The Outer Worlds 2 Protectorate Bridge Guide: Every Way to Reach the North Island & Vox Relay

Standing at the southern edge of Paradise Island, staring up at the massive Protectorate Bridge blocking your path north, you’re faced with a quintessentially Outer Worlds problem: multiple solutions, each with different consequences. That imposing structure isn’t just a physical barrier—it’s a political checkpoint representing the power struggle between Auntie’s Choice and the Protectorate.

The good news? You have six distinct methods to reach the north island and access the Vox Relay. The better news? Each route caters to different playstyles, faction allegiances, and character builds. Whether you want to charge the bridge with corporate mercenaries, earn diplomatic passage, or sneak around the whole mess entirely, The Outer Worlds 2 provides options.

Let me break down every single route so you can choose the one that best fits your character and objectives.

Understanding Your Options: A Quick Overview

Before diving into specifics, here’s the lay of the land:

Auntie’s Choice routes (2 options):

• Side with Kaur for military aggression
• Side with Milverstreet for diplomatic subversion
• Both eventually lead to crossing via force or manipulation

Protectorate routes (2 options):

• Earn Vigilant Hogarth’s trust and receive a Writ of Conscription
• Complete the bridge guard’s bounty request

Independent routes (2 options):

• Western alternate path near Skycutter Power Plant
• Eastern alternate path northwest of Westport

Each approach affects your faction reputation, determines which NPCs you interact with, and influences how the story unfolds. There’s no “wrong” choice—only consequences that align differently with various playstyles.

Auntie’s Choice Route #1: Side with Minister Milverstreet

The Diplomatic Corporate Approach

Location: Central Auntie’s Choice Corporate Building in Fairfield (directly below the giant holographic Auntie Cleo sign)

When you first arrive in Fairfield, head to the prominent corporate building to meet two key Auntie’s Choice executives: Minister Milverstreet and Kaur. These two represent opposing philosophies within the corporation regarding how to deal with the Protectorate presence.

Milverstreet’s strategy:

• Convert Protectorate subjects in Westport to Auntie’s Choice
• Undermine Protectorate authority through economic incentives
• Diplomatic manipulation over direct military confrontation
• Sabotage Westport’s infrastructure to force residents toward Fairfield

How This Route Works

Choosing to work with Milverstreet initiates a questline that eventually leads you to Westport, where you’ll interact with Vigilant Hogarth. The brilliant (and devious) part of Milverstreet’s plan is that you gain Hogarth’s trust first—then betray it.

The progression:

1. Accept Milverstreet’s mission to destabilize Westport
2. Travel to Westport and meet Vigilant Hogarth
3. Complete tasks that earn Hogarth’s trust and confidence
4. Receive a Writ of Conscription as reward for your help
5. Execute Milverstreet’s sabotage plan (or refuse and go your own way)
6. Use the Writ to pass through the Protectorate Bridge legitimately

This route is perfect for players who enjoy corporate intrigue and morally gray decision-making. You’re not storming the bridge with guns blazing—you’re manipulating the situation to serve Auntie’s Choice interests while maintaining a veneer of legitimacy.

Pros:

• Gain legitimate Protectorate credentials
• Access to both Fairfield and Westport content initially
• Diplomatic approach avoids direct combat at the bridge
• Maintains positive reputation with Auntie’s Choice

Cons:

• Requires betraying Hogarth’s trust (if you follow through)
• Westport residents suffer consequences
• Morally questionable even by Outer Worlds standards
• May damage Protectorate reputation depending on choices

For more context on whether Auntie’s Choice deserves your cooperation, check our trust guide comparing major factions.

Auntie’s Choice Route #2: Side with Kaur

The Military Aggression Approach

Location: Same corporate building in Fairfield

If Milverstreet represents subtle corporate manipulation, Kaur embodies direct military action. She has no interest in converting Protectorate subjects—she wants to crush them militarily and establish Auntie’s Choice dominance through overwhelming force.

Kaur’s strategy:

• Direct military assault on Protectorate positions
• Destroy Protectorate forces at the Auto-Mech Repair facility
• Establish corporate superiority through combat victory
• Secure the bridge through military conquest

How This Route Works

Choosing Kaur’s path connects you with Commander Torres at the Auntie’s Choice Forward Operating Base, leading to an all-out assault on the Protectorate Bridge.

