During the United Colonies Vanguard storyline in Starfield, players face a major moral dilemma regarding Francois Sanon, also known as Vae Victis. Deciding whether to tell Major Hadrian Sanon that her biological father is still alive fundamentally shapes how the narrative resolves. Players must weigh moral honesty against unlocking exclusive gameplay opportunities before presenting their findings to the United Colonies Cabinet.
The Secret of Vae Victis and Hadrian
Vae Victis was officially executed for war crimes following the Colony Wars, but he was secretly preserved by high-ranking United Colonies officials to serve as a covert intelligence asset. Hadrian Sanon, a clone created from his genetic material, remains unaware of his continued existence during early operations. Discovering this hidden facility beneath New Atlantis introduces a crucial decision point for the protagonist.
Consequences of Revealing the Truth to Hadrian
If you choose to inform Hadrian early about her father's survival, she will react with intense shock and take the evidence directly to the Cabinet. This action leads to the final removal and execution of Vae Victis, effectively bringing his clandestine operations to a complete end. Choosing this path satisfies a moral resolution but prevents players from accessing post-faction bounty hunting content.
Consequences of Keeping the Secret
Hiding the truth from Hadrian allows Vae Victis to remain active in his secret cell deep within the MAST structure. By maintaining secrecy through the climax of the story, players unlock access to repeat bounties and specialized hunting missions assigned directly by Vae Victis. This path provides maximum gameplay rewards while allowing players to maintain positive standing within the UC Vanguard.
Optimal Timing for the Final Choice
Players looking to experience the complete storyline can delay revealing the truth until the final mission, A Legacy Forged. By withholding the information during initial encounters, you retain access to standard quest steps without locking out story paths prematurely. Deciding when to share the revelation ultimately depends on whether you prefer narrative justice or extra endgame missions.
