"One Small Step" is the first storyline mission in Starfield, where you create your character and begin your introduction to the world of Starfield. Essentially, it's a tutorial that introduces the core gameplay mechanics and the essence of the game.

How to Start the "One Small Step" Mission

According to the plot, the hero works in a mine where a mysterious artifact is discovered during mineral drilling. When you touch it, the character creation editor will open. Here, you can choose the appearance, background, character traits, and features of the main character.

Follow Lin

Talk to your foreman, Lin. Along with him and your partner, Heller, head to the airlock and make your way to the surface of the planet, where you'll meet Barrett – one of the potential companions in Starfield.

Take a Weapon

Each subsequent part of the mission reveals the core game mechanics.

Pirates from the Crimson Fleet are interested in your artifact. Take a standard pistol and ammunition from the yellow crate to defend yourself against them.

Fight the Pirates

During your conversation with Barrett, pirates will attack you – it's time to test your shooting skills. The battle will be relatively easy as it's a test.

Immediately after the successful battle, Barrett will lend you the Frontier – your first spaceship provided by the game's storyline. Together with the service robot Vasco, you'll board the new ship and make your first ascent.

Training Flight

Here, the game provides a detailed instruction on how the spaceship's engine works, why it's important to protect it, and how to navigate in space.

Soon, the first pirate ship will appear, and you'll need to shoot it down. Launch missiles and use lasers to disable the enemy object.

Head to the Kreet Satellite

Throughout the flight, Vasco will guide you. He will recommend that you head to the pirate leaders, who are located on the planet Kreet. Go to the specified location, following the fast travel marker – Kreet Research Laboratory.

Clear the Kreet Research Laboratory

Follow the map marker towards the Research Laboratory and enter the building.

You don't need to go in a specific direction here – the game will guide you to a group of pirates one way or another. Along the way, don't forget to check closed rooms, collect loot, and explore the location.

Once you've dealt with the first group of pirates, head to Laboratory 01, where you'll encounter more enemies, including scientists. The bodies of the latter are more valuable in terms of loot – don't miss them.

Next, follow the marker to Research 02 and clear the room.

Unlock the Safe

In the same room, you'll find a safe guarded by an alien parasite. Destroy it.

You can't open the safe easily – you'll need to pick the lock with a Digipick. We've provided a separate guide on how to pick locks and acquire the lock-picking skill.

Inside, you'll find 1225 credits – the in-game currency used for all purchases. Opening the safe is not obligatory, but extra credits won't hurt.

Proceed to the adjacent staircase and head to the roof.

Talk or Fight Brogan

At the exit, you'll encounter the hostile pirate Brogan. He will demand your ship in exchange for valuable resources. Here are two possible ways this can unfold:

• Use the Negotiation skill to avoid a battle;
• If the negotiation attempt fails – kill Brogan.

Board the Ship and Head to Jemison

Return to the Frontier and fly to the next target, the planet Jemison. This is where you'll first enter the territory of the United Colonies – New Atlantis.

Head to the Library in New Atlantis

Upon arrival, make your way to the library in the Mast District. Here, you'll be introduced to the mysterious organization, Constellation, and the second potential companion, Sarah Morgan. They'll provide more details about the faction's activities and the artifacts that Constellation has already collected.

After telling Sarah about the artifact you found, the mission will conclude, and you'll gain access to the next storyline quest – "The Old Neighborhood."