The progression:

1. Accept Kaur’s mission to take aggressive action
2. Link up with Commander Torres at the FOB north of Fairfield
3. Complete the “Scrabbles” retrieval quest (more on this below)
4. Convince Torres to launch the assault
5. Storm the bridge alongside Auntie’s Choice forces
6. Eliminate all Protectorate defenders
7. Lower the bridge from the control room

This route appeals to combat-focused players who prefer direct solutions. If you’ve built a character around weapons, tactics, and fighting, charging the bridge with corporate mercenaries provides exactly the kind of action-packed scenario your build excels at.

Pros:

• Straightforward combat solution
• Significant experience from multiple enemy engagements
• Strong reputation boost with Auntie’s Choice
• Satisfying if you dislike the Protectorate

Cons:

• Destroys relationship with Protectorate
• High-intensity combat (challenging on higher difficulties)
• Morally unambiguous aggression
• Closes off some Protectorate-aligned questlines

The Commander Torres Method (Charging the Bridge)

Finding Commander Torres

Location: Auntie’s Choice Forward Operating Base, north of Fairfield and south of the Protectorate Bridge

Even if you don’t specifically side with Kaur, you can still approach Commander Torres directly for the military assault option. His camp sits at the frontline between Auntie’s Choice and Protectorate forces, representing the corporate military’s forward position.

The Scrabbles Mission

Here’s where The Outer Worlds’ trademark dark humor emerges. Before Torres will commit to the assault, you need to help with a seemingly minor problem: retrieve Scrabbles, the squad’s mascot.

What actually happened:

• Scrabbles is a small scrat doll (the squad’s good luck charm)
• A soldier recently took Scrabbles and ventured into the minefield
• That soldier died, and Scrabbles remains in the dangerous area
• The squad refuses to attack without their mascot

Yes, you’re recovering a stuffed animal from a corpse in a minefield so soldiers will assault a fortified position. Classic Outer Worlds absurdism.

Retrieving Scrabbles:

1. Accept Torres’s request
2. Navigate the minefield south of the bridge (watch for mines!)
3. Locate the deceased soldier’s body
4. Retrieve Scrabbles from the corpse
5. Return to Torres with the mascot

Convincing Torres and Storming the Bridge

Once you have Scrabbles, you need to convince Torres that now is the time to strike. This typically requires dialogue skill checks or presenting compelling arguments about tactical advantage.

The assault itself:

• Join Auntie’s Choice forces in attacking the bridge
• Fight through multiple waves of Protectorate soldiers
• Clear the bridge defenses and control points
• Eliminate the Senior Warden and remaining defenders
• Access the control room to lower the bridge

Combat tips:

• Stock up on Inhaler Charges before starting
• Position yourself to avoid being flanked
• Let Auntie’s Choice NPCs absorb some damage
• Focus on priority targets (officers, heavy weapons)
• Use cover effectively throughout the engagement

This approach provides one of the game’s largest set-piece battles early on, making it memorable for action-oriented players.

Protectorate Route #1: Earn Vigilant Hogarth’s Trust

Finding Hogarth in Westport

Location: Westport, northwest Paradise Island (main hall balcony)

Westport represents the Protectorate’s struggling foothold on Paradise Island. Recent attacks from Auntie’s Choice forces destroyed the settlement’s sea wall, flooding much of the town and threatening civilian lives. Vigilant Hogarth oversees this near-ruined settlement, desperately trying to save his people.

Westport’s situation:

• Sea wall destroyed in Auntie’s Choice assault
• Extensive flooding throughout the settlement
• Civilian population in danger
• Limited resources for repairs
• Hogarth struggling to maintain order and safety

Earning the Writ of Conscription

To earn Hogarth’s trust and receive a Writ of Conscription (essentially a pass through Protectorate checkpoints), you need to help him stabilize Westport’s crisis.

Tasks typically include:

• Repairing critical infrastructure
• Rescuing trapped or endangered civilians
• Securing essential supplies
• Addressing immediate threats to settlement safety
• Demonstrating genuine concern for Protectorate subjects’ wellbeing

The specific tasks vary based on quest progression, but the theme remains consistent: prove you’re willing to help the Protectorate subjects without ulterior motives.

Once you’ve earned sufficient trust:

1. Return to Hogarth on the balcony
2. Ask about accessing the Vox Relay
3. Receive the Writ of Conscription
4. Present it at the Protectorate Bridge for legitimate passage
5. Access the Vox Relay through the main entrance

Why This Route Stands Out

This represents the most “heroic” path to crossing the bridge. You’re genuinely helping people in need, earning trust through good deeds, and receiving legitimate passage as reward. For players roleplaying as moral characters or who distrust Auntie’s Choice corporate tactics, this route provides the cleanest conscience.

