Family Secrets

“	For two people who have just met, Bangalore and Newcastle have a lot of words for each other. But when Wraith and Mirage hear something alarming, they set out to uncover the secret hanging between the bickering duo -- forgetting that sometimes, the truth hurts.

Family Secrets
Family Portrait tab overview.
Info
Season	Season 13
Treasure packs	45
Story
Style	Text
Number of parts	8
Succession
Previous quest	"The Perfect Son"
Next quest	"Friends Like These"

Family Secrets was a quest during Season 13.

Treasure Pack Rewards

Players can find Treasure Packs in-game, once per day (players can also purchase all the available Treasure Packs for 25).

Treasure Pack rewards vary, and include Weapon Charms, 2, 15 and Apex Packs.

All of the rewards needed a total of 45 Treasure Packs to unlock.

After all the Treasure Packs were collected, the player got three rewards: the Wings of Morien Wingman Skin, an Apex Pack, and 10.

Story Progress

There are eight chapters.

"Money & Mercenaries"

The narrator is Wraith.

Transcript

• Shipfall. Interesting place for the pickup, right next to the downed IMS Hestia.
• If Bangalore and Newcastle didn't leave right after our win, we could've made it to the dropships together-- but, maybe Bangalore wants to be alone with the memory.
• Today, she was... odd, chatty with Newcastle. It's not like her to talk much, especially with a new Legend. And the way Bangalore and Newcastle moved as a unit...
• "Well, well, well, if it isn't Wraith, my FRIEND who tried to shoot me right in my a--"
• "Not now, Mirage. I just want to unpack my gear, find Bangalore, ask what's her deal with Newcastle, and get to the winner's dropship."
• You noticed it too?! Them on a team... they're on FIRE, but when I was on their squad it was also SO awkward, like-like..."
• "...being perfectly sandwiched between a piece of toast that REALLY wants to be there and one that's pretending it's an open-faced sandwich."
• "Mirage, that doesn't even make any sense..."
• "...wait, no, I know what you mean."
• And when Elliot starts making sense-- something's wrong.
• "--you still haven't told me--"
• "--will you give it a rest? I can't have this conversation here--"
• Raised voices--coming from the supply bins closest to the winner's dropship.
• "You don't want to have this conversation anywhere. Don't think I haven't noticed you dodging me."
• "Man, I do NOT envy you, Wraith--and I was paired with the murder-bot and a rando--poor rando, didn't stand a chance. RIP THAT guy! Nice win by the way, did I do alri--"
• "Mmmrf!"
• "You did great. Shhh."
• I point to Bangalore and Newcastle, still yelling.
• "Jackie--"
• "--he's dead! Let it go."
• "Bfeffon?"
• Jackson? How does he--
• Newcastle shoots Bangalore a warning look and steps closer to her. He's in her face.
• My hand goes to my kunai, leaving Mirage's mouth free. I give Mirage the signal to be ready, just in case, when Newcastle says something I can't hear.
• In response, Bangalore also lowers her voice to a harsh whisper. I miss their exchange, but judging from their body language, it's no less heated than before.
• "I-I gotta take this. Meet you in there, 'Ni--Bangalore."
• "'Ni--', Nita?! Wow, new guy is really taking some liberties."
• "I have a weird feeling about him-- there's something going on between them. Even you picked up on it."
• "Hey! Wait, like a Void-y feeling?"
• "No, just a feeling. The way they talk-- it's... like they already know each other... don't talk. He's answering the call."
• Before turning away to answer the call, Newcastle watches Bangalore board the dropship.
• He's closer now. I can almost hear the voice on the other end of the line.
• "Yeah, it's me. Yeah, I'll have the winnings soon."
• "Today? Fine. I'll be there."
• Newcastle hangs up and boards the dropship. Once he's out of sight, Mirage uncloaks.
• "Well, THAT whole thing was SUUUPER weird and suspicious."
• "Very suspicious. And the circumstances of him joining the Games?"
• "She was about to leave, forever, with Revenant--"
• "--SO spooky--"
• "--and suddenly HE appears--"
• "And she decides to stay! You think it's connected?"
• "This guy has been trying to get into the games since... before Forge, and that whole time he had mediocre skills, at best."
• "Now, he's on Bangalore's level, fighting back to back?"
• "No. Something's off. Bangalore's off."
• "It's time I looked into this Newcastle character."
• "Yeah, I see it now... Aw man. This means I'm not going to get my post-Game bubble bath."
• "Go take your bath, Elliot. You don't have to come."
• "And miss whatever this is? No way, Josay! He's from Harris Valley, right?"
• "Paradise has some regulars from there. I'll ask around for info on our hometown hero. Meet you there after you pick up your winnings?"
• "I'll pick it up another day. Let's head straight to the bar."
• "Hero"... "Legend"... he can call himself whatever he wants, but I'm not convinced.

