Starfield: Betray Huan Daiyu or Not?

In the vast universe of Starfield, few decisions carry as much weight as those in the Crimson Fleet questline. ‘The Best There Is’ stands out as a critical mission where players must choose between betraying key ally Huan Daiyu or upholding loyalty, directly influencing faction standings and future encounters. This guide dives deep into the quest mechanics, strategic choices, and long-term repercussions to help you decide.

Quest Overview: Securing the ComSpike

The ‘The Best There Is’ quest kicks off after completing ‘Breaking the Bank’ in the Crimson Fleet storyline. Your objective centers on retrieving the ComSpike, a vital prototype device from the secretive UC station SY-920 orbiting Luyten’s Rock. This item holds the key to decrypting the Legacy’s location, making it indispensable for Crimson Fleet operations.

Naeva and ship technician Jasmine brief you on The Key, emphasizing the need for stealth over brute force. They direct you to Huan Daiyu, a smuggling contact in New Atlantis’ The Well, as the only viable entry point to the heavily guarded station. Huan’s involvement adds layers of intrigue, as her cooperation comes with strings attached that unfold during gameplay.

Step-by-Step Journey to SY-920

Begin by traveling to New Atlantis’ Spaceport and descending into The Well. Locate Huan at Kay’s House—ascend the stairs to the second-floor balcony for your meeting. She outlines the plan: board her ship, the Jade Swan, for covert docking at SY-920. Agree to her terms, which include maintaining discretion and avoiding detection.

• Prepare for Boarding: While waiting for docking, customize your loadout. Prioritize stealth-oriented gear like silenced weapons, chameleon armor, or hacking tools.
• Boarding the Station: After docking, speak to Huan again. She stresses acquiring a UC guard uniform from the barracks to bypass checkpoints undetected. Stealth is paramount—alerting guards risks Huan abandoning you.

Sneak into the barracks via maintenance areas. Hack or pick the locked doors, grab the uniform, and equip it. Proceed to the Command Bay lift, bluffing past the exterior guard with a duty report line. Inside, use the intercom to consult Huan for clearance code acquisition.

Acquiring the Uniform and Clearance

The barracks infiltration demands precision. Avoid patrols by crouching and using shadows. If detected, reload a save—combat escalates risks exponentially. Once uniformed, navigate to the Research Labs marker.

These steps ensure smooth progression without alarms. Huan’s guidance via intercom keeps you aligned, building toward the pivotal Dr. Vogel encounter.

The Critical Choice: Betray or Persuade?

Confronting Dr. Vogel in the Research Labs presents three main paths to the ComSpike: betrayal, persuasion, or alternative exploits like pickpocketing or the Spacer trait. Betrayal triggers an alert, granting immediate access but severing ties with Huan.

To betray, select: “There’s no time. The Captain of the Jade Swan is trying to steal the ComSpike. I need to secure the prototype ship immediately.” Dr. Vogel notifies Commander Natara, providing a keycard. Pilot the prototype ship to escape, using Huan’s distraction.

Opting against betrayal requires persuading Dr. Vogel. Save beforehand for retries. Use these dialogue options:

• “[Persuade] I’m one of those test pilots, actually.” (+4)
• “The reasons are classified, but I’ve been asked to personally fly this ship.” (+2)
• “We don’t have time for this. I was told this was an emergency.”

Success yields the passcode without alarms. Companions like Sarah or Barrett may disapprove of pickpocketing, making persuasion ideal.

Consequences of Your Decision

Betraying Huan delights UC SysDef contacts, aiding infiltration paths and easing final Crimson Fleet confrontations by removing her as an ally. Delgado, however, laments losing a prime contact.

Staying loyal disappoints UC SysDef but bolsters Crimson Fleet relations. Huan survives, reappearing in the finale to support against UC forces—a boon for Fleet-aligned playthroughs.

Regardless of choice, you secure the ComSpike and return to The Key via grav jump. Report to Delgado at the Last Nova; Huan may join if unbetrayed, offering a drink before debriefing.

Faction Alignment Impacts

Your decision hinges on allegiance:

• Crimson Fleet Path: Spare Huan for her aid in ‘Legacy’s End.’ Betrayal weakens your position.
• UC SysDef Path: Betray to neutralize her, simplifying the assault on The Key.
• Neutral/Exploration: Loyalty maximizes unique dialogues and loot opportunities.

Post-quest, the ComSpike enables Jasmine’s decryption, advancing to ‘The Stars in Their Course.’

Tips for Success and Common Pitfalls

Maximize outcomes with high Persuasion skills (Rank 2+ recommended). Stealth boosts from suits like the Challys Mark IV help immensely. Bugs, like Huan not boarding the Jade Swan, often resolve with patches—reload or wait if encountered.

• Stock magsicles or silenced pistols for silent takedowns.
• Quick-save before Vogel; persuasion can fail randomly.
• Explore SY-920 for side loot: research notes, credits, and weapons.

Advanced Strategies: Beyond the Basics

For power players, combine paths—persuade Vogel, then optionally betray post-access for hybrid rewards. Test pilot the prototype regardless; it’s a unique ship with superior handling for future missions.

Companion synergy: Bring Constellation members for approval boosts on moral choices. Avoid combat-heavy builds; SY-920 favors social/stealth trees.

Integration with Broader Storyline

This quest exemplifies Starfield’s branching narratives. Choices ripple into epilogues, affecting reputation, endings, and New Game+ viability. Aligning with Crimson Fleet unlocks pirate strongholds and contraband runs, while UC loyalty grants military tech and bases.

Compare with Ryujin or Freestar quests: ‘The Best There Is’ uniquely blends espionage and betrayal, rewarding replayability.

FAQs

What happens if I betray Huan Daiyu?

UC SysDef approves, but Crimson Fleet loses a contact. Huan exits early, simplifying some fights but costing finale support.

Is persuasion hard?

With +6 total from options, Rank 1 suffices often. Save-scum if needed.

Does Huan return if betrayed?

No, she’s removed from future events.

Best uniform spot?

Barracks lockers post-maintenance hack.

Quest bugs?

Huan pathing issues fixed in updates; restart if persistent.