The Citadel

1 - Arrival on the Presidium

You arrive on the Citadel with Captain Anderson to meet with Ambassador Donnel Udina. The ambassador is making a plea to the Citadel Council to have Saren disbarred from the Spectres for his involvement in the attack on Eden Prime. The next step is to head to the Citadel tower and make a formal appeal at the hearing regarding Citadel Security's findings in the case against Saren.

+2 Renegade - "They're blind."
New Mission: "Citadel: Expose Saren"

THE PRESIDIUM

You have arrived on the Presidium, one of two major areas--along with the Wards--that you can visit while on the Citadel. The Presidium is split down the middle by a large lake with a few bridges running across it. On the north side, from west to east, is the entrance to the Citadel tower, access to the Wards, and the embassies where you begin. On the south side are the
financial district and the Consort's chambers.

The Avina Tourism Terminals can give you more information about the Presidium, and there are signs posted to assist in navigation. There are also several rapid transit terminals located around the Citadel. Each terminal can transfer you directly to another location, provided you have either heard of--or been to--that location previously.

At first you are restricted to the Presidium level of the Citadel, and you will not be able to venture down into the Wards until you have spoken with the Council. However, you can still begin several optional assignments in this area. Terminals can be hacked in Ambassador Udina's office and in Executor Pallin's office on the other side of the lobby that offer
information on assignments you will be able to complete later. You can also head across the bridge from the embassies and visit the asari Consort who has a special task for you.

2 - The Citadel Tower

Exit the ambassador's office through the door and descend the steps to the lobby. Leave the embassies and proceed west towards the Citadel tower. Take the elevator up to the top of the tower where the council chambers are located. As you head south you witness an argument between Garrus Vakarian--the turian C-Sec (Citadel Security Services) officer in charge of the
investigation into Saren--and Executor Pallin, the head of C-Sec. Garrus informs you that he was unable to find anything concrete linking Saren to the geth, but he plans to continue his investigation until he does. Continue up the steps to the south and speak with Captain Anderson to join the hearing, which is already in progress.

3 - A Lack of Evidence

The Council decides that there is insufficient proof of Saren's connection to the geth or Eden Prime to disbar him from the Spectres. In order to convince the Council otherwise you will need to find conclusive proof of Saren's involvement in the attack. Kaidan will suggest that you speak with Garrus Vakarian, the C-Sec officer you met earlier. Udina says you might be able to find him through Harkin, a retired human C-Sec officer. Alternatively, if you ask Anderson about other sources of information he will suggest you try to contact the Shadow Broker, a galactic information dealer who may know something about Saren's activities. One of his contacts on the Citadel is Barla Von, a wealthy financial advisor in the Presidium's financial district.

+2 Paragon - "Quit protecting him!"
New Mission: "Citadel: Garrus"
New Mission: "Citadel: Shadow Broker"

3 - Talk to Barla Von (Optional)

If you choose to follow the lead concerning the Shadow Broker, you can find Barla Von's office in the southwest corner of the Presidium, just across the bridge from the Citadel tower elevator. He informs you that Saren has recently betrayed the Shadow Broker, who is now more than willing to assist you in taking Saren down. Barla Von advises you to seek out a Krogan bounty hunter named Wrex who may be able to help you. Wrex was last seen at the C-Sec Academy.

"Citadel: Shadow Broker" -> "Citadel: Wrex"

THE WARDS

The next major area of the Citadel is the Wards, which are a level below the Presidium and can be accessed by elevator following your meeting with the Council. The Wards are home to clubs, gambling, markets, and some spectacular views of the Citadel's exterior and the Serpent Nebula. There are two levels to the Wards, designated upper and lower. There are markets
on both levels to the west, with the popular clubs Flux and Chora's Den nearby. A medical clinic resides on the upper level to the east.

The Wards and the Presidium both grant access via elevator to the C-Sec Academy which in turn has an elevator that can take you to the docking bay where the Normandy is moored.

