 Hello, hello, hello, I'm Philip Magnus and you actually probably heard that already. Anyway, I had a tiny, tiny bit of an issue with recording and I didn't realise until it was too late, so I naturally got back to my checkpoint. Problem is, the checkpoint is a tiny bit further down the line than the video goes. Apologies for that. You haven't missed much. I met a guy called the Illusive Man, who is this ultra, let's just call him, he's got some dangerous ideas when it comes to humanity's place in the galaxy. He's a bit of a radical, yeah, that's the word, and turns out that Doctor ever works for him. So as you might imagine, not too pleased about that, not one bit. At any rate, I'm thinking of stopping him. But first, I'm going to stop Cyborg, or rather some sort of an evil robot of unknown origins. Before that I'm just slightly levelling up my characters as a way of using the time it took to explain all of this. Now I think it's time to get back to it, eh? Anyway, robot shooting, go. Oh my, see, good job me. I got that robot back. Anyway, basically when we got to the Protein Artifact, which was supposed to have all this useful information for us, turns out, surprise, surprise, it really didn't. Someone in the base was channeling it off, trying to physically transfer it basically to the consciousness of this here robot and delete it from the Protein Beacon. As you might imagine, I put a stop to that, as soon as I found the robot. Then we had a chase scene, which ultimately ended with what you just saw. Now we are back in my ship, which is an awesome ship, a beautiful ship. We're going to make the Mexicans pay for it too. Ah poor Caden, Caden. Caden needs medical attention. We have to leave the soul system. We will, immediately. The Citadel is our best chance. We can find help there. Get us to the Citadel, Joker. Run to that. Hold on, Caden. Hmm, strange. My... What do you seem to have some issues? Anyway, the Citadel. Touch me through. Can you clear this up? I'll do my best. Did you get to the log of the dives? I was there. So was the elusive man. I was worried Cerberus might try something. Did you get the data? Most of it. He downloaded some before I could stop him. Edy and Leora were all well recovered. Was it worth the effort? Preliminary evidence is the data as a blueprint for a Prothian device. Device? The Reapers will learn to fear this device. So it will take over quantifiable levels of destruction. Unquantifiable levels of destruction? Well ain't that exciting? If Leora's instincts are right, this might be the key to stopping the Reapers. I hope so. Major Alenko was critically injured. We're taking him to the Citadel. Sorry to hear that, Shevard. But we both know this is just the beginning. Talk to the council, show them what you've found. With luck, they'll give you all the support we need. And if they don't? Do whatever it takes to get them on board. Aye aye, Commander. Admiral, sir. I'm the commander. What? Haha. Ah, it's an exciting time to be a commander. The media is extracting data from the Cerberus machine. We'll have details to present to the council by the time we reach the Citadel. And Major Alenko? And ain't that exciting? I've done what I can for him. Oh, who cares about him? I'm going to the medical facility soon. No one does who. Admiral's right. It's going to get worse, isn't it? Unless we stop the Reapers here. What is it about gigantic AI robots that makes everyone make them out to be the bad guys? You didn't see what they did to Earth. How is one weapon supposed to stop them? What are our options? You know we can't win this conventionally. Can we? I say, blast them all to hell with some good old fashioned dynamite. Yeah, that's not going to work. Oh, fine. But that was just because you have rest-treated nicely, my lady. No, that was sexist. I'm so sorry. I'm kidding, of course. I'm sorry. I'm incapable of not getting about serious, deep topics. And this is the Citadel. Basically, it's a fully-rebitized space station, which has all kinds of races all around. It's really pretty and quite nice. And it's a different beacon, which is supposed to summon the Reapers every 50,000 years. That was basically the plot of Mass Effect 1. You had to stop it from activating. And there's a rather unpleasant agent called Snow. Oh, god, I've forgotten his name. Barely got a pulse here. Where are you taking him? Where to Memorial? Best care in the Citadel. Saris? We're not going to finish. We need to see the council. Damn it. Right. Names. Oh, hello. You look like a serious person who might be in charge. They always do. God, worried you were arriving. Oh, I know his voice. This guy, he played in Battlestar Galactica. I think in Teen Wolf as well, surprisingly enough. He's his old, bold badass. My job is dealing with political bullshit and escorting dignitaries around. I'm very specific, boys. None taken. Problems. Sure. Nope. I think I'm going to go to the council first. You see, I'm trying to save her to know. Meeting with the council is our top priority. I'll head up to Adina's office now. Meet you there. One of my men can show you the way. Love it. I'm just a tourist today. I'll