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Companion characters are a core part of any party-based RPG. Obsidian is well-known for crafting memorable companions, and in The Outer Worlds 2, there’s a diverse cast of characters for you to meet. Each companion has their own set of quests that help develop their stories both narratively and through gameplay.
Niles Abara is the first companion you’ll meet during the game’s opening mission. He becomes your ally after you’re stranded in space for ten years. That time in deep space is enough for him to have some regrets, and he needs your help to resolve those before focusing on the mission ahead.
Unlocking The Pressing Cares Quest
Niles’ initial companion quest, called Pressing Cares, can be started very early but isn’t obvious. It isn’t discovered simply by talking to an NPC or marked on your map. Instead, Niles himself must offer it, which only happens when he’s in your party as you explore.
The quest usually triggers after you’ve spent enough time exploring Fairfields. Being close to Augustine de Vries might remind Niles of his past. When the opportunity arises, a dialogue icon will appear above his head, signaling that he’s ready to talk about it. To start the quest, just speak with him. Niles had a partner named Zebulon during his time away, who he left behind after a dispute. Zeb wanted to escalate attacks on the Protectorate, but Niles kept his cover, causing him to disappear suddenly. Now, Niles wants to make amends.
Meeting With Zeb
Zebulon is located further north than Fairfields, in Westport—a city that was flooded and abandoned by the Protectorate after an invasion. Interestingly, Westport is not on the west side of the map but on the east, making it the largest settlement on the southern island and a recognizable landmark.
You won’t find Zeb in the city itself but in the flooded area nearby. To reach him, you’ll need to navigate past the Bridge of the Reverent, which might require sneaking in from the northeast corner of the map. Here, you’ll find a sunken ship, which you can access if you have P.A.L.E. boots—these allow double jumps and are obtainable through a specific quest called A Final Death for Gravity.
Once on the northern island, head to the landing pad near Zeb’s hideout. Guarded by Protectorate soldiers, you’ll want to be discreet, although direct combat is also an option, which won’t impact the quest’s outcome.
The Subversives, Zeb’s group, are found in a cell behind the landing pad, away from patrols. You can take your time here, but be aware that most of Zeb’s subordinates have been killed—only Audra remains alive. She has the cipher they stole, but she refuses to leave because she plans to blow up the Protectorate ship with herself aboard, making it look like a maintenance accident.
Convincing her to abandon her plan is possible with multiple dialogue options involving Engineering, Explosives, or Speech checks. Niles also supports her decision. Afterward, she will thank you, and you can inform Zeb of what happened.
Returning to Zeb
When you reconvene with Zeb, he will ask where the Subversives are. The scene quickly shows the Protectorate ship exploding. While there’s an Explosives check involved, it’s obvious what has occurred. Expressing sympathy is recommended to keep your character’s integrity intact.
Zeb acknowledges the sacrifices and recognizes that the cipher’s recovery was worth it. He begins to mend his relationship with Niles and offers you an old mod kit, which he had kept for Niles years ago. This completes the Pressing Cares quest.
Using Niles’ Field Tinkering skill, you can immediately apply the mod kit, which changes his appearance and allows you to switch between different upgrades as needed.
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