"Eavesdropping & Enmity"

The narrator is Mirage.

Transcript

• You know what's really nice after a match? Praise from screaming fans, a fragrant bubble bath, and maybe a nice massage...
• Instead I'm working the bar while chatting up this greasy-looking fellow from Harris Valley. He comes here pretty often-- probably likes basking my glorious presence. Who doesn't?
• Not exactly my version of a hot date, but I'll be honest; I've had worse.
• Besides, I don't mind helping out a friend.
• Because I'm a GOOD friend, and good friends get their suspicious customers smashed for super valid reasons, like information for said friend.
• Mercenary: "...And then she broke up with me! Even though I'd just gotten her name tattooed on ma lower back. D'ya wanna see?"
• "No, I'm-- oh, you're showing me. Stebbanie? Intersting spelling. She live up in Harris Valley with you?"
• Mercenary: "Nuh way. I came here to Solace City to see my Stephanie. You wan a cute lil fam? A white picket fence? Community block parties?"
• Mercenary: "That be Harris Valley. Iz enough to make ya puke. That dump didn't get big 'til Newcastle joined the Games."
• "Really? Nothing good about the place? Not even a-a nice... bird population-- or something?"
• Mercenary: "Nope, but the Families run that town and WE stick together."
• "The Families?" If Newcastle's part of that, he's pretty tacky. Why not something cooler like "The Bone Grinders" or "The Beloved Bamboozlers"?
• "T-that's from some mafia movie, right? The one with the guy and the gun--"
• Mercenary: "C'mon, the Forgotten Families? The group of ex-IMC? Can't believe you haven't heard of us. We're from all over."
• Mercenary: "I was in the IMC's 99th Hell Divers, but we've got err'yone-- Orbital Assault, Air Force, even ARES Division."
• I take a peek at the blue eyes peering back at me from the corner of the bar.
• She's quickly back to pointedly playing with the apple slice on her drink, despite ARES popping up. Cool as ever.
• "And how do, uh, such charming folks end up in Harris Valley?"
• Mercenary: "We stayed together. Did what we had to in order to stay alive. IMC di'n have our backs no more."
• "That's rough. I'm sure you all have really nice... backs. With perfectly spelled tattoos."
• Mercenary: "Oh, bro, so nice 'o you to say. We really do."
• Mercenary: "Can't blame the IMC, though. Lotta soldiers lost faith in the cause."
• Mercenary: "They deserted, just another resource they lost, so the IMC left and some of us loyalists were stranded. And now? Now I'm stuck in Ha-HIC-Hairy Valley."
• "Harris Valley?"
• Mercenary: "Whateeever. The place blows. Only fun around here is handlin' those deserters whenever we find one."
• "Well that's bleak. So if you're from Harris Valley, then Newcastle--"
• Outta nowhere-- or, I guess... the corner-- Wraith's on her feet, covering my mouth with her hand. Really? Twice in one day?
• "Say that again. The IMC deserters-- you 'handle' them. What does that mean?"
• Mercenary: "It means it's the GOOD stuff. Best part of the meal. Dessert of deserters, y'know?"
• He cackles, but the joke's like a 3/10 at best. Still, it's kinda baffling when Wraith takes him by the shirt and shoves him up against the bar.
• "Tell me what that means!"
• "O-kay, no attempted murder in the bar please."
• I'm at a loss. These aren't the deets we're looking for, but she looks like she might toss him into the Void for some reason.
• To his credit, the guy manages to keep a dazed grin on his dopey face.
• Mercenary: "It means we kill 'em. Slit their throats, stab 'em in the back, douse 'em in gas and light a fire..."
• Mercenary: "Pick your poison. Iz what they deserve."
• Her fingers twitch above the holster of her kunai. I don't move a muscle. For once, my mind is racing through strategies on ways to de-escalate.
• Mercenary: "...Heeey, didn't ya win today with our boy?"
• "...Newcastle. He's one of yours?"
• Mercenary: "Oh, you bet. Funds soooooo many of our ops with 'is winnings."
• "And, uh, you wouldn't happen to know when he hands those over, would ya?"
• Mercenary: "Iunno. Whenever he gets his winnings."
• "That's today."
• Mercenary: "Right. Uh, today."
• "Then it sounds like you'd better get going."
• Wraith drags him away from the bar and practically tosses him out the door. Before he's paid his tab.
• "Y'know, I'm pretty sure that's called stealing."
• She shoots me a withering look.
• "What? Some of us have to make an honest living."
• "Let's go. If Newcastle's one of them, I think Anita could be in danger."
• "Of what? Recruitment?"
• She says nothing and heads out the door. Guess we're not talking about it.
• I look back at the bustling Lounge.
• "Hey, don't eat all the nuts while I'm gone! I just robbed the squirrel outside so it's another week before the new supply."
• I get a few owlish eyes. Aw yeah, still got it. Satisfied, I strut after Wraith."