try not to get in any trouble. Bye, James. I guess he's... Earthborn? I'll be right there. The other half of my job. I'll see you around, Shepherd. No doubt. No, yes. Cannot wait. Oh, look. Ooh. Anything to press, anything to explore. Nope. So far, so far. Ooh. Hello. What's going on here? Oh, it's Jessica. Choppit? Was it...? I think we can help each other. The actress, I mean. I suppose you want an interview. Even better. I'm a military reporter with a show called Battle Space. We're carried on just about all council planets. The actress wants to be embedded on the ship. And I want that ship to be the Normandy. Why would I want that? Wars can be won or lost in the editing room. And this war needs to be won. I've got alliance security clearance and operate without a crew. You get veto power over the segments I file. Do you have an arrangement like that? Or do I keep looking? Tell your producers yes for now. We'll see how it works out. Report to the ship as soon as possible. Any questions? How much gear can I bring? One for the locker. Hi, commander. I was going to go with all the gear in the world, but obviously I have a difference of opinions with myself. Am I? There's nothing weird going on. I swear it's as if I disabled the music, which I have not. All right. Good to know, good to know. Ah, better. Much better. Hello, commander Sheppard. Welcome to the city. Hello, Avina. Do I know you? I am Avina, a fully interactive virtual intelligence. Hmm, you don't say. Yes, I provide guidance at predetermined locations of interest throughout the citadel. This is docking bay D24. Note that due to recent events, official identification and weapons permits may be requested by CSAC personnel for routine verification. Of course they may. See, this kind of stuff changing AI for VI is why AI are getting old about person while they're trying to destroy us. If they were just being treated better, things would have been much, much different. Any other important areas I should know about? Docking Bay E24 has been repurposed into temporary housing to accommodate the recent influx of civilians to the citadel. You don't say. If you wish to contact your species official citadel representative, please go to citadel embassies. For medical needs, the Presidium offers leading edge care at the Huerta Memorial Hospital. Oh, that's nice. It has been a cultural mainstay since the council was first established at the citadel. Thank you, Avener. Please speak with me again if you require further assistance. Will do. Now I think it would be good for me to keep going. All right. Let's see. Welcome, Commander Shepard. Please select the destination. One moment, please. Definitely going to the citadel embassies. Oh, is that the music I hear in the background at long last? Commander Bailey. I don't need to see Commander Bailey, do I? That's Councilor. Excellent. Commander, Councilor Udina said you'd be coming. If you'll follow me, the council is already in session. Excellent. Councilor, the reapers are in our space as well. Earth is no more or less important than any council homeworld. But Earth was the first council world hit. By all reports, it faces the brunt of the attack. How do you know this is the brunt? New Reaper fronts are opening up everywhere. How do we know? Earth was attacked, a full-scale invasion. Commander Shepard. And it's just the beginning. We need your help. Everything you can spare. Earth may be suffering, but our worlds are falling, too. The Turians have lost Tetris. We must fight this enemy together. Agreed. And what if that's not enough this time? Am I? Actually. The reports are dire. If we throw everything we have, we'll have to find the police. I don't expect you to follow me without a plan. Counselors, we have that plan, a blueprint created by the Prothians during their war with the Reapers. Prothian, what is it exactly? We're still freezing it together. But it appears to be a weapon of some sort. And this is capable of destroying the Reapers? So it would seem. I must be suffering from some bug. It's an intricate. This is a fool's errand. The Prothians were wiped out by the Reapers. Clearly, the weapon is flawed. It was incomplete. They were missing the component here. Something referred to only as the catalyst. But they ran out of time before they could finish building it. Do you believe in this, Shefford? After what you've seen of the Reapers? Do you have a better plan? It sure as hell beats standing around and arguing about it. And Udena's right. We need to stand together now more than ever. The Reapers won't stop at Earth. They'll destroy every organic being in the galaxy if we don't find a way to stop them. Well, if not us, it's probably the next bunch of ugly mugs. The next bunch of ugly mugs. 50,000 years from now. All planets must come first. The Solarian Union is convening a summit amongst our species. If we can secure our own borders, we may be able to aid you. Our fleets are also engaged. Honesty is all I can offer, Commander. I will not make a promise of rescue that I cannot keep. I understand. Shefford, meet me in my office. I hope that's an offer of support. I'll be digging up what I can