HQ Discovery (Terran)

The HQ Discovery arc is how the player first encounters and claims the Player Headquarters in the Terran DLC story line. It’s a 3-chapter narrative covering finding the HQ, repairing satellites, and EVA-exploring the abandoned facility.

• Script: story_hq_discovery.xml (1,664 lines)
• Text page: 30223
• DLC: Cradle of Humanity
• MDScript name: Story_HQ_Discovery

Trigger conditions

The arc activates if any of:

• Player started from x4ep1_gamestart_terran1 (Terran Cadet game start)
• Player started from x4ep1_gamestart_terran2 (Pioneer Variant game start)
• gamestart.storystate.story_hq_secret_service is set (custom game start hook)

Additional: player.galaxy.macro.ismacro.{macro.xu_ep2_universe_macro} — only in main galaxy.

Setup

The arc anchors these sectors:

Variable	Sector macro	Vanilla name
$Neptune	cluster_110_sector001	Neptune
$BrennansTriumph	cluster_115_sector001	Brennan’s Triumph
$HQSector	cluster_114_sector001	(HQ Sector)
$GrandExchange	cluster_01_sector001	Grand Exchange

HQ creation

The HQ itself uses macro station_pla_headquarters_base_01_macro with constructionplan x4ep1_playerheadquarters_pioneer_configuration. Two creation paths:

1. Custom game start skip ($HasCustomGamestartSkip): The script creates the HQ directly:
   • At cluster_114_sector001, position x=-207000, y=-1100, z=-31000
   • Owner: faction.pioneers
   • Encyclopedia: true
2. Standard path: find_station retrieves the HQ that’s already spawned by god.xml

Pioneer variant

$PioneerVariant = not $HasCustomGamestartSkip and player.module == 'x4ep1_gamestart_terran2' — affects dialogue (Pioneer-allied player gets different intro).

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Chapter 1 — Find the Scientist

The player must travel to a specific NPC scientist and deliver an item.

Mission entry: “Pioneer Intro Dialogue”

• Cue: Ch1_Intro_Dialogue_Pioneer
• In-game name: Initial Pioneer briefing
• Path/Chapter: HQ Discovery Chapter 1
• Find in game: After Ch1_Force triggers (game start hooks complete + briefing started)
• Prerequisites: Arc activated, briefing complete
• What player encounters:
  • Pioneer NPC speaks intro lines
  • Dialogue reference: Ch1_Intro_Dialogue_Pioneer_Ref → md.LIB_Dialog.Speak_Actor
  • Variant for Terran Cadet players: Ch1_Terran_Cadet_Handler — additional handler for cadet-specific dialogue
• Where: Player starting location (Terran or Pioneer territory)
• NPCs involved: Pioneer commander
• Reward: Chapter 1 mission unlocked
• Chains to: Ch1_Intro_Fly_To_Scientist
• Code reference: story_hq_discovery.xml Ch1_Intro_Dialogue_Pioneer

Mod conflict risks

• ❌ Pioneer faction-disable mods break this dialogue
• ❌ Mods that intercept LIB_Dialog.Speak_Actor affect the intro line delivery
• ⚠ Terran Cadet start mods that don’t trigger $PioneerVariant correctly skip the cadet handler

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Mission entry: “Fly to Scientist”

• Cue: Ch1_Intro_Fly_To_Scientist
• In-game name: Travel to Scientist (location-based objective)
• Path/Chapter: HQ Discovery Chapter 1
• Find in game: Active after Pioneer intro complete
• Prerequisites: Pioneer Intro done
• What player encounters:
  • Player must fly to the scientist’s location
  • Two sub-cues handle en-route logic:
    • Ch1_Intro_Cadet_En_Route — cadet commentary during travel (Ch1_Intro_Cadet_En_Route_Comment polls every 10s for triggered comments)
    • Ch1_Intro_At_Scientist — checks every 1s if player has reached scientist
• Objectives:
  • Travel to scientist’s station
  • Trigger arrival event
• Where: Scientist location (specific Pioneer station in HQ region)
• NPCs involved: Cadet (companion comments), Scientist (destination)
• Reward: Arrival triggers Deliver Item mission
• Chains to: Ch1_Intro_At_Scientist_Dialogue_Ref → Ch1_Deliver_Item
• Code reference: story_hq_discovery.xml Ch1_Intro_Fly_To_Scientist

