..Mass Effect 3..

(Continuation)

Mission-Based Assets

 The following assets are obtained through missions or side-quests, and aren't necessarily part of the main storyline. As a general rule, none of them are obtained via scanning - each one involves Shepard actually getting out of the Normandy and doing a bit of legwork.

Aria's Army:

Potential Asset Gains: Terminus Fleet (50), Blue Suns Mercenaries (50), Eclipse Mercenaries (50), Blood Pack Mercenaries (50)

Timeframe: After Priority: Palaven

Once you've completed Priority: Palaven, travel to Purgatory and look towards the VIP section to find a familiar face. Aria's hanging out on the Citadel, and she's none too pleased about how Cerberus stole Omega out from under her feet. She's planning on putting together an army to wipe them from the map after the Reapers are dealt with - until they're defeated, however, that army's Shepard's. There's only one problem - she needs more mercenaries. She'll task Commander Shepard with recruiting each of the three mercenary companies as a separate mission.

Aria: Blood Pack:The first, and easiest of the missions, involves a spot of treachery. Go to the Presidium Commons, and speak to Narl. Turns out, Narl's using Shepard as bait - claiming he's going to turn the Commander over to one of the Blood Pack's leaders, Kreete.  Naturally, this is all just a bid to draw the Blood Pack's leadership out of hiding - at which point Narl and Shepard slaughter every other leader but Gryll, who consolidates power under himself - and under Aria.  There's not much you need to do for this one aside from talk.

Aria: Blue Suns: Go down to The Docks: Holding Area in the Citadel to meet with Darner Vosque. Vosque arrogantly informs Shepard that he's going to be bedding Aria, and orders the Commander to kill one "General Oraka," who's been causing problems for his company of late. You may remember the General as the drunk from Chora's Den in Mass Effect 1 - he's cleaned himself up a bit, and is now working to support the war effort -something which he feels is being hindered by the Blue Suns.  If you've no problems with doing exactly as Vosque says, simply order the hit on Oraka. Otherwise, you'll need to speak to Oraka, then speak to Kannik (at Cipritine Armory in the marketplace), then travel to the Kite's Nest Sector, and scan planet Vana in the Vular System. Finally, return the black market artifacts you acquire to Kannik, and he'll agree to provide weaponry to Oraka, who will agree to back off and leave the Blue Suns be.

Aria: Eclipse: You've got two choices here. Either you can release a bloodthirsty, certifiably psychotic serial killer back out to the public, and let her have free reign of the innocents on the Citadel (including the officers who imprisoned her), or…you can convince her second in command to take over and let her rot for the rest of her days. Sayn can be found in the Holding Area, near Garrus.

Whatever choice you happen to make, the Eclipse Mercs will be Aria's, and devoted entirely to your war efforts.

Arrae: Ex-Cerberus Scientists

Potential Asset Gains: Jacob Taylor(25), Dr. Brynn Cole (25), Ex-Cerberus Scientists (25), Dr. Gavin Archer (25), Turian Poison(8)

Timeframe: After Priority: Citadel 2.

After Priority: Citadel 2 speak to Specialist Traynor to acquire this mission. You'll be sent to rescue a team of ex-Cerberus Scientists from a Cerberus assault. If Jacob Taylor survived the events of Mass Effect 2, he will be present for this mission and can vouch that Shepard may be trusted. Otherwise, Dr. Brynn Cole will have trouble trusting Shepard. On the top floor of the complex you can find a microscope containing Turian Poison, which can be delivered to Huerta Memorial to add an additional 8 points to the Turian Sixth Fleet.

This is a very straightforward mission, and upon completion, you will receive 12,500 credits and gain the Ex-Cerberus Scientists, Dr. Brynn Cole, and Lt. Jacob Taylor (if he survived ME 2) as War Assets. If you did not complete Project Overlord in Mass Effect 2, completing this mission will unlock Dr. Gavin Archer. Otherwise, you'll unlock him as an asset by completing Grissom Academy: Emergency Evacuation.

