In Pursuit of Purloined Propaganda is one of the collectible side quests in The Outer Worlds 2, which takes place in Paradise, the first planet after the intro part of the game. The quest tasks you to collect a total of 10 Science Adventures Quarterly magazines, so you’ll have some hunting work to do to find every missing issue of these propaganda-filled “science” rags scattered across the island.
In this The Outer Worlds 2 walkthrough, I’ll tell you how to start the quest, where to find all science magazines with their locations, and the rewards you get by ending the quest.
How to Start In Pursuit of Purloined Propaganda Quest
In Pursuit of Purloined Propaganda automatically starts once you collect the Science Adventures Quarterly Volume 1. Then, find the next 4 copies to collect up to Volume 5 and follow the location on the map to get to Redactor Quesnel to continue the quest. She will then reward you and task you to get the remaining 5 magazines.
Alternatively, talk to Redactor Quesnel in a small shack west of Fairfield, near the edge of the hill path that leads toward the Ministry of Accuracy. The quest will trigger after your conversation with her, and then you can go on the hunt for the science volume copies.
Either way, once the quest is active, Quesnel explains that a full shipment of these corporate propaganda magazines went missing. She wants every last one back — ten total, spread across both islands of Paradise.
All Science Adventures Quarterly Magazine Locations
Every issue of Science Adventures Quarterly is located in remote huts, fishing stations, and docks across Paradise. Most are easy to miss if you’re sprinting through, so slow down and explore. I’ll go through each volume in roughly the order that minimizes travel time.
Science Adventures Quarterly Volume 1 Location
Westport Flooded Residences – Found in the northwestern part of Westport, a half-sunken residential block. There’s a small home in the center row of houses with a large building on its left. The magazine is inside this house, on the bed to the right. The area is crawling with Raptodons. Clear them first, or you’ll end up flipping through magazines under fire.
Science Adventures Quarterly Volume 2 Location
The Southern Dock House – From the southermost edge of Paradise Island on the shore, find the old fisherman’s shack overlooking the sea. The magazine is on the porch table outside. If the door is locked or the power is down, take a quick detour north to repower the substation before coming back.
Science Adventures Quarterly Volume 3 Location
Coastal Building by the Ministry of Accuracy – Head west coast of southern Paradise Island, just north of the Ministry of Accuracy. There’s a small building on the west shore. Look for the magazine placed on a small table just left of the stairs leading inside the chamber — it’s easy to miss because of the clutter. This one’s conveniently on the main route between Paradise’s major hubs, so collect it when you’re passing through.
Science Adventures Quarterly Volume 4 Location
Southeastern Dock Below Vox Relay – Travel to the northern island of Paradise, toward the Vox Relay facility, and move southeast to reach the dock. On the table here sits Volume 4 beside the chair on the right end. You can reach this area either by taking the bridge near the Protectorate’s checkpoint or hopping across the rocks from the southern island.
Science Adventures Quarterly Volume 5 Location
Shack Near the Bridge of the Reverent – From Fairfield, follow the road north and then west toward the Bridge of the Reverent (the big one that connects the northern and southern islands) and northeast of Ministry of Accuracy. There’s a small chamber — head inside and check the table beside the bed. This issue is close to Redactor Quesnel’s shack, so it’s the best one to start with if you’re intentionally beginning the quest.
Science Adventures Quarterly Volume 6 Location
Fishing Hut by the Landing Pad – Fast travel back toward the Paradise Landing Pad, then hug the shoreline northeast. You’ll come across a fishing hut right on the shore. Inside the building, on the bed to the right, is Volume 6 of Science Adventures Quarterly. The other route to travel southeast from the Farfield to reach the hut.
Science Adventures Quarterly Volume 7 Location
Northern Island Farmhouse – Up on the northern island, there’s a small farm settlement at the center west of the island. Head inside the main building and check the desk near the window to pick up the magazine. Be ready for a fight as the farm is overrun with enemies. Clear the area before looting unless you want a faceful of claws mid-page-turn.
Science Adventures Quarterly Volume 8 Location
The Crabbing Tower – On the westernmost shore of the southern Paradise Island, you’ll see the Crabbing Tower, a tall, rickety structure. Climb the ladder from the left of the tower to reach the top control room and collect the magazine from the table.
Science Adventures Quarterly Volume 9 Location
Cabin South of Sovereign’s Sweet Spire Grove – It’s located southeast of Crabbing Tower, but you can’t go directly there from the tower. Instead, head to Sovereign’s Sweet Spire Grove and travel south up through the hill to reach a lone house hidden in the brush. Go inside from the door on the right side of the house, and find Volume 9 science magazine on the bed next to a locked safe. You’ll likely have to deal with a few Juvenile Raptidons guarding the area; kill them before going into the building.
Science Adventures Quarterly Volume 10 Location
Northwestern Docks Above Skycutter Station – The final issue is on the northwestern docks of the northern island, just north of Skycutter A102. On one of the outdoor tables overlooking the sea, the last science magazine awaits to be picked.
In Pursuit of Purloined Propaganda Quest Rewards
After you find five magazines and take them to Quesnel at her shack west of Fairfield, she’ll reward you with the Pitchball Card: Josephus Fielder — a collectible that gives a permanent stat boost when equipped. You’ll also get some Bits and XP. After that, she’ll ask for the rest. Find the remaining five and return with all 10 magazines collected to finish the quest.
When you hand over all issues, Quesnel rewards you with:
- Townie Clothing Armor – Gives +20% Evasion Chance and +50% Combat Sprint Speed, and ignores one enemy hit every 15 seconds. Surprisingly good early-game armor.
- 855 XP and a handful of Bits
- Achievement/Trophy: “SA Quarterlies Quantified”
For a side quest that’s mostly about reading forgotten propaganda, the rewards are good, especially if you’re building a speedy or evasive character. If you take the time to read the issues, you’ll catch plenty of tongue-in-cheek jabs at “science for marketing’s sake.”