Mod conflict risks

• ❌ Mods that change Pioneer territory layout affect scientist location reachability
• ⚠ Cadet companion mods may collide with the en-route comment system
• ⚠ Sector ownership mods on Pioneer space break navigation expectations

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Mission entry: “Deliver Item to Scientist”

• Cue: Ch1_Deliver_Item
• In-game name: Deliver Item (RML_Deliver_Inventory)
• Path/Chapter: HQ Discovery Chapter 1 (main)
• Find in game: Active after arrival at scientist
• Prerequisites: Reached scientist
• What player encounters:
  • Mission delivers specific inventory item to scientist
  • Reference library: md.RML_Deliver_Inventory.Deliver_Inventory
  • Briefing description via Ch1_Deliver_Item_Map_Text
  • Periodic hints via Ch1_Deliver_Item_Hint (5s interval)
    • Ch1_Deliver_Item_Hint_Ref → speech hint
    • Ch1_Deliver_Item_Hint_Box → visual hint box
    • Ch1_Deliver_Item_Cadet_Comment → cadet adds commentary
  • Dock hint via Ch1_Deliver_Item_Dock_Hint
  • Periodic “near station” check (Ch1_Deliver_Item__Near_Station) at 1s interval
  • Police scan suppression: Ch1_Suppress_Police_Scans checked at 1s — player NOT scanned during this delivery (story content)
• Objectives:
  • Acquire the item (may be in inventory already, or pickup elsewhere)
  • Travel to delivery station
  • Dock at delivery station
  • Hand over the item
• Where: Scientist’s station
• NPCs involved: Scientist (recipient), Cadet (commentary)
• Reward: Mission complete; Chapter 1 ends; police scan suppression released
• Chains to: Ch1_Deliver_Item_End → Ch1_Deliver_Item_Fadeout → Ch1_Reset_Police_Scan_Suppression → Chapter 2
• Code reference: story_hq_discovery.xml Ch1_Deliver_Item (with multiple sub-cues)

Mod conflict risks

• ❌ Mods that affect RML_Deliver_Inventory affect delivery verification
• ❌ Police scan mods that override Ch1_Suppress_Police_Scans cause player to get unwanted scans
• ⚠ Mods that change cargo / inventory mechanics affect item handover
• ⚠ Custom mission mods using same delivery station collide

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Chapter 2 — Satellites

Repair satellite network around the HQ region.

Mission entry: “Satellite Network Repair”

• Cue: Ch2_Satellites
• In-game name: Repair satellite network
• Path/Chapter: HQ Discovery Chapter 2 (main)
• Find in game: Active after Chapter 1 complete
• Prerequisites: Ch1_Deliver_Item complete
• What player encounters:
  • Conversation scene: Ch2_ConvScene_1_Start → Ch2_ConvScene_1_End
  • Player must repair satellites: Ch2_Sat_Repair
  • Reference library: md.RML_RepairObject.RepairObject (for each satellite)
  • Periodic commentary:
    • Ch2_Sat_Repair_Comment_1 (1s interval) — first comment
    • Ch2_Sat_Repair_Comment_1b — followup comment
  • Periodic hints (Ch2_Sat_Repair_Hint 1s)
  • Per-satellite repair completion: Ch2_Sat_Repair_Object_Repaired
• Objectives:
  • Reach each damaged satellite
  • Repair it (likely EVA spacesuit work)
  • Move to next
• Where: HQ region satellite positions
• NPCs involved: Scientist (oversight via comm), Cadet (commentary)
• Reward: Satellites repaired; data feed restored
• Chains to: Ch2_Sat_Repair_End → Ch2_End_Conv_Started → Ch2_End → Chapter 3
• Code reference: story_hq_discovery.xml Ch2_Satellites (v3)

Mod conflict risks

• ❌ Mods that change satellite mechanics affect repair sequence
• ❌ Mods that disable spacesuit EVA functionality break Chapter 2
• ⚠ Repair-overhaul mods affect RML_RepairObject
• ⚠ Combat mods that make satellites hostile introduce unintended danger

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Chapter 3 — HQ EVA exploration

Player physically explores the abandoned HQ via spacesuit, scanning signal leaks.

