Kept Secret But Not Forgotten

The quest "Kept Secret But Not Forgotten" is a critical juncture in your journey through The Outer Worlds, leading you directly into the heart of the Board's operations in Byzantium. Your primary objective is to gain access to Chairman Rockwell's office within the H.E.R.A. building to retrieve vital information. This quest demands a blend of stealth, persuasion, and potentially combat, offering multiple paths to success. Prepare for high-level security, cunning Board employees, and significant skill checks.

Quest Giver and Initiation

This quest is initiated automatically after completing the previous main quest, "The City and the Stars," and speaking with Phineas Welles aboard the Unreliable. He will task you with infiltrating Chairman Rockwell's office to find incriminating evidence against the Board.

Walkthrough: Infiltrating H.E.R.A.

Phase 1: Gaining Access to the H.E.R.A. Building

The H.E.R.A. building is heavily guarded. There are several ways to bypass the initial security:

Option A: Impersonate a Board Employee (Recommended)
- Acquire a H.E.R.A. Security Keycard: The easiest way to do this is to complete the side quest "The Doom That Came to Roseway." During this quest, you'll encounter a scientist named Anton Crane. If you successfully persuade him or steal from his lab, you can obtain a H.E.R.A. Security Keycard.
- Equip a Disguise: With the keycard in hand, head to the H.E.R.A. building entrance. Equip any Board-affiliated armor (e.g., Board Guard Armor, Corporate Commander's Uniform) to activate your Disguise system. The keycard will provide the necessary clearance.
- Pass the Skill Check: As you approach the entrance, you'll encounter a guard. You'll need to pass a Persuade (50) or Lie (50) skill check to maintain your cover. Failing this will alert guards and initiate combat.
Option B: Brute Force (High Combat Risk)
- Simply attack the guards at the H.E.R.A. building entrance. Be warned, Byzantium guards are well-equipped and numerous. This path will likely lead to a city-wide alert and make subsequent sections much harder due to hostile NPCs.
Option C: Stealth (Challenging)
- There are no readily apparent stealth routes into the main H.E.R.A. entrance without a disguise. However, if you manage to slip past the initial guards (e.g., by using consumables like Invisibility Serum if you have it), you'll still need to contend with internal security. This is generally less viable than the disguise method.

Phase 2: Navigating the H.E.R.A. Building

Once inside, your goal is Chairman Rockwell's office, located on the upper floors. The building is a maze of offices and corridors, patrolled by Board Guards and Corporate Commanders.

Maintaining Disguise: If you entered with a disguise, continue to wear Board-affiliated armor. You'll encounter periodic Perception or Inspiration skill checks as you pass guards. Failing these will blow your cover.
Elevator Access: Head towards the central elevator. You'll need to use it to reach the higher levels. There might be a guard near the elevator requiring another skill check.
Chairman's Office Location: Rockwell's office is typically on the top floor accessible by the main elevator. Look for signs or consult your map for "Chairman's Office" or "Executive Suites."

Phase 3: Accessing Chairman Rockwell's Office

The Chairman's office itself is locked and likely guarded.

Option A: Lockpicking/Hacking (Recommended Skills)
- The office door will require a high Lockpicking (70+) skill to open.
- Alternatively, there might be a terminal nearby that can be hacked with a high Hacking (70+) skill to unlock the door.
Option B: Finding a Keycard
- A keycard for Rockwell's office might be found on a nearby desk, in a locker, or on a specific Board employee patrolling the executive floor. Explore thoroughly, but be mindful of security.
Option C: Persuasion/Intimidation (Dialogue Path)
- If you encounter a secretary or aide outside Rockwell's office, you might be able to Persuade (75+) or Intimidate (75+) them into giving you the key or unlocking the door. This often requires specific dialogue choices that align with your character's reputation or previous actions.

Phase 4: Retrieving the Data

Once inside Chairman Rockwell's office:

Locate the Terminal: The critical data is stored on a secure terminal within the office. It's usually a large, prominent desk terminal.
Download the Data: Interact with the terminal. You'll need to pass a Hacking (80+) skill check to download the encrypted data. If your Hacking skill is insufficient, you may need to find a decryption key or a password.
Alternative Data Retrieval: If Hacking is too low, look for a physical data chip or a hard drive that can be picked up directly. Sometimes, a specific document on the desk will contain the necessary information.

Phase 5: Exiting the H.E.R.A. Building

After acquiring the data, your objective will update to "Return to the Unreliable."

Stealthy Exit: If you maintained your disguise, simply walk out the way you came.
Combat Exit: If your cover was blown, be prepared to fight your way out. Consider using your companions' abilities and your best weapons.
Alternative Exit: Some areas might have maintenance tunnels or emergency exits, but these are less common in high-security Board buildings.

Key NPCs and Their Roles

Phineas Welles: Your quest giver, guiding you from afar.
Chairman Rockwell: The target of your infiltration, though you won't directly interact with him during this quest.
Board Guards/Corporate Commanders: The primary adversaries and security personnel you'll encounter.
Anton Crane: (Optional, from "The Doom That Came to Roseway") Provides the H.E.R.A. Security Keycard.

Recommended Skills and Loadouts

Dialogue Skills: Persuade, Lie, and Intimidate are invaluable for bypassing security and avoiding combat. Aim for at least 75 in your preferred dialogue skill.
Tech Skills: Lockpicking and Hacking are crucial for opening doors and accessing terminals. A skill of 70-80 is highly recommended.
Stealth Skills: Sneak can help if your disguise fails or if you prefer a non-confrontational approach.
Combat Skills: While not strictly necessary for a stealth/dialogue run, having decent Long Guns or Melee skills can save you if things go south.
Companions:
- Parvati: Her Engineering bonus can help with Hacking.
- Felix: His Persuade bonus can assist with dialogue checks.
- Vicar Max: His Intimidate bonus is useful for aggressive dialogue options.
- Nyoka: Her Lie bonus is excellent for deception.
Weapons: If combat is unavoidable, bring your highest DPS weapons. Energy weapons are often effective against armored Board personnel.
Armor: Board-affiliated armor (e.g., Board Guard Armor, Corporate Commander's Uniform) is essential for the disguise mechanic.
Consumables: Bring plenty of Adreno for healing and Inhaler charges. N-Ray Ammo or Corrosive Ammo can be effective against armored targets.

Common Pitfalls and Tips

Failing Disguise Checks: If your disguise is blown, immediately try to re-equip your Board armor to reactivate it, or find a hiding spot. Running away can sometimes reset enemy awareness.
Low Skill Levels: If your Lockpicking or Hacking is too low, search thoroughly for alternative keycards or passwords. Don't be afraid to use companions to boost your skills.
Aggroing the Entire Building: Avoid unnecessary combat. A full-scale firefight in H.E.R.A. can be very difficult due to the sheer number of enemies.
Missing Side Quests: Completing "The Doom That Came to Roseway" beforehand significantly simplifies gaining initial access to H.E.R.A.
Saving Frequently: Always save before attempting critical skill checks or entering new, high-security areas.

By following these steps and using your skills wisely, you'll successfully retrieve the incriminating data from Chairman Rockwell's office and move one step closer to uncovering the Board's true intentions.