Villains Mission "New Friends, Old Enemies, and New Opportunities" Question

[DMBLaan99]

When doing the Villain's mission "New Friends, Old Enemies, and New Opportunities", is it worth it to side with a group for the bonus stuff, and if so what's the difference between them?

[ZorkNemesis]

If you do pick a partner, you'll get extra lore and the Connected badge if you do all the bonus objectives.  While Vince and Lorenz both have similar side stories about finding an amulet or some family sellouts, Maros adds additional story concerning Sharkhead's red/blood coral.  Maros will also add another fight with Barracuda partway in so be aware of that.  To partner with Maros, you have to have completed his Cult of the Shaper story arc first.  Also you will have the option to bring your partner along for the second-to-last mission in the warehouse when you go into the coral itself (this will not be immediately clear in the mission briefing, talk to your partner before starting the mission).  Be sure to check the radio just inside each mission before continuing to activate extra objectives.