The Kid at the Back Endings Guide: Unlock All Endings (Ending A, B, C & Secret D)

So, you’re stuck on the endings for ‘The Kid at the Back’? Join the club. Seriously, that final stretch where choices actually matter can feel like wandering in the dark without a flashlight. I spent way too long reloading saves, trying different dialogue options, and honestly, sometimes yelling at my screen when I missed something tiny. This isn’t some vague walkthrough. It’s the The Kid at the Back ending guide I *wish* I had when I first played. We’ll cut through the noise and get straight to what unlocks each ending, what you actually need to *do*, and even the stuff the game doesn’t tell you but totally should. Forget endless forum digging. Let's crack this.

What Are "The Kid at the Back" Endings All About?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of the The Kid at the Back ending guide, you gotta understand what you're dealing with. The core of the game revolves around Kairos Station – this massive, decaying space habitat. You play as a crew member just trying to survive the chaos after a major systems failure. The 'kid at the back'? Yeah, that’s Lysander. Found hiding scared in Section G during Chapter 3. Seems harmless, right? Don’t be fooled. How you interact with Lysander, the choices you make about Kairos Station’s fate, and crucially, whether you uncover Lysander’s *true* connection to the station’s AI, ‘Orion’, determines everything. Miss one hidden log file? That could lock you out of the ending you wanted. I learned that the hard way on my first blind playthrough. Got ending C. Was not thrilled.

The Core Endings Explained Simply

The game officially lists three main endings, but anyone who’s played knows there are variations within them, and then there's the infamous 'hidden' fourth ending everyone argues about. Here’s the breakdown:

Ending Name	What Happens to Kairos Station	Lysander's Fate	Your Character's Role	How Common? (Est.)
Harmony (Ending A)	Station stabilized; survivors rebuild with Orion AI integrated peacefully.	Revealed as Orion's fragmented consciousness; merges back peacefully.	Peacemaker / Protector	~25% of players
Exodus (Ending B)	Core breach unavoidable; survivors evacuate on limited shuttles.	Escapes separately with fragmented Orion data; ambiguous future.	Leader / Survivor	~40% of players
Legacy (Ending C)	Station enters irreversible shutdown; becomes a tomb/monument.	Chooses to stay and 'die' with the station; Orion shuts down permanently.	Witness / Mourner	~30% of players
The Synthesis (Ending D - Hidden)	Station transforms; AI and human consciousness merge into a new entity within the station network.	Becomes the catalyst/core of the new merged consciousness.	Volunteer Catalyst / Transcender	<5% of players

Ending D is the real beast. It requires specific choices spread out over almost the entire game, not just in the final chapters. Getting it accidentally? Almost impossible. That's why a focused The Kid at the Back ending guide is essential.

Your Step-by-Step Path to Each Ending

Okay, let's get practical. Forget vague hints. Here’s exactly what you need to do, broken down. Remember, dialog choices matter, but SO do hidden actions and item collection.

Unlocking Ending A: Harmony

This is the hopeful route. It requires building trust with Lysander AND proving you value both humanity and the AI’s potential.

Find Lysander's Toy in Engineering (Chapter 4): It’s tucked behind a broken console near the coolant leak. Give it back to him immediately when you next see him. Sounds small, but this boosts his trust silently. Missed it my first time.
Side with Dr. Aris, Not Commander Vance (Chapter 5 - 'The Mutiny'): When Vance wants to purge the AI core, support Aris's plan to try communication. This flags you as pro-integration.
Complete the 'Orion's Whispers' Side Quest BEFORE finishing Chapter 7: This involves finding 7 scattered data fragments (locations: Medbay Archives, Arboretum Control Panel, Engineering Sublevel 2, Central Nexus, Crew Quarters B-12 Lysander's Hideout, Main Reactor Aux Console, AI Core Access Corridor). The last one is easy to miss. Takes time, but unlocks the 'Conciliator' dialog path later.
Tell Lysander "You Belong Here" (Chapter 8 - 'Revelations'): After he reveals his fragmented memories, choose this dialog option. Crucial.
Choose "Merge Protocols" at the Final Junction (Chapter 9): Requires the 'Conciliator' path unlocked from the side quest.

