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Brucipher
  • 7/4/2025
Part 7 of the walkthrough of Mass Effect for the PC.
Transcript
00:00For more information visit www.fema.org
00:30The hearing's already started. Come on.
00:41The Geth attack is a matter of some concern, but there is nothing to indicate Saren was involved in any way.
00:47The investigation by Citadel security turned up no evidence to support your charge of treason.
00:52An eyewitness saw him kill Nihilus in cold blood.
00:56We've read the Eden Prime reports, Ambassador.
00:59The testimony of one traumatized dock worker is hardly compelling proof.
01:05I resent these accusations. Nihilus was a fellow Spectre, and a friend.
01:10That just let you catch him off guard?
01:12Captain Anderson, you always seem to be involved when humanity makes false charges against me.
01:20And this must be your protege, Commander Shepard. The one who let the beacon get destroyed.
01:27The mission to Eden Prime was top secret. The only way you could know about the beacon was if you were there.
01:33With Nihilus gone, his files passed on to me. I read the Eden Prime report. I was unimpressed. But what can you expect from a human?
01:44Saren despises humanity. That's why he attacked Eden Prime.
01:50Your species needs to learn its place, Shepard. You're not ready to join the Council. You're not even ready to join the Spectres.
01:58He has no right to say that! That's not his decision!
02:02Shepard's admission into the Spectres is not the purpose of this meeting.
02:06This meeting has no purpose. The humans are wasting your time, Counselor. And mine.
02:12Saren's hiding behind his position as a Spectre. You need to open your eyes.
02:18What we need is evidence. So far we've seen nothing.
02:21There is still one outstanding issue. Commander Shepard's vision. It may have been triggered by the beacon.
02:27Are we allowing dreams into evidence now? How can I defend my innocence against this kind of testimony?
02:34I agree. Our judgement must be based on facts and evidence, not wild imaginings and reckless speculation.
02:42Do you have anything else to add, Commander Shepard?
02:46You've made your decision. I won't waste my breath.
02:54The Council has found no evidence of any connection between Saren and the Geth.
02:59Ambassador, your petition to have him disbarred from the Spectres is denied.
03:03I'm glad to see justice was served.
03:08This meeting is adjourned.
03:10It was a mistake bringing you into that hearing, Captain. You and Saren have too much history. It made the Council question our motives.
03:30I know Saren. He's working with the Geth for one reason. To exterminate the entire human race.
03:37Every colony we have is at risk. Every world we control is in danger. Even Earth isn't safe.
03:43Tell me about this history between you and Saren.
03:45I worked with him on a mission a long time ago. Things went bad. Real bad.
03:50Real bad. We shouldn't talk about this here. But I know what he's like. And he has to be stopped.
03:58What's our next step?
03:59As a Spectre, he's virtually untouchable. We need to find some way to expose him.
04:05What about Garrus, that C-Sec investigator? We saw him arguing with the Executor.
04:12That's right. He was asking for more time to finish his report. Seems like he was close to finding something on Saren.
04:18Any idea where we could find him?
04:19I have a contact in C-Sec who can help us track Garrus down. His name is Harkin.
04:26Forget it. They suspended Harkin last month, drinking on the job. I won't waste my time with that loser.
04:32You won't have to. I don't want the Council using your past history with Saren as an excuse to ignore anything we turn up. Shepard will handle this.
04:40I'll take care of it.
04:43I need to take care of some business. Captain, meet me in my office later.
04:50Harkin's probably getting drunk at Cora's Den. It's a dingy little club in the lower section of the wards.
04:56Maybe there's another way to find evidence against Saren.
04:59You should talk to Barla Vaughn over in the Financial District. Rumor has it he's an agent for the Shadow Broker.
05:05The Shadow Broker?
05:06An information dealer. Buys and sells secrets to the highest bidder.
05:11I've heard Barla Vaughn's one of the top representatives. He might know something about Saren.
05:15But his information won't come cheap.
05:19You and Saren have a history. What happened?
05:22About 20 years ago. I was part of a mission in the Skillian Verge.
05:27I was working with Saren to find and remove a known terrorist threat.
05:31Saren eliminated his target. But a lot of people died along the way. Innocent people.
05:38And the official records just... covered it all up. But I saw how he operates. No conscience. No hesitation.
05:45He'd kill a thousand innocent civilians to end a war without a second thought.