Mission entry: “HQ EVA Exploration”

• Cue: Ch3_HQ_EVA
• In-game name: Explore abandoned HQ (EVA)
• Path/Chapter: HQ Discovery Chapter 3 (main)
• Find in game: Active after Chapter 2 complete
• Prerequisites: Ch2_Satellites complete
• What player encounters:
  • Conversation scene: Ch3_HQ_EVA_ConvScene_1_Started → Ch3_HQ_EVA_ConvScene_1_End
  • Player exits ship in spacesuit
  • Objective: explore HQ exterior
    • Sub-cue Ch3_HQ_EVA_Objective
  • Signal leaks scattered on HQ exterior
    • Ch3_HQ_EVA_Leak_Scanned (instanced — fires per leak) — track scanned leaks
    • Ch3_HQ_EVA_Last_Leak_Destroyed — last leak destroyed event
• Objectives:
  • Exit ship in spacesuit
  • Scan all signal leaks on HQ exterior
  • Survive any hazards
• Where: HQ exterior (cluster_114_sector001)
• NPCs involved: Scientist (oversight)
• Reward: HQ data unlocked; player gains HQ access
• Chains to: Ch3_HQ_Warping (v2) — HQ warps to player faction territory or similar transition
• Code reference: story_hq_discovery.xml Ch3_HQ_EVA (v2)

Mod conflict risks

• ❌ Mods that disable spacesuit EVA break Chapter 3
• ❌ Signal-leak modifying mods affect scan mechanics
• ❌ Mods that change HQ macro break the entire chapter
• ⚠ Combat mods that spawn hostiles at HQ add unintended danger during EVA

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Mission entry: “HQ Warp Sequence”

• Cue: Ch3_HQ_Warping
• In-game name: HQ warps to player territory
• Path/Chapter: HQ Discovery Chapter 3 (conclusion)
• Find in game: After all signal leaks scanned + last leak destroyed
• Prerequisites: Ch3_HQ_EVA_Last_Leak_Destroyed fired
• What player encounters:
  • HQ undergoes a warp / transition sequence
  • Cutscene
  • Arc concludes — HQ is now claimable by player
• Where: HQ Sector (cluster_114_sector001) → wherever it ends up
• NPCs involved: Scientist, Pioneer commander
• Reward: HQ unlocked + claimable + arc complete
• Chains to: End of HQ Discovery; Terran Core arc may activate
• Code reference: story_hq_discovery.xml Ch3_HQ_Warping

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Arc completion summary

A completed HQ Discovery yields:

• Player Headquarters unlocked + accessible
• HQ pre-configured with x4ep1_playerheadquarters_pioneer_configuration constructionplan
• Pioneer-affiliated player gets specific dialogue paths
• Storystate flag story_hq_secret_service set
• Unlocks subsequent arcs (Terran Core, Terraforming research, Welfare research arc)

Mod conflict patterns specific to HQ Discovery

HQ-replacement mods

If your mod replaces the HQ with a custom station OR pre-spawns it at game start, Ch1 / Ch2 / Ch3 all break:

• Chapter 1 references the existing HQ (no Pioneer scientist context)
• Chapter 2 satellite repair assumes HQ surroundings
• Chapter 3 EVA assumes specific HQ exterior geometry

Solution: hold off HQ-replacement until after arc completes (or set $HasCustomGamestartSkip true via custom gamestart).

Pioneer-faction mods

Pioneer-faction-removal mods break dialog. Pioneer-relation mods affect arc dialogue tone.

Cradle of Humanity DLC presence

The whole arc requires CoH. Without it: script fails to load. See Wiki: DLC handling.

Code references

Concern	Cue
Sector setup	Start.Setup
HQ creation (custom start skip)	Start do_if $HasCustomGamestartSkip
Chapter 1 entry	Ch1_Force + Ch1_Intro
Item delivery	Ch1_Deliver_Item_Ref (refs md.RML_Deliver_Inventory.Deliver_Inventory)
Police scan suppression	Ch1_Suppress_Police_Scans (v2)
Chapter 2 satellite repair	Ch2_Satellites (v3) Ch2_Sat_Repair_Ref
Chapter 3 EVA	Ch3_HQ_EVA (v2) + leak scan handlers
Chapter 3 warp	Ch3_HQ_Warping (v2)

Related

• Terran arcs overview
• Terran Prelude — preceding arc
• Game starts catalog — Terran Cadet / Pioneer Variant
• Wiki: DLC handling — CoH presence required
• Mod-conflict checklist — broader checklist

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The HQ Discovery is the gateway to the Cradle of Humanity DLC’s late-game content. Your mod’s interference with Pioneer faction, the HQ macro, the signal-leak mechanic, or police-scan suppression all silently break a 3-chapter arc that some players spend their first 20 hours building toward.