Attican Traverse: Krogan Team:

Potential Asset Gains: Grunt (25-50), Rachni Workers (either 100 or -100), Aralakh Company (25-50),

Timeframe: Acquired from Wrex or Wreav before Priority: Tuchanka, after completion of Priority: Sur'Kesh.

Before you start this mission, let me make one thing clear: if you killed the Rachni Queen in the original Mass Effect, do not release the Rachni Breeder in this mission. Doing so will end up costing you 100 points of military strength, as the Rachni created by the Breeder will turn on the Alliance Engineering Corps. If Grunt survived the suicide mission and is loyal at the end of this mission, he will join the fight as a war asset, and add an additional 50 MS to Aralakh Company. If Aralakh Company was used to save the Rachni Queen, they will lose 25 MS.

Citadel: Batarian Codes:

Potential Asset Gains: Ka'haira Balak (15),

Timeframe: After Priority: Citadel 2

First things first, activate the Batarian Code Tracking in the Spectre Office. Next, you'll need to go to three areas.

1. Huerta Memorial Hospital: The lab on the right in Lab Services.
2. Normandy Dock: Bay D 24: In the passenger lounge, near the monitors.
3. Docks: Holding Area: All the way at the end, where you find the last terminal in Citadel: Hanar Diplomat

If Balak escaped during the Bring Down The Sky mission in Mass Effect 1 (or you simply didn't complete it), you'll be confronted by him as you disable the last terminal. At this point, you have two choices. Either you can kill him on the spot, or you can convince him to join your cause against the Reapers.  If you pass a reputation check, he'll agree to put aside his old hatreds - for the time being. As a War Asset, he's worth 15 points, and is a part of the Batarian Fleet.

If Balak didn't survive the events of Mass Effect, then you'll simply find out that C-Sec has a suspect in custody for the crimes, and you'll receive your reward for completing the mission.

Citadel: Hanar Diplomat:

Possible Asset Gains: Kasumi Goto (25), Hanar and Drell Forces (50), Spectre Unit (40)

Timeframe: After Priority: Palaven

Once you've rescued the Turian Primarch, you'll receive a communique from a Spectre known as Jondum Bau. Assuming Kasumi Goto survived the suicide mission in Mass Effect 2, Bau informs Shepard that he received some information on a massive Alliance op gone wrong - one which could have started a war with the Batarians, assuming the Hegemony still existed. Several Hanar operatives were present during the operation, in which the Batarians were studying Reaper technology. He believes them to be indoctrinated.

Enter the Spectre Office in the Citadel Embassy to meet up with Kasumi (assuming she survived). Activate the "Hanar Embassy Tracking" option. The first terminal is in the Embassy Lounge, opposite the stairs. The second is in the Docks Holding Area, just outside the elevator. Next, go to the opposite side of the Holding Area, and activate the terminal there. Return to the embassies, and go to the office suite just left of the elevator. If Kasumi is present, she'll stop the indoctrinated Hanar's viral upload while Shepard saves Bau. Otherwise, you'll have to choose between Bau and the Hanar. If Kasumi is loyal, once she 'dies,' Shepard will recruit her to the Crucible Project.

Citadel: Volus Ambassador:

Possible Asset Gains: Zaeed Massani (25), Volus Bombing Fleet (75)

Timeframe: After Priority: Citadel

After the Priority: Citadel 2; and assuming Zaeed Massani survived the suicide mission as a loyal follower in Mass Effect 2, you'll receive an email from the Turian Primarch, instructing you to investigate the Volus Ambassodor Din Korlack. First, go to the Spectre Command Center in the Citadel Embassy to find Korlack's location. Next, talk to the Turian Guard outside the office suite, and listen to all three recordings on Korlack's computer. Finally, head up to the Apartments in the Citadel Commons; going to either 80 or 94. In the second apartment you check, you'll find the ambassador, along with Zaeed Massani.