"Recognition & Responsibility"

The narrator is Wraith.

Transcript

• After a short car ride and a long walk, Mirage and I find ourselves in a worn down warehouse on the outskirts of Harris Valley.
• Maybe used for shipping at some point. Not anymore.
• Mercs patrol the place. Military, or ex-IMC judging by the way they’re organized.
• A few surround a man standing in the middle of the warehouse. The ringleader, no doubt.
• We situate ourselves behind a crate near the cargo door, being careful not to be spotted.
• "I haven't seen you this wound up since you fell in that prowler dung. What is it? ARES?"
• He's worried about me. He's not good at hiding it. Still, there are things I can't tell him. Anita trusted me to keep quiet.
• "No, not ARES. The deserters."
• Mirage gives me a confused look. The Forgotten Families kills IMC deserters. Newcastle is a part of that.
• Now he's stepped into the Games acting so familiar with Bangalore, a deserter. I doubt that's a coincidence.
• "Looks like the party's starting."
• Finally, the man of the hour appears. Newcastle walks through the door and the ringleader approaches with a smirk.
• Head Mercenary: "Well, well, well, congrats on the win, Newcastle. Looks like you’re capable after all."
• "I told you I was."
• Mirage shakes my shoulder. I shrug him off, trying to pay attention to the conversation, but he persists.
• "What?"
• "Was that window always open?"
• He points over near the entrance of the warehouse where a window's slightly ajar.
• "You're imagining things."
• Raising a finger to my lips, I give him a hard look. Mirage sighs in an exasperated sort of way, then pretends to zip his mouth shut.
• Head Mercenary: "...at first I wasn't sure about you. But my pockets are heavier, so I'm a believer. I've even started betting on you...Jackson."
• I whip around faster than ever, but Newcastle still has his helmet on when I look out. That can't be true.
• "Keep your voice down! How did you find out?"
• ...
• Their words rush past my ears. I’m not even sure what they’re saying anymore.
• ...It’s true. Of course it is. Newcastle's bond with Bangalore and the reason she stayed...It makes sense.
• But if Anita knew, why didn't she tell me?
• Was she ever in trouble in the first place?
• "Hey, uh, the arkmay is eavinglay.That's code for he’s leaving. What are we doing?"
• Mirage's voice shakes me out of my thoughts. Newcastle's headed for the door, but I already know everything I need to...
• Mercenary: "Who the hell are you?"
• My breath catches as the shout echoes through the warehouse. Why didn't the voices warn me?
• I reach to open the Void when I realize they weren't talking to us-hadn’t even spotted us.
• Mirage and I exchange a look. Then who-
• "I don't want any problems, okay…"
• "Woah, and they call me a party crasher?"
• Anita. She's near the entrance, standing face to face with a mercenary. Here for Newcastle, no doubt.
• There are at least four-no, five-others nearby raising their weapons and surrounding her.
• She's holding her hand out to the confronting soldier as if to calm him. Then, in one swift motion, she slams her fist into his face.
• A fight breaks out. The mercs descend on Bangalore. No Newcastle in sight-she's alone.
• The voices return in a discourse. 'Ahead, in the smoke!' 'She won't hurt you.' 'She'll try to kill you.'
• I shake my head. Are they talking about Anita? I don't know what they mean.
• "You alright?"
• "Not now, Mirage. She's in trouble. You go right, I go left."
• He gives me a two-fingered salute before running off the left, a decoy splitting off beside him.
• I take a deep breath and step into the Void. 'She's there. She knows the truth.' The other Wraiths call out at me.
• But I don't understand. What are they trying to tell me?