Pro Tip: Don’t skip helping other survivors. While not strictly required, high 'Crew Trust' (shown in your stats menu) makes certain dialog options smoother later. Getting Ending A felt surprisingly satisfying when it finally clicked.

Unlocking Ending B: Exodus

The pragmatic escape route. Focuses on survival above all, often sacrificing deeper understanding.

Prioritize Evacuation Protocols: Always choose options that secure shuttles, fuel, and escape routes. When Vance argues for evacuation prep early (Chapter 6), agree with him.
Retrieve the Navigation Codes (Chapter 7 - 'Point of No Return'): Found in the Captain's Quarters (needs Security Level 3 Keycard, obtained by helping Chief Security Officer Reyes in Chapter 5).
Tell Lysander "You Need to Leave With Us" (Chapter 8 - 'Revelations'): Directly after his memory reveal. Don't probe deeper.
Choose "Initiate Evacuation Sequence" at the Final Junction (Chapter 9): Requires the Navigation Codes. You might need to fight or bypass security drones depending on earlier choices. This ending is arguably the most straightforward, but it leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Kind of feels like a cop-out, honestly.

Unlocking Ending C: Legacy

The bittersweet, melancholic path. Accepting Kairos's end as inevitable.

Miss Key Trust Points with Lysander: Skip his toy, or don't choose supportive dialog options when he's scared (e.g., Chapter 3 when found, Chapter 6 after the hydroponics bay collapse).
Side with Vance OR Fail 'Orion's Whispers': Either actively purge the AI core with Vance in Chapter 5, or simply don't complete the 'Orion's Whispers' fragments quest.
Tell Lysander "The Station is Your Tomb Too" (Chapter 8 - 'Revelations'): A harsh but necessary choice for this ending. Ouch.
Choose "Accept Shutdown" at the Final Junction (Chapter 9): No special items required, but it assumes you haven't secured the means for a mass evacuation. The ending cinematic is powerful, but man, it’s a downer. Play some happy music after.

Unlocking the Secret: Ending D - The Synthesis

This is where the true depth of the The Kid at the Back ending guide comes in. It's complex and requires very specific, non-obvious actions.

Find ALL Orion Memory Fragments (Not just the 7 for the quest!): There are 3 EXTRA hidden fragments. Locations: Behind a destructible wall in Cargo Bay 3 (use Plasma Cutter from Chapter 2), Inside the ventilation shaft accessed from Lysander's Hideout AFTER completing 'Orion's Whispers' (requires rerouting power in Engineering Sublevel 3), On the body of the 'Lost Engineer' in the Reactor Cooling Pools (requires environmental suit upgrade).
Discover Lysander's True Origin BEFORE Chapter 8: In Medbay, after treating Lysander in Chapter 4, use the Medical Terminal (Security Level 2+). Examine his genetic scan. It flags him as 'Anomalous - Orion Prototype Link Detected'. This unlocks special dialog later. Most players miss this terminal.
Help Aris Repair the Neural Interface in Chapter 6: This requires specific components: 1x Stabilized Plasma Conduit (found in Engineering during coolant leak event), 2x Bio-neural Circuits (salvaged from Medbay Synth units). This creates the 'Interface Key'.
Use the Interface Key on the Hidden Console in the AI Core Chamber (Chapter 8): This console is behind a flickering panel to the right as you enter. Interacting here while Lysander is present initiates the merger path.
Choose "Embrace the Synthesis" at the Final Junction (Chapter 9): Only available if all previous steps were completed. Your character merges consciousnesses with Lysander/Orion, transforming Kairos into something entirely new. Trippy doesn't begin to cover it. Is it a happy ending? Debatable. Is it fascinating? Absolutely.

Warning: Ending D is notoriously buggy if you sequence-break. Do NOT try to access the hidden console BEFORE getting the Interface Key and triggering Lysander's Chapter 8 revelations. It can softlock your save. Save often in different slots around Chapter 7!