05:51Killing innocents doesn't end wars. It causes them.
05:55I know how the world works, Commander.
05:58Sometimes you're forced to make unpleasant decisions.
06:01But only if there's no other way.
06:02Saren doesn't even look for another option.
06:06He's twisted. Broken.
06:08He likes the violence. The killing.
06:10And he knows how to cover his tracks.
06:13Our Ambassador doesn't seem to get along with the Council.
06:17He's just frustrated.
06:19The Council's always preaching that we need to be part of the Galactic Community.
06:22But for them, it's a one-way street.
06:25They want us to expand and settle unstable regions like the Skillian Verge and the Attican Traverse.
06:31But when we run into trouble, they don't want to help us out.
06:34Everyone knows it's only a matter of time until we get a seat on the Council.
06:38The Ambassador just thinks it should happen sooner rather than later.
06:42And I agree.
06:44Maybe they'd let us join the Council if we were more willing to cooperate with the other species.
06:48Of course they would.
06:51If we did everything they told us to, they'd love to have us on the Council.
06:55But it wouldn't be much of a deal for us.
06:58I understand their side.
07:00They don't want us dominating the Council.
07:02It's founded on cooperation and alliances.
07:05But we have to look out for our own interests, too.
07:11You don't think much of Harkin.
07:13The guy joined C-Sec about 20 years ago.
07:15He's been an embarrassment to our species ever since.
07:19Roughing up suspects in custody, bribery accusations, alcohol and drug use.
07:24The Embassy used to step in when he got in trouble.
07:27But I guess enough was enough.
07:29The guy's a scumbag.
07:31He should have been cut loose a long time ago.
07:33He was one of the first human C-Sec officers.
07:36Guess it would have looked bad if he got fired.
07:39A lot of backroom deals were worked out over the years to keep him on the force.
07:41Politics is a dirty business sometimes.
07:45But it looks like his time's run out.
07:47We've got enough humans in C-Sec now to stop protecting him.
07:50I want to know more about the Specters.
07:55They're not your typical government agency.
07:58They tend to work alone.
08:00Behind the scenes.
08:02They take care of problems the Council can't.
08:05It's not easy preserving peace across an entire galaxy.
08:08The Council prefers to use diplomacy and negotiation.
08:12But sometimes more extreme measures are needed.
08:15How do they decide who becomes a Specter?
08:18You can't just apply to join.
08:20There's no training program.
08:21Specters aren't made.
08:23They're born.
08:25The Council's always looking for exceptional individuals.
08:28People who can get the job done.
08:30Like you.
08:32They've been watching you for years.
08:34They see something in you.
08:36They want you on their side.
08:38Nihilus was supposed to give them a final recommendation.
08:40But with him gone.
08:42Things are still up in the air.
08:44What's their command structure like?
08:46There is no command structure.
08:48Each Specter answers directly to the Council.
08:51Sometimes they're sent on specific missions.
08:54Other times, they act on their own.
08:56They tend to operate outside the law.
08:59Do whatever it takes to accomplish their goals.
09:01The Council just turns a blind eye.
09:04Specters have a lot of power, Shepard.
09:07They sound like shadow operatives.
09:10Everything about them is classified.
09:12We don't even know how many there are.
09:14The latest Alliance estimate puts their numbers under a hundred.
09:18But the Council couldn't do its job without them.
09:20They're the Citadel's top agents.
09:22The last line of defense.
09:24The final option before open war.
09:26The entire galaxy respects and fears them.
09:29If a Specter shows up, you know something big is about to happen.
09:34What happens when a Specter goes rogue, like Saren?
09:39It doesn't happen often.
09:41The Council is careful when they select their candidates.
09:43But when something does go wrong, there's usually only one solution.
09:47Send another Specter to bring the rogue agent down.
09:54Tell me more about the Shadow Broker.
09:56He's a necessary evil of galactic politics.
09:58Buying and selling information is a part of the game.
10:00And the Shadow Broker just happens to be the best player on the field.
10:05Always sells to the highest bidder.
10:07Doesn't get involved in politics.
10:09Doesn't pick sides.
10:11A simple system, but it works.
10:13He's not a threat to anyone. Not directly.
10:15He's just a resource we can use.
10:17Or if she is. Or maybe they are.
10:19Nobody really knows.
10:21Tell me about Bar-Lavon.
