Navigating the United Colonies Vanguard storyline in Starfield brings players face-to-face with complex moral dilemmas and high-stakes political decisions. One of the most pivotal narrative moments involves deciding whether to reveal to Major Hadrian Sanon that her father, Francois "Vae Victis" Sanon, is secretly alive. This decision impacts how certain missions unfold and influences your access to endgame quest content.
Understanding the Vae Victis Revelation
During the progression of the UC Vanguard campaign, players discover that the infamous war criminal Vae Victis was not actually executed as official records claim. Instead, he is being kept in a secret underground facility beneath New Atlantis to assist the government. Uncovering this secret creates an immediate dilemma regarding whether to inform Hadrian about her biological origin and her father's survival.
Hadrian believes her father was executed long ago for his severe crimes during the Colony War. Learning that he remains alive and active behind the scenes drastically shifts her perspective on the United Colonies leadership. Players are given multiple dialogue opportunities across different missions to either expose the secret or protect it.
What Happens When You Reveal the Truth Early
If you choose to tell Hadrian about her father during early encounters, she immediately takes steps to hold him accountable. Exposing Vae Victis early prompts her to present evidence to the Cabinet, leading to his permanent removal. However, this path shortens the main faction storyline slightly by skipping certain narrative developments.
Telling her early does not reduce your overall faction rewards or citizenship payout from the United Colonies. However, it completely locks you out of participating in future side activities connected to Vae Victis. Players who value justice and absolute transparency often prefer this direct option despite the lost quest content.
Benefits of Keeping the Secret Until Later
Choosing to keep quiet about Francois Sanon allows you to experience the full narrative arc, including the crucial climax mission known as A Legacy Forged. This approach gives you more gameplay content and additional dialogue context before making a final commitment. You still retain the opportunity to reveal the truth to the Cabinet at the end if you change your mind.
If you maintain the cover-up even through the final trial, Vae Victis remains hidden in his facility and offers continuous assassination side missions. These radiant bounty contracts provide ongoing income and extra combat encounters for your character. Maintaining secrecy is the most practical option for players looking to maximize available gameplay content.
Making the Best Choice for Your Playthrough
Determining the right path depends on whether you prioritize roleplaying integrity or maximum gameplay variety. Players focused on moral justice generally prefer bringing Vae Victis to light, ensuring he faces consequences for his actions. Conversely, players who want additional questlines and financial opportunities benefit more from keeping his existence hidden.
Ultimately, holding off on telling Hadrian until the final mission offers the best balance for most playthroughs. This ensures you do not accidentally miss out on narrative missions while keeping all choices open until the story reaches its natural conclusion. Evaluating these outcomes allows you to align your choice with your character's goals.
