come to the phone right now. I have to call for help. Bye!"
* "I manage to get Jaime down as Vantage calls for help. Lying him across Kairi's couch, I tear stripes off the bottom of my dress to tie up his wounds."
* "He's ... so lifeless. For a moment, I wonder who would do this to him, but it's obvious."
* "HE would do anything to hurt me."
* "I'm sorry, Jaime ..."
* **Jaime" "Lo ..."**
* "My heart catches at the sound of his voice, his head slumps and any sign of consciousness fades as quickly as it came."
* "I pull his hand into mine. I blink away tears. Inside me is a storm of panic and anxiety. So much anxiety, but mostly..."
* "Rage."
* "Don't worry, Jaime. The demonio ... He'll pay for this ..."

### "Deal with the Devil"

The narrator is Valkyrie

* "-having simulacrum bodies nearly crush your head every fish seconds? I'd rather be in G-LOC."
* "Ugh, someone call housekeeping already."
* "Be my guest, little birdie. Maybe they'll get here in time to clean up your corpse."
* "The voice comes from above. Not the most creative scare tactic, but it's Revenant and his whole murder-y shtick is getting pretty tacky."
* "What are you, a jack-in-the-box? I thought assassins were supposed to kill their targets. You know, quietly?"
* "Think you're funny, do you? I could slice you clean through before you'd even know what's happening."
* "And Loba ... She'd be so, so sad. Sounds like the PERFECT gift for her ..."
* "I whirl to face him."
* "And that's the problem. You're obsessed with goading her and she can't stop taking the bait. It's like having a permanent third wheel."
* "Aw, is my involvement with Loba getting in the way of your little romance?"
* "Uh, yeah. It is. You were leaving the Outlands with Sergeant Stick-in-the-Mud and that was supposed to be the end of things, but you just had to keep hanging around."
* "He drops down from the ceiling and leans over me, studying my face. Creep."
* "So what? You wanna get rid of me? Wouldn't that be a treat. Got twenty years to spare? We could plan a road trip."
* "Keep making jokes, trashcan, but I can give what you want."
* "Hah! You really think you can kill me?"
* "Yes."
* "He stops, neck creaking as he turns to face me. That's right, you glorified kettle. I mean business."
* "If you quit playing your stupid games with Loba and leave her alone, I can make it happen."
* "I don't buy it. But that desperation? Oh, that's something to live for."
* "I'm not just the 'third wheel', am I? I'm her PRIORITY."
* "You're giving yourself way too much credit."
* "You're afraid that she cares more about killing me than she does about being with you. How all she does is dream of vengeance against me while your heart BLEEDS."
* "Shut it, tin can. You wanna die or not?"
* "Touched a nerve, did I? Fine, I'll bite. You gonna fetch my head from Gridiron."
* "I don't need to. I know a guy."
* "You KNOW a guy?"
* "Yeah. And, funny thing, he says your head isn't on Gridiron at all."
* "... What?"
* "Touched a nerve, did I?"
* "Tell me where my head is right now, or I'll wring your puny neck!"
* "Yeah, you don't wanna do that. I'm your only lead."
* "..."
* "Down boy. I'll happily give you what you want ... as long as YOU back off Loba."
* "And that's what Loba wants too? Maybe I should thank her ..."
* "You'll keep your mouth shut and stay away from her."
* "Heh. She doesn't know. Oh, little birdie ... You make me so proud."
* "You've got yourself a deal, but if you can't deliver ..."
* "Don't go thinking you've got me on a leash. I can always cause a little trouble in paradise."
* "I'll see ya later, birdie. Or ... maybe I won't, if you hold your end of the bargain."
* "He climbs off into the darkness of his creepy lair, his laugh reverberating off the walls. I let out a breath, letting the tension leave my body."
* "I start back the way I came. I check my phone and there's a message from Loba saying she's coming over."
* "A smile tugs at my lips as I dial her up, but then ..."
* "Oh, hi Valkyrie. Loba's too busy stabilizing her dying friend Jaime to come to the phone right now. I have to call for help. Bye!"
* "Jaime? What happened to Jaime?!"
* "But the call's already ended and a jolt of panic races down my spine. My bodysuit suddenly feels stifling."
* "There's only one reason someone would hurt Jaime: the head."
* "I take off down the tunnel, find a patch of open sky, and fire up my jets. This is the only shot we have at saving Loba, and ..."
* "We can't lose it. We can't."

