I: Enigma

I: Enigma
Author(s):	RedCenturionG
Series:	For A Better Tomorrow
Dates:	25 January - 13 May 2013
Rating:	Rated M15+ for Mature. Includes limited sexual content, low violence and high course language.
Genre(s):	Action/Science Fiction/Romance/Adventure.
Chapters:	35
Words:	289,574

"Seventy years prior to current events, the ultimate fight for galactic survival ensued. Follow the story of Marcus L. Shepard, Tali'Zorah nar Rayya and Garrus Vakarian as they come to meet and fight forces thought only existent in nightmares. But there is more to the story. Something else is going on behind the scenes..."

— Book description on Fanfiction.net

I: Enigma, alternatively known as For A Better Tomorrow: Enigma, is the first installment in RedCenturionG's fanfiction franchise called For A Better Tomorrow. An alternate 'fan-revised' fiction piece based on the Mass Effect franchise, I: Enigma is based during the events covering the first Mass Effect with some sections based seventy years after the events of Mass Effect 3. It was originally published on 25 January 2013, and reached completion on 13 May of the same year. The story is largely focused on Marcus Lee Shepard and his soon-to-be comrades, Tali'Zorah nar Rayya and Garrus Vakarian.

Plot

Pre-Prologue

The story opens seventy years into the future of the story (closer to eighty in terms of I: Enigma) in the year 2251. It begins with Garrus Vakarian, who has now aged, telling several children at an Alliance History Museum the back story of Marcus Shepard. At some point during this re-telling, Marcus Shepard's wife, Tali'Shepard pav Rannoch, appears to tell her side of the story, revealing that she was once Shepard's lover and wife.

Prologue

The story then jumps backwards seventy years to the year 2183. Marcus Shepard, who currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Commander, is currently in Vancouver in UNAS, working out when Captain David Anderson, Staff Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko, and a turian Spectre named Nihlus Kryik, arrive. Shepard is informed that he will be joining the crew of a prototype stealth frigate, the SSV Normandy, under the command of Anderson, with Shepard acting as XO. Nihlus reveals he will accompanying them on this 'shakedown run.'

Meanwhile, in the quarian Migrant Fleet onboard one of its three liveships, the QMFV Rayya, Tali'Zorah nar Rayya prepares to leave on her pilgrimage, with Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay saying goodbye to her. Tali expresses disappointment that her father won't even see her off on her pilgrimage, but Shala reassures her that her father still loves her. Afterwards, Tali leaves on a shuttle with her bodyguard, Keenah'Butras vas Rayya.

Chapter 1: League of their Own

Anderson shows Shepard around the Normandy, introducing him to the ship's crew. He meets the ship's pilot, nicknamed Joker, the ship's navigator Charles Pressly, the chief engineer Gregory Adams, the requisitions officer Frederick Johnson, the chief medical officer Karin Chakwas and the armory officer Lance Corporal Richard Jenkins. Afterwards, Anderson tells him that the shakedown run will take the Normandy to the colony of Eden Prime, which sparks Shepard's interest.

Later, Tali and Keenah observe a geth unit on the planet of Gei Hinnom, and even manage to capture and disable one, recovering its memory core. Through it, they discover that the geth work for a turian named Saren Arterius, a Spectre and an asari matriarch named Benezia M'Soni. Alarmed by this information, they decide to get it to the appropriate authorities and leave the planet, unaware that another turian, Jacobus, is now hunting them.

On the Citadel, Garrus Vakarian complains to his superior, Captain Entricas, about the release of a suspect he was convinced was guilty. Unable to get through to Entricas, he decides to take the matter to the Executor of C-Sec himself, Venari Pallin. After leaving and having a small talk with Sergeant Bailey, he then leaves to speak with the Executor.

Chapter 2: War Without, And Within

The Normandy is en route to Eden Prime. Shepard arrives on the cockpit, where he intervenes in a disagreement between Kaidan and Joker over the real context of the mission, not just what they are officially told, with Joker believing something else is going on. Shepard agrees shortly before Anderson summons him to the debriefing room. There, he runs into Nihlus, and later by Anderson, who reveal to him the true nature of the 'shakedown run' they are on. They reveal that the Normandy was actually sent to recover an unearthed Prothean beacon, while Nihlus accompanied the mission not only to oversee the beacon's recovery, but to evaluate Shepard for possible recruitment into the Spectres. However, the mission goes awry when they receive a distress call from Eden Prime, which has come under attack from geth forces.

Going forward slightly, Tali and Keenah arrive on Illium with the hope of giving the information they have retrieved to Illium authorities. However, they quickly come into contact with security forces, who refuse to acknowledge them as anything but thieves and liars and demand they leave. Keenah, afterwards, suggests giving it to the Admiralty Board, but Tali refuses, saying they didn't have the resources or manpower to make a difference. As they approach their shuttle, it explodes, sending security forces into disarray as mercenaries appear, led by Jacobus, in an attempt to kill Tali and Keenah. They manage to escape the mercenaries, and escape by stowing away by leaving on the turian freighter, MSV Into the Blue, which they both believe will take them to the Citadel, where they hope to prosent their information to the Citadel Council.

Back on the Citadel, Garrus approaches Pallin about his matter, but is rebuked. However, after Pallin reveals that Tali's accusation on Illium has started an investigation into the Spectre, Garrus eagerly requests permission to help. Pallin gives him charge of the case, but tells him not to screw up. Garrus then decides that he will wait for the quarians to come to the Citadel before questioning them himself.

Chapter 3: Treachery Is A Man's Sword

The Normandy arrives at Eden Prime, with Shepard and his squad (consisting of Kaidan and Jenkins) deploy just outside Colony Euphoria, with Nihlus in a reconaissance role. The squad moves to investigate scene, only for them to be ambushed by geth recon drones, who end up killing Jenkins. Before leaving, Shepard calls down the Normandy to recover Jenkins' body. Shepard and Kaidan fight through geth troops before running into a marine survivor of the attack named Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams. She explains that her unit was wiped out, and that the geth are most likely on Eden Prime for the beacon. Afterwards, Ashley joins Shepard's squad, and the three of them push towards the last known location of the beacon, but discover it has been moved to the spaceport. After receiving an update from Nihlus, they continue on.

Shepard and his squad run into two surviving scientists, Dr. Warren and Dr. Manuel, the former of which Shepard recognizes. Manuel babbles on about the apocalypse, where he then eventually pulls a pistol on Shepard, saying that the 'whispers' are making him do it. Shepard is forced to knock out Manuel, and then has Warren remain behind so as to remain safe as they continue to the spaceport. Meanwhile, Nihlus arrives at the spaceport, running into Saren, who lies and tells Nihlus the Council sent him. Nihlus, his guard down, looks on in awe at the 'geth flagship,' shortly before Saren betrays him and shoots Nihlus in the back of the head, killing him.

Shepard, Kaidan and Ashley arrive in time to hear the gunshot, and also to witness the geth flagship taking off, leaving Eden Prime's atmosphere. They then discover Nihlus' body, as well as a dockworker named Powell, who saw the whole thing. Powell tells them about the geth flagship, and of Saren, who he saw kill Nihlus. With their mission incomplete, Shepard and his squad move on to stop Saren from taking the beacon. They arrive in time to deal with the geth forces there, and the beacon is shown to be active. Ashley accidentally triggers its initiation sequence, but Shepard pulls her out of the way. The beacon implants a vision into his brain, before exploding, knocking Shepard unconscious.

On Saren's geth flagship, revealed to be named Sovereign, they head for Virmire, Saren's base of operations, after their success on Eden Prime. Saren learns from Benezia that Shepard may have used the beacon, and orders him to be killed, as well as for Jacobus to kill Tali and Keenah when the opportunity presents itself.

Chapter 4: Two Kinds of Idiocy

On the Citadel's Presidium, a krogan battlemaster by the name of Urdnot Wrex is interrogating a human for the whereabouts of another human named Fist. A hanar by the name of Ypris asks Wrex to let go of the human, but Wrex refuses, forcing the hanar to call C-Sec. Before Wrex can garner the information he needs, a C-Sec Special Response team arrives, lead by Garrus. Wrex is ordered to stand down, and the krogan finally releases his human prisoner. Afterwards, Garrus asks if Wrex is looking for Fist, and then proceeds to give him the location; Fist is the owner of a bar in the Wards called Chora's Den. With this information, Wrex takes a taxi to the Lower Markets, where he then proceeds towards Chora's Den, with the intent of killing Fist.

Elsewhere on the station, the cargo ship Tali and Keenah stowed away on has arrived at the Citadel, but they have been discovered by the crew and turned over to C-Sec. They are interrogated for three hours by a turian officer named Gyuras, where they try to give him their information, only to be roughly dismissed and told to leave the Citadel. While passing through C-Sec Academy, Keenah remembers meeting a salarian named Chorban, who he believes can give them a shuttle. Upon arriving at the Presidium Commons though, they are once again intercepted by a C-Sec officer, who tells them to leave before being shot in the head from an unknown source.

Meanwhile, Garrus is revealed to be tailing Wrex, and bears witness as Wrex enters Chora's Den. He is about to help when he's informed by Bailey that the two quarians he wanted for questioning (Tali and Keenah) had just arrived on the Citadel, and that they were found at the Presidium Commons. When he arrives however, he finds the place evacuated, with a Constable named Ghost, with the two quarians having fallen victim to a shooting, but managed to escape; however, they are being pursued. After tracking them, he discovers that they ran into the Garbage Disposal Plant while running away.

Back on the Normandy, while unconscious, Shepard has a flashback to the Skyllian Blitz, during the attack on Elysium. Afterwards, he wakes up in the Normandy's medical bay, where he tells Anderson of the vision burned into his brain. Anderson tells him about Saren, and that the turian hates humans and will likely do everything he can to wipe out the human race. The Normandy then arrives at the Citadel. Shepard, Anderson, Kaidan and Ashley arrive at the Human Embassy on the Citadel, where they meet with the human Ambassador, Donnel Udina. Later, they go to the Citadel Tower where they present their case to the Council themselves, with Saren present via hologram. The case fails however, with Garrus unable to find supporting evidence (as he never managed to find Tali or Keenah). Their case defeated, Udina suggests going to Chora's Den to speak with a man named Harkin on where to find Garrus, but Anderson alternatively suggests a volus named Barla Von. Eventually, Shepard chooses to speak with Harkin, and heads to Chora's Den to speak with him.

Chapter 5: Damsel In Distress

Shepard, Kaidan and Ashley arrive at Chora's Den to find Wrex being told to leave. When Shepard tells them who he is, Fist's thugs attack them. In the resulting firefight, all of Fist's men are killed. After this, Wrex joins their squad, with Shepard promising to help him kill Fist, whilst also helping take down Saren. After some investigation, they find out that Fist was not at Chora's Den at all, and they all decide to locate Garrus for the information on Fist's whereabouts. Before they can leave however, they are approached by a C-Sec special response team, led by Bailey, who tries to arrest Wrex. Shepard manages to save Wrex from police custody, and the drop of the name Saren peaks Bailey's interest, who tells them that Garrus was also investigating Saren, and that they could find him at the Medical Clinic.

Flashing back to Tali and Keenah, the scene shows how Tali and Keenah came to be shot, and how they ended up being pursued by their attacker, Jacobus, through the Garbage Disposal. Finally however, they reach an incinerator, which Tali plans to use to kill Jacobus. However, Keenah chooses to sacrifice his life to delay Jacobus long enough for the incinerator to activate, and as a result, is killed along with Jacobus when Tali finally activates it. Later, Tali arrives at the Medical Clinic, which is run by Dr. Michel. Dr. Michel patches up the terrified quarian pilgrim while Tali blurts out all she knows to Michel. Michel says that Fist could acquire her some safety, as he is an agent of the Shadow Broker. Without even waiting, Tali rushes towards Chora's Den, hoping to get help.

Back in the present, Shepard, Kaidan, Ashley and Wrex arrive at Chloe's clinic, only to find her being held up by several of Fist's thugs. Garrus manages to distract them however, allowing Shepard and his squad to save Michel and kill Fist's men. Through Michel, they learn of Tali and her information on Saren. Michel also learns that Fist has betrayed the Shadow Broker and is now in league with Saren. One of the thugs wakes up from the attack, and after some interrogation, they discover Fist is about to exchange Tali to Saren's men, under the false pretense of getting her to safety. Garrus joins Shepard's squad, and the group takes off to save Tali.

Flashing back once more, Tali arrives at Chora's Den, where she meets Fist. She tells him of her predicament and is willing to give the Broker her information in return for a safe place to hide. Fist assures her that he will set a meeting with the Broker up, but then secretly contacts one of Saren's operatives on the Citadel that he is setting a meeting up at Baria Frontiers.

Chapter 6: Above The Law And Beyond

Shepard, Ashley, Kaidan, Wrex and Garrus arrive at Baria Frontiers in a skycar, arriving in time to save Tali from Fist as he betrays her. Wrex is finally able to kill Fist, and Tali gives her evidence to Shepard, before then joining his squad, thanking him for saving her life. They then leave for the Human Embassy.

Back at the Embassy, Shepard, along with his new squad, present the evidence to Udina and Anderson. The evidence is shown to incriminate Saren, while also revealing the existence of Benezia to the group, as well as a race called the Reapers. The evidence also reveals the existence of an object called the Conduit, although what it actually is isn't quite clear to them; only that Saren believes it can bring the Reapers back. With the evidence available, Udina sets up another meeting with the Council.

The group attends the second Council meeting in the Citadel Tower, where the Council is presented with the evidence. Convinced that Saren is guilty, the Council strips the turian of his spectre status, before quickly making Shepard the first human Spectre, giving him one mission: locate and apprehend Saren. Udina and Anderson leave after the meeting to find Shepard a ship.

Garrus returns to C-Sec, deciding to quit and join Shepard's squad. After punching Entricas, he then leaves.

Going to the docking bay, Anderson reveals that he has resigned his position as captain of the Normandy, handing over command to Shepard. Presented with his three leads, Shepard decides to apprehend Liara T'Soni, Benezia's daughter. Afterwards, Tali and Shepard have a talk before entering the ship, Shepard offering a tour.

Chapter 7: Jokes, Laughter and a Stuttery Quarian

Shepard gives Wrex, Garrus and Tali a tour of the Normandy, with Wrex choosing to reside in the hangar, Garrus with the Mako and Tali in engineering. Once everyone is in a position of relaxation, Shepard and Tali enter deep conversation. Shepard later receives a transmission from Admiral Hackett informing him that the Alliance military are mobilizing along the border with the Attican Traverse, stating that the "Eden Prime War", as they are calling it, is now in full swing.

Afterwards, while in his cabin, Shepard is confronted by Pressly over his choice in crew, believing "aliens" to be a threat. After receiving a verbal bashing, Pressly returns to his post in the CIC. Afterwards, Shepard heads down to the hangar, and asks Johnson to procure some new weapons and tech for his squad. He then apologizes to Pressly, but asks him to be more open about working with aliens. Pressly reluctantly concurs.

Later, down in the hangar, Wrex offers to give Tali combat training, to which she agrees. It does not last however, as Ashley makes it clear she objects to aliens on the crew, and a brief fight ends with Ashley skulking back to her armoury. Not long after, Joker informs the squad that Shepard has called for a meeting in the debriefing room. Ashley begrudingly apologizes to Tali, but otherwise remains indifferent to her.

Later, in the debriefing room, Shepard briefs the squad on their mission to Therum, where he plans to apprehend Liara for interrogation on Benezia's whereabouts. Afterwards, back in his cabin, Ashley approaches Shepard about the aliens on the crew, and receives a similar verbal bashing to Pressly. After however, Ashley grows to understand Shepard's view, and her racism dissipates. Shepard suggests she talk to the alien crew and get to know them, and she agrees, before thanking Shepard for "sorting her out," and leaves. Pressly is waiting for her outside, and the two of them decide to make a concerted effort to be cooperative with the aliens.

On Therum, Liara and her bodyguard, Nishara, come under attack from geth forces led by krogan battlemaster Gatatog Verx. Nishara is killed, but Liara manages to retreat into the prothean ruin, activating barriers to keep them out. However, she also triggers a security mechanism, and she finds herself trapped by a stasis field.

Chapter 8: Welcome to Liara's World

Assembling the whole squad for deployment onto Therum, Shepard breaks up an argument between Wrex and Garrus, and gives Tali an advanced shotgun. Afterwards, he offers to teach her hand-to-hand combat, after the battle. The full squad complement (Ashley, Kaidan, Garrus, Wrex and Tali), as well as Shepard, then enter the Mako, and deploy onto Therum through aerial insertion.