"Integrity & Intentions"

The narrator is Bangalore.

Transcript

• After all these years, after all that searching, my brother is standing right in front of me -- in the shadow of the dropship, about to leave after an Apex Games match.
• Just standing there in some weird get up, pretending to be someone else.
• We've been on the same squad, but he refuses to talk to me. I need to find a way to finally get through to him.
• "Stop trying to ice me out, Jackie. You still haven't told me--"
• "Will you give it a rest? I can't have this conversation here--"
• "You don't want to have this conversation anywhere. Don't think I haven't noticed you dodging me."
• "It's-- it's complicated, Nita."
• "You can't be serious. Look, you can explain it on the trip back to Gridiron. I just need to let Revenant know we have one more."
• "I can't. Harris Valley needs me."
• "Huh? Are you seriously choosing some podunk town in the Outlands over your own sister? Jackie--"
• "--he's dead! Let it go."
• "..."
• "I can't believe you could just abandon our family like that, Jackson."
• Jackie cuts me a look and steps in closer. His voice drops to a whisper, but his words hit me like a Kraber.
• "We both found a family in the Outlands. I'm just the only one who sees it."
• "What do you mean--"
• "..."
• "I--I gotta take this. Meet you in there, 'Ni-- Bangalore."
• I just don't get it. Friends are one thing, but family is everything. Why were those strangers more important to him? I had to find out. So I followed him home."
• Jackie's gotten sloppy. He didn't even notice me on the ship back to Harris Valley, and he doesn't notice me trailing him right now.
• I have to sit here and watch as the whole team rolls out the red carpet for him.
• Putting cheering crowds over your family? Real nice, Jackie. I guess this would be better than a Court Martial. But some things are worth it.
• He walks off stage--target on the move. I'm barely keeping up when a Hot Dog Hawkster walks his cart right into me.
• Vendor: "With all due respect, can you get back on that ship and leave?"
• "What the hell?"
• Vendor: "Look, you're in a town built by refugees, orphans, and widows created by the IMC--and you're wearing IMC gear. I'm one of the few people who will be asking you nicely."
• "The war is--I don't have time for this."
• I dodge past the cart. He snorts. I couldn't care less.
• Damn it. The hotdog hot shot made me lose Jackie. But...
• Someone just entered the warehouse at the end of this alley. It has to be him. I can slip in through that window and check it out.
• Head Mercenary: "...and now that we've made ourselves at home in Harris Valley, we don't have to waste any time recouping our losses if you start to miss payments."
• "That won't happen."
• What have you gotten yourself into, Jackie?
• Head Mercenary: "I gotta say, at first I wasn't sure about you. But my pockets are heavier, so I'm a believer. I've even started betting on you... Jackson."
• Looks like it's hard to keep secrets in the Outlands. Jackie wasn't expecting this. I haven't seen him this spooked since he got caught tasting Grandma's Red Velvet cake before dinner.
• "Keep your voice down! How did you find out?"
• Head Mercenary: "A contact filled me in about a rendezvous between two grunts and an IMC Pilot back in a settlement we were eyeing. Didn't take long to put two and two together."
• Head Mercenary: "Haha. That's the first time I think I've seen you sweat. Looking into you was a good idea. Now I have a little more... inspiration for our new favorite Apex Legend."
• "Look, just take the payment and keep your hands off of Harris Valley."
• Head Mercenary: "But of course..."
• So that's what you've been up to, huh, Jackie? Why didn't you just ask for my help?
• Head Mercenary: "Keep unpacking those crates, boys. We gotta set up shop, we're gonna be here for a while. I'm gonna mingle with some locals. See ya, Jackson."
• "..."
• Perfect time to make a bee-line for that window and get out of here--
• Mercenary: "Who the hell are you?"
• Damn it. My emotions got the best of me, left me distracted, and now I'm paying for it. I stand up, raising my hands slowly.
• "I don't want any problems, okay..."
• Smoke's out, but I gotta think fast. I'm outnumbered, and on my own.
• Or I thought I was.
• "Anita, you okay?"
• "Why are YOU here?"
• "You're happy to see me. I can tell."
• "And you brought Witt with you? How many people are you going to drag into my business?"
• "Anita..."
• "Save it. Let's just handle these thugs. Between the three of us they should be easy."
• Easy until my smoke's been cleared up by this fat-handed merc revving up a chain gun. This complicates things.
• Mercenary: "I've always wanted to kill a Legend. Now I can kill three!"
• "Hey, uh... Bangalore, you get the new guy, okay?"
• Great.