Pros:

• Morally straightforward (helping people in need)
• Positive Protectorate reputation
• Legitimate passage (no combat required)
• Access to Vox Relay main entrance
• Hogarth becomes an ally

Cons:

• Time-consuming (multiple tasks required)
• May conflict with Auntie’s Choice objectives
• Westport’s future depends on your subsequent choices
• Less action-oriented than combat routes

Important note: Remember that your decisions about where to send the Vox Relay will massively impact Westport’s fate. If you’ve helped Hogarth and his people, think carefully before redirecting a crashing relay toward their settlement.

Protectorate Route #2: Complete the Bridge Guard’s Bounty

Talking to Senior Warden Weintraut

Location: Protectorate Bridge checkpoint (guard stationed outside)

The most direct Protectorate-aligned route involves simply asking the bridge guard—Senior Warden Weintraut—for passage. She won’t grant it freely, but she’ll make you an offer: bring her two Protectorate subjects who’ve earned the Sovereign’s judgment.

Her request:

• Track down Charlton Weintraut (no relation, apparently)
• Track down Ida Rutledge
• Return both to face Protectorate justice
• Receive passage across the bridge as payment

This route essentially makes you a bounty hunter for the Protectorate, enforcing their law in exchange for access.

Finding Charlton Weintraut

Location: Westport (flooded residential area to the north)

Charlton Weintraut is a Protectorate subject who’s fallen into severe addiction. Specifically, he’s hooked on Purpleberry Crunch—because in The Outer Worlds universe, even breakfast cereals are dangerously addictive.

The hunt for Charlton:

1. Travel to Westport
2. Navigate to the flooded northern residential area
3. Search for Charlton’s house
4. Discover evidence of his Purpleberry Crunch addiction
5. Locate Charlton himself in Westport’s central square
6. Convince him to return to the bridge for judgment

Dialogue considerations: You can approach this various ways—threatening, persuading, lying, or even being honest about the consequences. Your dialogue skills and chosen approach affect how easily Charlton cooperates and whether you feel like you’re helping or condemning him.

Finding Ida Rutledge (The Dark Truth)

Location: Southeast of Fairfield (Sovereign’s Sweet Spire Grove)

Ida’s quest takes a darker turn. When you reach the location, you discover two workers stuck in a lift above the grove. They explain what happened: Ida fell into nearby machinery and died.

What you need to do:

1. Travel southeast of Fairfield to the Sweet Spire Grove
2. Talk to the stranded workers in the lift
3. Learn about Ida’s fatal accident
4. Locate her remains in the machinery
5. Retrieve her severed arm as proof of death
6. Return the arm to Senior Warden Weintraut

This grimly humorous moment exemplifies Outer Worlds’ tonal balance—it’s simultaneously darkly funny (you’re literally bringing back a severed arm) and genuinely unsettling (someone died horribly in corporate machinery, and nobody’s particularly concerned beyond bureaucratic requirements).

Completing the Bounty

Once you’ve brought Charlton back alive and provided proof of Ida’s death, Senior Warden Weintraut grants you passage across the bridge. You’ve proven yourself useful to the Protectorate, even if the morality of dragging an addict to judgment and scavenging body parts is… questionable.

Pros:

• Relatively quick (two targets only)
• Moderate Protectorate reputation gain
• No major combat required
• Straightforward objectives

Cons:

• Morally ambiguous (condemning an addict, desecrating remains)
• Less heroic than helping Hogarth
• Minimal story depth compared to other routes
• Charlton’s fate weighs on your conscience

Independent Route #1: Western Alternate Path

The Skycutter Power Plant Route

Location: West side of Paradise Island, north of Skycutter Station

For players who want to avoid both major factions entirely, the western alternate path offers complete independence. This route bypasses the Protectorate Bridge altogether, letting you reach the north island without declaring allegiance to anyone.