Back at the dig site, Verx begins to wonder why retrieving Liara is so important, but when Sovereign contacts him through his indoctrinated mind, he eventually rescinds his doubts, and returns to trying to find a way to get to the asari.

Meanwhile, Shepard and his squad use the Mako to push through geth forces towards the dig site. Eventually, they reach the dig site, but the terrain becomes untraversable, forcing the squad to move on foot. They continue to neatralize any pockets of geth resistance they come across, and eventually smash their defenses, even managing to take out their last geth armature. Tali is injured during the fight, but after some medi-gel is applied, Tali insists on continuing with the mission, and pushes on. They then enter the dig site.

Once inside the dig site, they kill a few more geth before coming across Verx, who decides to confront them. After mocking the squad after a moment, Shepard asks about the 'harvest,' to which he is contacted by Sovereign for the first time, who uses Verx to communicate. While Wrex duels Verx in one-on-one combat, Shepard finally decides to deal with Tali's injury, calling the Normandy for a CASEVAC. However, Verx eventually goads Shepard into engaging him in one-on-one, to which Shepard agrees. After a brief battle, Shepard defeats Verx, killing him by snapping his neck with a biotic burst. Afterwards, they release Liara from her prison and promptly escape as the dig site begins to fall apart due to seismic activity. Afterwards, while they escape on the Normandy, Shepard begins to ponder on his concern for Tali, and concludes that he is beginning to develop feelings for her. He suppresses them however, believing "romance doesn't belong on the battlefield."

Chapter 9: Romance Is A Bitch

Eighty years in the future, at a classified location, Prometheus operatives Carter Dielheart and Jaris Paltarons are talking. Not long after, Carter is called by his assistant, Harrison, to speak with 'Interrogation Subject 001.' Saying goodbye to Jaris, Carter leaves for the interrogation, with Subject 001 apparently having been talking to him about the same events Tali is to the kids.

Cut back to eighty years earlier, Shepard holds a post-battle debrief. Shepard introduces Liara to the crew, who goes on to claim she has nothing to do with Benezia's current actions, and that she has no allegiance to Saren. Convinced, Shepard lets Liara join his crew to help him stop Saren. Liara then offers to meld with him, to help him understand his visions. However, after the meld, Liara admits she does not fully comprehend the visions herself, and is unable to help. She then retires to the Medical Bay for a rest and to see Doctor Chakwas. Shepard follows her, both to introduce Liara to Chakwas, and to see how Tali was doing after her injury. Tali apologizes for her stuff up on Therum, but Shepard dismisses it, inwardly returning her feelings. With the air cleared, Shepard then returns to his cabin.

Later at night, Tali leaves her sleeper pod, unable to sleep due to the quietness of the ship. Entering the mess hall, she is surprised to find Shepard awake and sitting there, but both of them quickly dissolve into conversation. However, Shepard slips up during conversation, accidentally suggesting his feelings for Tali. Desperate to stop himself, he returns to his cabin, trying to reason with himself that a relationship wouldn't work. Eventually, he sits down and begins to design a device that would help Tali sleep.

Down in the hangar, Garrus is once again confronted by Ashley, who gets angry once more and criticises Garrus for messing with her work bench, with Garrus stating that he simply felt it looked better the way he did it. Wrex manages to break up the argument, with Johnson even joining in; eventually, Ashley just gives up and returns to her station. Garrus concludes that he likes humans, just not Ashley. Johnson tells him that they both need to grow up: Garrus was wrong to mess with her work space, and she was wrong for acting like a child about it.

After talking with Joker, Shepard returns to Fred, who has just received a new batch of weapons, courtesy of Spectre Requisitions. Shepard then gives one of the new weapons, a state-of-the-art Spectre pistol, to Tali, who is ecstatic at the gift. Afterwards, Adams requires Tali to go through the vents to clear out a clog, but warns her of spiders in the vents; Tali dismisses his warnings, much to Adams' amusement.

On Feros, Sovereign arrives with an army of geth, with Saren present and an asari commando named Shiala R'Ness. They meet with a creature called the Thorian, who Saren is hoping to gain access to get the the Cipher, which is housed within the Thorian's mind. The Thorian agrees to give them the cipher, but requires a sacrifice, to which Shiala volunteers. Consuming Shiala, the Cipher is then transmitted into Saren's mind. Content that he has what he wants, Saren orders his geth to kill the Thorian. The Thorian however retaliates, and the geth forces are forced from the compound. Saren escapes with Sovereign, leaving behind the geth to complete the destruction of the Thorian.

Chapter 10: The Spark That Lights The Fire

Shepard invites Tali to his cabin to begin her training in hand-to-hand combat training. Tali tries to tell him something, but ultimately decides against it, and Shepard begins train her. Afterwards, Shepard is left impressed at her abilities, with multiple bruises to show for it. Shepard then gives her a buzzer; a device that emits noise that Shepard intended for Tali to use to create loud noise to help with her sleep. It is then that Shepard finally tells Tali about his feelings. Tali is overwhelmed by this and rushes to engineering, much to Shepard's self-chagrin.

Meanwhile, at a space station called Cronos Station, a man named the Illusive Man, the head of Cerberus, is given a dossier by his second-in-command, Miranda, on Shepard. He orders the Normandy tagged and tracked, expressing his interest in following Shepard's movements.

Back on the Normandy, Tali ponders on Shepard's words to her, inwardly happy that Shepard liked her back. Even a message from her father (one of negative note) does not seem to ruin her mood, and she quickly approaches Kaidan for advice. After being sufficiently convinced that she should tell Shepard of her own feelings, Tali leaves on a happy note, unaware that Liara is watching her from a distance, who also happens to have a crush on Shepard.

Onboard a freighter called the MSV Fedele, a salarian doctor by the name of Saleon Yules, going under the alias Untaav Heart, is overseeing his lab when his ship is contacted by a Cerberus operative named Reinburg. Reinburg tells Saleon that he will spy on the Normandy for Cerberus, or be destroyed. Saleon reluctantly agrees, despite his Eclipse mercenary protection.

Back on Feros, two ExoGeni employees, Lizbeth and Thomas, are trapped in the headquarters building, evading the geth forces while trying to escape. During their escape however, they are found by a varren, and Tom is attacked. Lizbeth decides to use Tom as a diversion, and she runs away as Tom is devoured.

Liara has a flashback to a time when her mother, Benezia, showed her around the Temple of Athame on Thessia. Afterwards, awakening from her sleep, Liara begins to encounter feelings of jealously towards Tali, even thinking about killing her, but quickly dismissing the thought. Liara engages Shepard in small conversation before Tali arrives, causing both the quarian and Shepard to leave after an awkward exchange. Liara, thoroughly confused, falls asleep at the table.

Chapter 11: Skyfall Part One

The next day, Marcus orders a meeting for all squad members in the debriefing room, where they go over their plan for when they reach Feros. With Pressly left in command, Marcus and his squad depart for the airlock, having arrived on Feros. 

Outside the airlock, Marcus and his squad are met by a colonist named David al Talaqani, who tells them that their leader, Fai Dan, is waiting for them. The squad note how odd David's behaviour is when he seems to get a headache from attempting to answer a question, but shrug it off. David then shows the squad inside the camp, where Marcus notes the battered state of it, noting the signs of battle. Finally they meet up with Fai Dan, where Marcus notes the hostility of another colonist, Arcelia Silva Martinez. Their conversation is cut short however when the geth launch a renewed assault against Zhu's Hope. David manages to push Fai Dan aside just in time before he is riddled with bullets, killing him. Marcus and his squad help repel the assault however, and after the brief skirmish, the geth retreat once again. Afterwards, Fai Dan explains that there is a geth frigate has latched onto the ExoGeni headquarters building, and that it is the source of the geth forces. Marcus decides to ask Fai Dan about the oddness of the colonists, and Arcelia states that they aren't soldiers, and they're simply going through shock; Fai Dan concurs. On their way out however, Tali expresses her doubt of this, and Marcus agrees, but proceeds regardless, heading for the main prothean skyline.

Later on the skyline, the squad traverse it in a Mako, where they are spotted by a geth dropship. The dropship deploys a significant contingent of geth troops, but the squad, using the Mako, manage to breach their lines and kill them. Once they have defeated these geth, they move on, encountering no further resistance, and they finally reach the first checkpoint. While Tali is hacking the door, she detects a comm signal coming from the connecting building, stating that it sounds like more survivors. Once inside, the squad investigates the signal, and indeed find another group of survivors, these ones protected by ExoGeni security guards. Once inside, they encounter Ethan Jeong, an ExoGeni executive. They also meet a surviving colonist, Juliana Baynham, who's daughter, Lizbeth, is stuck in the headquarters building; she pleads with Marcus to find and save her daughter. Marcus agrees, and despite Ethan's objections, elects to continue to the headquarters building. Moving past the second checkpoint, they once again cross the skyline, where they encounter more geth troops. Neutralizing the resistance they encounter, they proceed into the headquarters building, where they exit the Mako and proceed on foot through its parking lot. They encounter a group of geth hoppers, as well as the half-devoured torso of Thomas Gregson, but proceed onwards with the intention of destroying the geth frigate and ridding the geth presence on Feros.

Back on the MSV Fedele, Saleon welcomes Reinburg and his men onboard the ship, where he discovers that Reinburg works for Cerberus. Saleon announces that he's tracked the Normandy to Feros, and Reinburg thanks Saleon for his information before announcing that Cerberus also wants to use the Fedele for their own special experiments. It is then that they bring strange creatures onboard, ones that Saleon realizes are rachni, shocked at the presence of an alien that should be extinct. Reinburg remarks that the rachni have returned, and that Cerberus plans on building an army with them.

Back on Feros, Marcus and his squad continue into the bowels of ExoGeni headquarters. Deeper into the parking lot, a young woman runs into them, fleeing a pack of varren. After his squad has killed the varren, they question the woman, who is an ExoGeni employee. She reveals herself to be Lizbeth, who tells the squad of the Thorian, and what ExoGeni was doing with it. Garrus contacts Marcus to tell him that the geth are renewing their assault against Zhu's Hope, and that they will hold position for as long as they can. Marcus has Lizbeth stay put, and she gives him her security credentials to help him get through the locked down areas. Afterwards, Tali questions whether or not they should have been told about the Thorian, but Marcus says they'll deal with it later, and the group proceeds inside.

Chapter 11: Skyfall Part Two

On the Citadel, Anderson wakes up in his apartment in the Tiberius Towers of the Romulus Ward. After having a shower, Anderson travels down to the Armax Arsenal Arena, wishing to keep up his combat skills. Reaching the arena, he discovers his challenger is C-Sec officer Bailey, and the two of them descend into the arena to test each other's skill in battle.

Back on Feros, Marcus and his squad continue their attack through the ExoGeni HQ building. They find themselves in the facility's R&D labs, where they hear one of Saren's krogan interrogating one of the facility's VIs for information. Wrex sneaks up behind the krogan and after a brief skirmish, kills him. Afterwards, Marcus questions the VI about the Thorian, where they learn that ExoGeni were not only studying the Thorian, but had actively allowed it to assume control of the colonists, explaining why they were acting oddly. Deciding to finally deal with this Thorian, the group leaves to finish their mission with the geth frigate. Reaching a room with one of the frigate's docking claws, Marcus and his squad battle the geth inside. Eliminating the geth resistance inside, the squad discover what looks to be a sort of religious arrangement, suggesting that the geth are now religious. With no way to destroy the claw, Marcus orders the squad further into the facility, where they find another claw and more geth soldiers. Dealing with the resistance, Marcus is about to give up when Tali points out that they can use the shuttle bay doors to crush the claw. After finding enough pressure to do so, they watch the doors slam shut, crushing the claw and causing it to snap off. After the geth frigate has plummetted to the surface below, Marcus concludes that the geth presence on Feros has been dealt with. With the enemy dealt with, the squad depart to return to Zhu's Hope and deal with the Thorian.

Later, Marcus confronts Lizbeth about her lie regarding ExoGeni's true intentions, but Lizbeth explains that she tried to stop the experiments, but ExoGeni put her on probation and threatened she'd be next. Forgiving Lizbeth, Marcus finds himself angry at Jeong, and they all enter the Mako, returning to Jeong's hideout. On the way, Garrus contacts Marcus to tell him that the colonists are attacking them before being cut off. They hear gunfire coming from the hideout, and double time it. Once there, they find Jeong and his guards hoarding the survivors into corners, with Juliana being held tightly. Lizbeth charges in, alerting Jeong to the squad's presence. Marcus and Lizbeth reveal to Juliana what ExoGeni did with the Thorian, and she becomes enraged at Jeong. Furious at Jeong's indifference, Marcus raises his pistol and shoots Jeong through the head; his guards move to attack, but Tali sees this and the squad intimidate the guards into backing up. With Jeong dead, the group discuss what to do about the Thorian. Kaidan contacts Marcus to tell him that Garrus and himself manage to escape Zhu's Hope, and are heading towards their location. Juliana suggests using a nerve agent to neutralize the colonists; something that could be rigged into a grenade. Handing their grenades to Lizbeth for rigging, they watch as Kaidan and Garrus arrive at that moment, both of them breathing heavily. Marcus explains to them what they found out about the Thorian, and Lizbeth returns with the upgraded grenades. Juliana begs him to save Fai Dan, revealing that he is her husband. Marcus and the squad return to the Mako and depart for Zhu's Hope.

Reaching Zhu's Hope, Marcus leaves Ashley at the Mako while the rest of the squad approaches the colony. There they encounter unknown creatures, seemingly zombie-like creations of the Thorian. Dodging one of their acid vomit attacks, Marcus and his squad cut down the creepers, concluding that they are not transformed colonists, but entirely different creatures. Once inside, they encounter a large horde of creepers, which they also proceed to kill. Afterwards, a door opens and five of the possessed colonists enters, lead by a clearly insane Ian Newstead. Marcus stalls him while Liara preps one of the gas grenades, and once done, she tosses it. The grenade detonates and knocks the colonists unconscious, including Newstead. The squad then pass them, entering the elevator and ascending to Zhu's Hope.

Once in Zhu's Hope, the squad engages the colonists, who put up a sizable fight, but are ultimately outmatched. Lead by Arcelia, the possessed colonists attempt to stop the squad from reaching the bunker, but are overwhelmed and all knocked unconscious, including Arcelia. With no sign of Fai Dan, the squad descends into the bunker, where they navigate a maze of underground corridors and finally confront the Thorian itself. The Thorian spits out a green asari, who then begins to speak for the Thorian, ordering them to leave. When they refuse, Fai Dan enters the room, telling them that the Thorian wants him to kill them, but that he refuses to give into its control. With no other choice, Fai Dan raises the pistol under his jaw and kills himself. Battling more creepers, the squad finally manage to kill the Thorian, destroying its tentacles and causing to fall into the abyss below. Afterwards, its thrall, Shiala R'Ness, is released, who thanks them for releasing her, and that she wishes to atone for the sins she committed against the colony. Marcus grants this, but not before she gives him the cipher, bringing him one step closer to understanding the beacon's vision. She also tells him about Saren's flagship, Sovereign, explaining that it is a ship of unimaginable power. Marcus concludes that Sovereign is actually a Reaper ship, as all the evidence matches up. Shiala tells them that Benezia has succumbed to the indoctrination and cannot be saved, but Liara refuses to believe that. Marcus decides to allow Shiala to stay and rebuild the colony.

Chapter 12: Visions and Awkward Love Triangles 

Marcus and his squad exit the bunker, sealing it off after them. Arcelia and the other colonists begin to wake up, having returned to normal, with Arcelia shaking off Marcus' attempts to apologize for her injuries. Afterwards, Marcus contacts the Alliance, and the Fifth Fleet sends two frigates to the colony to provide aid, with Hackett also providing information of a geth incursion into the Armstrong cluster that he would like the Normandy to investigate. Marcus informs Juliana of Fai Dan's death, and Lizbeth begins to cry out of grief. Juliana however thanks Marcus for what he did for the colony, and that Zhu's Hope will be renamed Dan's Hope out of respect for Fai Dan's sacrifice. Afterwards, Marcus returned to the Normandy, only to be suddenly hugged by Liara, who compliments him on how generous and caring he has been towards the colonists. The two of them begin trading jokes as they enter the Normandy, oblivious to Tali watching them. Concluding that Marcus had moved on from her and entered a relationship with Liara, Tali chides herself for being slow, and begins to cry to herself. 