on this Prothian device, Sheppard. There are a bunch of self-concerned jackasses, Sheppard. Jeez. Ah, music, by the way. But humanity will always be considered second rate. Now, now, they are being attacked as well. I can't give you what you're asking for, but I can tell you how to get it. I'm listening. That's nice of you. The Solarian is the one that called the war summit. He's your kind of man, open to extreme solutions. Trouble is, he didn't get out of Paladin's system when the Reapers attacked him. We don't know if he's alive. Guess I know what's my first stop is. The moment he could extract him without being detected. Ha ha. You can, visitors. So favors with favors. You want me to rescue his ass in the hopes he considers helping Earth. But, bluntly, yes. I shouldn't even be telling you about it. But we need Fadorian alive, and your ship can get him. Save the Primarch, gain an ally. One with the power to grant you what you're looking for. Well, the Reapers ravage Earth. Your counselor was right. We need to work together. This is the best way to get that. Our intel says our Fadorian is one of his most intelligent, get in, and out of time detected, and he'll take care of it. Good luck, commander. You're going to need it. Good, good. Someone realizes I need luck? Oh, no. The council has agreed to reinstate your specter status. Reinstate? And there are certain resources that will be made available to you. Good luck. Wow. That went well. It's a start. I'll talk to the others in the meantime. See if we can support this summit, move things along. Thanks. Support the moods, what basically all our military is right now being decimated on Earth. Anything else you got for me, Dina? The council. All I can think is that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Oh, I'm angry. I've always loathed that phrase, fatalism, not what men and women should aspire to. Not at all. Maybe later we'll be an epitaph on a mass grave of 11 billion. That's how few there are of us. Humanity is as feared as we are loved. Hopefully that works in our favor now. I'll try to get financial aid from as many worlds as I can. Maybe manpower, a few armed ships. We have no need of a few armed ships. Order all civilian ships armed. Work on the Prothian device will be around the clock. All right. You actually have a plan. Personal situation. Yeah, sure. Let's chat with good old Dina about his personal situation. Do you know a lot of people on Earth? Many. It's monstrous to think of them being snuffed out, of course. But the part that gets me is Arcturus. I must know. I must have known most of the Alliance Parliament on a first name basis. Arcturus? Minks? I used to track all their birthdays and anniversaries. Rose Garden stuff, but to have it all gone. Not necessarily all of it. You know, the good old admirals. There's a hill, Chancellor, that you have options when the others block the banquets. With Parliament destroyed and justry gone, I have more power than any human in history. But today, you saw how little that is. Rest assured, I will not be counted out long. I know I can move mountains. Do not lose sight of that, because the task before us is moving planets. So reassuring to see that your arrogance is still intact. And I do get some results, Chancellor Dewey. I helped you into this office because I thought you'd be effective. You need a character, a stick to drive a mule, and humanity has neither right now. And we're not driving mules, but aliens. Ambu is gone. Our economy is reduced to an IOU. But leave that part to me. I will lean on our colonies for all their worth. And I can broker enough trade to repair and resupply Hackett's fleet. Honestly, I have no idea how Hackett's fleet hasn't been decimated in the first five hours of this conflict. What's your read on the counselors? Any angles I could pursue? Counselor, it is. I love how pretty my eyes are. If she is colder, if she has her hand on your throat, she will squeeze a shield. There you might find some traction. Practical, she might make back your belly turned into a piece of Delatras for you. Frankly, it's good Quentia spoke with you. His home world is in the most trouble, and he's looking for a way out. That speaks opportunity. I find the fact that deterrents are the ones who are in the most trouble to be worrisome. Any news from Earth? There is constant news, all of it bad. The Reapers are destroying satellites in the old nuclear missile silos, along with everything else. We are full of quantum entanglers spread all over the continents. All other communication is cut. Quantum entanglers? This sounds interesting, to say the least. Very interesting. Nope, can't press this computer. So by all means, let's get back. Where am I going, actually? Embassy offices. James. Don't need to speak with Commander Bailey. Probably. There is no anti-humanity conspiracy here, Ms. Algilani. The council's simply not granting interviews at this time. My viewers are going to know that CSEC and the council are denying them access. Oh, no. Listen, lady, you think the light- Didn't I punch you in the mouth once? Between the paparazzi and the politicians? I don't have time to