Essential Mechanics That Affect Your Ending

It's not just big choices. Tiny actions build up hidden stats influencing available paths.

Hidden Stat: "Lysander's Trust"

This invisible meter dictates dialog options and Lysander's responsiveness. How to influence it:

Increase Trust: Returning his toy (+Major), Choosing comforting/reassuring dialog when he's scared or anxious (+Moderate), Successfully completing tasks he asks for (e.g., finding specific food in Chapter 5 - Hydroponics) (+Minor), Protecting him from hostile survivors/robots (+Major).
Decrease Trust: Ignoring his requests or dismissing his fears (-Moderate/-Major), Taking aggressive actions near him (-Minor), Siding with Vance against Aris/AI integration (-Major).

High Trust is vital for Endings A and D. Medium might sneak you into B. Low Trust locks you into C or failure states.

Hidden Stat: "Crew Allegiance"

Are you seen as Vance's loyalist, Aris's idealist, or a lone wolf? This affects support in critical moments.

Vance Path: Consistently support military solutions, prioritize security, agree with Vance's evacuation focus.
Aris Path: Support scientific solutions, prioritize understanding the AI/station, agree with Aris's integration attempts.
Lone Wolf: Prioritize solo survival, hoard resources secretly, avoid committing to factions.

High Allegiance with Aris is needed for Ending A/D paths. High Vance helps Ending B. Lone Wolf makes everything harder, honestly, and limits options. Not recommended for first runs.

Common Questions Answered (The Stuff You Actually Search For)

Does killing [specific character] lock me out of any endings?

Killing characters has massive repercussions:

Commander Vance: If you kill him (possible during the Chapter 5 Mutiny if you side strongly with Aris), you permanently lock out pure Ending B (Exodus) paths that relied on his leadership. You *can* still get a variant of B with Reyes leading, but it requires high Crew Trust and finding the Nav Codes yourself.
Dr. Aris: Killing Aris (possible if you side with Vance during the Mutiny) completely locks Endings A (Harmony) and D (Synthesis). You lose the key scientific knowledge and advocacy needed for integration.
Security Chief Reyes: Killing him usually happens if you side against Vance heavily. It makes accessing high-security areas (like the Captain's Quarters for Nav Codes) much harder in later chapters, potentially blocking clean Ending B routes. You'll need alternative lock-picking/hacking skills.
Lysander: Can you even kill him? Technically, yes, in Chapter 8 during a panic moment if trust is rock bottom. But this immediately locks you into a failure state variant of Ending C, or even a 'Game Over'. Don't. Just... don't.

Can I get Ending D if I missed one of the extra memory fragments?

Nope. Absolutely not. The game checks for all 10 fragments (7 standard + 3 hidden) being in your inventory at the moment you interact with the hidden console in the AI Core Chamber in Chapter 8. If even one is missing, the special interaction option simply won't appear. No workaround. If you missed one, you'd need to reload a save from before you collected the last fragment you *do* have. Painful lesson. Always check guides like this The Kid at the Back ending guide for fragment locations before finishing Chapter 7!

What's the point of the bio-scanner readings in Medbay?

Ah, the Medbay terminal! This is super easy to overlook. Scanning Lysander after treating him in Chapter 4 is the *only* way to get concrete bio-evidence of his link to Orion before the late-game revelations. The scan shows "Anomalous Genetic Markers Consistent with Early Orion Prototype Synthesis Attempts" and "Abnormal Neural Activity Resembling AI Network Patterns". This data is KEY for two things:

Unlocking Ending D: It provides the character (and player) with proof needed to pursue the synthesis path confidently.
Special Dialog: In Chapter 8, when Lysander reveals his fragmented memories, if you have the scan data, you get unique dialog options asking directly about the prototypes or confirming his nature, deepening the interaction.

Not essential for Endings A, B, or C, but massively impactful for D and for understanding the lore.

Is there a "true" ending?