 If you've a high enough reputation, you can save both save the Turian colony that's to come under attack and gain the Volus Bombing Fleet as a War Asset. Assuming you did everything right, you'll gain the Volus Bombing Fleet (75), and avoid having the Turian Sixth Fleet suffer losses, in addition to gaining 210 xp and 5,000 credits.  Additionally, you can go down to the refugee camps to recruit Zaeed Massani to the war effort (25).

Cerberus Automated Turret Schematics:

You'll find this one during the Tuchanka: Bomb mission. As you approach the control panel for the Turian explosive, fleeing Cerberus troops will throw down a turret to hinder your process. Destroy it, and move up to where it was placed - nearby, you should see a terminal with the schematics. Grab them, and after Priority: Citadel 2, you'll find a C-Sec officer looking to pick them up. They're worth a total of 8 MS.

Eden Prime: Resistance Movement:

Potential Asset Gains: Eden Prime (25-100 MS)

Timeframe: After Priority: Citadel 1

Note that to acquire this asset, you must have purchased the From Ashes DLC. There are three pieces of key intel on Eden Prime that can be used by the resistance movement to fend off Cerberus troops. Finding all three will enable them to boot Cerberus clear off their planet. The three pieces of intel can be found in the following locations:

1. Immediately after you land, enter a building on the right-hand side. Within, there should be a terminal containing the intel.
2. After your first encounter with Cerberus, go to the structure on your left. The back room of this structure will be filled with computer terminals - the intel is there.
3. Across from the building emblazoned with a "2" that holds the Prothean Data, you'll see another building. Enter it, and you'll eventually come across three consoles. The central one holds the intel.

Collecting all three pieces of intel will net you 100 military strength.

Grissom Academy: Emergency Evacuation:

Possible Asset Gains: Jack (25), Biotic Company (50 or 75), Kahlee Sanders (15-30), Biotic Amp Interfaces (8)

Timeframe: Immediately after Priority: Palaven

After completing Priority: Palaven, speak to Samantha Traynor to gain access to this mission. Perform it as soon as possible - if you don't complete it before completing three other missions, you will automatically fail, and Cerberus will capture all parties present at the academy.

 The mission is fairly straightforward. Steamroll your way through the Cerberus troops, rescuing every student you find along the way. Make sure to check every single nook and cranny to avoid missing out on rescuing any of the students. If you completed Project Overlord in Mass Effect 2, you'll come across David Archer.

Just after the battle in the Atrium, you'll come across a nearly-empty corridor. Within, you'll find Biotic Amp Interfaces. Deliver them to the Asari in Huerta Memorial.

If Jack survived Mass Effect 2, she'll be present as the teacher of the students, and she will greet you. Otherwise, you'll find Ensign Jason Prangley in charge.  Once you've completed the mission, you'll receive 25 points for recruiting Jack, either 50 or 75 for the students (50 if you put them in a defensive role, 75 if you put them on the front lines), and 30 with Kahlee Sanders if David Archer is present (5), Ensign Prangley survived (5), and no students were killed during the mission (5).

GX-12 Thermal Pipe:

Potential Asset Gains: Optimized Eezo Capacitors (15)

Timeframe: After Priority: Sur'Kesh if you don't have Dr. Chakwas, after Priority: Tuchanka if you do.

Simply go to the Citadel Commons and purchase the E-Gel Thermal Conduit from Elkoss Combine Arsenal Supplies. It'll cost you 1,000 credits. You can also purchase it from the Normandy's Shuttle Bay if you've already visited the story, but it'll run you an extra 100 credits.  