4 - Talk to Harkin (Optional)

If you follow the lead concerning Garrus' whereabouts, you can find Harkin at Chora's Den, a shady club near the back alleys in the Wards. You can get there quickly by accessing any of the rapid transit terminals. Outside you are ambushed by some turian assassins working for Saren. On the higher difficulty levels these can be some of the toughest enemies you will face early in the game. Use the walkways for cover, keeping your squad in one place so you can flank the assassins. Biotics can also be useful for pushing them off the balcony. Once inside the club you can find Harkin sitting at a table on the opposite side from the entrance. He will tell you that Garrus was last seen snooping around the med clinic on the other side of the Wards.

5 - Shootout in the Med Clinic (Optional)

Continuing the search for Garrus, head to the med clinic, located on the east side of the Upper Wards. Inside you witness some thugs pressing the doctor for information. They see you and a fight breaks out. A well placed shot from Garrus ensures that the doctor is unharmed. Take out the remaining thugs yourself, then speak to Garrus to find out what to do next. Dr. Michel informs you that a quarian had recently passed though her clinic carrying evidence of Saren's connection to the geth. She wanted to barter the
information in return for her safety, so Michel put her in contact with Fist, the owner of Chora's Den and an employee of the Shadow Broker. Unfortunately, Fist betrayed the Shadow Broker and is now believed to be holding the quarian for Saren. You need the quarian's information in order to implicate Saren, so it's off to Chora's den to take care of Fist. The med
clinic has an aid station you can use to replenish your medi-gel before you leave.

+2 Paragon - "It was a big risk."
+2 Renegade - "Nice shot."
Mission Complete: "Citadel: Garrus"

6 - Pick up Wrex (Optional)

Travel to the C-Sec Academy--accessible by elevator from either the Presidium or the Wards--and head west. Near the stairs to the C-Sec offices, Wrex is having a confrontation with some officers. When their encounter is over you have the opportunity to offer Wrex a position on your squad. Bear in mind that Wrex has been hired by the Shadow Broker to kill Fist, and he intends to fulfill his contract. You are not required to invite Wrex to join your squad at any point if you already have Garrus on your team. Similarly, if you pick up Wrex before going to get Garrus, he will tell you everything about the quarian, in which case you don't ever need to invite Garrus to join your squad.

Mission Complete: "Citadel: Wrex"

SQUAD SELECTION

After picking up Garrus or Wrex you have your first opportunity to select
your squad. You are only able to have two squad members with you at a time,
so be sure to choose wisely. You can only change who is in your squad by
returning to the Normandy or when a new character is added to your team.

Consider what opposition you expect to face while using a given squad
configuration. For example, Kaidan provides a more balanced compliment to
your squad, whereas Ashley is more combat focused.

Characters with tech abilities are useful against synthetic foes like the
geth, and also typically have the ability to unlock secured containers and
doors. Biotic characters are good for disabling opponents and are useful
when fighting large groups of enemies.

7 - Assault on Chora's Den

Take your squad back to Chora's Den. When you arrive the club is sealed up because Fist knows you are coming for him. In addition to the bartender there are seven thugs inside, so stick to cover by the doors and take out one enemy at a time. The big concern here is the krogan bouncer on the opposite side of the room, as he has the ability to regenerate health. After you defeat all the guards, proceed into the back room for a confrontation with two warehouse workers. You can kill them, or use your Charm or Intimidate skill to get them to surrender. There is a weapon locker beyond the workers on the left side of the room.

+2 Paragon - "Save yourselves." [3 Charm]
+2 Renegade - "You're making a mistake." [3 Intimidate]

8 - Taking Care of Fist

In the final room you will encounter Fist himself, though the primary threats to you will be the two defensive turrets in each corner. Garrus or Kaidan are useful here because of their tech skills, though Wrex evens the odds with his superior combat abilities. Concentrate on one turret at a time and stick to cover as much as possible. Biotics are ineffective against the turrets, so save these powers for Fist himself. Destroying both turrets will cause Fist to surrender, at which time he will tell you where you can find the quarian. If Wrex is in your party he will kill Fist to fulfill his contract with the Shadow Broker. Otherwise you have the option to kill him yourself. There is a wall safe in the back corner of the room when you are finished.

