Tandem Access Memory is a short side mission in Terminus Range built around a simple moral choice. You’ll gather “bolts” for Pickett Fenster at The Thirst Scrap, then decide whether to feed them to a Mind Swirl setup or scrap the rig. Both paths wrap the quest cleanly with the same payout.

Where this mission sits in the questline

You pick this up from Pickett Fenster at The Thirst Scrap in The Low Leys area of Terminus Range. It follows the Mob side‑quest chain and appears after Mob Justice in the in‑game sequence.

Mission detail Value
Region / Area Terminus Range / The Low Leys (The Thirst Scrap)
Quest giver Pickett Fenster
Quest chain Mob Mentality → Mob Rules → Angry Mob → Mob Justice → Tandem Access Memory
Primary enemies Watchmen (Order forces)
Base rewards XP, Cash, Eridium
End choice Place bolts on desk or destroy Mind Swirl machine
Tip: If you’ve secured the nearby Nightcap safehouse, fast travel to cut the run time.

How to start Tandem Access Memory

Head to The Thirst Scrap and speak to Pickett. He’s running a “sensory” project and needs bolts sourced from Watchmen. You’ll get a waypoint to your first hunting ground near Checkpoint Taupe.

Detailed walkthrough

# Objective What to do
1 Kill bolt donors (3) Go to Checkpoint Taupe. Eliminate human Watchmen and watch for bolts to drop.
2 Collect bolts (3) Pick up the three dropped bolts before leaving the area.
3 Kill bolt donors (3) again Follow the new waypoint to a raised platform to the northwest. Clear more Watchmen.
4 Collect bolts (3) again Loot another three bolts from the second group.
5 Return to Pickett Head back to The Thirst Scrap and hand over the bolts.
6 Take bolts After a moment at his bench, Pickett gives you a bolt to carry to the back room.
7 Enter back room Pickett unlocks a door at the rear. Go inside to reach the decision point.
8 Make your choice Either place the bolt on the desk or destroy the Mind Swirl machine to finish the mission.

The Mind Swirl choice: what each option does

Option How to complete it Outcome
Place bolts on the desk Interact with the desk prompt in the back room while holding the bolt. Mission completes. You receive standard rewards.
Destroy Mind Swirl machine Shoot the red control panel on the right wall to disable the setup. Mission completes. You receive the same rewards.

This is a role‑play decision. The mission ends immediately either way.

Does the choice change rewards or later content?

No. Whether you deliver the bolt or break the Mind Swirl machine, the mission closes with the same rewards. There are no mechanical consequences to inventory, progression, or follow‑up quests tied to this decision.

Light combat tips for Checkpoint Taupe

  • Watchmen are standard gunfighters; keep cover between you and elevated firing lines and push up after reloads.
  • Prioritize enemies near corners and stairs to keep flank routes clear while you loot bolts.
  • Don’t leave until the objective counter ticks; bolt drops can land a few steps from bodies in the clutter.

Once you’ve wrapped Tandem Access Memory, the next side mission in Terminus Range is La‑La‑Last Call. If you’re following the Mob chain in order, you’re on the right track.