### "Party On, Elliot!"

The narrator is Mirage

* "Like, uh ... that guy. Sleepy-Napping-at-the-Bar-Guy. He's my friend!"
* "Hey friend whose name I totally know and haven't forgotten-"
* **Jim** "It's Jim."
* "Didn't let me finish, but I'll give it to you."
* "Okay, so that's a bust, but-"
* "At least I'll always have you guys, right Holo-Buddies?"
* "... Uh, Holo-Buddies?"
* '*Mirage Hologram* "Battery low. To continue basking in my glory, please recharge!"
* "[sigh] ... I trusted you the most, Mirage Number Four."
* "My motto's always been 'go big or go home'. Maybe it's time to go home?"
* "... That's it, I'm making me-jitos ..."
* "Mirage! I did it. I'm friends with all your friends."
* "All my friends? There's no way you know Nathaniel Waterloo."
* "... Who?"
* "Solace City's High Minister of Break Dancing? But no, you're right, he's more a brother a friend-"
* "Oh who am I kidding? I'm not cool enough to know Nathaniel Waterloo."
* "... I haven't got any friends, so why did I expect anyone would show up to my party? No big deal, I just fight alongside those jerks, care about their problems-"
* "-but YOU'RE the one bonding with all the cool kids."
* "Of course I am-I learned to listen like you taught me. And what I'm hearing right now? You're not as self-obsessed as you want everyone to believe. There's something underneath you're trying to cover up."
* "If you wanna share, now's a good time. Because I'm listening. Starting now."
* "Ugh. Mara, your 'listening' face is disturbingly close to 'have a revelation' face ..."
* "She smiles, but then her focus drifts ... she's seen something on the TV."
* "... It's Vantage, being interviewed after an Apex match she's won. The one on the screen looks excited, but the one watching it? She seems glum-no, disappointed. Like she knows what she's about to see."
* **Vantage** "Oh I won? Huh. Cool. Does the red light mean you're filming? Double cool. Hi! I'm Ma-I'm Vantage. Right now, my mom is being held against her will in a maximum security pri-"
* **Newscaster** "And how about that Echo, folks? What a cutie. Sure to become a fan favorite. Aaaand that's all the time we have tonight-stay tuned for a word from our good friends at Chevrex!"
* "... They cut me off. Everything I do here is to get on that tiny screen and tell the world about my mother ..."
* "But they won't let me speak."
* "Well, ya know, you're off-putting. Has no one ever told you that?"
* "All the time, but I don't care about how or where I put people."
* "Then I think it's time for YOU to have a revelation-face. You might want to care about how the Syndicate sees you."
* "I won't change who I am."
* "No, no, just be yourself, but like ... be a better, more mass marketable version of yourself. It's called acting."
* "You want more screen time? Give them something they'll want to put on screen. Observe."
* "I play a clip of one of my wins. I have a few of these stored to run on loop at the Paradise Lounge. Like a few thousand. I win a lot. I'm a winner is what I'm saying."
* **Mirage** "-and I'd like to thank me and all the hard work I do for me to make what me does possible!"
* **Mirage** "...And Mom. Thank you. I know you're out there watching."
* **Newscaster** "Awww ... what a sweetheart. Elliot Witt, ladies and gentleman! You know, I think it's time I called my mother-"
* "See? You play their game, the media tells your story for you. That's how you win."
* "Huh, okay. Play the game. The media's your weapon. Win-win-win."
* "... Wait, your mom watches too?"
* "Is your mom also in prison? Is it the same prison as my mom? Are they roomies? Have they tried to shank each other-"
* "Sorry. Got excited. Mom stuff. Um... 'Your mom watches too?"
* "Every game. That's why I ..."
* "..."
* "She uh, her memory-she has trouble holding onto things. I just ... I want her to see me. Maybe then she won't forget."
* "Maybe I can be what she holds on to ..."
* "..."
* "So yeah. 'Mom stuff."
* "... Hey! You opened up!"
* "No I didn't."
* "You shared a vulnerable moment! You trust me! That's what makes friends friends!"
* "We did and it's wonderful and if you tell anyone I said anything they'll never believe you."
* "What a coupla serious Sallys-this is a party, dears. Time to see yer tushies move!"
* "Aissi-I was told there is a party, yet no one is dancing."
* "Uh, what? What in the what's happening?"
* "Oh, did I forget to say? I brought your friends-our friends. Apparently there's a party!"
* "Hmm. Did I accidentally hop into a dimension where you're cool?"
* "Renee. There's a familiar scowl. You showed!"
* "Of course. You always show up for me."
* "..."
* "Mirage! I love you and all your clones, even if I can't tell who is the original."
* "More and more of the Legends arrive, and then I'm behind the bar, mixing drinks, dancing with drinks, naming drinks after me-"
* "-Holo ... holo ... hologroni? More like holo-GROAN-y. I'll circle back on that-"
* "But through all the very awesome partying, I still can't help wondering ,,,"
* "Hey, Path ... why didn't you respond to my first invite? These other jerks no-showing I get, but you? That hurt."
* "I didn't receive an invite, friend. I'll check my spam folder."
* " 'Lonely Psamathe Princess'- intriguing. 'Top 10 Ways to Polish Your Grapple' - that shouldn't be in spam! ... Nope. No invites."
* "Nothin' on my end either. Witt ya twit, you sure you SENT the bleedin' invites?"
* "NO! That kind of accusation is offensive and frankly terribl-"
* "-ly accurate because I'm just not now remembering that's exactly what happened."
* "I just thought... you didn't like me, Path. That none of you did."
* "Mirage, turn that upside-down smile upside-down again! We're friends, friend!"
* "... Yeah, buddy. Yeah we are."
* "Hey! Lonely time's over. Now it's dance time."
* "I take a moment ... then nod. Mara smiles and joins the dance floor, Horizon spins on NEWT, Crypto's drone plays a light show and Octane's doing the running man. I just want to take a minute to watch them, my friends; happy, dancing, laughing ..."
* "Mara's moves are, uh ... enthusiastic. It's infectious."
* "Still, someone's gotta teach her a two-step. Maybe a one step? Start small."
* ",... I guess all the best things do."