+2 Renegade - "You don't deserve to live."
+2 Renegade - "He deserved it."

9 - Rescue the Quarian

The quarian is about to be set up by Fist's men. You have a limited time to reach her and get the information you need. As you exit Fist's offices you are confronted by six more thugs in the main lounge. Deal with them quickly and proceed back towards the Wards. Bear left when you exit and go through the back alleys to reach the quarian. If you arrive in time you will have to fight a group of turian and salarian assassins to rescue her. The salarians have some tech powers you need to worry about, so be cautious. When the fight is over you can take the quarian's evidence against Saren to Ambassador Udina.

10 - The Quarian's Evidence

Back at the ambassador's office, the quarian--known as Tali'Zorah nar Rayya--presents her evidence: She has a recording of Saren and an unidentified woman discussing the attack on Eden Prime. Now that you have proof of Saren's involvement it is time to present your case to the Citadel Council. Tali becomes a squad member and agrees to help you track down Saren.

11 - The Council's Decision

Return to the Citadel tower and present your findings to the Council. Faced with undeniable proof of Saren's involvement with the geth, the Council disbars Saren from the Spectres. The asari Councilor is able to identify the other voice from Tali's recording as that of Matriarch Benezia, an influential asari who is now a powerful ally for Saren and the geth. Not wishing to send a fleet into the Attican Traverse and risk open war with the Terminus Systems, the Council elects to make you the first human Spectre, tasked with tracking down and stopping Saren at all costs.

+2 Paragon - "It's the best solution."
+2 Renegade - "Quit holding us back!"
Spectre Training unlocked
Bonus to Charm and Intimidate

12 - Speak to Anderson and Udina

When you have wrapped up any outstanding business on the Citadel, head to the docking bay by way of the C-Sec Academy and speak with Anderson and the ambassador. They provide you with the locations of two possible leads on Saren's whereabouts: Geth have recently attacked a human colony on Feros, and the geth have also been sighted near Noveria. It may also be worth tracking down Matriarch Benezia's daughter, Dr. Liara T'Soni, who is believed to be studying Prothean ruins somewhere in the Artemis Tau Cluster. Now that you are a Spectre, you no longer answer to the Alliance military, and you may tackle these leads in any way you see fit.

+2 Paragon - "I'll be careful."
+2 Renegade - "That's your job."
New Mission: "Find Liara T'Soni"
New Mission: "Feros: Geth Attack"
New Mission: "Noveria: Geth Interest"

13 - Prepare to Depart

Board the Normandy. You have the opportunity to make a speech to your crew informing them of the mission and your determination to complete it. Afterwards, head to the galaxy map to set a new course.

+2 Paragon - "Humanity must do its part."
+2 Renegade - "Nobody's going to help us."
+2 Paragon - "Everyone is counting on us."
+2 Renegade - "Humanity's in this alone!"

CREW LOCATIONS

Now is a good opportunity to become acclimated to your ship and to identify where certain NPCs and squad members can be found.

Ashley is in the vehicle bay near the crew lockers. Kaidan is in the crew quarters near the captain's office. Wrex is in the vehicle bay near the elevator and opposite the requisition officer. Garrus is in the vehicle bay near the Mako. Tali is in the engineering section.

You can talk to each of your squad members between missions. Doing so can open up new assignments, or allow you to pursue romantic relationships.

14 - Normandy Inspection (Optional)

The first time you return to the Citadel after becoming a Spectre you will be greeted in the docking bay by Rear Admiral Mikhailovich, commander of the 63rd Scout Flotilla. He intends to inspect your vessel. You may refuse, but you can earn experience points and other rewards if you allow an inspection.

+2 Paragon - "We need to build bridges." [9 Charm]
+2 Renegade - "We need to kick ass." [9 Intimidate]
+2 Renegade - "Damn right I did."

Mass Effect