Meanwhile on a planet called Noveria, Benezia and her asari commandos, led by Major Herau I'Loak, arrive at Port Hanshan. Confronted by a woman named Gianna Parasini, Benezia and her commandos are led through weapons detectors to see Administrator Anoleis, all the while Benezia contemplates as to why Peak 15, the facility she has come to investigate, went dark.

Back on the Normandy, Marcus sits in the medical bay getting patched up by Chakwas. Johnson enters, stating he got an allergic reaction from the remaining green goo on Tali's suit as she walked past, and notes how upset she looked. Deciding to check this out later, Marcus calls a meeting in the debriefing room. Once everybody has arrived, he announces that they will be getting shore leave on the Citadel, as he has been impressed by the squad's effectiveness in battle. There, they also decide to give themselves codenames, so as to make battlefield communication easier. Marcus is Leonidas, Wrex is Scarab, Liara is Seeker, Ashley is Delta, Kaidan is Sentinel, Garrus is Raptor and Tali is Angel. Afterwards, Marcus tries to talk to Tali, but she shrugs himself, storming off to engineering and leaving a confused Marcus.

A few days later on the Citadel, the crew have fun in a club called Flux while Marcus tells a few jokes to Kaidan and Garrus. Kaidan talks about his past with BAaT, and Marcus talks about his life as a spacer. Garrus remarks on Marcus staring at Liara, insinuating a possible interest in the asari as they watch her dance. Marcus replies that he isn't interested in Liara, hinting at his crush on Tali. Tali then turns up, curtly ordering a drink. Marcus asks what happened to her working in engineering, and she replies that Adams kicked her out so she'd get some rest and relaxation. Soon enough, Marcus is ambushed by Westerlund News reporter Khalisah Bint-Sinan Al-Jilani. He answers her questions, but as they become increasingly hateful and irritating, Marcus lashes out and punches the reporter, causing her to stagger away in shock. After, Tali gets drunk, and Marcus is forced to carry her back to the Normandy and to her sleeping pod. He put her in the sleeping pod and watched her sleep for a bit, suddenly regretting bringing her on the mission and putting her life in jeopardy. Returning to his cabin, he tries to get some sleep, but the vision returns to haunt his dreams. Waking up, he looks over the battle plan for dealing with the geth incursion in the Armstrong cluster, and concludes that the plan is sound.

In a geth fortress on Virmire, Saren demands a status update from his head scientist, Rana Thanoptis, regarding the breeding of their krogan army. She brings up Doctor Droya's insistence on creating a genophage cure, and asks if they are really going to cure it. Saren replies that she is a moron to think so, and that the genophage cure is just a placation to keep Droya making krogan troops, and that he would never be stupid enough to cure the genophage. He also mentions Benezia's mission to Noveria to find out what was happening to his rachni army being created in Peak 15. Rana informs Saren of the geth's failure to destroy the Thorian on Feros, and Saren realizes Marcus will have gotten the cipher. Saren requests news on their incursion into the Armstrong cluster, and Rana replies that it is going well, and that a full-scale invasion will be possible soon. Saren then enters his personal lab to speak with Sovereign, where Saren gloats about the coming harvest.

Chapter 13: The Vengeful Officer and a Sick Doctor

Down in the cargo bay, Johnson tries to talk with Garrus, but the turian's thoughts are with the mission and their chances of victory over Saren and his forces. Garrus then tries to convince Johnson to get some rest, as he is still recovering from his allergic reaction to the goo on Tali's suit. Johnson then sneezes on the Mako, angering the turian, who had just finished polishing the tank's hull. Finally Johnson retreats, heading into the elevator while Garrus cleans the mess the human left. Giving up on his thoughts, Garrus heads to his locker and grabs his sniper rifle, placing it on the bench with the intention of working on it. Unfortunately, Ashley does not take lightly to this, and snaps at Garrus. Garrus snaps back, and their argument ends in Ashley beginning to laugh. The two eventually break down into laughter, with Ashley admitting what a bitch she was being: the two of them continue to laugh. When Ashley goes up to Deck 2 to get lunch, Garrus manages to disassemble his rifle when he is contacted by Bailey, who reveals that he has information Garrus might be interested in. Transferring the data packet, Garrus reads through it to realize that the information is exactly what he needs. With his mind set, Garrus leaves the cargo bay for the elevator bay to talk with Shepard about making a detour.

Back on the Fedele, Saleon refuses to help Reinburg and his Cerberus troops breed the rachni on his vessel. Reinburg insists that he will, and if he doesn't, he'll simply kill the salarian. Saleon eventually gives in, albeit reluctantly, and looks over the readouts. Saleon contemplates the weight of what he was about to do, but, rather pathetically, decides in favor of his own life and begins his work.

Meanwhile on the Normandy, Marcus finishes reading through numerous reports before being interrupted by Garrus. Garrus informs him that he has found a lead on a criminal he has been chasing by the name of Dr. Saleon. He explains the history behind his hunt of Saleon, and how the sick salarian doctor had run a black market business on the Citadel many years ago where he dissected people's organs to sell to the highest bidder. He then escaped when C-Sec was closing in on him, and due to miscommunication between Citadel Defense and C-Sec, Saleon escaped. Now he has popped up again, using a ship called the MSV Fedele under the alias of Dr. Untaav Heart; his idea of a joke. He asks Marcus if they can divert to deal with Saleon, and Marcus agrees. Contacting Joker, he orders the pilot to change course for the Fedele's last known position: the Herschel system.

Taking the entire squad, the Normandy arrives and docks with the Fedele. Boarding the ship, Marcus is shocked to encounter not Eclipse mercs, but Cerberus commandos, and the squad opens fire, killing two of the soldiers. Expressing absolute hatred for the organization, Marcus explains who they are and solemnly vows to kill every last commando on the ship. Moving into the vessel proper, they are horrified by the piles of corpses of all races, including humans. The squad manages to take the other commandos by surprise, and cut them down with little to no effort. The Cerberus soldiers retreat into the front of the vessel, trying to escape Marcus and his squad. The squad push through them however, and manage to take the cockpit. Before he can issue any further orders, Marcus turns to the sound of Tali's scream, who flees a small insectoid creature (unknown to them, this is a rachni worker). After killing the creature, they are contacted by Joker, who has been forced to take off to engage numerous Cerberus corvettes. Moving into the next room, the group finally encounters Reinburg, who is waiting for them. While Reinburg gives a grandiose speech, Saleon manages to sneak by and reach the door. Garrus shouts out to give warning, but the salarian locks the door, revealing that he has released the rachni from containment. The few men Reinburg has left are slaughtered, including Reinburg himself. A rachni soldier tries to kill Tali, but Marcus intervenes, almost losing his arm in the process. Tali manages to unlock the door and the squad falls back, killing the remaining rachni. However, Saleon appears and grabs Tali, holding her at gunpoint. Garrus is about to shoot them both when Marcus biotically lifts the pistol out of the turian's hand. Tali uses the hand-to-hand combat skills Marcus taught her and disables Saleon. Despite Garrus' protests, Marcus grabs his own pistol and kills Saleon. Joker informs them that the Cerberus corvettes have been destroyed, and the Normandy is approaching to pick them up.

Chapter 14: Don't Fall To Their Level

Mere minutes after the mission on the Fedele, Garrus storms into the cargo bay. Marcus approaches him, insisting that they need to talk. Garrus angrily argues with Marcus that Saleon was his to kill, and is angry that Tali, perceivably, ruined his opportunity. Marcus chastizes the turian, saying that killing Saleon had become less about justice for Garrus, and more about his own personal vengeance, rationalizing that doing so made him almost as bad as the criminal he wished to kill in the first place. After the argument, Garrus simply backs against the Mako in defeat, and Marcus decides, as an example, to tell the turian of what happened during his experience on Torfan. 

Flashing back to the event in question, Marcus leads his squad through the battlefield during the Skyllian Blitz. Major Kyle, the commanding officer of the 17th Shock Troops Company, has his men futilely charge against the batarian fortifications, despite orders for him to hold position and allow Battlegroup Black to soften them up with an orbital bombardment. Because of this, most of Kyle's company is slaughtered while trying to advance, with only Charlie squad surviving. Marcus and his men curse Kyle's stupidity while trying to find an avenue of advance. The batarians try to take advantage of this, and send out troops in an attempt to flush the squad out. When this fails, the leader of the fort, Balak, tries to get them to surrender, but this fails as well, and he has his men resume the assault on Charlie squad. A stream of missiles impact their position, and Nathan is killed. Sarann is severely injured, and despite Marcus' best efforts, he dies as well. With his squad dead, Marcus presses forward just as the 89th Mobile Attack Squadron makes its attack run. Charging the fortifications, he breaches the interior and butchers every batarian soldier he comes across while Alliance gunships bombard the fort. Before he can reach Balak however, he comes across a room with numerous human hostages, all of them with C12 strapped to them and only one console available to shut them off. Marcus is forced to let Balak escape as he shuts off the charges, and is swarmed by the hostages, who call him a hero.

Returning to the present day, Marcus explains that the two situations were similar: Tali was the hostage and Saleon was Balak. He explains that the shotgun he gave to Tali was Sarann's, and that he hasn't trusted anyone with it since Torfan. With Garrus calmed down, the turian thanks Marcus for knocking some sense into him, and Marcus simply leaves, smiling.

On Cronos Station, Miranda reports to the Illusive Man that Project Totem was a failure and that all rachni test subjects were lost, but the ship responsible couldn't be identified. The Illusive Man states that it was the Normandy, and when asked how he knows this, he explains that the link between Garrus Vakarian and Saleon Yules was too much to deny. Deciding that they need to establish good relations with Shepard, he greenlights Operation: Black Light, and sends Operative Taylor to Noveria.

Chapter 15: Geth, More Geth, And Even More Geth

On June 29, the Normandy deploys the Mako onto Casbin during the first stage of the Armstrong cluster operation with all of the squad. Whilst on route to the geth base, Marcus talks to Tali about her pilgrimage, eventually mentioning her father and how they weren't on good terms when she felt; he had become more isolated and less social with her when his wife died. Sooner than they'd like, they come up on the geth base, and engage the heretic forces there. Upon neutralizing all immediate resistance, Marcus detects a geth dropship approaching them rapidly. Marcus orders a COB on the dropship, but not before it arrives and begins to deploy reinforcements over the site, one of them being a geth prime. Marcus attempts to ram it, but the prime quickly recovers and resumes its assault, leading the heretic troops against them. Ashley quickly downs the prime however, allowing them to mop up the rest of the enemy forces. The Normandy then arrives, destroying the dropship and picking up the squad.

Five days later, the squad mops up at the last geth resistance on the planet Rayingri. Having destroyed geth bases on Antibaar and Maji, the squad believes they have destroyed the last geth facility. Tali, however, managed to detect a signal leaving the base and broadcasting to a different system. Marcus asks her to trace the signal, and the group leaves to deal with the geth command base.

On July 4, the squad once again deploys in the Mako onto Solcrum, the moon of Notanban. They find the facility protected by two colossi, along with a single geth light cruiser docked with it, which is too much for the Mako to handle alone. Tali comes up with a plan to distract the second colossi by creating a sensor ghost which makes the geth think there is a second Mako. While the second colossus is distracted, the real Mako closes in and destroys the first. Before the second can recover, the Mako closes in and destroys it as well. Joker informs them that the frigate now knows they are present, and the squad rushes into the base. Once inside, they find all geth occupants are connected to consensus hubs, but after moving further inside, they find snipers scouring the room with their rifles. After a brief battle, the group manages to clear the room of all geth troops, and Tali finds out that the geth were, for reasons unknown, transmitting into the Perseus Veil, and that the transmission was a quarian song from after the Exodus. They later find a large amount of valuable intel on the geth that could help to understand them better. Upon Marcus' approval, she downloads it all. Moving outside, the Normandy destroys the stationary light cruiser, picking up the squad before then proceeding to destroy the command base. Leaving the system, Marcus contemplates that the Alliance Fifth Fleet will soon enter the system and mop up the remaining forces, causing the geth to lose whatever advantage they may have attempted to gain in the war.

Chapter 16: Classified

Not long after the successful Armstrong campaign, Tali is working in the Normandy's engine room. Unfortunately, Tali is slightly distracted, thinking about the information on the geth they had acquired on Solcrum, as well as the usefulness it would pose to her people in their fight against the geth. When Adams asks what is distracting her, she initially tells him that she is thinking of home, which Adams sympathizes with. After a brief conversation, Adams tells her to take a break. Deciding to ask Marcus to have her own copy of the data, Tali approaches his cabin on the Crew Deck. However, just as she is about to cross the mess hall, she comes across Johnson and Pressly arguing, with Johnson calling Pressly a racist as the man tries to argue that a human vessel shouldn't have non-human crew. After hearing enough from the argument, Tali sneaks past and knocks on Shepard's door. When he doesn't answer, Liara appears, offering help to the quarian. She directs her to the med bay, where Shepard was getting patched up. Entering, she asks if she can have the data, and Marcus, after a brief misunderstanding, lets her have a copy. After hurriedly thanking him, she takes the OSD, surprised and happy that Marcus allowed her copy, and then leaves.

On Noveria, Herau announces their arrival at Peak 15, much to Benezia's satisfaction. Breaching the facility, they find a single shuttle, and identify it as Cerberus. Moving further inside, they find evidence that the rachni have breached containment, which would explain the facility's lockdown. Benezia orders her geth unit to hold position, while she and her commandos move further into the facility to assess the damage. 

Elsewhere in Peak 15, Jacob and his men move through the base, pretending to be Alliance special forces. They eventually come across survivors from the outbreak, most of them being ERCS security. Led by Captain Romero Ventralis, the group reveals the details surrounding the breakdown of organization in the base, and that they are likely to be the only survivors. Jacob tells them they are looking for the source of the breach, and Ventralis points them to the Hot Labs, where they can use the neutron purge to kill all rachni in the facility. With the information they needed, the group descended into the base, preparing to purge the base of rachni.

On July 6, the Normandy rendezous with the SSV Orizaba, an Alliance Kilimanjaro-class dreadnought and the flagship of the Fourth Fleet, over Terra Nova. Stepping onboard the ship, Marcus meets with its XO, Commander Phillipo Coniglione. After a brief introduction, they move onto the bridge to meet the captain. It is revealed that the captain of the vessel is Captain Hannah R. Shepard, Marcus' mother. After a brief reunion, she explains that the Orizaba has arrived at Terra Nova to address a possible batarian terrorist threat, and that a dreadnought was likely sent as a symbol of power. He tells Hannah about the Reapers, and his mother takes what he says on face value; she trusts him. Once finished, he finally hands over the information on the geth to her, telling her the information is extremely valuable and would be useful to the Alliance. He decides to hang around and talk with her, and the two head into her cabin. 

Chapter 17: Frozen Extinction Part One

On the Citadel, the Council convenes to discuss Marcus' actions. Sparatus is evidently displeased with his actions, condemning his killing of the Thorian and believing his divergence to the Fedele was an unnecessary waste of time. Tevos ultimately disagrees, believing he was ultimately justified in both actions. Sparatus suggests bringing him in, but Valern states that the commander checked in with the Orizaba to confirm the success of the Armstrong campaign, and will now be headed to Noveria to pursue Benezia. With a decision reached not to bother Marcus, they move onto the topic of Citadel Defense, where Tevos suggests bolstering their defenses with a surplus of turian warships. Sparatus believes this unnecessary, as he knows Saren will not be idiotic enough to attempt a direct attack on the Citadel. He instead suggests that they focus on protecting their individual territories. Tevos announces that Parcela M'kila, the current President of the Republics, has decided to not recall the ARW Destiny Ascension to Thessia, but has recalled the Second and Third fleets. Valern states that every critical system has been secured, and that Mannovai, once their most vulnerable colony, was secured by turian forces a while ago, but is unnerved at the lack of geth attacks into their systems. They discuss a rumor that Saren himself has a base of operations on Virmire, and all elect to send a STG team to investigate.

Back on the Normandy, the ship has arrived over Noveria. The squad gathers in the debriefing room as per usual, and Marcus discusses the details of the mission with them. Marcus tells Liara that he plans on capturing her mother, as she may have information critical to locating Saren or finding out more about the Conduit. After exchanging some banter with Joker, he turns to head back to his cabin, eager to talk with Tali about the geth information he gave her.

