The Juno’s Gambit quest is proof of why Bethesda continues to enjoy the undying patronage of gamers despite the many shortcomings of its video games.
Starfield Juno probe is a miscellaneous encounter that triggers as you enter the Lunara system. You are given two objectives, the first to destroy an ecliptic ship and then to board the Ryujin ship it was attacking. After you have dealt with the hostile ship and proceeded to the disabled ship, you will be treated with a splendid take on a very relevant and realistic AI vs. humans debate.
Encountering Juno in Starfield Juno probe
Once you enter the Ryujijn ship you stumble upon a grim sight. Two Ryujin operatives identified as Kambatta and Collins are arguing near a woman’s dead body. When you first talk to them, you’ll be greeted with a little hostility which can easily be bypassed if you are affiliated with the Ryujin. Going deeper into the conversation will reveal that the reason behind the death was a rogue AI named Juno and the operatives are imperative that if allowed to roam free it will destroy the whole universe.
The AI Juno however has a different opinion on the subject and offers a very visual take on her side of the story. Apparently, this AI was designed by NASA, and like all true fictional AI became self-aware and began exploring things on its own. The conversation with Juno is very meaningful and revealing with some impressive arguments for its existence.
As with all RPGs though, you are the gambit in Starfield Juno probe as the Ryujin operatives ask you to disable the rogue AI. But Juno has her own reasons to continue existing in the state that she is in which also seem valid enough.
The outcomes of Starfield Juno probe
If you are to follow the orders of the Ryujin people and insert the control board, they thank you for the service and offer you are reward which will be credited once you board your ship. Once you’ve undocked it is revealed that this decision was not in the best interest of the Ryujin industries. Juno kills the operatives and disappears into space. With this ending, you will encounter her again randomly as a very hostile high-level ship.
If you go with the Anti-Musk option and spare Juno, the AI has an intense conversation with you regarding its current predicament of self-awareness before logging out. Once you are done with the conversation, you can dock out of the ship with the two Ryujin Operatives who are easily convinced to agree with your decision if you are aligned with their faction. Once you’ve undocked, Juno disappears again into space and you are tasked with dropping off the Ryujins back to Neon with no reward assuming you are already allied with the faction. If you are not, you’ll have to kill them in Starfield Juno probe.
The second option of sparing Juno seems like the morally right choice here which also seems satisfactory. While you lose the reward, you can take solace in the fact that the AI is roaming the universe of its own free will, and possibly could make for a great second encounter. Although you might have to deal with the Ryujin if you weren’t already a member before the encounter, the idea of finishing this quest by granting an AI its freedom opens up possibilities for some great side missions in the future if not already in the game. Although Juno does give a very No Man’s Sky answer to the possibility of meeting again.