"Discourse & Disturbance"

The narrator is Wraith.

Transcript

• The last wisps of smoke trail away around us. It's not a good place to be--standing in the middle of a warehouse staring down the barrel of a gatling gun.
• Mercenary:"I've always wanted to kill a Legend! Now I can kill three!"
• Mirage makes a badly timed joke. I ignore it. Bangalore's eyes dart to the exit, probably trying to figure out if she can make it there without being shot.
• Mercenary: "Get clear, fellas!"
• The other mercenaries scatter while Anita guns it toward the door. Damn it!
• I rush after her, pulling her into the Void and phasing us behind a stacked pallet just before the gun fires.
• "What are you doing? I could'a made it!"
• "I disagree."
• She rolls her eyes, but a spray of gunfire sends splinters of wood showering over us.
• "Whatever. Let's just deal with this chump."
• The merc's finally out of bullets. I glace at the ruined pallets covering us. They're not going to hold up to another attack like that.
• "We gotta go now."
• We make a dash for a supply bin, but another merc rushes Bangalore and one comes charging at me.
• Bangalore's heel knocks against mine as she dodges a blow.
• "Watch it!"
• "I'm kind of in the middle of helping you."
• My elbow bumps Bangalore's side. She glares.
• "Damn it, gimme some space!"
• We're out of sync and we both know it. This would never happen in a match. And she certainly wouldn't have this problem with Newcastle.
• She sends her opponent flying into the wall, then swings for the next one that comes her way.
• I throw my shoulder into a merc's chest. She can have her 'space'.
• Mercenary: "I've got you this time!"
• The big merc swings his gatling gun in my direction. Bangalore ducks behind a shelf filled with metal crates and I move to follow but--
• "Watch out!" The warning is too late. A fist to my stomach knocks the wind out of my, and suddenly I'm on my knees with nothing between me and a hail of bullets.
• I try to open the Void, but it's out of reach. I just don't have the energy. My heart begins to race. There's no other option than to ru--
• "Hey. How ya doin'? Y'know, you're really large... Like outrageously tall. Ever hit that noggin on door frames?"
• Mirage swaggers up to the baffled merc, looking tiny in comparison. What... what is he doing?!
• I'm startled out of my shock when Mirage--the real one--quietly tugs on my wrist, pressing a finger to his lips.
• Another Mirage calls out from behind the mercenary with the gatling gun.
• "And you probably don't fit on regular-sized toilets either. That explains the massive quads. Seems like a lot of squatting."
• Mercenary: "The hell is this--? You--screw it!"
• The illusions get shredded, but the real Mirage extends a hand and pulls me close. I feel his cloak run over me and swallow my relief.
• The smoke covers us and it's chaos again. We make a mad dash for the set of shelves Bangalore retreated to, bullets flying over our heads.
• "We need to get out of here."
• "You're telling me. That guy's more trigger-happy than Ramy--"
• Mirage abruptly topples over mid-stride. I pause to look back when--
• "Behind you! She's here!"
• Another mercenary. I knock a pistol out of her hand, but she comes at me with a glowing gauntlet on the other.
• ????: "Agh!"
• She holds her gauntlet against my blade, our strength evenly matched. Neither of us is going to give until--
• ????: "Dr. Blasey...?"
• My arms suddenly feel week. I stare down the mercenary from the end of my blade, her eyes wide and haunted.
• I finally take her in: a burn scar on her left shoulder trailing down her arm, disappearing beneath her gauntlet. Something inside tugs at me.
• Do I... know her?
• She shrinks in on herself, trembling as she drops to the ground.
• ????: "No, no, no... Please, Dr. Blasey, leave me alone. Please, please..."
• "Ignore her!" "Let her be." "You're taking fire!"
• I'm jerked behind cover before stray bullets whizz by. I turn to see Mirage massaging a sore spot on his side.
• "That an old friend? She hits hard."
• I look back into the haze at the mercenary, my head feeling scrambled by all the other Wraiths. The light of her gauntlet fades away into the smoke.
• "I... I don't know."
• He doesn't say anything, but lays a hand on my shoulder. Sometimes, he does know when to shut up.
• "I think our resident drill sergeant could use a hand. I go right, you go left?"
• Settling myself, I take a deep breath and nod.

