So there I was, blaster still warm, the smell of scorched plasma lingering in the air like a guilty conscience. I'd just crawled through Gorak's dusty ventilation shafts, dodged more guards than I care to remember, and finally extracted the intel I'd been sent to grab. Danka, my ever-so-cheerful fixer, was waiting at the cantina with a grin that said "I've got another mess for you, kid." And sitting right there, all cool and crimson, was Eleera – an agent for the Crimson Dawn. That's when the galaxy got a whole lot more complicated.
See, the data I'd swiped wasn't just a shopping list. It contained the name of a Pyke traitor, a rat working to undermine Gorak, the big fish of the Pyke Syndicate on Toshara. The moment Danka finished her spiel, Eleera leaned in, her voice smooth as Corellian whiskey: "That information could be... mutually beneficial." Suddenly, I'm holding a live thermal detonator, and both sides wanted me to decide where it blows.
It's the classic Star Wars Outlaws predicament: do you spill the beans to Eleera and earn the trust of Crimson Dawn, or keep your mouth shut and present the info to Gorak, solidifying your standing with the Pykes? The choice feels weighty, but here's the thing – the galaxy doesn't implode either way. The game just shuffles the deck, and you get to be the one dealing the cards.
The Two Faces of Betrayal
Let's break down the immediate rewards, because a scoundrel's heart runs on credits and repute:
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Tell Eleera about the Pyke traitor: You'll see a massive boost in Crimson Dawn reputation (three juicy green arrows) and a tidy 250 Credits landing in your pocket. They'll treat you like a long-lost nerf-herding cousin.
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Save the information for Gorak: You'll get the exact same mechanical reward but for the Pykes – three green arrows of reputation and 250 Credits. Gorak will probably give you a grunt that passes for a "thanks" among his kind.
Whichever smuggler's boot you decide to kiss, Eleera still hands over the fuel injector Waka needs for the Trailblazer. And later, a quest called 'The Traitor' pops up, handing you another chance to side with the red or the blue. It's almost like the game is saying, "Relax, hotshot. This ain't the Hoth life-or-death you think it is."
But that doesn't mean the choice is meaningless. Oh no. It changes how often you'll find yourself running for your life with a squadron of angry speeder bikes on your tail. Let me paint a picture...
Why I Learn to Love the Pykes (Usually)
If you're like me and your flying is only slightly more graceful than a drunken bantha, you'll want to stay on the Pykes' good side. Their territory sprawls across Mirogana like a bad rash. So much land, so many trigger-happy enforcers. When you're in their bad books, every trip through their turf turns into a full-scale chase. I once spent twenty minutes zigzagging through canyons because I'd looted the wrong crate. By the time I shook them, I needed a new airspeeder, a fresh pair of underwear, and possibly a therapist.
Staying friendly with the Pykes means free access to their fast travel points and, more importantly, the ability to just walk through their areas without a bounty on your head. That early-game convenience is worth more than any pile of credits. Plus, they control that lovely Sabacc table where you can snag a new Shift Token – a must for any card sharp.
The Case for Crimson Dawn
Now, don't get me wrong. Crimson Dawn has its own devilish charm. If you're itching to crack safes and waltz through heavily-guarded facilities with nothing but a smirk, this is your crew. Part of the expert quest to find 'The Slicer' lives smack in their territories, and you'll want their goons to ignore you while you're tinkering with locks. An upgraded Slicing Kit is no joke when the whole base is on alert.
Also, the black market is in Crimson Dawn's pocket. Price tags become a lot less stabby when you're in their good graces. And let's not ignore the reputation rewards: Crimson Dawn showers you with stealth upgrades – quieter footsteps, faster slicing, all that sneaky goodness. The Pykes, on the other hand, are all about Adrenaline and making your melee hits turn enemies into puddles of regret. Different flavors of trouble.
The Scoundrel's Verdict
If your reputation meters are both hovering at "poor," this one quest can catapult either faction straight into "good" territory – so check your standing before you hand in the quest. If you're already loved by one syndicate, why not butter up the other? It's all about balance, like carrying two thermal detonators with shaky hands.
I usually side with the Pykes on this first go-around because early-game Mirogana is no place to make enemies of the biggest landlord on the block. But once you unlock more Contract Brokers after the 'False Flag' mission, you'll be able to grind reputation for both syndicates faster than a Kowakian monkey-lizard can steal your lunch. It's entirely possible to have "excellent" standing with every crime family simultaneously. Yes, even the Pykes can learn to love you.
So go ahead. Flip a coin, trust your gut, or just save the game and try both outcomes like I definitely didn't do. In the grand orbit of things, Eleera and Gorak are just two cogs in a massive syndicate machine. Your real worry? That Womp rat who keeps eyeing the Trailblazer's wiring.
That's all for this slice of underworld wisdom, star-hopper. If you're hungry for more, check out my guides on the best Trailblazer upgrades to make sure your ship doesn't rattle apart in the atmosphere, or the best Speeder upgrades to outrun even the grumpiest Pyke patrol. And if your credit stash is looking thinner than a Hutt's patience, I've got a few tricks for making Credits fast without selling your own co-pilot. Fly casual, and remember – in the underworld, loyalty is just a contract waiting to be broken.