This walkthrough is mostly spoilered, so that if people get caught on the common sticking-points they can read it without spoiling the story for themselves.
However, it is not expected that the replies will be spoilered, so don't read beyond the first post if you are stuck but don't want to know the plot!
This walkthrough is for the HUB plotline available on the Albion Prelude version of X3 and is not accurate for Terran Conflict.
If you have mods, it is possible that they may introduce problems with the plot. As this is a Vanilla forum and a repository for information and issues regarding the unmodded game, if you have a problem with a modded game you are requested to post in the Scripts and Modding forum.
The plotline begins at the end of the Albion Prelude plot, on the conditions that you are at least Boron Queen's Guard and you have discovered the Atreus Shipbuilding Corporation HQ in Queen's Harbour.
Chapter 1; Missile Delivery
You begin by talking to a Boron, Gili Tosi, on the Atreus HQ. He briefs you on the current state of the Hub, now under Boron control, and the Boron's plans for it.
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They clearly don't involve the Boron's innate desire for peace and unity in the galaxy. He asks you to deliver 1000 Mosquito Missiles. This plot will involve large quantities of resources being sourced and delivered, although not to the same degree as the TC plot. 1000 Mosquitoes is actually not that much; it's not uncommon to find 3000 or more lying around in an Equipment Dock or one of the Image Recognition production facilities.
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Next up is 100 Hornets, which again isn't too hard to get hold of if you scour every High Yield production facility and maybe an Equipment Dock or two.
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Finally, you have to deliver 40 Tomahawks. That's not much more difficult than the Hornets. Tomahawk manufacturing facilities are numerous enough that you should be able to pick up the requisite number without having to visit more than two Equipment Docks or military bases.
At this point, breaking is possible, and recommended if you have no guns to speak of. An armed freighter is best for the next bit.
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When you accept the next mission, the sector gets some Terran satellites by the gates, and it is possible that some Pirate-aligned ships will appear too. In all likelihood all you'll have to deal with are the satellites, as the orbital platforms and defense patrols will easily take care of the ships.
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You then have to clear out Queen's Retribution, but in all likelihood by the time you get there it'll have been done for you.
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Next job is to fly to the Hub. You may ask how to get there? The answer is simple; back the way you came. It's now been linked into the gates between Queen's Harbour and Queen's Retribution. It also now has a link between Kingdom End and Rolk's Drift. This might cause some of your trading vessels to go somewhat awry if you've got heavy populations of them in these areas. Also, you will need a decent cargo capacity.
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Once in the Hub, you have to dock at the Hub's control center. It's at the top. Annoyingly, you're being put on garbage duty. You have to be flying something that has a decent cargo capacity to haul the cargo back to Atreus. When you get there, you're given some cleaning robots to take back.
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Next comes the first real Hub-like bit of the plot; you have to deliver 15,000 Delexian Wheat and Stott Spices, and 10,000 Bofu.
If you have an extensive network of production complexes by this point in the game, then this probably won't be too onerous. Not more than ten runs from a large transport will be plenty. If you don't have complexes, then you're in for a real un-funny time.
If you have an extensive network of production complexes by this point in the game, then this probably won't be too onerous. Not more than ten runs from a large transport will be plenty. If you don't have complexes, then you're in for a real un-funny time.
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After you've delivered the goods, you start to get a series of messages. They are long and a bit boring; the jist of them is that Mahi Ma, the Boron who led the HUB Plot in Terran Conflict, has been kidnapped by the Terrans and the Boron Kingdom is declaring war as a response. The Argon have suggested increasing the alliance's power by getting the Split on-side. You are therefore going to rescue the Split forces stranded in Zyarth space.
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The first thing you need to do to accomplish this is to deliver 20,000 Energy Cells. You might well find that NPC traders get to a lot of this before you do.
The great thing is that when it's done, you are given contol of one of the three pairs of Gates in the HUB. The bad news is that you are still being told what to do with it.
You have to connect the gate pair to Zyarth's Stand in order to rescue the Split. You can connect to either of the Zyarth's Stand gates, or either of the gates leading to Zyarth's Stand. It is possible that you may not have scouted Zyarth space as it is in a far corner of the X-universe with only access through Xenon space to get there. In which case, you need to head two sectors north of Grand Exchange, then one sector east.
The great thing is that when it's done, you are given contol of one of the three pairs of Gates in the HUB. The bad news is that you are still being told what to do with it.
You have to connect the gate pair to Zyarth's Stand in order to rescue the Split. You can connect to either of the Zyarth's Stand gates, or either of the gates leading to Zyarth's Stand. It is possible that you may not have scouted Zyarth space as it is in a far corner of the X-universe with only access through Xenon space to get there. In which case, you need to head two sectors north of Grand Exchange, then one sector east.
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Once the gate is ready to move again, which will be after two in-game hours, you have to connect it to Segaris, where the team rescuing Mahi Ma will fly into the HUB to escape Terran space. You'll be given control of the other two Gate sets to achieve this...
... and that's it. Plot complete.
... and that's it. Plot complete.
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Your reward for the plot is the Gate Hub. It's a useful bit of kit, this. Have fun!