### "With Friends like These"

* >INITIALIZING...
* >LINK... ESTABLISHED
* >HANDSHAKE... VERIFIED
* >ENCRYPTION... LOCKED
* >PARTIES... 2
* <Z:> Package confirmed?
* <A:> Um. Could you be more specific?
* <Z:> Have you secured the package?
* <A:> it's just us here. My security is top-notch, you know that. So quit it with the cloak-and-dagger talk.
* <A:> So sensitive - especially for a titan of business. But if you wanna to talk like a spy, you go ahead.
* <Z:> Do you have the head?
* <A:> Affirmative. Head secured. The eagle has landed and the fires in Gaea are getting higher.
* <Z:> Stop it. What is its condition?
* <A:> Sleeping like a baby. A 300 year old baby with no body.
* <Z:> Provide proof of acquistion and condition.
* <A:> FILE UPLOAD [CROSS\_PROMOTION.jpg]... COMPLETED.
* <A:> Not the greatest composition, but I think I really captured his eternal ennui...
* <Z:> Acceptable. Status report on prev owner.
* <A:> Ah, the blue-haired guy? Put up a surprising amount of fight but dead. Well, not dead-dead. Pre-dead. Dead-adjacent.
* <A:> My mom says I have a problem finishing things.
* <Z:> Unacceptable. He is a loose end.
* <A:> Ah well, you didn't buy the Tying Up Loose Ends Package(TM). That's extra. Especially now that blue-hair is in a Psamathe hospital surrounded by Legends. Well, at least one Legend. What a good friend.
* <Z:> Not that you know.
* <A:> Oh, look at you. With the jokes!
* <A:> Listen. A wink would've killed blue-hair the way I had him, but said friend dropped by earlier than I'd planned, so I had to leave things to chance, but apparently chance like him.
* <Z:> We expect that to be resolved.
* <A:> Yeah, yeah. I am on top of it. Even Legends have to sleep.
* <Z:> Payment reduced due to incompetence. Proceed to drop location with the item by 0300.
* <Z:> TRSNF PAYMENT [acct 00.12xxxx-xxxx-x-xx]... RECEIVED
* <A:> Y'know, this head... it could knock down a lot of doors for me. I imagine that Legend I was just talking about would want it, not to mention a certain muy, muy powerful party...
* <Z:> TRSNF PAYMENT [acct 00.12xxxx-xxxx-x-xx]... RECEIVED
* <A:> Ah, you SHOULD have. And last but not least: the dirt on our favorite orphan. My little rat who got me the footage of blue-hair and the head needs that or she'll bite me and then I'll bite you.
* <Z:> FILE UPLOAD [P943845J03774T.hxx]... COMPLETED
* <A:> Much obliged. The head'll be in the basket by 3.
* <Z:> Acceptable.
* <A:> Now if you'll excuse me, I'll finish my drink, and see if the brunette wants to dance.
* <A:> Say what you will, but a Witt knows how to throw a party. Later...
* <A:> ...friend.
* LINK... SEVERED

## Quest Rewards

### Weapon Skins

* Scourge of the Plains
Devotion LMG