Cartel Handler
The Cartel Handler is your contact in the Sector 13 Cartel, and he only appears if you start as a Chemist. He turns your store into a front, demands a weekly quota of Dream Dust at a minimum purity, pays you a stipend and supplies, and threatens you if you fail or inform on the Cartel. Your Cartel reputation decides how he treats you.
When does the Cartel Handler visit?
Only on the Chemist start (internally the Drug Dealer start), and only until you have left the Cartel.
| Day | Visit |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction. He hands you Dream Caps and Chemical Supplies and sets the first quota. |
| 4 and every 7th day after | Check-in. Asks how the batch is coming and offers extra ingredients. |
| 8 and every 7th day after | Weekly collection of Dream Dust. |
On day 2 a Security Officer asks whether you have any suspicious activity to report, and you choose “Report The Cartel” or “Don’t report”. On days 9, 18 and 27 a wounded Cartel soldier asks for medicine. On day 3 a Dealer comes to buy narcotics; later he returns twice a week (see the chemistry guide).
What does the quota ask for?
The first quota is 10 Vials of “Dream Dust” at 40% purity or better. Each week you settle, the next quota rises by 5 vials and 5 percentage points of purity, up to a purity of 70%. He takes every vial of Dream Dust on the counter, including any above the quota, so keep spare vials in storage. Extra vials are not wasted: each one adds a point of Cartel reputation.
- Enough vials: you gain Cartel reputation equal to the number of vials.
- Short: you lose 4 Cartel reputation per missing vial.
- No dust at all: he ends the run (the Retired ending).
- Purity check: purity far below the target (a quarter of the required level or less) is treated as a scam and ends the run; slightly low purity is accepted with a reputation loss; good or high purity counts toward a bonus.
Each successful collection pays a stipend of 150 credits, plus new Dream Caps and Chemical Supplies. With the Increased Stipend perk (Cartel reputation 25) the stipend also grows by 4 credits per reputation point. A delivery that meets the count at good or high purity also earns a Chemical Equipment Module.
What happens at the check-in?
You can say all is good, or ask for more ingredients, which costs Cartel reputation: 12, or 6 once you have the Reliable Chemist perk (reputation 50). He grumbles that what he already gave should have been enough. See Cartel reputation.
Spoilers: getting out of the Cartel
At Cartel reputation 100 the Authorized Exit perk starts the exit. He then stalls up to four times with excuses (checking the records, an interest recalculation, new policies, missing supplies), each time raising the perk’s reputation threshold by 25 and sending you back to cooking. Once he runs out of excuses he lets you go: the Cartel is removed from your game, the Cartel protection service is switched off, and insurance becomes available instead.
Reputation of -100 triggers Forced Retirement: a Cartel Hitman comes for you, and the run can end with the Retired ending.
FAQ
Do I need to be a Chemist to meet the Cartel Handler?
Yes. Without the Chemist start he never appears.
How much does the Cartel pay?
150 credits per successful weekly collection, more with the Increased Stipend perk, plus supplies.
What if I tell Security?
If you choose “Report The Cartel” when the Security Officer asks on day 2, the Handler’s next visit tells you he is disappointed and costs you 20 Cartel reputation.