Finding the path:

1. Travel to the far west of Paradise Island
2. Head north from Skycutter Station
3. Look for the Skycutter Power Plant
4. Find the broken bridge with a jumpable gap
5. Cross the gap to reach the Power Plant

Navigation tips:

• The jump isn’t difficult but requires proper positioning
• Use your jump boots effectively
• Don’t overthink it—the gap is shorter than it looks
• Save before attempting if you’re cautious

Skycutter Power Plant Optional Content

Once across, you face a choice: proceed directly north to the north island, or explore the Skycutter Power Plant itself. The plant contains:

• Additional loot and resources
• Enemy encounters (prepare for combat)
• Environmental storytelling about the facility
• Potential side quest connections

For completionists, exploring the plant is worthwhile. For players focused solely on reaching the Vox Relay, you can bypass it entirely and continue north.

Pros:

• Complete faction independence
• No reputation hits with anyone
• Exploration-focused route
• Optional combat/content at your discretion
• Feels like discovering a secret path

Cons:

• Easy to miss without thorough exploration
• Requires platforming confidence
• Miss character interactions from other routes
• Less story integration

This route is perfect for players following a stealth or independent path, or for those who’ve decided both Auntie’s Choice and the Protectorate are equally untrustworthy.

Independent Route #2: Eastern Alternate Path

The Westport Water Crossing

Location: Northwest of Westport, along the coastline

The second independent route requires more careful navigation but offers unique advantages, particularly for later access to the Vox Relay.

Finding the path:

1. Travel to Westport (no need to enter the settlement)
2. Head northwest along the coast
3. Look for half-sunken rocks and wreckage in the water
4. These form a natural bridge to the north island
5. Carefully descend the cliff face to water level

The Platforming Challenge

This route demands more precise movement than the western path. You’re navigating across partially submerged debris, rocky outcroppings, and unstable surfaces.

Platforming tips:

• Use Protectorate jump boots for difficult gaps
• Take your time—rushing leads to falling
• Save frequently during the crossing
• The path is more forgiving than it initially appears
• Follow the visual trail of wreckage—it shows the way

Key advantage: This route connects almost directly to the Vox Relay via a secret lift. Even if you’ve already reached the north island through another method, unlocking this path provides a convenient backdoor for fast travel and later access.

The Secret Lift Connection

Once across, explore the immediate area to discover a lift that provides direct access to the Vox Relay facility. This lift bypasses the main entrance entirely, offering:

• Quick access for return visits
• An alternate entry point if the main entrance is hostile
• A convenient shortcut after initial discovery
• The satisfaction of finding a genuine secret path

Pros:

• Complete faction independence
• Secret lift provides ongoing utility
• Rewards thorough exploration
• Satisfying platforming challenge
• Direct Vox Relay access

Cons:

• Easier to miss than western route
• Requires careful navigation
• Falls can be punishing
• Bypasses character interactions from faction routes

For players invested in exploration and uncovering secrets, this eastern path provides exactly the kind of reward The Outer Worlds series is known for—meaningful discoveries that grant practical advantages.

Which Route Should You Choose?

For Combat-Focused Characters

Best choice: Commander Torres assault (Kaur route)

If you’ve built around weapons, armor, and tactical perks, charging the bridge provides the action-packed scenario your build excels at. You’ll get significant combat experience, test your build against multiple enemies, and feel like a badass corporate mercenary.

For Diplomatic Characters

Best choice: Milverstreet route or Hogarth trust route

High dialogue skills and persuasion builds shine when navigating complex social situations. Both routes reward your investment in non-combat skills and provide story-rich experiences that combat characters might miss.

For Stealth/Independent Characters

Best choice: Either alternate path (western or eastern)

If you’ve invested in stealth, hacking, and exploration skills, the alternate routes feel custom-designed for your playstyle. You’re literally finding secret paths that others miss, avoiding the political mess entirely.

For Morally-Conscious Characters

Best choice: Hogarth trust route

Helping Westport’s residents represents the most unambiguously good option. You’re saving lives, earning trust legitimately, and receiving passage as genuine reward rather than manipulation or violence.

For Chaos/Evil Characters

Best choice: Commander Torres assault or Milverstreet betrayal

Both involve significant harm to others—either through direct violence or manipulative betrayal. If you’re roleplaying a ruthless corporate operative or amoral mercenary, these routes fit perfectly.

For Players Who Want Everything

Strategic approach: Complete Hogarth’s route first (maintain positive Protectorate rep), then explore both alternate paths to unlock them for later use. This maximizes your options without committing to the aggressive Auntie’s Choice routes that damage Protectorate relationships.