After a hostile greeting, Joker manages to dock the Normandy at Port Hanshan, and not long after, the ground team is confronted by a "welcoming party" of ERCS guards. Commander of the security, Captain Matsuo, and one of her sergeants, Stirling, are part of the welcoming party, who order them to identify themselves on behalf of Administrator Anoleis. They are both skeptical of Marcus' spectre status; Stirling aggressively so. Matsuo orders their weapons seized by Stirling, but the squad draw them in defense. However, a woman's voice comes over the PA system, confirming Marcus' credentials and ordering them to stand down. Matsuo stands down, while Stirling does the same, albeit reluctantly, throwing Tali a glare. Moving through, they find out the woman is Parasini, who offers to give them whatever information they need. When asking about Benezia, Parasini tells them the matriarch went to Peak 15 to investigate the Code Blue sent, and that she had a heavy compliment of asari commandos carrying large metal crates. The squad is surprised that heavily-armed commandos didn't arouse suspicion, but Parasini justifies that such an appearance was none of their concern, as Benezia was acting as Agent Saren's executor. She suggests speaking with Anoleis to get a garage pass so that they can go to Peak 15 to find Benezia. Marcus confronts Anoleis, but finds the man rude and obnoxious, and ultimately unwilling to cooperate; by the end, Anoleis ends the discussion, refusing to give them a garage pass or tell them anything about Benezia's presence. Afterwards, Parasini chastizes him for his lack of insight regarding the corporate world. She then tells them that all senior executives in Port Hanshan have garage passes, and that they should speak to Lorik Qui'in, manager of Synthetic Insights, to get one. She explains that he was recently put on probation for being suspected of corruption by Anoleis. After telling Joker to stay put, the squad heads for the hotel, hoping to find Lorik.

Entering the hotel, they quickly locate Lorik and close in on him. Lorik asks what help he could possibly be to them, and Marcus tells them they are pursuing Matriarch Benezia, and need a garage pass to reach Peak 15 through the Aleutsk valley. Lorik states that he is under probation for corruption officially, but the secret reason is that Lorik found information that may actually reveal Anoleis' own corruption, with Anoleis merely using corruption as a cover to have ERCS ransack Lorik's office and find the evidence. He explains that Anoleis has been stealing all the rents, therefore making him the wealthiest man in Hanshan, unbeknownst to the NDC, who Anoleis is a member of. He asks Marcus to retrieve the evidence from his office and to bring it back to Lorik in exchange for the garage pass. Marcus agrees, and the squad leaves for the Synthetic Insights offices. 

Chapter 17: Frozen Extinction Part Two

Reaching the Synthetic Insights offices, the squad exits the elevator, with Marcus ordering them to spread out and prepare to engage the ERCS guards. Its not long before they come across a group of them, with the guards ordering them to leave. Marcus barks at one of the guards to leave, accusing them of corruption and pig-headedness. Before he can convince them to step aside however, Stirling appears, revealing herself to also be under Anoleis' payroll. When Stirling threatens to kill Marcus, Tali steps in, snarling at Stirling, much to Wrex's pride. Stirling insults Tali, threatening to kill her also. Marcus cautions her to step away, but Stirling refuses. Enraged, Marcus uses his biotics to lift Stirling into the air, using an ability called "reave" which proceeds to rip apart Stirling's body from the inside. With Stirling dead, he drops her body, much to the horror of her men. Finished with Stirling, Marcus sends a biotic shockwave straight into the guards, the resulting explosion killing them all. Ashamed with how he lost control, Marcus whispers the Mourner's Kaddish, a jewish mourning prayer.

Refusing to speak to Tali out of shame, he enters Lorik's office to ask if they got the data; Kaidan confirms that they have. With the evidence acquired, the squad leaves the blood stained offices and returns to the main plaza, where they are confronted by Parasini. She declares that she knows what was happening up there and why, and reveals that she is an undercover agent working for Noveria Internal Affairs. She states that she has been investigating reports of Anoleis' corruption, and that the NDC was not as oblivious to it as the administrator thought, they just needed solid proof, and Lorik provided it. She asks Marcus to convince Lorik to take the evidence and testify against Anoleis in court. She also promises that if he helps take down Anoleis, he won't need a garage pass to get to Peak 15. Marcus agrees, and the squad departs to ask Lorik. Reaching the mezzanine, they plead with Lorik to testify, who is angry and annoyed at the sudden change of events. However, Lorik eventually, and reluctantly, gives in and agrees to testify, keeping the evidence to himself until the trial. Heading back to the office, they inform Parasini of their success, and she storms into his office, arresting Anoleis on the spot. He does not take well to this however, and tries to kill her. Parasini strikes first, shooting him with her own pistol through the head, killing him. Afterwards, Parasini tells them access to the garage has been granted. They leave, thanking Parasini as they do so.

Elsewhere in the Hoc system, a salarian troop transport named the SUV Endeavour Dates rapidly enters Virmire's atmosphere. Onboard is the STG's Third Infiltration Regiment, led by Captain Kirrahe. Under his command are Commander Osei Rentola, Lieutenant Ganto Imness, Master Sergeant Mordin Solus, Specialist Maelon Heplorn and First Sergeant Manos Avot. It is revealed that they are the STG unit the Council rerouted to Virmire, using the Endeavour Dates, which was taken from Task Force Orion; their mission is to confirm Saren's presence on the planet, as well as whether or not it was his base of operations. Just as the ship makes it final descent however, the geth planetary cannons open fire on the vessel, inflicting significant damage. Losing control of the ship, Kirrahe orders a distress call sent to the Council to confirm Saren's presence and to request reinforcements just before the ship impacts Virmire's surface.

Back on Noveria, Marcus and his squad enter the garage only to encounter geth soldiers. Engaging the enemy combatants, they manage to defeat them just in time for ERCS reinforcements to arrive, with Matsuo at the head. Matsuo orders them to tell her what's going on, and Marcus comes to the conclusion that Benezia hid the geth in the containers she brought in. Matsuo, initially skeptical, eventually agrees, saying that the amount of containers brought in will only mean more geth are still out there. Finding a Mako in the garage, they enter the vehicle and power it up, driving off into the Aleutsk valley as they prepare to reach Peak 15. On their way there, they encounter numerous geth forces, but manage to get past them with little to no problems. Eventually reaching Peak 15, they defeat what little geth resistance remains in the valley, with Marcus using the Mako's self-destruct to destroy both armatures; the Mako explodes, taking down both. With all hostiles neutralized, the squad enters the facility. Once inside, they immediately notice the Grizzly Benezia had used to get here, which meant she was still present; they also note the Cerberus shuttle, which angers Marcus. Moving through the garage, they encounter the geth forces, as well as krogan, that Benezia left behind to guard against them, including a geth juggernaut. Once the battle was over, they observed the many dead bodies, noting that neither Benezia or Cerberus could have been responsible for it. Suspicious of something else going on, the squad continue into the facility, weary of what to expect.

Elsewhere in Peak 15, Benezia and her commandos continue their mission. Moving up the elevator, they encounter Ventralis and his men, who immediately open fire on her men. The commandos easily overwhelm the ERCS guards, and Benezia captures Ventralis, who reveals that Jacob and his men told them to fire on her. The facility's VI then announces that the neutron purge has been activated, much to Ventralis' smugness. Using a biotic fist to snap Ventralis' neck and kill him, Benezia orders them to leave the remaining survivors to be killed by the rachni, and they continue with their mission to find the rachni queen. 

Chapter 17: Frozen Extinction Part Three

At the main facility, Marcus and the squad engage the escaped rachni in the main VI core. Despite the overwhelming force they are faced with, and the substantial size of the horde, the squad manages to fight off the swarm, with Wrex finding a missing door, which leads to the tram station. Moving through the door, they reach the tram station, which they unsurprisingly find abandoned. Through the tram tunnel, however, comes four of the rachni soldiers, which they manage to dispatch relatively quickly. After that, a much bigger one appears, this one capable of using biotics. Albeit with some difficulty, the squad does eventually manage to kill it. Noting that the tram was disabled and unusable, the squad elects to use the tunnel to reach the other side. The squad banter as they traverse the tunnel, finally reaching Rift Station. Moving across the main platform, they kill several more rachni and enter an elevator taking them up to the upper levels. Once they reached the top, they find Ventralis and his dead guards, and the squad correctly deduce Benezia and her commandos came through there. Continuing through, they eventually find the survivors Benezia left to die, still apparently alive. After questioning them, they finally learn that the bugs are rachni. Han Olar, one of the volus scientists present at the facility, states that they came across an egg on a derelict ship, which they then brought back to Peak 15. Hatching it, they discover a rachni queen inside, and upon the orders of Saren Arterius, began to breed an army of rachni. They thought they could tame them, but it turned out that separation from the queen sent the rachni insane, and they eventually breached containment, quickly overwhelming the facility. It was only thanks to the VI declaring a Code Blue and initiating a Blue Contingency lockdown that the outside world was saved from the horde. Olar says the only way to neutralize the rachni is to activate the neutron purge, but that someone had already done that. With the rest of the facility cleared of rachni, the squad press on in pursuit of Benezia.

In the quarantine sector, Jacob and his team finally confront Benezia in the main lab, where the rachni queen is kept. Jacob asks Benezia why is here, and Benezia replies that she needs information that the queen possesses; the location of the Conduit. Before the conversation can go any further, Sovereign intervenes, speaking through Benezia; he then orders her and the asari commandos to attack. Benezia biotically throws Jacob across the lab, knocking him unconscious as his own team retaliates. Just as this occurs, Marcus and his own team arrives in the lab. Moving inside, they watch as Benezia's commando squad slaughters the Cerberus soldiers in seconds, with Benezia turning to address the new threat. Benezia is disgusted to see her daughter, Liara, with Marcus, regarding her with hatred. To their confusion, Benezia shows a moment of sudden kindness, only for Sovereign to seize control of her again. Without warning, Benezia biotically throws Liara away, and battle is joined between the two groups. The asari commando team initially has some momentum, but is eventually pushed back by the formidable team. Ashley rushes up to kill Benezia, only for Herau to intervene; however, Tali manages to raise her pistol and shoot Herau, killing her through a well-aimed shot through the skull. Her commandos dead and Benezia defeated, the matriarch angrily affirms that they cannot defeat Saren. Liara begs her mother to break free of Saren's control, and for a moment of brevity, Benezia manages to do so. She explains that she is indoctrinated; a process of which Sovereign, not Saren, manages to slowly break the will of its adjutants before turning them into Saren's subjects. She also declares that Saren believes the Conduit will bring the Reapers back, and that she managed to extract information from the rachni queen that may help narrow down the location of it. The Mu Relay, lost four thousand years ago when Y;vak went supernova and pushed it out of its orbit, is the only relay capable of linking to the Ilos star system. Two thousand years later, the rachni were expanding and eventually came across the relay; because memories of rachni queens are generational, the location of the relay passed down from generation to generation, and Benezia managed to, forcefully, extract the information from the queen's mind and relay it to Saren himself. She, however, also transcribed the coordinates to an OSD, and gives it to Marcus so he may beat Saren to the Conduit. Ashley insists that they must know what Saren is planning to do with the information, but Benezia admits that she does not know. Suddenly, Sovereign retakes control of Benezia. Benezia begins a biotic bombardment, but it doesn't get far as Liara puts a round through her back, crippling her. Benezia states that she cannot be saved, and that the indoctrination is permanent; she must be put down for their safety. After a tearful goodbye, Liara puts a pistol to her own mother's head and pulls the trigger, weeping afterwards. Marcus examines the rachni queen, who reanimates Herau's body so that it may speak through it. Through Herau, it explains that the Rachni Wars were not the rachni's fault, and that they were forced into violence by "inky shadows". It concludes by begging Marcus to spare it, promising that it will go far away, starting the rachni race anew but staying well away from the affairs of the galaxy. Despite the objections of some of the squad, especially Wrex, Marcus spares the queen, freeing it from containment and allowing it to escape. Wrex is not happy about this, but does not make any further objections. With their mission complete, the squad heads for the exit, ready to return to Port Hanshan, but not before taking Benezia's body with them.

An hour later, Jacob wakes up. He is contacted by the Illusive Man, and regretfully informs him of the mission's failure. Ordering him to return to Minuteman Station for reassignment, the Illusive Man cuts the comms and Jacob returns to the shuttle.

Back at Port Hanshan, Parasini finishes questioning Marcus on the events at Peak 15. Marcus is surprised to learn that Lorik became the new administrator of Hanshan after Anoleis' death, of which Parasini will stay on as his secretary to make sure he does not end up corrupt like Anoleis. Before he leaves, he is confronted by Matsuo, who thanks him for his actions and apologizes for her own hostility. Saying goodbye, the squad boards the Normandy, and the ship departs.

Later, the crew of the Normandy holds a memorial for Benezia on the CIC. After the service, the body is taken to the medical bay where it will be held until the Normandy arrives at Thessia, where it will be taken and properly buried. Marcus then announces shore leave upon the ship's arrival at the Citadel, dismissing the crew back to their posts.

Chapter 18: Fires of the Past

On Virmire, it is revealed that Kirrahe, Rentola, Mordin, Maelon, Manos and Ganto, as well as most of the regiment, managed to survive the crash of their ship, even managing to crash it within the geth interior defense network, surpassing the exterior defense. Surveying one of the geth checkpoints, they conclude that there are multiple checkpoints all along the path to the fortress, and each one of them will be patrolled and defended heavily, making retreat impossible. Imness also confirms the presence of a geth fleet in orbit, with a total of eight frigates, twenty fighter wings of six fighters each, four light cruisers, two heavy cruisers and a single battleship. He also detects a power source coming from within the fortress that is greater than that generated for a turian Vanguard-class dreadnought, correctly guessing that this power source stems from the geth flagship itself. With the fortress confirmed as Saren's base of operations, Kirrahe orders the set up of a transmitter so that they can call the Council to send a fleet. Moving into the command bunker, they surmize that Saren will have a full two divisions of geth troops inside, making a full scale assault by themselves out of the question. Because of this, he turns to Manos and Ganto, ordering them to take two squads and separately infiltrate the fortress; he wants a report on whatever they find. With their orders given, the two leave to carry out their mission, and Kirrahe mentally hopes the Council brings a large fleet.

On the Citadel, Anderson argues with Udina in his office about mobilizing the Alliance, with Anderson arguing that larger-scale Alliance operations against the geth will be necessary to protect their space. Udina argues that doing so would leave their space open for attack, allowing the geth to attack Arcturus Station, Gagarin Station or even Earth. Anderson suggests allowing Joseph Garrong decide, arguing that the man was not only the mastermind behind the Liberation of Shanxi, but also behind the defeat of one of the greatest turian admirals who ever lived. Udina counters, saying that the man also concocted some of the worst ideas during the First Contact War; a direct invasion of the Citadel , turning Jump Zero into a bomb and even invading Palaven itself. Anderson admits that such methods are extreme, but if anyone could have pulled them off, it was Garrong. In the end, Udina gives in, agreeing to present the idea to Prime Minister Amul Shastri on Arcturus, before leaving. Hackett contacts Anderson, informing him that the Fifth Fleet just refueled at Jump Zero and is preparing to participate in the 19th Galactic War Games in the Asgard system. He then announces that a serious situation is developing, and that Captain Shepard has been trying to contact her son to no avail. Hackett explains what is happening and, horrified, makes desperate attempts to contact Marcus himself.

On the Normandy, Tali and Ashley finally talk, with Tali learning more about Ashley's past. Before their conversation can end though, Marcus announces battlestations across the ship, and the both of them quickly rush to their stations, wondering what is going on. 

Earlier, Marcus enters his cabin, stripping his armor and checking his emails. Coming across one from Anderson, he contacts the captain to find out what was so urgent. Anderson reveals that an asteroid, designated X57, was taken from the Asgard asteroid belt and was to be taken to Terra Nova so that it could be grounded down and used as a space station. Four hours ago, batarian terrorists boarded the asteroid and took the scientists hostage; shortly after, they sent the asteroid on a collision course for Terra Nova. With this in mind, Marcus announces battlestations, and has the ship set a course for Terra Nova.