"Incite & Insights"

The narrator is Mirage.

Transcript

• Wraith goes right, I go left. It's just like being in the Games, except no trophies--and both of my squadmates being way off their game.
• We were doing fine earlier, but Bangalore and Wraith have fallen more into their weird, angry... ness.
• I mean, I get it--Gauntlet Merc, New--Jackson, this awkward-silent-fighting thing, Gatling Guy, and the fifteen or fifty mercs in this gross warehouse.
• Everyone's got a lot on their minds. But, I need a liiittle--
• "--help--"
• "Some strat communication would be nice right now! Before I die! I'd really love to not die."
• "..."
• "..."
• "No one? Really? No one is going to say anything? I'm--ow, geez, OW! Taking a lot of hits here (because you're both not on your game today)..."
• Bangalore pops smoke and Wraith trips over me for the third time. It's a mess. They're lucky I've got my head in the game.
• ...wait, where did all the mercs go?
• Um, literally anywhere else but here because--
• "GATLING GUY HAS RELOADED!"
• I dive into Bangalore and Wraith, knocking them to the floor. Someone's knee causes my kidney to meet my stomach, but the bullets pass above us.
• Bangalore shoves Wraith and I off of her. The back of Wraith's head smashes into my nose.
• "Gonna have so many bruises--"
• "Could I get some space?!"
• "'Space'. Don't you have enough space? You wanted my help, but you couldn't bother to tell me what was going on."
• Oh... what's happening...
• "That's none of y--"
• "Gimme a sec, reloading."
• Mercenary: "Cover me! Need to reload."
• Wraith runs forward, grabbing a merc's arm before flipping them over her back. THUD, and she's onto the next merc. Bangalore makes an exasperated noise and we trail behind.
• "Providing cover."
• "I was here for you, I looked for Jackson every spare moment I had. We were partners. Your family. My past. We would look for them, together."
• "...Hey, squad, can we call out our moves?"
• "Phasing forward left."
• Wraith's making her way to Gatling Guy. Oh, so we're taking out the merc AND talking about our feelings RIGHT NOW.
• "How long were you going to let me think he was dead? Forever?"
• "Don't want to talk about this. In the middle of something. Poppin' smoke, right."
• Bangalore fires a smoke canister into the face of one of the mercs. She doesn't even flinch as he goes down. On boy.
• "Right side, clear."
• Mercenary: "Stupid gatling's jammed. Buy me time!"
• Some of the remaining mercs try to swarm Bangalore and Wraith, but they cut through those fools like butter.
• "Giving backup on the left. Nearly there. I--I think what Renee is trying to say is--"
• "She was wrong."
• "Approaching."
• Huh? I turn my head to look at Bangalore and I get punched in the face by a merc.
• "What do you--?"
• "You were WRONG. YOU said--that body, in that morgue--you let me think..."
• Mercenary: "Ready. Clear!"
• We're not going to make it to the gatling gun before it fires.
• "Party-boozle. Full ahead!"
• "...this is totally going to work."
• Mercenary: "You already tried this once!"
• Gatling guy centers the barrel on fake-me and fires, ripping through the illusion, then sweeps toward real-me. Oh boy. Just before the bullet's path reaches me, it averts, spraying the ceiling.
• I peek at Gatling Guy. He's holding one of his hands and cursing. It's been shot through. Then, they're on him. Wraith takes out his legs while Bangalore slams his face against his own gun, knocking him out.
• "Haha, bamboozled! K-kind of. Nice work tea--"
• "Mirage, shut it! You're not supposed to even be here. Neither of you are. I can handle this on my own."
• RUDE... but, shutting it.
• "Leave Mirage alone. If you had just told us--trusted us--we wouldn't have followed Newcastle!"
• "You know Wraith only did this because she was worried about you. We thought Newcastle was bad news--"
• "I don't care!"
• "This is Williams family business. You're NOT family. Stop diggin' into my life just because you can't figure out your own."
• "--Bangalore!"
• "What ABOUT my life?"
• Wraith stalks towards Bangalore, eyes flashing.
• "We had a deal! I help you find your family, you help me find my past. When have you helped me?"
• "What am I supposed to do? Your face is on every screen in the Outlands and no one's bothered to--"
• "That's enough."
• I step between Bangalore and Wraith, placing a hand on Bangalore's shoulder.
• "You should go."
• Bangalore takes a step back.
• Bangalore storms off. I turn to Wraith.
• "Don't listen to her. The truth is out there and we have a lead. Remember that merc with the gauntlets? The one who knew you?"
• "...yeah, I remember."
• "But, she's right. About all of it."