Kallini: Ardat-Yakshi Monastery:

Potential Asset Gains: Asari Commandos (20), Samara (25)

Timeframe: After Priority: Citadel 2

Note that if you chose Morinth over Samara, or Samara died during the suicide mission, this mission will not be available. After saving the counselors yet again in Priority: The Citadel 2, the Asari will finally offer their support, in addition to informing Liara of a possible situation-several Asaria Commando Units have gone missing while investigating an Ardat-Yakshi Monastery in the Mesana System. Run through the mission, and towards the end, be prepared for a paragon interrupt to prevent Samara from shooting herself.

N7: Cerberus Lab:

Potential Asset Gains: Cerberus Research Data (50), Alien Medi-Gel Formula (8)

Timeframe: Immediately after receiving Priority: Palaven

This is the first of the N7 Missions you'll receive, and takes place on Firebase Glacier. The mission involves collecting several Reaper artifacts and returning them to your shuttle, while under fire from Cerberus forces. Down the hall beside where you recover the first artifact is a small room containing a "failed experiment," which can be used to complete the Citadel: Alien Medi-Gel mission. Deliver it to Dr. Ravin at Huerta Memorial after completing Priority: Palaven.

N7: Cerberus Attack:

Potential Asset Gains: Krogan First Division (50), Improved Power Grid (8)

Timeframe: While engaged in Priority: Tuchanka

While fending off Cerberus troops, climb up the ladder to the small tower overlooking the rest of the map. Within, you'll find a console containing the Improved Power Grid Schematics. Aside from that, it's pretty standard fare - kill off Cerberus, and bring home the assets. Deliver the Power Grid Schematics to a technician just outside of the entrance to Purgatory.

N7: Cerberus Fighter Base:

Potential Asset Gains: Advanced Fighter Squadron (75), Heating Unit Stabilizers (8)

Timeframe: After completing Priority: Tuchanka.

This mission, set at Firebase White, requires you to complete a series of uploads / sabotages. Before activating the first console, turn around and look at the wall opposite the two control panels. Up a little ways, you should see a console. Access it to acquire Heating Unit Stabilizers, which you can deliver to a concerned Salarian in the Presidium Commons. 

N7: Fuel Reactors:

Potential Asset Gains: Advanced Starship Fuel (75), Chemical Treatment (8)

Timeframe: After completion of Priority: Geth Dreadnought.

Immediately upon entering the area, go to the left, and walk up as far as you can go to find a plan for treating Chemical Burns. Deliver this to Huerta Memorial to add 8 MS to your Turian War Assets. For this mission, you'll need to reset the reactors in order to clear the area of toxic radiation. Don't try to walk in the irradiated areas before doing so - you'll die.

First, fiddle with a crane display terminal near Riley to open access to the terminals. Activate the terminals to vent the gas; then begin the task of resetting the reactor cores. At a certain point, Riley will request aid - you can either send a squadmate to help her, or leave her to her fate.  Paragon or renegade; your choice. After this, initiate the final startup to complete the mission.

N7: Cerberus Abductions:

Potential Asset Gains: Arcturus First Division (60).

Timeframe: After completing Tuchanka: Turian Platoon or Attican Traverse: Krogan Team, Traynor will mention the mission in passing.  

This one's pretty basic. Clear out all the Cerberus troops, get the civilians to safety. Keep a close eye as you're entering one of the courtyards near building 27; you'll find a dog tag that can be turned in to complete the mission "Benning: Evidence".

N7: Communications Hub:

Potential Asset Gains:  Communications Array (50), Cerberus Ciphers (8)

Timeframe: After Priority: Thessia

Right after dropping into the combat zone, drop into the courtyard, then head left and go up a nearby ramp. You should see a Medigel Case in front of you. Turn towards a nearby satellite dish from the medigel case, and you'll find a console. Access it to acquire Cerberus Ciphers, which you can turn in to Officer Delk in the Citadel Embassies to gain 8 MS for the Alliance Fifth Fleet. Save Grace Sato and complete the mission to gain the Communications Array Asset for the Alliance.

Note: Most of the secondary assets in above missions (such as the Chemical Treatments) may simply be purchased from the Spectre Requisitions Terminal if they are missed.

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