Chapter 19: Terra from the Heavens

In the Asgard system, Hannah orders the deployment of a Ghost recon drone to keep an eye on X57 and to make sure no further developments escalate; she also orders her communications officer to contact the THS Spiritual Ascendance, a Vanguard-class dreadnought, but the turian captain replies that it does not have a drone compliment as turian dreadnoughts do not use them. Hannah sighs, given that the turians and asari had distanced themselves, leaving just Hannah and her battlegroup, commanded by Rear Admiral Osprey Wilfield (Fleet Admiral Viktoriya Arefyev is not present), who she notes will not attack anytime soon. With that in mind, she orders reports sent back to JSOC and NAVCOM on Arcturus constantly, while mentally begging Marcus to hurry up and show up.

Close to half an hour later, the Normandy enters the system and quickly closes in on X57. The squad assemble in the Mako, fully suited up and ready for combat. Without any hesitation, the Mako deploys onto the asteroid and approaches the central command center. Tali points out that Marcus is largely silent on the way to the command center, and he replies that he has been facing and hearing of batarian actions throughout his life. He heard of their raid on Mindoir, he was there when they tried the same thing on Elysium and he fought them tooth and nail on Torfan. He admits that he hates the batarians for their general sadistic nature. They reach the facility without incident, neutralizing the mediocre resistance defending the base before entering the garage and quickly entering an elevator for the central hub. Moving inside the central hub, they find the batarian extremists as a company-sized unit, led by none other than Balak, the architect behind the Battle of Elysium. Balak explains that he plans to drop the asteroid on Terra Nova as revenge for the Skyllian Blitz, despite asteroid strikes being an illegal form of warfare in the Citadel Conventions after the Krogan Rebellions. Despite trying to persuade Marcus of his actions, Balak grows tired of "wasting his breath" and leaves, forcing Marcus to once again choose between pursuing him or saving the scientists. Choosing to once again save the scientists, Marcus swears he will one day kill Balak. Ordering Tali to shut down the torches, Marcus then orders Garrus to disarm the bomb. Leaving Ashley and Kaidan to assist him, he has Wrex and Liara follow him as they pursue Balak. They are too late to stop him, and Balak and his men manage to escape in a Kugalth-class battlecruiser. Tali then hurriedly contacts him, telling him that the station VI has gone crazy and has deployed numerous security drones to attack them. Moving back inside, Tali collapses in Marcus' arms, severely injured. While he tends to her wounds, the squad quickly and rapidly deal with the drones. Marcus then destroys the reactor, killing the VI. Tali wakes up, but Marcus simply carries her to the elevator, much to the squad's amusement. With the mission complete, they return to the Mako, with Tali contemplating Marcus' actions and the intent behind them.

On Virmire, Manos and his men infiltrate and perform reconnaissance in the geth fortress. Manos ultimately reaches the conclusion that the enemy defenses and troop compliment are too heavy for their regiment to take alone, and that Council reinforcements will be necessary if they want to launch a full-scale assault on the base. Moving across the breeding facility, Manos spots Sovereign docked at the base, shocked by its immense size. Not knowing where Ganto is, he tries to contact him, but Sovereign spots them and blares its airhorn. Saren, a number of geth, krogan and asari surround Manos and his team, and all his men pass out from the agonizing strength of the headaches. Manos manages to send a distress call to Kirrahe before passing out himself, but not before Saren orders him to submit to Sovereign's indoctrination.

On Palaven, the turian goverment convenes with the Military Commune at Palaven Command in the Spire of Talos in Cipritine. Present is the Primarch himself, Barcus Fedorian and his wife, Metarch Ulma Fedorian. Others present is the ArchGeneral Adrien Victus, along with his wife Ritquin and his son Tarquin. There is also Didact Irix Coronati, as well as thirty hierarchs, including Thotous Vakarian, Garrus' father. Here, they discuss the security of the Hierarchy. 

Chapter 20: Old Feelings Reignite

On the Citadel, Marcus and the rest of the squad spend their shore leave in the Dark Star Lounge on Zakera Ward. Marcus talks with Pressly, who was reluctant to even go on shore leave, as he feels they should be concentrating more on the war. Marcus states that he believes searching for Saren's base of operations should be their next objective. Pressly points out that the likelihood of Saren's base being in the Perseus Veil is very high, as placing his base on Rannoch, deep in geth space, would make him virtually untouchable. Their conversation is interrupted however as a drunk Garrus asks Tali to dance with him. While seemingly minding their own business, Marcus is approached by a fan named Conrad Verner, who asks for a photo. Marcus gives it to him, but then Verner asks him to make him a spectre, which Marcus talks him out of, persuading him to instead help in his own "unique way." Afterwards, Marcus and Tali go into a shop that sells model ships and have a look around together. He suggests looking at a Helisa'Kah-class heavy cruiser, with Tali surprised he even knows of that class; it hasn't existed since after the Exodus. Looking through more models, they come across models for a Lincoln-class escort carrier, a Nybaen-class destroyer and numerous other models for elcor frigates, hanar corvettes, volus patrol vessels, quarian cruisers, turian dreadnoughts, human battleships, salarian carriers and asari destroyers. Eventually, Marcus confronts Tali about his adoration for her, to which she rebuts, still believing that he was in a relationship with Liara. Marcus explains that what she was saw was Liara thanking him, and was not done out of intimacy: Marcus only likes Tali. With the two of them having confirmed their feelings for each other, they both inwardly celebrate their new relationship.

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of thieves are watching them from above: Kasumi Goto and Keiji Okuda. After sharing a moment together, revealing themselves to be a couple, they leave, unknowingly being watched by a woman named Chief Roe, the commanding officer of a Mr. Hock's Eclipse security arrangement. She places a tracking device on their cab, with Hock clearly wanting the thieves for something. Roe then leaves as mysteriously as she appeared.

Chapter 21: Old Traditions Die Hard

The Normandy disembarks from the Citadel, moving through the Widow Relay and into the Sol system, passing by Pluto; they also pass by an Alliance battlegroup, spearheaded by a Colarado-class battleship. Marcus then orders Joker to set a course for the Jali'skah system in the Hades Lair cluster. When Joker objects to this course of action, Marcus states that they need to get behind enemy lines and scout out Saren's operation, and to do that, they need to get into the Perseus Veil itself. Marcus then returns to his cabin, reading a turian report about geth ships mobilizing near the Sentry Omega cluster.

In engineering, Tali is listening to Johnson as he tells her a joke. Johnson states that he was once a serviceman on the SSV Somme, a Warsaw-class light frigate. Adams interrupts however, telling them both to get back to work. Adams asks if she can get to a coupling in a vent and fix it, and she does so; while crawling through the vent however, she contemplates on Marcus' words to her, and begins questioning his intentions. In the end, she concludes that he means well, and smiles to herself. This comes to an end however when she spots a spider (an actual one) sitting across from her. She screams at Adams that she hates spiders, which causes it to leap at her. Panicking, she utilizes a number of techniques to kill it, eventually having Chatika kill it with an incendiary round. Confirming the spider's death, Tali goes onto fix the coupling and retreats from the vent. Finishing her shift, she goes to the mess hall and continues her talk with Johnson, promising to speak to Marcus later.

Later, Joker contacts Marcus to tell him that Wrex wants to speak with him in the cargo hold. Doing so, he speaks with Wrex, who shows him an image of ancient krogan battle armor on his omni-tool. When Marcus expresses confusion at being shown this, Wrex reveals that he wants help retrieving it, as it is now in the possession of a turian collector named Tonn Actus who is holding it in one of his storage facilities on the planet Tuntau. Marcus agrees, and orders Joker to redirect the Normandy to Tuntau. Wrex thanks him, seemingly surprised that he agreed to help. 

Meanwhile on Virmire, Kirrahe, Mordin, Rentola and Maelon gather in camp, with Kirrahe concerned about their loss of contact with Manos and Ganto. With infiltration of the fortress having proven unsuccessful, Kirrahe orders Maelon to move through the wreckage of their crashed ship to find anything that can be used as explosive ordnance. Kirrahe gives a speech to the camp, which rouses the regiment's morale. When Rentola asks what the plan of attack is, Kirrahe declares that they will split into four teams, the first three named after salarian colonies: Aegohr, Mannovai, Jaeto and Shadow. The first three teams will split up and hit the eastern perimeter, while Shadow sneaks in through the back with their payload and detonates it: he acknowledges that their chances of success are slim, and that they will all certainly die. Kirrahe declares that he will lead the attack on the eastern front, while Mordin leads the shadow team. With this in mind, Kirrahe states that the attack will take place in two days, and orders his men to be well rested.

On Tuntau, Marcus and the squad approach Tonn's storage facility in the Mako; Marcus only brought Tali and Wrex with him this time, given the low stakes of the mission and even lower chance of encountering strong resistance. Defeating the small amount of mercenaries they encounter outside, they exit the Mako just as a voice over the PA orders all mercs to take defensive positions. Wrex recognizes the voice, and storms in. Moving inside, they find four squads of mercs led by Tonn, who Marcus correctly identifies as being from the colony of Romulus. Among them however is an asari merc, whom Wrex apparently knows. Wrex reveals that she is named Aleena, stating that they once worked together, becoming the most infamously known pair of mercenaries in the galaxy. One day however, they both a contract from an unknown benefactor which ordered them to kill the other. Not one to resist money, they both fought each other for four days on a Blue Suns-controlled space station until Wrex thought he had cornered her in a medical bay; in reality, she had escaped in a shuttle. Wrex blew up the space station, believing he had killed Aleena, but she contacts him a month later, and the two of them never met again: until now. The group then opens fire on the other, while Wrex and Aleena do battle with each other. During the engagement, Marcus manages to successfully kill Actus, but is injured in the process. Mopping up the rest of the mercs, they watch as Wrex manages to finally disable Aleena, moving in for the final kill. Marcus stops Wrex, arguing that killing a defenseless opponent isn't honorable. Using this distraction, Aleena gets up and charges, but Wrex is ready. Raising his shotgun, he fires one shell into her gut, sending her spiralling behind a pair of crates, more than likely killed by the krogan. Reclaiming the lost battle armor, the trio leave the facility, and their carnage behind.

Back on the Citadel, the Council summon Udina to talk with him. The reason behind this is revealed to be that they lost contact with their STG team on Virmire, and that their distress call was full of too much static to make anything out; however, they do know that Saren's presence on Virmire is more than likely assured and that redirecting the Normandy to deal with this might be in everyone's best interests. Udina agrees, and leaves to send the message.

Chapter 22: A Step Into The Future

Skipping forward seventy years to the year 2251 CE, the galaxy is a much more different place. In the Uma'Waz Barracks in Fort Dawning Horizon on Rannoch, drill instructor Reby'Reegar pav Rannoch trains fresh quarian marine recruits. Among these recruits is Thane'Shepard, son of Tali'Shepard. Their training session is interrupted by Superintendent Tax'Dor pav Rannoch, who has come to inspect the barracks and the men stationed there. Tax'Dor also announces that a Coalition cruiser will be arriving at Rannoch soon with the intention of providing their own inspectors. Tax'Dor also tells Reby that her trainees will be redeployed to the frontier to aid with Operation Silent Zealot, and that she will get a fresh batch of recruits. Tax'Dor then insults Thane, calling him a freak due to his human-quarian hybrid nature. Reby warns him to dismiss that line of thought and apologize, as Thane is the son of the High Mistress of the Senate. Tax'Dor rapidly apologizes, deciding to leave for the capital to inform the Prime Candidate of the results of his inspection. A shuttle from the Coalition cruiser then lands, and out steps Dominion spectre, Jessica Alenko, the daughter of Kaidan Alenko. Thankfully, Reby and Thane both know Jessica, and they forego any formalities. With twelve techs taken, Reby and her men return to their training, Reby mentally cursing the Coalition for wasting quarian lives in their pointless war.

Back on the Citadel, Tali and Garrus finish telling their story to the children in the Reaper War Museum. On her way back, she is contacted by Liara, who says she is only checking up on her. After a brief conversation about their individual losses, Tali asks for the real reason behind the call, and Liara states that Prometheus wants to bring her in. They state that they need her to interrogate somebody, and that once she is done, she can return to her original duties. Tali reluctantly gives in, boarding her personal ship, the stealth cruiser RNS Revengeance. 

On Tuchanka in the Confederate Military Headquarters in the High Dome in the City of the Ancients, Overlord Urdnot Wrex and his mate, High Chieftess Urdnot Bakara, meet with the Prime Candidate Han'Gerrel pav Rannoch and Prime Minister Connor Faringar of the Coalition. Han'Gerrel and Faringar request Wrex to join the Dominion, to which Wrex eventually agrees. With this in mind, they begin to discuss the Dominion's war against the Covenant. They announce that a fleet of Covenant ships has found a gap in the Maginot Line and have moved to invade Feros. However, Fleet Admiral Awarnach Stanford has taken the Eleventh Fleet, spearheaded by his flagship, the Pandorica-class superdreadnought CSV Pandorica, to engage this enemy force.

Back at the secret Promethean facility, Carter, Jaris and a quarian agent by the name of Reia'Inas pav Earth practice their shooting skills at a firing range. Reia shakes his hand after winning, surprising Carter when she kisses him on the cheek. Jaris teases him about it, but Carter simply glares him down, and they leave the firing range. Carter is then summoned to the reception area, and leaves to find out who the new visitor is. He then finds out Tali has arrived, and is waiting to interrogate the subject. Moving inside, Tali is shocked to find out that Interrogation Subject 001 is actually Marcus, having been recently revived by Prometheus. Carter explains that when they revived him, he went into a fit, and they had to place inhibitors in his brain to help him survive; unfortunately, this repressed his memories; to recover them, they interrogate him. They had been making good progress, but suddenly he stopped, and they surmized that Tali, his own wife, would help him on the path to remembering fully. Tali finally agrees, and holds Marcus' hand, almost weeping when he is unable to recognize her. He asks who she is, and she simply replies, "Its...not important," and begins the interrogation.

Chapter 23: Heart of Revelations Part One

Back in 2183 on the Normandy, the Council contacts Marcus and informs him of their loss of contact with the STG regiment on Virmire, asking him to investigate and to act as reinforcement if they are still alive. Marcus agrees, and orders Joker to set a course for Virmire. He summons his squad into the debriefing room, informing them of their new mission. Afterwards, Tali discusses her fear at the coming battle with Ashley, at which Ashley simply says that enough motivation will allow Tali to come out on top. Tali tells Ashley she's in a relationship with Marcus, and Ashley congratulates her. Ashley reveals that she herself is in a relationship with Kaidan, and the both of them decide to keep these relationships a secret from the rest of the crew, cementing their friendship.

Later on Virmire, the Mako lands on the planet, the full squad inside. They quickly approach the first gatehouse, where the first planetary cannon is located, firing at the Normandy in orbit. The Mako quickly attacks the gatehouse, with the squad securing it and quickly disabling the cannon. Getting into the Mako, they pass the initial gatehouse and approach the second. The rest is relatively routine, with the Mako attacking a gatehouse, securing it, disabling its cannon and moving on. After disabling the third and final gun, the Normandy lands at the salarian camp, with the Mako arriving shortly after. The Normandy however is grounded, and they find it hard to not notice the Endeavour Dates crashed at the main site. 

Marcus and the squad approach Kirrahe, who ask for the ETA on the Council's fleet; they reply that no fleet is coming, and that their transmission was too unintelligible to decipher, and that the Normandy was sent to investigate and assist if possible. Kirrahe asks for some time to adjust his plan for attacking the fortress, but Wrex intervenes, stating that one of the salarians mentioned Saren was creating a cure for the genophage and Kirrahe plans on destroying it. Kirrahe argues that a cure would allow the krogan to rampage through the galaxy once more, and that he cannot allow that; Wrex just snarls and leaves. Marcus approaches and argues with Wrex over the morality of accepting a cure from Saren, and that the rogue spectre will simply use the cure to control the krogan, just as the salarians did in the Rachni Wars. Wrex accepts this argument and agrees to attack the base, renewing his hatred for Saren. Kirrahe is impressed by Marcus' ability to calm a krogan. Afterwards, Marcus and Tali both take time to appreciate the beauty of one of Virmire's beaches, speaking of their individual childhoods. In the end, Marcus asks Tali to call him Marcus instead of Shepard, and Tali agrees to think about it, before leaving him to talk with Kirrahe. 

Kirrahe assembles his regiment for a speech, as the battle is about to begin. Marcus mentally recalls their plan, which is much the same as before, except with changes. Marcus and his squad will serve as Shadow team, moving in through the back. Their explosive ordnance, the jury-rigged drive core from their crashed ship, will be kept on the Normandy, which will land and deploy the bomb in the base once Shadow has disabled the facility's anti-air defenses. Ashley will stay onboard and deploy the bomb when the time comes, while Kaidan goes with the salarians on the eastern perimeter to coordinate with them. Kirrahe gives his speech and says goodbye to Marcus, wishing him good luck.