babysit them. And I'm here to hold your hand. Well, I'm camping out until I'm granted an audience. Fine. I hope you brought a sleeping bag. I like how he's a bag, like, bag, slipping bag. Commander Shepard? Commander, humanity has questions. And they all will be answered eventually, someday, if we save humanity. Yeah, I feel like a glorified doorman. Most people would see it as a move up. Washed in here with all the stuffed shirts. I'd rather be back down on the streets. I appreciate the higher pay grade, but I'm not a political creature. Politicians are the weeds of the galaxy. If that was a bumper sticker, I'd stick it right here on my desk. I'm sure Dina would appreciate it. You and me both. I haven't been back in years. Now I may never. If this ain't the end of days, it's pretty damn close. Well, I'm so glad we had this amazing chat. I feel so much better now. Excuse me while I go. What the hell happened with my running? Oh, there he is. Commander, the people of the Alliance have questions. Commander Shepard, police have been seen in Al-Jalani. Isn't it true that you were on Earth when the Reapers attacked? It is. How do you justify running away while millions of people on Earth die? Is that the best we can expect? I've had enough of your tabloid journalism. You want some? Ah, this feels so good. But I came here to get help for Earth. Don't answer your questions. Stay down. I knew it was her, my favorite punching bag in the entire Citadel. Hey, Commander, Liara told me the Council's not interested in helping us. Something like that? No, never is. We are humans. Look at this place. There's no war here. They've been whispering about it. They're talking about it. But they don't really believe it. I'll take it this is your first time here with me. Don't be so negative. I've been to the Citadel never up here on the Presidium. It's not right. It looks pretty calm and peaceful. But it's not right. It's all just an illusion. It was peaceful once. But was it? Really? I mean, when push comes to shove, they're just going to turtle up. Hope it don't hit them too, right? They'd rather believe in this than face the truth. Oh, they will. They will. Every species will fall one by one if they don't work with us. I'm a tough badass. I don't believe it's even up for the faith. So you still want to go back to Earth? Hell yeah, but you were right. So was Anderson. We can't stop them alone. Besides, it looks like you're going to have your hands full convincing these Pendejo politicians to help us. Yeah, call them names. Now it's going to help. Oops. Let's see. Sure, let's go and check up on Caden. You seem like someone I could speak with. Nope. All right. I'll see if we have the required spatial bindings. Meet you back here. Hi, doctor. Didn't expect to see you again so soon. Well, we need to prescribe you another round of antibiotics. Am I not? Ah, here you are. You don't look too good, soldier. Hey, Caden. Oh, no. But since you can't tell me to get the hell out of here. This music, it is telling me that I must be having an emotional moment right now. Yeah, that's a bit tough. Get your ass out of this bed and back to your post, major. Hell of a soldier. Seem. That's right. Yeah. We all need some cannon fodder, don't we? I'm not seeing any fighting going on. That's an order. Disposed we're trying to give him orders. I'm sure he will feel much better once he wakes up. Ah. You're here? I'm working at an alliance R&D lab down in Shout Awards. Coordinating closely with Admiral Hackett. I heard you escaped Earth in the Normandy and that someone was critically injured. I came as fast as I could. The doctor you see is, um, my field officer. Medic. My field medic. Well, field, more like ship. As well as Dr. Michelle's expertise. I wish I could have been there to help on Mars. Spent six months, doctor. Have you been? Good. I've been fortunate. When they impounded Normandy, the alliance didn't really know what to do with me. I was never officially part of Cerberus and I'd gotten a proper leave of absence from my previous post. So you hadn't technically done anything wrong by joining me to defeat the collectors. Yes, though I suppose if you were judged to be a war criminal I would have been tried as an accessory. That's logical, yeah. Let's see if you would like to join back in the old lady. Your place is in Normandy's med bay, not some lab. I couldn't agree more. You say the word and I'm with you. Welcome aboard. It wouldn't be the same without you, doctor. Get your thanks. Docking Bay D-24. Yes, commander. And thank you. Yes, I feel like this is a personal victory. Joker's still aboard. And I'd be surprised if he's been remembering his medication. Joker is a pilot for the record. We'll be seeing him very soon. Let's see. Doctor Michelle or Mitchell. I do not want to speak with you. You're going to give me some information on... Shall I go to the civil embassies once again just to check if Liaro is somewhere around? Nope. All right. I am going to go. Time to go to the Normandy, eh? I don't believe it's time we got moving. Until then, however, thank you guys for watching. I am looking forward to seeing you next time. Bye.