"Absence & Acquiescence"

The narrator is Bangalore.

Transcript

• I've been walkin' in circles around Harris Valley for nearly an hour. No one's talkin' and everyone's eyein' me... maybe I should've ditched my IMC gear after all.
• Forgotten Families, the payments, this kissing-babies Newcastle routine, Harris Valley... What's Jackson gotten himself into?
• They must have something big on him. Dangerous enough for him to hide from me for 13 years.
• I'm gonna get my answers--where he's been and why he cares more about Harris Valley than his family.
• "Bangalore! Anita!"
• Great. She's followed me. again.
• "What is it now? Where's you're sidekick?"
• "Mirage is looking into the Forgotten Families. The merc with the gauntlet might be..."
• "...nevermind. It's nothing."
• "I, uh, overheard some locals talking. There's a party that all of Harris Valley is going to. He might be there."
• "Wouldn't be his scene if he's laying low, but it's worth a shot, I guess... thanks."
• "Wait. You were--are--right. And I was wrong. I'm sorry."
• "I... thought you might need a friend, or back up. If you want me here, if you need your space I can--"
• "...yeah. I could use that. The back-up, not the..."
• I rub my forehead, finally feeling like myself again. Wraith was right. I have been icin' her out. Even before I found out the truth about Newcastle... I'd been making stupid choices.
• "When the dust settles on this--I'm all in. Helping you find what you've been looking for, I mean."
• "And I shouldn't have said what I said. Been hangin' out with Revenant too much."
• Wraith nods. I know she gets me.
• As we turn the corner, I hear happy voices. It really is a neighborhood party.
• Unicorn balloons, yellow streamers, picket fence, the smell of ribs and burgers on the barbeque, mismatched tables lined up for a potluck. Laughing partygoers in the backyard. I know this scene. It's home.
• I push through the crowd, scanning faces.
• "Anita."
• I look where Wraith is pointing, through a part in the crowd. I see... my dad standing behind the grill, metal spatula in hand, laughing at some joke.
• I do a double take. Someone calls him "Lamont" and claps him on the shoulder, handing him a mug. He throws his head back, laughing again, and I realize...
• "...it's Jackson."
• "'Lamont'?"
• A little girl in a birthday crown runs up to him. He hoists her onto his shoulder. A teenage boy comes out with a plastic Newcastle shield.
• I hear the boy say that if I wasn't holding them back, Newcastle and Wraith would've won sooner.
• "And I assisted on that win. You know I fix that armor, right? That's important."
• The boy rolls his eyes.
• Wraith steps closer to me, lowering her voice.
• "Anita... is Jackson Newca--"
• I can feel my brain go into overdrive. I'm in battle mode, searchin' for details. Trying to make it... make sense.
• The little girl's eyes. The way the boy laughs.
• His words flash through my mind, 'we both found a family in the Outlands.' BOTH. He's...
• '...a dad.
• "Anita?"
• Wraith touches my shoulder.
• Partygoer: "Oi. IMC scum!"
• People at the party are starting to notice us. Their smiles vanish and their stares harden.
• Partygoer: "We don't want any trouble here. This is a family event. Keep movin'."
• He's build a whole new identity--Lamont, Newcastle, Jackson. They don't know. None of them know.
• "Anita, what's the move here?"
• The commotion gets Jackson's attention. He tenses, moving his daughter and son behind him, ready to fight whatever threat there is to his family. Me.
• We lock eyes. His breath catches but he doesn't move.
• He knows I know. All of it. I could walk up and ruin the entire life he's built.
• So I walk away.
• "Where are you going?"
• "Anywhere else."
• "Are you okay?"
• "No. I'm not. I don't belong here."
• "You do. They're your family too."
• "Yeah. And the Williamses put family first."
• I'm putting family first.
• That's enough, for now.