Chapter 23: Heart of Revelations Part Two

Marcus and his squad deploy on the western perimeter, moving quickly and quietly behind the geth lines: Kirrahe and his regiment launch their assault on the eastern perimeter, clashing with Saren's forces. Ambushing geth troops protecting a communications outlet, Tali quickly disables short-range communications across the geth's west and east perimeters, sending them into disarray and allowing Kirrahe and his men to gain the upperhand in their attack. Moving on, the squad move forward and Wrex uses a grenade to take out a satellite dish, completing crippling communications across half the fortress, but this sets off the alarms. Continuing to progress against increasing geth resistance, they encounter a refueling depot, where geth fighters harassing Kirrahe's troops come to refuel. Marcus and his squad act pre-emptively, decimating the fuel depot. With the geth fighters no longer having anywhere to refuel, they retreat, ceasing their attack on Kirrahe's men, allowing them to enter the fortress proper, and making Saren's defense that much harder. Continuing their attack, they come across a cell block, where they encounter Ganto Imness and his men being held prisoner. Ganto informs them that the fortress has another purpose: to study indoctrination. Ganto's men are an example of that, now reduced to mindless husks. Ganto states that he was to be next, but Kirrahe began his assault before they could. Marcus elects to allow Ganto to escape, and the salarian thanks him, rushing to join Kirrahe in his assault; Marcus and his squad then mercy kill the indoctrinated salarians. Ganto accompanies them further into the prison block, where they come across Manos and his men. To Ganto's horror, Manos has succumbed to the indoctrination and, with Marcus' squad, is forced to put him down. Continuing their rampage, Tali successfully disables the alarms on the east and west, triggering them in the north, causing the geth to divert a large portion of their forces to deal with the new threat. Continuing through, they finally reach Saren's laboratory, where Rana Thanoptis begs them to let her live. She explains that Saren is studying indoctrination because he is afraid it may be affecting him and is afraid. Marcus allows Rana to live, but tells her to run if she wants to escape the blast; she then sprints from the office.

Moving into the lab, they find a second prothean beacon, which Marcus quickly interacts with, allowing him to complete his vision. Moving up, they are contacted by Sovereign itself, revealing itself not to be a Reaper ship, but a Reaper itself. It also reveals that the Citadel and mass relays are creations of the Reapers, built to help the races develop along the paths they desire; their paths of extinction are a cycle that has gone on for billions of years. Despite this, Marcus is resistant to surrender, and basically tells Sovereign to get fucked. This angers the Reaper, who quickly leaves its post on the other side of the planet and begins to approach the Virmire facility. Marcus and his squad leave the lab and continue into the breeding facility, disabling the last anti-air cannons on the way there with Kirrahe's help. The Normandy quickly lands, and Ashley deploys the bomb. While this occurs however, Kirrahe and his men come under attack from a massive geth counterattack, and Marcus and his squad leave to relieve them while Ashley and her marines arm the bomb. On their way though, a geth dropship appears and drops troops across the breeding facility. Ashley urges him to save Kaidan, where she admits her love to him. Marcus, angry and furious at being forced to choose, chooses to save Kaidan, leaving Ashley behind to sacrifice herself. Marcus and his squad arrive and save Kirrahe, Kaidan and their men, but not before Saren makes his appearance. Marcus attempts to convince Saren of his own indoctrination, but Saren refuses to listen and they battle. Just when Saren is about to kill Marcus however, alarms go off, forcing Saren to retreat. He boards Sovereign, and leaves the planet. The Normandy arrives and picks the rest of them up, the frigate shooting up into the atmosphere.

Ashley watches as the frigate leaves, holding off the geth to the last minute as the bomb goes off, the nuclear explosion consuming her, the base and all its inhabitants.

Chapter 24: Epitaph for the Fallen

Moving into the medical bay, Marcus carries Tali to a nearby bed, as she was injured during Saren's ambush. Once Chakwas has treated both of them, they are given time to contemplate Ashley's death; something the squad is still reeling from, as well as the rest of the crew. Marcus then proceeds to order Joker to set a course for the Citadel so he can inform the Council of the results of their mission and warn them about Sovereign. Moving into the debriefing room, Marcus sees that the entire squad is already present, and begins the debrief itself. Kaidan is still grieving over the loss of Ashley, reasoning that it should have been him defending the bomb. Most of the squad comforts him, as they are all still mourning her loss, but Marcus brings them back into the present, stating that Ash wouldn't want them to focus on her death and would wish for them to go on and stop Saren. Agreeing with this, Liara asks if she can meld with him once more, as his reaction with the beacon on Virmire likely completed his vision, allowing him to understand it. Marcus allows this, and the meld completes, with the vision now whole. Marcus states that the vision was actually a prothean distress call, placed in an attempt to warn the next cycle of the Reaper threat and allow them time to prepare. Liara also points out that she recognized a location in the vision and realizes that the planet was Ilos. With this, she deduces that the Conduit is on Ilos, as the Mu Relay is the only way to reach the Pangaea Expanse cluster without FTL. Tali reluctantly points out that the Pangaea Expanse is in the Terminus Systems, and that the Council, let alone the Alliance, aren't welcome there. Marcus declares that they must go to Ilos, but Liara advises that Saren will likely have a a large portion of the geth fleet protecting that region, and that they will need Council reinforcements to help in breaking through. Marcus agrees, and dismisses the crew to their sleeper pods. Upon reaching the galaxy map, Joker replies that the Council received their update on the situation and agreed to send a fleet, and that Udina wants them to return to the Citadel immediately. With a memorial service planned for Ashley in the morning and them arriving at the Citadel a couple of days afterwards, he had a lot of work to do, so Marcus returns to his cabin.

The next day, just before the service for Ashley, Marcus enters the medical bay to check up on Kirrahe and his men. Kirrahe thanks him for saving his men and ensuring the success of their mission, and that most of his commanders got out except Manos. Kirrahe announces his intention to disembark upon arriving at the Citadel and will likely book passage with a Union warship back to Sur'Kesh, the salarian homeworld. Kirrahe swears that Marcus has made a friend that day, and that should he ever need them again, they will heed the call. Saying goodbye to Kirrahe and his troops, he heads down into the cargo bay to talk with Tali. Arriving, he finds her in an argument with Garrus over which is better, shotguns or sniper rifles. Marcus agrees with Tali that shotguns are better, annoying Garrus to no end. He tells Tali that Ashley's service will be happening soon, and asks if she'll be okay with it; Tali affirms that she will, and the best she can do now is honor Ashley's memory. Marcus then acts Tali if she would like to move into his cabin with him, and after some awkward back and forth, she agrees to think about it. Afterwards, they just continue to talk.

Two days later, the Normandy has arrived at the Citadel, with Marcus leading his squad to speak with the Council and Udina about dealing with Saren. Tevos concludes that if Saren is foolish enough to attack the Citadel, they will be ready, with every major route into Council space now secured and adequately protected against possible geth attack. Marcus points out that this isn't enough, and that they need to send a fleet to Ilos to stop Saren from getting to the Conduit. Valern disagrees, pointing out that the planet is in the Terminus Systems, and that sending a fleet in would be a violation of the Galactic Partitioning Treaty. Marcus insists that if Saren gets to the Conduit and brings back the Reapers, they are all screwed. The Council is exasperated with this, and Udina is revealed to have betrayed the crew; the Normandy is grounded and Marcus relieved of duty and dismissed. Later in the mess hall of the frigate, Tali confronts Marcus, telling him not to give up. Marcus states that there is no way to get to Saren without the Normandy, and the ship is grounded. As the two embrace, Anderson contacts Marcus, asking to meet in Flux. Taking Garrus and Tali with him, Marcus is on his way when Bailey interrupts, telling Garrus that Entricas wants him back on duty; Garrus simply tells Bailey to tell Entricas to go to hell. Continuing through Hellion Plaza, they pass by a Terra Firma demonstration. Talking to Anderson in Flux, they concoct a plan to break the Normandy ​out of dock. Anderson initally suggests breaking into C-Sec, but Garrus instead suggests using Udina's computer to send a falsified approval for leave. Anderson ultimately agrees, and the plan is set in motion. Returning to the dock, Marcus and his squad neutralize and knock out the C-Sec guards guarding the ship's airlock, while Anderson sends the request, knocking out Udina in the process. Entering the ship, Joker quickly seizes control and guides the Normandy away from the Citadel and past the Citadel Defense Fleet. Going through the Widow relay, they reappear in the Hector system of the Scorpius cluster, and set a course for Ilos, with nothing to stop them.

Chapter 25: Love Doesn't Hide

In the human embassy, Udina contacts the Council through their hologram projectors. The Council chastizes Udina for allowing the Normandy to escape, and asks if Anderson has been arrested. Udina replies that he has, and is being held by C-Sec for treason. Sparatus suggests waiting for Marcus to return, very much believing that he cannot operate without the resources of the Council or the Alliance. The Council urges Udina to clean up his mess, and cut the connection. Udina mentally swears that Marcus will pay for his treason.

On Cronos Station, the Illusive Man requests a status report from Miranda on both Jacob and Marcus. She replies that Jacob is healing well and will be ready for deployment again soon, while Marcus has recently committed insubordination against the Council and stolen the Normandy, inbound for Ilos. The Illusive Man commends this action, but decides not to send troops in case another misunderstanding occurs; instead, he orders Miranda to investigate the relationship he has with Tali, hoping to exploit it to his own gain. 

In the mess hall on the Normandy, Tali, Garrus, Liara and Johnson talk about the ludicrosity of their mission to Ilos. Though they all agree the stakes are high, they know they must fight or the entire galaxy will be doomed when the Reapers return. Tali then enters Marcus' cabin, talking to him about the mission to come. She decides she will move in with him, wanting to spend what could be their last night alive together. They fall asleep together, thinking of happy thoughts over the stakes of the battle that will soon follow.

Somewhere unknown, the Shadow Broker kills one of his agents, likely for failure on a mission or insubordination. Looking at a file he has recently collected on Marcus Shepard, and orders a few of his agents to tag and track the Normandy for the near future.

Back on the Normandy, Tali wakes up as Marcus is having a shower. She tells him that she has every intention of delaying her return to the Migrant Fleet until the Reaper threat is dealt with. He thanks her for this, and they share a brief moment before getting ready for the mission to Ilos. Telling Joker to summon everybody into the debriefing room, Marcus informs the squad of the mission and what is required of them; with the stakes laid out, they enter a few bouts of banter, steeling themselves for the road that lies ahead.

Chapter 26: Methods of Fate

The Normandy reaches Ilos, managing to get past the fleet in orbit and deploy the Mako. The vehicle manages to reach Saren and his corps of geth troops, but a blast door is closed, separating them from him. Desperate to stop Saren from reaching the Conduit, the squad navigates the ruins until they find a command center where the door can be opened; unfortunately, it has been secured by the geth. They manage to get inside and eliminate the enemy forces, and open the blast door, but not before they hear a garbled message from a damaged prothean terminal; Marcus, with the cipher, is able to understand what is said, and states that it is a warning, but that its too badly damaged to be of any help.

Having reached the Conduit, Saren and his massive army begin their final approach to the device. It is revealed that the Conduit is actually a prototype mass relay, leading to an unknown system. Leaving six colossi behind to delay Marcus, Saren and his troops enter the Conduit, propelling them to an area unknown.

Leaving, they enter the Mako and make best speed to pursue Saren, defeating token geth soldiers along the way. Halfway through the tunnel however, they are stopped by a force field, and when they go down to investigate it, they find that a prothean VI named Vigil, not Saren, activated it in an attempt to gain their attention. Vigil tells them about the Prothean War with the Reapers, and the true purpose of the keepers, who are actually docile Reaper servants placed there to open the Citadel when the Reapers wish to return. It explains that the Citadel is actually a large mass relay and once activated will allow the Reapers to return. Sovereign is a "vanguard", which is a Reaper left behind after each cycle to scout out and observe the next cycle as it evolves. Once that cycle has reached what the Reapers consider a technological terminus, Sovereign sends the signal to the keepers to open the Citadel, facilitating in the Reaper comeback. However, prothean scientists that managed to survive the war on Ilos managed to use the Conduit, a prototype mass relay, to transport onto the Citadel and modify the signal receptors on the keepers. This time, when Sovereign sent the signal to open the Citadel, the keepers ignored it, leaving the Reapers trapped in dark space, where they hibernate inbetween cycles. It is there that Sovereign likely indoctrinated Saren to his cause, and went in search of the Conduit. Using the Conduit, Saren can invade the Citadel and override the modifications the scientists made, allowing Sovereign to directly open the Citadel relay and usher in the return of the Reapers. Vigil gives them a data disk with a code that can override Sovereign's control of the station if it ever gains it. With this in mind, they return to the Mako and continue their pursuit of Saren. Breaking through the numerous geth left behind, they finally reach the Conduit. Passing by the six colossi, they enter the Conduit, the Mako being sent flying upwards into the sky, and right back to the Citadel.

Chapter 27: Vanguard of our Destruction

Captain Lidanya V'mosus, an asari matriarch in command of the Destiny Ascension, is patiently keeping an eye out for the Normandy when her communications officer, Devra, informs her of a loss of contact with the patrol guarding the Hector relay. Before she can say much else, a large geth fleet enters the system, led by Sovereign itself. Getting in contact with Captain Ulik Gagas, the captain of the THS Iron Conviction, Lidanya rallies the rest of the Citadel Defense Fleet in preparation to repel the enemy fleet. Without waiting, the CDF opens fire on the approaching fleet, beginning a massive battle. The Destiny Ascension, pride of the asari navy and one of the most powerful dreadnoughts in existence, opens fire on Sovereign, but doesn't even damage it. Sovereign then uses its thanix cannon to severely damage the Destiny Ascension, causing the ship to list to its port side. They try to help the Iron Conviction, but Sovereign uses its thanix once more to lazily slice the dreadnought in half, destroying it. With the CDF being hammered by the geth from all sides, and Sovereign annihilating their ships, Lidanya tries to have the Citadel arms closed; unfortunately, this does nothing, and Lidanya is forced to order the initiation of the Autumn contingency, ordering the evacuation of the Council. 

In the Presidium, the Conduit's receiving end activates, and the Mako crashes down into the Presidium, crushing two geth troopers in its wake. Crawling out from the crippled vehicle, the squad investigate the nearby area, finding the Citadel under heavy ground and naval invasion; geth troops sweep through the Presidium, slaughtering those who fight back while C-Sec desperately fights a losing battle against them. They kill a group of husks before proceeding into a nearby elevator, taking it up to the Citadel Tower, where Saren likely is. 

Sovereign latches onto the Citadel Tower, watching as the Citadel arms close around it, sealing the CDF outside, leaving them unable to stop it. Once there, it patiently waits for Saren to input the override code, allowing it to seize control of the station.

Saren disables the elevator, forcing Marcus and his squad to engage their EVA suits and approach the Council Chambers from the exterior of the tower. They advance up the tower, battling geth forces along the way, plowing through their prefab defenses and turrets, even managing to shoot down a geth dropship along the way. Almost unstoppable, they are about to reach the top when news of geth reinforcements approaching from the rear is received, with Liara, Kaidan and Wrex electing to stay behind to hold them off while Marcus, Tali and Garrus enter the Council Chambers to stop Saren. Reluctantly leaving their friends behind, they find a maintenance hatch, and gain entry to the Council Chambers. 

Moving through the Chambers, the squad take out the few geth in the area and approach Saren, who is standing on the podium. The three of them corner him, but he manages to jump down below onto his platform, allowing him to counterattack them, forcing them to take cover. Marcus and Saren have an exchange, with Saren announcing that Sovereign has implanted him, making him entirely devoted to the Reapers. Marcus however manages to convince him how wrong he is, but Saren knows he cannot break Sovereign's control forever. Choosing to end this the only way he can, Saren raises his pistol to his own head and pulls the trigger, killing himself. With Saren dead, Marcus and the squad rush up and input Vigil's code, barring Sovereign from taking control of the station, and allowing them to open the Citadel's arms. At that moment, Joker contacts them, stating that he has mobilized the Alliance Fifth Fleet, and is ready to reinforce the CDF. Also at that moment, the Destiny Ascension calls for help, stating they have the Council onboard but are being swarmed by geth ships. Marcus orders the Fifth Fleet to save the Destiny Ascension, then to attack and destroy Sovereign; with this, he then opens the Citadel's arms to let them through.