Preparation Tips for Each Route

General Preparation

Regardless of which route you choose:

• Stock up on Inhaler Charges (minimum 10-15)
• Ensure weapons are repaired and upgraded
• Save before committing to any route
• Have at least one Bypass Shunt for optional areas
• Check your current perks are optimized

Combat Route Specific Prep

• Maximum ammunition for your primary weapons
• Companion combat abilities ready
• Combat drugs/buffs if using them
• Armor fully repaired
• Consider difficulty settings if struggling

Diplomatic Route Specific Prep

• Dialogue skills at reasonable levels
• Appropriate clothing for speech checks
• Quest items organized and accessible
• Understanding of faction dynamics

Exploration Route Specific Prep

• Jump boots equipped and functional
• Save game at start of platforming
• Patience for navigation challenges
• Willingness to reload if you fall

Long-Term Consequences

Your choice of crossing method affects more than just immediate access:

Faction reputation: Combat routes damage relationships with your targets while boosting your chosen faction. Diplomatic routes can maintain positive standing with multiple groups. Independent routes preserve neutrality.

Available NPCs: Some characters die in combat routes, permanently removing them from the game. Diplomatic routes keep everyone alive (initially).

Story integration: Different routes provide different context for later story beats. Characters reference how you crossed, and your method influences subsequent dialogue options.

Return access: Some routes provide better fast travel or return access than others. The eastern alternate path’s secret lift, for example, remains useful throughout the entire game.

Companion reactions: Your companions have opinions about your methods. Charging the bridge or betraying Hogarth might provoke negative reactions from certain party members.

What Happens After Crossing

Reaching the North Island

Regardless of method, successfully crossing grants access to Paradise Island’s northern region, which contains:

• The Vox Relay facility (main objective)
• Additional exploration areas and side content
• New enemies and challenges
• Story progression opportunities
• The setup for major narrative decisions

The Vox Relay Itself

The Vox Relay represents one of the game’s critical decision points. Your method of reaching it influences how you approach the facility:

Via Hogarth’s Writ: You have legitimate access through the main entrance

Via combat victory: You’ve established military control of the area

Via alternate paths: You’re accessing through unconventional means

Each approach affects which areas are hostile, who you can interact with, and how the final Vox Relay decision plays out.

My Personal Recommendation

After playing through all six routes, here’s my honest take:

First playthrough: Use the eastern alternate path to reach the north island independently, then interact with both factions as neutral party. This preserves maximum flexibility while providing the satisfaction of discovering a secret route.

Combat-focused run: Commander Torres assault all the way. It’s the most action-packed option and fully embraces the militaristic corporate playstyle.

Moral playthrough: Hogarth’s trust route. Help Westport, earn legitimate passage, and feel good about your actions—then agonize over the Vox Relay decision later.

Chaos run: Milverstreet’s betrayal. It’s magnificently devious, perfectly embodies corporate evil, and creates maximum drama.

The beauty of The Outer Worlds 2 is that every route feels viable and interesting. Given the level 30 cap, multiple playthroughs remain manageable, so you can experience different approaches across different characters.

Build Considerations

Your starting build and background choices influence which routes work best:

Combat builds: Torres assault Stealth builds: Alternate paths Dialogue builds: Diplomatic routes Tech builds: Can access alternate paths more easily with hacking/lockpicking

Understanding how your build interacts with available options helps you choose routes that showcase your character’s strengths rather than exposing weaknesses.

Final Thoughts

The Protectorate Bridge represents more than just a physical obstacle—it’s a microcosm of The Outer Worlds 2’s design philosophy. Every problem has multiple solutions. Every solution has consequences. And your character’s abilities, values, and faction relationships all influence which approach feels “right.”

Whether you’re storming it with corporate mercenaries, earning diplomatic passage, or sneaking around through secret paths, the bridge serves its purpose: forcing you to engage with the game’s systems, make meaningful choices, and live with the results.

Choose the route that fits your character, prepare appropriately, and enjoy the ride. And if you’re playing on Xbox or other platforms via The Outer Worlds 2, these options remain consistent regardless of your hardware.

Just remember: once you’re across and dealing with the Vox Relay itself, the real difficult decisions begin. Getting there is just the warmup.

Quick Reference:

• Total routes: 6 (2 Auntie’s Choice, 2 Protectorate, 2 independent)
• Combat route: Commander Torres assault
• Diplomatic routes: Milverstreet or Hogarth
• Secret paths: Western (Skycutter) or Eastern (water crossing)
• Most moral: Hogarth trust route
• Most action: Torres assault
• Best for secrets: Eastern alternate path (secret lift)