"Nought & Null"

The narrator is Wraith.

Transcript

• It's not often you hear such quiet in the dropship. Then again, it's rare for anyone to be here at this hour.
• But Mirage asked me to come, and sometimes it's just easier to indulge him than deal with his badgering.
• "Welcome to my humble abode."
• He greets me from his couch as I turn into his bunk. Numerous trophies, mirrors, and portraits of himself line the walls.
• It's the complete opposite of what anyone would consider 'humble.'
• "What is it, Mirage? I'm tired."
• "So, uh, I take it things went kinda not good with Bangalore?"
• "Yeah, but... we worked things out, at least. She's dealing with a lot. I didn't want to be another thing on her mind."
• "You're not a thing. But I get it--I think. New guy turns out to be her brother? Captain Cheese Wheel? I can't believe it. The way he lays it on, you'd think--"
• I give him a sharp look.
• "Right, getting to the point. Over here."
• Mirage stands and I follow him over to his desk. He slides a shabby-looking folder towards me.
• "Turns out the Forgotten Families might be scary and mafia-like, but they also might be hoarders. Found this in one of the warehouse offices."
• The folder is branded with the ARES Division logo. I open it to see a photo of the scarred mercenary--the one with the gauntlet who called me 'Dr. Blasey.'
• There's a sign in her hands and the words send a chill down my spine: 'Subject 0'.
• "She's the one you ran into at the warehouse, right? With the arm scars and the weirdness... Am I a good friend or what? Y'know, I..."
• His words rush past my ears at the sight of her face. Something tugs inside me again. Is it familiarity? This woman that the voices warned me about...
• I know her. I have to.
• "...Aaaand you're not listening to me, are you..."
• I flip through the pages trying to find more, but page after page is redacted. Even her name.
• "There's... something else, too."
• His voice is oddly timid, but I need to see what he means. He flips back a couple of pages to one I'd missed in my haste.
• He points to a tiny fraction of white between the blacked-out lines. My breath catches when I read the words.
• "Project leader: Dr. Renee H. Blasey."

Quest Rewards

Weapon Skins

• 

  Wings of Morien
  Wingman

Weapon Charms

• 

  Molten Egg

• 

  Winter Egg

Trivia

• The first letter of each page titles spell out "MERIDIAN."