The child's question

The child's question — this side quest is one of the most rewarding optional missions in CONTRABAND. It is not required for the main story but the rewards make it worth doing.

How to start

The quest triggers when you meet a specific NPC in a specific location. Approach the NPC with the correct dialogue option to begin. If you miss the trigger, the quest reopens later but with reduced rewards.

The setup

The quest involves traveling to multiple systems and gathering information or completing tasks. Plan a 1–2 hour session for it. Trying to do it across multiple short sessions causes you to forget critical context.

Key decisions

The quest has at least one branching decision that changes its outcome. Save before the decision so you can see both paths. Both have unique rewards.

Reward structure

Completing the quest grants credits, an item, and reputation. The item is often unique to this quest line. Selling it is possible but most pilots keep it for its narrative significance.

Failure conditions

The quest can fail if you take too long or take the wrong actions. Failure is rare but worth being aware of. The quest log will warn you when you are at risk.

Tips

Take the quest seriously. The writing rewards attention. Speed-running through dialogue causes you to miss context that matters for later decisions.