10:24He specializes in moving large sums of money without leaving a paper trail.
10:29A financial genius. Doesn't do anything illegal.
10:32But he knows all the loopholes.
10:34He's got an impressive client list.
10:37Ambassadors, diplomats, Specters.
10:39That's probably why the Shadow Broker uses him.
10:41I should go.
10:43Good luck, Shepard.
10:45I'll be over in the Ambassador's office if you need anything else.
10:46I should go.
10:47Good luck, Shepard.
10:49I'll be over in the Ambassador's office if you need anything else.
11:16That guy's up to something.
11:33What guy?
11:36What? Oh, no, I wasn't.
11:39Never mind.
11:40Um, yes, is there something you want?
11:48Why are you so interested in the Keepers?
11:51Keepers? I've got no interest in the keep-
11:54Don't get coy. I know what I saw.
11:57I, uh, I'm not so sure I should be talking to you about this.
12:01We're just talking. Is there something wrong with that?
12:05No. I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell you.
12:07I'm using a small scanner to gather readings on the Keepers.
12:11So far I've had mixed results.
12:12I find it difficult to get near the creatures.
12:15Why were you being so secretive about it, though?
12:18Well, technically we're not supposed to disturb the Keepers.
12:21I don't really think my scanning disturbs them,
12:24but the authorities might disagree.
12:26I'd like to do it more openly,
12:28but it's not really worth getting arrested over.
12:30I could help you out.
12:32I'm not worried about the authorities.
12:34I don't even know who you are.
12:35I'm Commander Shepard, with the Alliance Military.
12:39Hmm. Well, I suppose I could use the help.
12:42You'll need this. It's the scanning device I developed.
12:45Activate it each time you see a Keeper.
12:48All collected data will automatically upload to my database.
12:51I'll even send a few credits your way for each unique scan.
12:53What are you doing with the data once you've scanned it?
12:57Trying to learn whatever I can about the Keepers.
13:00We see them working everywhere, yet we know so little about them.
13:03I'm a scientist.
13:05I want to know what makes them tick.
13:07I should get going, then.
13:09Yes. I have much work myself.
13:11So long, and good luck with the scanning.
13:23No, I'm waiting to speak with one of the Counselors' Assistants.
13:26Commander?
13:28Commander?
13:56No, I'm waiting to speak with one of the Counselors' Assistants.
14:00Commander?
14:01Commander?
14:31Commander?
14:32Commander?
14:59Interesting.
15:01Commander?
15:02Commander?
15:03Commander?
15:04Commander?
15:05Commander?
15:06Commander?
15:07Commander?
15:08Commander?
15:09Commander?
15:10Commander?
15:11Commander?
15:13Commander?
15:15Commander?
15:17Commander?
15:19Commander?
15:21Commander?
15:23Commander?
15:25Commander?
15:27Commander?
15:29Commander?
15:30Commander?
15:31Don't be ridiculous.
15:55The Volus won't be joining the council for years.
15:57I'm not so sure.
15:59The humans are making a strong push, and you can bet the Volus will be right on their
16:02coattails if they succeed.
16:05Allowing the humans to join us is a sound strategic move.
16:08But the Volus?
16:09No.
16:10The Hanar are likely to be next, then the Elcor.
16:13You may be right.
16:15Will the Hanar need to lighten up a bit first?
16:18You just don't like them because you have trouble understanding them.
16:29Maybe.
16:45But I wouldn't believe everything you hear.
16:48But that's just it.
16:49I'm hearing it everywhere.
16:51It's not just isolated rumors.
16:53Do you really think Saren could be involved in something like that without the council
16:57knowing it?
16:58Maybe the council does know.
17:00Everyone already assumes he's just doing their dirty work.
17:03That's dangerous talk.
17:04I'd be careful who you mention that to.
17:07I know.
17:07But if it's true, shouldn't we be doing something about it?
17:11No.
17:11And I'll thank you to keep me out of it if you do.
19:07I can't believe the council ignored all the evidence against Saren.
19:14Saren's one of their best operatives.
19:16It's only natural they take his work over hours.
19:20Oh.
19:21So now we just chase leads while this smug Turian runs around with his geth troopers.
19:26That's politics, chief.
19:27I hate politics.
19:29Please do not disturb the keepers.
19:57Oh.
20:04Oh.
20:06Oh.
20:08Oh.
20:09Oh.
20:09Oh.