The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds

Passage to Anywhere

Guide for 'Passage to Anywhere', detailing the task Gladys assigns and navigating new dangerous locations.

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Passage to Anywhere

The quest "Passage to Anywhere" is a pivotal main story mission in The Outer Worlds, serving as your gateway to the wider Halcyon colony and introducing you to the complex political landscape of Groundbreaker. Initiated by the enigmatic broker Gladys, this quest requires you to retrieve a valuable item from a perilous location, ultimately granting you access to critical navigational data for your ship, the Unreliable.

Quest Giver and Initiation

  • NPC: Gladys
  • Location: Groundbreaker, in the Rest-N-Go bar area, specifically in her back office.
  • Prerequisite: Complete the main quest "Stranger in a Strange Land" and speak with Gladys about purchasing the Navkey.
  • Objective: Gladys offers to sell you a Navkey to Stellar Bay on Monarch for 10,000 bits, or she'll trade it for a specific, rare item: the Mao.

The Mao: A Dangerous Retrieval

Gladys informs you that the Mao is located within the wreckage of the Udom's Choice, a derelict research vessel orbiting the gas giant Scylla. This location is teeming with dangerous creatures and environmental hazards, making careful preparation essential.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Retrieving the Mao
  1. Travel to Scylla:
    • Return to the Unreliable and use the ship's navigation console.
    • Select Scylla as your destination.
    • Upon arrival, you'll find the Udom's Choice wreckage. Dock your ship.
  2. Navigate the Udom's Choice:
    • The interior of the ship is dark and claustrophobic. Be prepared for close-quarters combat.
    • Enemies: Expect to encounter several Scylla Creatures, primarily Raptidons and Canids, often in packs. Watch out for their charging attacks and corrosive spit.
    • Environmental Hazards: Keep an eye out for exposed electrical conduits and gas leaks. Use your tactical time dilation (TTD) to disarm traps or navigate hazardous areas safely.
    • Path: Follow the main corridors. You'll need to activate a few power conduits or override locked doors to proceed. Look for terminals or power cells.
  3. Locate the Research Lab:
    • The Mao is stored within the ship's primary research lab. This area is usually marked on your mini-map once you get close.
    • You may need to bypass a locked door (requires high Lockpick skill or a keycard found nearby, often on a deceased crew member).
  4. Retrieve the Mao:
    • Inside the lab, the Mao will be prominently displayed, often in a secure container or on a pedestal.
    • Interact with it to collect the item.
    • Loot: While in the lab, scavenge for other valuable items, including weapon parts, armor mods, and ammunition.
  5. Return to the Unreliable:
    • Retrace your steps back to your ship.
    • You can fast travel to your ship from most locations once the area is cleared, or if you're not in combat.
Scylla Creatures: Threat Analysis

The creatures on Scylla, and within the Udom's Choice, are aggressive and often appear in groups. Understanding their weaknesses is key.

Creature Type Primary Attack Weakness Strategy
Raptidon Melee (claws, bite), Corrosive Spit Shock, Plasma Maintain distance if possible. Target head for critical hits. Use companions to draw aggro.
Canid Melee (bite, charge) Corrosive, Plasma Fast and agile. Use TTD to slow them down and target weak points. Shotguns or rapid-fire weapons are effective.
Mega Raptidon (Mini-Boss) Heavy Melee, Area-of-Effect Corrosive Spit Shock, Plasma Encountered less frequently, but a significant threat. Focus fire, use cover, and bring companions with damage-boosting abilities.
Recommended Loadout & Companions
  • Weapons:
    • Long Range: A good sniper rifle (e.g., Hunting Rifle, Dead-Eye) for picking off enemies from a distance.
    • Mid-Range: An assault rifle (e.g., Light Machine Gun, Assault Rifle) or a heavy pistol (e.g., Bolter Pistol) for general combat.
    • Close-Quarters: A shotgun (e.g., Tactical Shotgun) or a submachine gun (e.g., Sublight SMG) for dealing with swarms of creatures.
    • Damage Types: Prioritize weapons with Shock or Plasma damage mods, as these are effective against Scylla's fauna.
  • Armor:
    • Armor with high Physical and Corrosive resistance is beneficial.
    • Consider armor mods that boost health or provide additional damage resistance.
  • Companions:
    • Parvati: Excellent for melee damage and tanking, especially with her "Overload" ability.
    • Felix: Good for close-quarters combat and can draw aggro with his "Dropkick" ability.
    • Vicar Max: Provides ranged support and can debuff enemies with his "Trickshot" ability.
    • Ellie: Offers ranged support and healing, useful for sustained engagements.
    • Nyoka: Strong ranged DPS, especially with her "Barrage" ability, which is great for clearing groups.
    • SAM: Provides corrosive damage and can be a good tank.
  • Consumables: Stock up on Adreno, Spectrum Vodka (for TTD regeneration), and any other health-boosting or damage-enhancing consumables.

Returning to Gladys

Once you have the Mao, return to Groundbreaker and speak with Gladys. You now have two options:

  1. Trade the Mao: Hand over the Mao to Gladys. She will immediately give you the Navkey to Stellar Bay. This is the intended path for the quest.
  2. Sell the Mao (Alternative): You can choose to sell the Mao to Gladys for 2,500 bits. However, she will still require the 10,000 bits for the Navkey. This option is generally not recommended unless you are desperate for bits and plan to acquire the Navkey through other means later (which is possible but involves more questing).

Rewards & Consequences

  • Primary Reward: Stellar Bay Navkey (essential for progressing the main story to Monarch).
  • Experience: Significant XP for completing the quest.
  • Reputation: Completing this quest for Gladys generally improves your standing with the Groundbreaker factions that align with her interests.
  • Factions: Your choices on Groundbreaker, particularly regarding the various questlines involving Junlei Tennyson, Phineas Welles, and the Board, can influence future interactions. While "Passage to Anywhere" itself is fairly straightforward, your overall approach to Groundbreaker can have ripple effects.

Common Pitfalls & Missables

  • Under-geared for Scylla: Going to Scylla without adequate weapons, armor, or companions can lead to frustrating deaths. Ensure you've upgraded your gear and have a balanced team.
  • Missing the Mao: The Mao is a quest item, so it's hard to miss once you're in the lab, but ensure you interact with it to pick it up.
  • Selling the Mao for Bits: While an option, it makes acquiring the Navkey more expensive. Only do this if you have a plan to get the 10,000 bits quickly or intend to pursue alternative main quest paths.
  • Ignoring Side Quests: While not directly related to "Passage to Anywhere," completing side quests on Groundbreaker before leaving can provide valuable XP, bits, and gear, making the Scylla trip easier.

With the Navkey in hand, you are now ready to set a course for Monarch and delve deeper into the mysteries of the Halcyon colony!