Starfield: Grunt Work - walkthrough Starfield guide, tips

Grunt Work is the first mission scored as a member of the ZK Guard faction in Starfield. From the walkthrough in our guide you will learn how to reach the outpost on Tau Ceti II, how to activate the protection system, how to defeat the Terramorph and how to get a tissue sample.

Last update: 07 September 2023

After being recruited to the UC Vanguard in Starfield, your first quest will be Grunt Work. From our walkthrough you'll learn how to reach the Tau Ceti 2 outpost, how to set the correct frequency of the security system, how to cleverly kill the Terramorph and deliver its tissue sample.

• Starting the quest
• Contacting the settlers on Tau Ceti II
• Restoring security systems
• Tuning the livestock tracker to 183.5
• Killing the Terrormorph
• Collecting a Terrormorph tissue sample
• Return to Commander Tuali

Starting the quest

Related map marker: New Atlantis - Grunt Work (UC Vanguard) @ New Atlantis

1. You'll acquire this quest after being accepted into the UC Vanguard, that is, after completing the Supra Et Ultra quest and taking the oath.
2. Return to the New Atlantis landing pad. Talk to the Crew Chief Herath about your first full-fledged assignment.

Contacting the settlers on Tau Ceti II

1. Return to your ship and fly to the Tau Ceti system. Select the planet Tau Ceti II and land in the Tau Gormet Production Center on its surface.
2. Reach the abandoned outpost. You'll receive a mission objective to investigate the source of the scream - follow the blue marker. You'll meet Hardian, who'll tell you about the Terrormorph attack. You must help her kill it.

Restoring security systems

1. Reach your chosen computer station, turn it on and check the connection status (the first option on the list). Then, try to reset the connection. You must wait for Hadrian to analyze the malfunctioning system.

Tuning the livestock tracker to 183.5

1. Use the computer again. First, select system status, then the Tracker Frequency Tuner. Select the third frequency - 183.5 (pictured above).
2. The system will restart after a moment, but the Terrormorph will appear too.

Killing the Terrormorph

1. Theoretically, you can kill the monster in a direct battle. The Terrormorph is Level 10, durable and very dangerous. You'll be better off completing the side objective first, restoring power to three Kill Lanes.
2. After leaving the building, sprint and use your boost pack to reach higher places faster. In the upper right corner, you can also see a notification about how far away the monster is. Watch out if it gets closer than 20 meters.

1. Reach the power switches as pictured above. They're marked by blue icons if you have the quest set as active. Not every activation will succeed - occasionally, the game may redirect you to another switch.
2. After completing the optional mission objective stand in places illuminated by spotlights and wait for the boss to arrive. The local defense systems will start unloading on it. This makes survival and the fight much, much easier.

Collecting a Terrormorph tissue sample

1. Find the Terrormorph's corpse and examine it. You'll get some unique crafting ingredients and a unique Terrormorph Tissue Sample.
2. Return to Hadrian and give her the sample. Follow her to the research station and talk to her again. She'll give you a Genetag ID and 1,800 credits. You will also get back the tissue sample.

Return to Commander Tuali

1. Finally, return to Commander Tuala at the MAST HQ in New Atlantis. Ask him for permission to deliver the sample to Mars.
2. This starts another Vanguard faction quest - Delivering Devils. You'll also receive XP, Vanguard equipment (spacecuit, helmet, pack) and 7,300 credits.