The Fifth Fleet, led by the Normandy, rushes through the Widow relay, immediately smashing into the geth's flank. The Alliance lose a few ships, but their assault inflicts many more losses on the geth, also managing to save the Destiny Ascension in the process. With the geth fleet either routing or destroyed, the Fifth Fleet swarms Sovereign, the Normandy not far behind.

Back in the Citadel Tower, the squad watch the battle unfold. Marcus sends Tali and Garrus to ensure Saren's dead, but as they place a bullet in his head, Sovereign seizes control of Saren's corpse, violently transforming it into a super husk. This transformation is violent enough to knock Marcus off the podium, where he joins Tali and Garrus on the ground. With Saren's body successfully transformed into a super husk, Sovereign directs it to attack and kill Marcus and his squad. A long battle follows, and many of the squad members receive many injuries, but in the end, Tali is the one who manages to finally kill the super husk, and they watch as it dissolves into ash.

The Fifth Fleet hammers Sovereign with fire, but it ultimately amounts to nothing, with Sovereign shrugging off their fire while also destroying ship after ship. Just when all hope seems lost however, Sovereign beings losing power, likely due to the super husk's death. Taking advantage of this, the Fifth Fleet unloads everything they have into Sovereign, inflicting significant damage on its vulnerable hull. The Normandy swoops up before descending downwards, firing a single javelin torpedo into Sovereign's exposed belly. The shot is enough to penetrate, not only gutting Sovereign from within, but also causing it to violently explode. Sovereign is dead. The crew of the frigate watches as rubble from the destroyed Reaper collides into numerous areas of the Citadel, including the Citadel Tower.

After the debris collision, Garrus and Tali wake up to find the Council Chambers severely damaged. Anderson and a search team find them, and it looks like Marcus may have died. However, Marcus quickly emerges from the rubble, grinning as always. He descends towards the group, receiving a warm reception.

Chapter 28: Space to Breathe

After the Battle of the Citadel, the Normandy crew celebrate their victory in Flux. Due to the Alliance's aid in saving both the Citadel and the Council, it was deemed that humanity had earned its place on the Council, as a race must commit a good deed seemed galactically significant enough to earn them a Council seat; saving the galaxy definitely fit that bill. With that in mind, Marcus chose Anderson to be the first human councilor, and that was that. However, they knew full well that the Reaper threat was far from over, and that losing the Citadel as a method of transport would only delay the return of the Reapers; they needed to prepare for when they did eventually come back. Until then, they celebrated their triumph. With a toast to both Jenkins and Ashley, the crew laugh and joke together, with Tali reaffirming her decision to hang around until the Reaper threat is dealt with. Suddenly, Hackett appears, announcing that Marcus has been promoted from Lieutenant Commander to a full Commander. The crew then takes a picture together, with Marcus smiling, realizing that they were more than just a crew; they were now a family.

Back on Cronos Station, Miranda Lawson reflects on the victory won at the Citadel, and how the Reaper threat needs to be acknowledged, and that the geth were merely pawns in a much greater war. The Illusive Man agrees, stating that Cerberus' next goal must to be preserve humanity in the coming harvest, and that keeping Marcus alive at all costs must now be a priority; he is their only hope of defeating them. 

A day later, the Normandy arrives at Port Hanshan on Noveria, where the crew have chosen to have their shore leave. Parasini greets them all, telling them that drinks in the hotel are on the house and hopes they have a nice stay. Tali and Marcus decide to visit a shop first, as Tali wants to buy some things, one of them being an immuno-booster. Going into the shop, she finds what she needs and moves to pay for it. Unfortunately, the woman behind the counter regards Tali repulsively, and refuses to allow her to pay for it. Marcus intervenes however, using his spectre authority to claim it for free, and the two of them head for the mezzanine to join the others. Upon reaching the mezzanine, they find the crew celebrating, either by dancing or watching Garrus and Wrex's wrestling match. During the party, Wrex approaches Marcus, telling him that he will be returning to Tuchanka, as Marcus has convinced him that his people are not a lost cause and can be saved; he then leaves to unite the krogan with Marcus' agreement; he also promises to get the krogan ready for when the Reapers arrive. Tali urges Marcus to dance with her, and after some reluctance, he gives in, and the two dance, embracing their first of many victories.

Epilogue

While in their cabin on the Normandy, Marcus talks about his childhood to Tali. Afterwards, they rest together in bed, where Tali has a dream about herself and Marcus on Rannoch, both of them living happily together. However, it quickly turns into a nightmare as Sovereign arrives, killing them both. Tali wakes up, realizing it is a dream, and drifts back, holding closely to Marcus' sleeping form. She makes a solemn promise to someday make love to him, marry him, retake Rannoch and live on it. 

Appearances

Characters Normandy crew Lieutenant Commander Marcus L. Shepard (First appearance) Machinist Tali'Zorah nar Rayya (First appearance) Detective Sergeant/Marksman Garrus Vakarian (First appearance) Battlemaster Urdnot Wrex (First appearance) Gunnery Chief Ashley M. Williams (First appearance) (Last appearance) Staff Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko (First appearance) Prothean Researcher Liara T'Soni (First appearance) Flight Lieutenant Jeff "Joker" Moreau (First appearance) Chief Medical Officer Karin Chakwas (First appearance) Master Chief Petty Officer Charles Pressly (First appearance) Lance Corporal Richard L. Jenkins (First appearance) (Last appearance) Chief Engineer Gregory Adams (First appearance) Petty Officer Second Class Frederick D. Johnson (First appearance) Citadel Council and the Council races Spectre Nihlus Kryik (First appearance) (Last appearance) Captain Entricas Tyaranus (First appearance) (Last appearance) Adopted-Twilight-of-Two-Moons (First appearance) (Last appearance) Lieutenant Armenis Gyuras (First appearance) Chorban (First mentioned) (Last mentioned) Executor Venari Pallin (First appearance) (Last appearance) Constable Samuel Ghost (First appearance) Councilor Tevos D'gois (First appearance) Councilor Valern Onoke (First appearance) Councilor Creti Sparatus (First appearance) Barla Von (First mentioned) (Last mentioned) Joseph Harkin (First appearance) Doctor Chloe Michel (First appearance) Doctor Saleon Yules (First appearance) (Last appearance) Detective Sergeant Armando-Owen Bailey (First appearance) Manager Lorik Qui'in (First appearance) Han Olar (First appearance) (Last appearance) Mira (First appearance) (Last appearance) Captain Raebant Kirrahe (First appearance) Commander Osei Rentola (First appearance) Master Sergeant Mordin Solus (First appearance) Specialist Maelon Heplorn (First appearance) Lieutenant Ganto Imness (First appearance) (Last appearance) First Sergeant Manos Avot (First appearance) (Last appearance) Primarch Barcus Fedorian (First appearance) (Last appearance) Metarch Ulma Fedorian (First appearance) (Last appearance) ArchGeneral Adrien Victus (First appearance) Ritquin Victus (First appearance) (Last appearance) Gunnery Sergeant Tarquin Victus (First appearance) Didact Irix Coronati (First appearance) Hierarch Thotous Vakarian (First appearance) Parcela M'kila (First mentioned) Captain Lidanya V'mosus (First appearance) Communications Officer Devra H'Loin (First appearance) (Last appearance) Commander Amiee Kaylos (First appearance) Doran Qar (First mentioned) (Last mentioned) Captain Ulik Gagas (First appearance) (Last appearance) Nishara (First appearance) (Last appearance) Migrant Fleet Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay (First appearance) Admiral Meru'Zorah vas Rayya (First mentioned) Admiral Rael'Zorah vas Huzzi (First mentioned) Admiral Han'Gerrel vas Neema (First mentioned) Admiral Zaal'Koris vas Qwib Qwib (First mentioned) Admiral Daro'Xen vas Moreh (First mentioned) Major Kal'Reegar vas Rayya (First mentioned) Gunnery Sergeant Keenah'Butras vas Rayya (First appearance) (Last appearance) Mechanic Peta'Yala vas Neema (First mentioned) Systems Alliance Captain David E. Anderson (First appearance) Captain Hannah R. Shepard (First appearance) Commander Phillipo Coniglione (First appearance) Private First Class Nirali Bhatia (First mentioned) (Last mentioned) Staff Sergeant Stephen Banner (First mentioned) (Last mentioned) Scientist Rebecca Warren (First appearance) (Last appearance) Scientist Robert Manuel (First appearance) (Last appearance) Powell Keech (First appearance) Staff Sergeant Roshia Pelps (Flashback) Lance Corporal Joseph Summers (Flashback) Lance Corporal Zach Walsh (Flashback) Sergeant Major Donald Korin (Flashback) Corporal Thomas Berret (Flashback) Chief Warrant Officer Nathan Montgomery (Flashback) Second Lieutenant Sarann Francis (Flashback) Ambassador Donnel Udina (First appearance) ExoGeni Minor Employee Thomas Gregson (First appearance) (Last appearance) ExoGeni Executive Employee Elizabeth J. Baynham (First appearance) Juliana H. Baynham (First appearance) Ian Newstead (First appearance) Fai Dan (First appearance) (Last appearance) David al Talaqani (First appearance) (Last appearance) Arcelia S. Martinez (First appearance) Ethan Jeong (First appearance) (Last appearance) Reporter Khalisah Bint-Sinan Al-Jilani (First appearance) Major Norman Kyle (Flashback) Fleet Admiral Steven Hackett (First appearance) Rear Admiral Osprey Wilfield (First mentioned) Fleet Admiral Viktoriya Arefyev (First mentioned) Gunnery Chief Eddard Ellison (First mentioned) Lieutenant General Arthur Williams (First mentioned) (Last mentioned) Abigail Williams (First mentioned) (Last mentioned) Lynn Williams (First mentioned) (Last mentioned) Sarah Williams (First mentioned) (Last mentioned) Paul Williams (First mentioned) (Last mentioned) Conrad Verner (First appearance) Prime Minister Amul Shastri (First mentioned) Fleet Admiral of the Navy Joseph H. Garrong (First mentioned) Cerberus Illusive Man (First appearance) Captain Jeremy Reinburg (First appearance) (Last appearance) First Lieutenant Miranda Lawson (First appearance) Second Lieutenant Jacob Taylor (First appearance) Saren's Alliance Spectre/Prophet Saren Arterius (First appearance) (Last appearance) Sovereign (First appearance) (Last appearance) Matriarch Benezia M'Soni (First appearance) (Last appearance) Mercenary Jacobus Sassus (First appearance) (Last appearance) Battlemaster Gatatog Verx (First appearance) (Last appearance) Major Herau I'Loak (First appearance) (Last appearance) Scientist Rana Thanoptis (First appearance) Doctor Quiath Droya (First appearance) (Last appearance) Noveria Gianna Parasini (First appearance) Captain Maeko Matsuo (First appearance) Captain Romero Ventralis (First appearance) (Last appearance) Sergeant Kaira Stirling (First appearance) (Last appearance) Administrator Bel Anoleis (First appearance) (Last appearance) Criminals and criminal organizations Sig "Fist" Tarleuz (First appearance) (Last appearance) Shadow Broker (First mentioned) Captain Georgia Roe (First mentioned) Donovan Hock (First mentioned) Tonn Actus (First appearance) (Last appearance) Aleena T'kajah (First appearance) Master Thief Kasumi Goto (First appearance) Master Thief Keiji Okuda (First appearance) (Last appearance) Rachni Singer of the New Dawn (First appearance) Krogan Urdnot Seg (First mentioned) Urdnot Jarrod (First mentioned) Urdnot Wreav (First mentioned) Gatatog Uvenk (First mentioned) Prothean Vigil Ksad Ishan (Mentioned only) Batarian Balak Uhtero (First appearance) Ancient cycles The Thorian Future (2251 CE) Operations Commander Carter Dielheart (First appearance) First Lieutenant Jaris "Siren" Paltarons (First appearance) Spectre Jessica Alenko (First appearance) Superintendent Tax'Dor pav Rannoch (First appearance) High Chieftess Urdnot Bakara (First appearance) Prime Minister Connor Faringar (First appearance) Harrison (First appearance) Sergeant Major Reby'Reegar pav Rannoch (First appearance) Private Thane'Shepard pav Rannoch (First appearance) Major Reia'Inas pav Earth (First appearance) Locations Milky Way Galaxy (2183) Council space Serpent Nebula Widow Citadel Shalta Ward Flux Hellion Plaza Hellion Clinic Citadel Security Headquarters Citadel Docks Docking Bay D23 Chora's Den Fist's quarters Industrial sector Garbage Disposal Financial District Baria Frontiers commission building Zakera Ward Widowgate Dark Star Lounge Rodam Expeditions Romulus Ward Tiberius Towers Anderson's apartment Presidium Citadel Embassies Human Embassy Grand Emporium of Galactic Wonders Presidium Commons Citadel Tower Council Chambers Citadel Security Academy Apien Crest Trebia Palaven Secupia Aemilonia Prayventa Cipritine Imperial Sector of Cipritine Spire of Talos Palaven Military Command Zeus Aluticus Hermes Migrant Fleet Alliance space Skyllian Verge Local Cluster Sol Earth The Americas United North American States State of Greater Washington Vancouver-Seattle Davo-Hamish Shipyards Gagarin Station (Mentioned only) Pluto Mars (Mentioned only) Arcturus Stream Arcturus Arcturus Station (Mentioned only) Exodus Utopia Eden Prime Colony Euphoria Mining site Colony center Research camp Spaceport Spaceport docking center Asgard Terra Nova Asteroid X57 Central command base Fusion torch 1 Fusion torch 2 Fusion torch 3 Artemis Tau Knossos Therum Nova Yekaterinburg Mining sector Prothean dig site Attican Beta Theseus Feros Carian Skyline Zhu's Hope Abandoned prothean interior Northern skyline Skyline dock Southern skyline ExoGeni Headquarters Petra Vetus Elysium (Flashback) Valhalla (Flashback) Greek Markets Jon Grissom Academy (Mentioned only) Horse Head Nebula Pax Noveria Aleutsk continent Port Hanshan Synthetic Insights office Plaza Port Hanshan Mezzanine Port Hanshan Garage Skadi Mountains Aleutsk Valley Peak 15 Central Station Peak 15 Garage Peak 15 VI Core Peak 15 Reactor Peak 15 Central Tram Station Rift Station Hot Labs Quarantine Labs Main Lab Peak 15 Rift Tram Station Anadius Cronos Station Upper station Humanity's Sanctum Argos Rho Phoenix Tuntau Storehouse 8B Hegemony Space Uifa'ar Nebula Riflar Torfan (Flashback) Fort Ish'rah (Flashback) Main compound Inner perimeter Shipyards of Torfan (Flashback) Attican Traverse Armstrong Vamshi Maji Geth Base Hong Casbin Geth Base Tereshkova Antibaar Geth Base Gagarin Rayingri Geth Base Grissom Notanban Solcrum Geth Command Base Hades Lair Jali'skah Hades Nexus Sheol Gei Hinnom Kepler Verge Herschel Sentry Omega Hoc Virmire Geth Heretic Fortress Western perimeter Breeding facility Research sector Saren's personal lab Droya's lab Prison block Eastern perimeter Northern perimeter Southern perimeter Docking Yards Teestez Yu Nebula Y;vak (Mentioned only) Terminus Systems Crescent Nebula Tasale Illium Nos Astra Business Port Nos Astra Spaceport Pangaea Expanse Refuge Ilos Trakkar Capital Ilos Archives Geth space Perseus Veil (Mentioned only) Milky Way Galaxy (2250-2251 CE) Dominion Space Pangaea Expanse Refuge Ilos Prometheus AVATAR facility Perseus Veil Tikkun Rannoch Uma'Waz Fort Dawning Horizon Dawning Horizon barracks El'Tivv (Mentioned only) Serpent Nebula Widow Citadel Presidium Reaper War Museum Althak Vepar Aralakh Tuchanka Yeeshaga Ent High Dome Confederate Military Headquarters Events 2183 CE Human-Batarian border conflict (Mentioned only) Sack of Mindoir (Mentioned only) Skyllian Blitz (Mentioned only) Battle of Elysium (Mentioned only) The Lion's Stand (Mentioned only) Operation Samson's Pillars (Mentioned only) First Battle of Torfan (Mentioned only) Akuze Massacre Reaper campaign Eden Prime War Battle of Eden Prime Skirmish on Gei Hinnom Attack at the Nos Astra Spaceport Jacobus Assassination Attempt Raid on Chora's Den Attack on Hellion Clinic Attack outside Baria Frontiers Raid on Therum Battle of Therum Battle of Feros Armstrong cluster campaign Armstrong offensive Skirmish on Maji Skirmish on Casbin Raid on Antibaar Battle of Rayingri Raid on Solcrum Battle of Armstrong (Mentioned only) Peak 15 Containment Breach Skirmish in Synthetic Insights Skirmishes in the Aleutsk valley Battle of Peak 15 Battle of Virmire Hijacking of the SSV Normandy Battle of Ilos Battle of the Citadel Raid on the MSV Fedele Aleena-Wrex Feud Battle on Uyora Station (Mentioned only) Raid on Storehouse 8B Skyllian Cold War X57 Terrorist Attack Attempt Galactic Harvest Prothean War with the Reapers Renegade Crisis (Mentioned only) Krogan Rebellions (Mentioned only) Siege of Noveria (Mentioned only) Third Battle of Noveria (Mentioned only) Rachni Wars (Mentioned only) War of Relay 628 (Mentioned only) Council-Rachni War (11-16) (Mentioned only) Council-Rachni War (20-44) (Mentioned only) Krogan-Rachni War (Mentioned only) Attack on Tuchanka (Mentioned only) Siege of Suen (Mentioned only) Spectre Wars (Mentioned only) First Spectre War (Mentioned only) Second Spectre War (Mentioned only) Third Spectre War (Mentioned only) War of the Pretenders (Mentioned only) Fourth Spectre War (Mentioned only) Krogan Civil Wars (Mentioned only) Jarrod's War Battle of the Hollows (Mentioned only) Terminus Revolutions (Mentioned only) First Contact War (Mentioned only) Relay 314 Expedition incident (Mentioned only) Shanxi campaign (Mentioned only) First Battle of Shanxi (Mentioned only) Occupation of Shanxi (Mentioned only) Liberation of Shanxi (Mentioned only) Battle of Charon (Mentioned only) Morning Wars First Morning War (Mentioned only) Quarian-geth conflict Skirmish on Gei Hinnom Second American Civil War (Mentioned only) Battle of New York City (Mentioned only) Sack of Mindoir (Mentioned only) 2250-2251 CE Terra-Rannochian War Operation Silent Zealot (Mentioned only) Post-Apocalyptic War (Mentioned only) Ships Systems Alliance Gargoyle-class corvette (Mentioned only) Mermaid-class corvette (Mentioned only) SSV Conundrum (Mentioned only) Normandy-class stealth frigate SSV Normandy SR-1 SSV Stalingrad (Mentioned only) Warsaw-class light frigate SSV Somme (Mentioned only) SSV Warsaw SSV Beijing Kursk-class light frigate (Mentioned only) Melbourne-class heavy frigate SSV Hong Kong SSV Agincourt (Mentioned only) SSV Tsushima (Mentioned only) Saratoga-class light cruiser SSV Perugia SSV Shenyang SSV Seoul Geneva-class heavy cruiser SSV Cape Town SSV Cairo SSV Emden SSV Jakarta SSV Madrid SSV Tokyo (Mentioned only) Lincoln-class escort carrier (Mentioned only) SSV Nimitz (Mentioned only) SSV Lincoln (Mentioned only) SSV Truman (Mentioned only) SSV Kennedy (Mentioned only) SSV Einstein (Mentioned only) Suleyman-class light carrier (Mentioned only) Sargon-class heavy carrier (Mentioned only) Ernest Hemingway-class offensive carrier (Mentioned only) Nelson-class carrier SSV Nobunaga Charles de Gaulle-class supercarrier SSV Queen Elizabeth (Mentioned only) SSV Anita Goyle (Mentioned only) SSV Winston Churchill (Mentioned only) SSV Robert Chamberlain (Mentioned only) SSV Joan of Arc (Mentioned only) SSV William Wallace (Mentioned only) SSV Ulysses S. Grant SSV Margaret Thatcher Colorado-class battleship SSV New Brunswick Kilimanjaro-class dreadnought SSV Orizaba SSV Kilimanjaro (Mentioned only) SSV McKinley Turian Hierarchy Century-class light cruiser THS Tangent Affairs THS Careening Light THS Gauntlet of Solar Winds THS Rising Star THS Sailing Dust THS Lamentations THS Fortified Solace THS Solemn Spirit THS Mendicant Bias THS Swift THS Enlightened THS Approacher Emperor-class heavy cruiser THS Hunter THS Predator THS Haven THS Veracity THS Pale Charge THS Miracle THS Servitude of Courage THS Silent Audacity Vanguard-class dreadnought THS Spiritual Ascendance THS Iron Conviction Asari Republics Nybaen-class destroyer (Mentioned only) Ascension-class dreadnought ARW Destiny Ascension Salarian Union Galisus-class troop transport SUV Endeavour Dates Batarian Hegemony Kugalth-class battlecruiser BRS Inquisitor Greater Quarian Republic Helisa'Kah-class heavy cruiser (Mentioned only) Migrant Fleet Quarian Liveship QMFV Rayya Geth Heretics GFL-111 class light frigate GSF-012 class strike fighter GCL-189 class light cruiser GCH-555 class heavy cruiser GBS-008 class battleship GDD-005 class dropship The Reapers Sovereign-class dreadnought Sovereign Cerberus Chupacabra-class corvette CAW Demona CAW Brooklyn CAW Xanatos CAW Elisa Maza CAW Bronx Systems Coalition Montreal-class heavy cruiser (Mentioned only) CSV Munich (Mentioned only) Pandorica-class superdreadnought (Mentioned only) CSV Pandorica (Mentioned only) Getho-Quarian Republic Revengeance-class stealth cruiser RNS Revengeance Other Kowloon-class modular conveyor MSV Fedele MSV Borealis Skimmer-class light freighter MSV Into the Blue