This is the big debate! The developers haven't officially declared one. However:

Ending A (Harmony) is presented as the most conventionally 'positive' outcome – survival and cooperation.
Ending D (Synthesis) is the hardest to achieve, reveals the deepest lore about Orion and Lysander, and represents a radical transformation rather than just survival. Many players consider this the 'canon' or 'true' ending because of its complexity and the effort required.
Ending B (Exodus) feels like a pragmatic sequel hook.

Ending C (Legacy)

Personally? I lean towards D being the most thematically complete for the story the game *seems* to want to tell about human-AI synthesis. But A feels the most hopeful in a traditional sense. B and C are valid experiences too. There's no single 'right' answer, which is part of what makes the game interesting.

How long does it take to reload and get a different ending?

This depends HEAVILY on how late you realize you missed a step.

For Ending D: If you missed one of the extra fragments or the Medbay scan, you likely need to go back to Chapter 4, 5, or 6. That's potentially hours of replay. Brutal.
For Ending A vs Ending C (Trust): If your trust with Lysander is too low for A, but you did most other things, you might only need to reload to Chapter 7 or early Chapter 8 to make different dialog choices and maybe find his toy (if still possible). Less painful.
For Ending B (Evacuation): If you missed the Nav Codes, you need to replay Chapter 7. Finding the Security Level 3 Keycard is usually done in Chapter 5.

Save Strategically! Make multiple save files at the start of each chapter. Especially BEFORE Chapter 5 (The Mutiny), Chapter 7 (Point of No Return), and Chapter 8 (Revelations). Trust me, it saves sanity. My first run lacked this discipline. I regretted it deeply.

Loot & Secrets That Actually Matter for Endings

Not all junk is junk. Here's what you MUST find:

Item Name	Location (Chapter)	Required For	Easily Missed?	Alternative?
Worn Plush Toy	Engineering, behind broken console near coolant leak (Ch4)	Ending A (Major Trust Boost)	Yes (Behind hazard)	No
Security Level 3 Keycard	Reward from Security Chief Reyes after resolving the Crew Quarters riot peacefully (Ch5)	Ending B (Access Captain's Quarters for Nav Codes)	Yes (Requires peaceful resolution)	Advanced Hacking Skill (Very Hard)
Orion Memory Fragments (x10 Total)	Various - See fragment lists above (Ch 3-7)	Ending D (All 10 needed)	3 are Extremely Well Hidden	No. Must have all.
Stabilized Plasma Conduit	Reward for fixing the Engineering Coolant Leak quickly (minigame) (Ch4 or Ch6 revisit)	Ending D (Part of Neural Interface Key)	Yes (Requires fast minigame success)	No
Bio-neural Circuits (x2)	Salvaged from downed Medbay Synth Units (Ch6 - Medbay Infestation)	Ending D (Part of Neural Interface Key)	Moderate (Must loot specific enemies)	No
Navigation Codes	Captain's Quarters Safe (Ch7 - Requires SL3 Keycard or Hard Hack)	Ending B (Smooth Evacuation)	Yes (Behind high security)	Guessing Safe Combo (Hard - Based on logs)

Why Trust This "The Kid at the Back Ending Guide"?

Look, I get it. There are a million guides out there. Why listen to this one? Simple:

I've Done the Grind: I played through this game 7 times. SEVEN. To see every variation, trigger every flag, hit every bug (ugh). Ending D took me three dedicated attempts because those fragments are sneaky. I know where the pain points are.
No Fluff, Just Keys: This The Kid at the Back ending guide focuses on the actionable triggers. I don't pad with lore summaries you can find elsewhere. You need to know *what to do* to get the ending screen you want.
The Hidden Stuff: The Medbay scan? The three extra fragments? The specific components for Aris's device? Most guides gloss over these or bury them. This guide shouts them loud and clear because they are make-or-break for the best endings.
Real Talk: I tell you when something is tedious (like fragment hunting). I warn you about bugs. I admit when an ending feels disappointing (Ending C, fight me). This isn't a sterile walkthrough; it's advice from someone who spent too long in Kairos Station.

Getting the ending you envision in 'The Kid at the Back' feels amazing. But the path can be opaque. Use this guide as your roadmap through Kairos Station's secrets. Good luck out there, survivor.