The Pressing Cares is Niles’ companion quest in The Outer Worlds 2 that puts you in one of the Obsidian style choices — the decision that feels big in the moment, even if it doesn’t flip the main story on its head. When you find Audra Baines, a captured Subversive determined to sacrifice her life to destroy a Protectorate transport ship, you’ll get the choice to refuse or accept Audra’s plan or convince her to abandon her plan to prevent her sacrifice. Your choice here decides if Baines lives or dies, and how you handle the situation affects Niles’ outlook, Zeb’s reaction, and the tone of your crew dynamic going forward. In this guide, we explain how both choices play out and which one is the “better” call.
Where to Find Audra Baines in The Outer Worlds 2
Pressing Cares unlocks after you spend some time exploring Fairfield and Westport with Niles as your companion. Niles, at some point, tells you about Zebulon Tran, an old ally turned rival who is hiding out from the Protectorate. Once you meet Zeb, you will learn that one of his Subversive agents, Audra Baines, has been captured near the Vox Landing Pad on Paradise Island.
Once you reach the prison site, you’ll have to fight your way through many Protectorate enemies to get to Audra, who is locked inside a makeshift holding cell. She’s injured, furious, and resolved to end things on her own terms. She will tell about other captives, March and Farrow, who are killed by Brigadier Montelli, and mention her plan to go on a suicide mission. What she is determined to do is to sneak aboard the transport ship and blast it with herself inside. Niles will be reluctant but will ask your opinion on it and will agree with whatever you choose. That’s when you see the dialogue options to let Audra Baines die or not.
What Happens If You Let Audra Die?
Niles will agree to go along if you accept Audra’s plan with the dialogue: “I think letting Audra board with the Sentinel is the safest option. Sabotage the transport, Niles.” After that, Niles returns to report that the sabotage is complete. Audra thanks you for respecting her decision, asks you to tell Zeb she is at peace, and heads off toward the ship.
When you return to Zeb’s hideout, the three of you glare as the ship flies into the sky and then erupts into a massive explosion. Zeb blames himself for what happened, Niles tries to justify her sacrifice, and you’re left watching the wreckage drift through the clouds. You get a good amount of XP in total and a unique Mod Kit from Zeb that upgrades Niles’ gear. There are no serious gameplay consequences — Audra’s death doesn’t affect the main quest or restrict any future missions.
What Happens If You Save Audra?
You can convince Audra to abandon her plan, but you’ll need Speech level 3 skill to unlock the line: “I agree with Niles. You shouldn’t sacrifice yourself, Audra.” and follow up by reinforcing that her death won’t undo what’s already been done. After a bit of back-and-forth, she finally agrees to leave with you.
You’ll then need to free her from the container cell using either the Vox Landing Pad Storage Key (found on the Protectorate Neophyte’s corpse, you might have already collected) or a Lockpick 3 check. Once she is free, she’ll suggest to avoid exploit the transport to avoid suspicion from the Protectorate enemies.
Before leaving, she will ask you to deliver her message to Zeb that she’ll meet up with him once safe. When you go back to Zeb, he will be surprised but relieved. The Pressing Cares quest ends on a more hopeful note, where Zeb expresses gratitude, Niles will be happy, and you still earn XP and the Niles’ Mod Kit. It’s a slight tonal difference, but it gives your party dynamic good warmth. Niles appreciates your decision and will remember that you helped him choose empathy over vengeance.
Should You Let Audra Die or Stop Her Sacrifice in The Outer Worlds 2?
If you have unlocked the required Speech skill, we recommend convincing Audra to abandon her plan and stop her from sacrificing herself. You earn more XP, keep Niles and Zeb in better spirits, and reinforce second chance theme that runs through much of The Outer Worlds 2. That said, if you’re role-playing a ruthless or utilitarian captain who prioritizes results over sentiment, you can allow her to go with her suicide plan, which gives the mission a powerful, tragic punch, but we don’t think it’s a good choice to do.