Organizations Citadel Council Systems Alliance Systems Alliance Parliament Systems Intelligence Administration (Mentioned only) Sector Six (Mentioned only) United North American States Systems Alliance Armed Forces Systems Alliance Central Command Systems Alliance Marine Corps Force Command Systems Alliance Marine Corps 4th Shock Troops Battalion 17th Shock Troops Company Charlie Squad 89th Mobile Attack Squadron Normandy Squad 212th Planetary Defense Group Dog Squad Able Squad Panther Squad Charlie Squad Bravo Squad Systems Alliance Special Operations Command N Special Forces Program Combat Applications Force, "Blue Falcons" (Mentioned only) Systems Alliance Naval Command Systems Alliance Navy Third Fleet (Mentioned only) Battlegroup Black (Flashback) Fourth Fleet Fifth Fleet 63rd Scout Flotilla (Mentioned only) Systems Alliance Army Command (Mentioned only) Systems Alliance Army (Mentioned only) Systems Alliance Joint-Colonial Command Systems Alliance Colonial Army Eden Prime Colonial Guard Feros Colonial Guard Citadel Defense Forces Citadel Security Citadel Defense Fleet Council Demilitarization Enforcement Mission (Mentioned only) Turian Hierarchy Commune of the Hierarchs Armed Forces of Palaven and its Colonies Commune of the Armed Forces Subcommune of the Marines (Mentioned only) Marine Corps of Palaven (Mentioned only) Subcommune of the Army (Mentioned only) Army of Palaven (Mentioned only) Subcommune of the Navy Navy of Palaven Asari Republics Senate of Thessia (Mentioned only) Armed Forces of the Asari Republics Armed Forces High Command Thessian Army Command (Mentioned only) Army of the Republics (Mentioned only) Thessian Naval Command (Mentioned only) Navy of the Republics (Mentioned only) Second Fleet (Mentioned only) Third Fleet (Mentioned only) Thessian Special Operations Command (Mentioned only) Thessian Commando Special Warfare Command (Mentioned only) Commando Corps of the Asari Republics Salarian Union Feudal Union Assembly (Mentioned only) Dalatracy (Mentioned only) 130th Dalatracy Union Defense Force Unified Military Command of Sur'Kesh (Mentioned only) Special Tasks Group Union Army (Mentioned only) Union Navy (Mentioned only) Rogue/non-Citadel states and organizations Batarian Hegemony Supreme Regency's Advisory Council (Mentioned only) Hegemony Armed Forces Regent's Army Command (Mentioned only) Hegemony Army (Mentioned only) Regent's Slaver Command (Mentioned only) Hegemony Slaver Corps Grand Slaver Fleet of the Verge (Flashback) Grand Slaver Army of the Verge (Flashback) Balak's terrorist group Regent's Naval Command (Mentioned only) Hegemony Navy (Mentioned only) The Reapers Saren's Alliance Geth Heretics Geth Heretic Army Geth Heretic Navy Fleet of the Herald Heretic Reserve Fleet Cerberus Cronos High Command (Mentioned only) Cerberus Armed Forces (Mentioned only) Cerberus Army Command (Mentioned only) Cerberus Army Cerberus Special Operations Command (Mentioned only) Cerberus Special Forces Cerberus Commandos 4th Assault Squad 39th Cerberus Commando Platoon 36th Cerberus Commando Platoon Cerberus Naval Command (Mentioned only) Cerberus Navy 6th Light Strike Group Migrant Fleet Corporations, mercenary groups, PMCs, criminal groups and businesses ExoGeni Corporation Binary Helix Synthetic Insights, Ltd. Archimedes BioFusion Corp (Mentioned only) Westerlund News Rodam Expeditions Elanus Risk Control Services Eclipse Blue Suns (Mentioned only) The Choras Former states/organizations Krogan Empire (Mentioned only) First Rachni Collective (Mentioned only) Greater Quarian Republic (Mentioned only) Quarian Republic of Hekrast (Mentioned only) Prothean Empire (Mentioned only) Galactic Dominion Systems Coalition Prometheus New Quarian Republic Krogan Confederacy Titan Covenant (Mentioned only) Principality of Parnack (Mentioned only) Hegemony of Titan (Mentioned only) Galactic Sanctum (Mentioned only) Species 2183 CE Human Asari Turian Salarian Quarian Hanar Volus Elcor Krogan Batarian Rachni Reaper Prothean (Mentioned only) Geth Varren Thresher Maw Pyjak 2250-2251 CE Yahg Vehicles Tanks and armoured ground vehicles M28 Angel (Mentioned only) M29 Grizzly M33 Edestus (Mentioned only) M34 Crocodile (Mentioned only) M35 Mako M41 Smoothhound Aircraft UT-47 Kodiak Civilian Skycar Weapons, armor and other equipment Pistols Raikou pistol Brawler pistol Judgement pistol Harpy pistol Stinger pistol Striker pistol Kessler pistol Cobra pistol Stiletto pistol Pinnacle pistol Razer pistol Karpov pistol Edge pistol HMWP pistol Assault rifles Tsunami assault rifle Crossfire assault rifle Terminator assault rifle Gorgon assault rifle Raptor assault rifle Banshee assault rifle Mark IV Geth Pulse Rifle Lancer assault rifle Diamondback assault rifle Thunder assault rifle Torrent assault rifle Breaker assault rifle Kovalyov assault rifle Avenger assault rifle HMWA assault rifle Shotguns Katana shotgun Avalanche shotgun Executioner shotgun Hydra shotgun Firestorm shotgun Hurricane shotgun Mark X Geth plasma shotgun Storm shotgun Viper shotgun Tornado shotgun Savage shotgun Armageddon shotgun Sokolov shotgun Scimitar shotgun HMWSG shotgun Sniper rifles Naginata sniper rifle Punisher sniper rifle Lightning Strike sniper rifle Titan sniper rifle Striker sniper rifle Hammer sniper rifle Mark VIII "Javelin" sniper rifle Avenger sniper rifle Python sniper rifle Equalizer sniper rifle Helix sniper rifle Harpoon sniper rifle Volkov sniper rifle Reaper sniper rifle HMWSR sniper rifle Grenades M-14 HE/AD/MP stick grenade Ship-based weaponry GARDIAN Z-016 "Javelin" disruptor torpedo Chimera-class autocannon Mark 7240 thanix cannon Armor systems Agent light combat armor Assassin light tactical armor Battlemaster heavy combat armor Ruam-class heavy battle armor Berserker medium combat armor HYPERION-82 medium combat armor Colossus light AB armor Duelist heavy combat armor Explorer light combat armor Gladiator medium combat armor Guardian medium combat armor Hydra light combat armor Liberator heavy combat armor Mantis light combat armor Mercenary medium combat armor Onyx light combat armor Phantom light combat armor Phoenix light combat armor Predator L medium combat armor Predator J heavy combat armor Rage-class heavy battle armor Scorpion light combat armor Silverback medium combat armor Survivor medium combat armor Thermal medium combat armor Titan heavy combat armor Ursa medium combat armor Warlord heavy combat armor HMASTA tactical armor Omni-tools Bluewire omni-tool Logic Arrest omni-tool Nexus omni-tool Polaris omni-tool Savant omni-tool Chameleon omni-tool Cipher omni-tool HMOT omni-tool Biotic amps Solaris amp Prodigy amp Gemini amp Polaris amp Savant amp Unity amp HMBA amp Miscellaneous Kinetic Barrier Virtual Intelligence Artificial Intelligence Holo-terminal Holo-pad L-series biotic implants Medi-gel Omni-gel Biotics

Trivia

• I: Enigma is often criticized for its unnecessary jumps between the present and past, the inconsistencies with plot and the introduction of new threads that are then rapidly abandoned afterwards. Because of this, I: Enigma has been described as a "plot-hole soup" and a "massive mess of inaccuracies, mistakes, time jumps and inconsistencies." Also, like its sequel II: Prophecy, the story's tone is entirely different from later entries in the series. I: Enigma's tone is much lighter and easier to adjust to, while the tone of III: Requiem, and especially IV: Holocaust, are much darker.
  • RedCenturionG confirmed that a remaster of the FABT series is planned once the series is complete, and that I: Enigma, along with II: Prophecy, III: Requiem and parts of IV: Holocaust, will be remastered. Among the things to be fixed will be mistakes, plot inconsistencies, grammar mistakes, etc. For a full list of corrections, click here.
• I: Enigma went through multiple name changes before the eventual current name was used. While in development, it was called 'Mass Effect', and then 'Mass Effect: Enigma.' Eventually, when the book was released, it was called Enigma; at this point in time, the series had no official name, and was colloquially referred to as the Enigma series. When the series was officially named For A Better Tomorrow, the book was retroactively renamed 'I: Enigma.'
• The title of the book refers to Interrogation Subject 001, and how his identity (initially) is unknown, as well as the circumstances around where he is located and where he is. Given that an enigma is a "mysterious thing or person that is difficult to understand", the title refers to Prometheus' intentions and just who Interrogation Subject 001 is. It can also be interpreted as referring to the mystery surrounding the Reapers.
• At just 35 chapters (including Pre-Prologue, Prologue, Epilogue and every individual part of the multi-part chapters), is tied with III: Requiem for being the shortest entry in the series.
  • Without including the individual parts of the multi-part chapters (and only the chapter as a whole), I: Enigma only has 31 chapters. Add on top of that, and if you don't count the pre-prologue, prologue or epilogue, it only has 28 chapters. If either of these are considered, than this makes I: Enigma the shortest in the franchise.
• It is odd that the story asks the reader to "follow the story of Marcus L. Shepard, Tali'Zorah nar Rayya and Garrus Vakarian", even though the story focuses heavily on Marcus and Tali; Garrus' POVs are severely limited by comparison.
• Some of the chapter titles (as is a tradition within the series) were inspired or were directly referencing outside material. The chapter Spark That Lights The Fire is a line in the song "We Didn't Start The Fire." The chapter Skyfall is named after the James Bond movie, Skyfall. The chapter Old Traditions Die Hard is a play on the words "old habits die hard." 
• The original cover art for I: Enigma is an edited version of the cover art for the first Mass Effect. The setting is an unknown planet. Marcus stands to the far right, his assault rifle in hand but largely cut off the screen. Ashley is the female human on the left, while the turian with his arms crossed on the right is Garrus. Behind them are an array of geth troopers, with Saren being the face looking down on them from the top of the cover. 
• I: Enigma is the only installment to have flashbacks.

Other books in the series

For A Better Tomorrow

• I: Enigma
• II: Prophecy
• III: Requiem
• IV: Holocaust
• V: Ultimatum

Forward Unto Tomorrow

• VI: Ascendance
• VII: Jubilation
• VIII: Descendance
• IX: Defender