[Ryder can have
a longer conversation with Director Tann in his office.]
DIRECTOR TANN:
Ryder. You have my condolences for your father.
RYDER:
I appreciate it.
DIRECTOR TANN:
I didn't know him very well, although I understand he
played a key role in planning the Initiative. I'm sure he'd be concerned that
we still have several arks missing.
RYDER - dialogues options:
EMOTIONAL -I’ll find them.
LOGICAL -What happened
to them?
RYDER:
Any idea
where they went?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
Nothing
certain. But tens of thousands of colonists are unaccounted for. It paints the
Initiative in an unflattering light. Did you have some other business?
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Nexus troubles
-The Andromeda Initiative
-Tann's role
-Missing arks
-Planet viability
RYDER:
It sounds
like the Nexus has had a rough time of it.
DIRECTOR
TANN:
Publicly, I
would say we're more than up for the challenge. Privately, I can tell you it's
been a disaster. The Scourge killed hundreds—many of them our senior
leadership. Even the founder of the Initiative, Jien
Garson, is dead.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Jien
Garson's death
-Scourge disaster
-Mysteries on Habitat 7
RYDER:
How did Jien Garson die?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
With the
rest of the leadership. When the Nexus hit the Scourge, a large wing of stasis
pods was destroyed. They were killed instantly. These people traveled for 600
years and died before they even woke up. Jien Garson
never glimpsed Heleus. She never saw her vision
realized.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Jien Garson's death
-Scourge disaster
-Mysteries on Habitat 7
RYDER:
Kandros
mentioned something about hitting the Scourge. How did it play out?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
Criminal
elements took advantage of the emergency and preyed on people's fears. An
uprising followed. We had no choice but to turn to the krogan
to deal with them. They crushed the mutiny and the criminals were banished.
"Exiles," we call them. I doubt we've heard the last of them. They're
led by an outlaw. Sloane Kelly. She used to be one of ours.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Sloane Kelly
-Where are the krogan?
RYDER:
Who is this
Sloane Kelly?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
She was
head of security on the Nexus. She opposed the uprising at first, but
eventually turned traitor and joined them. Misguided sympathy for the plight of
the common citizen. Nonsense. They posed a direct threat to our existence.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Sloane Kelly
-Where
are the krogan?
RYDER:
There don't
seem to be many krogan around.
DIRECTOR
TANN:
Good
riddance. The krogan demanded a greater say in
political matters—the last place you want them involved. They're muscle,
nothing more. Good for fighting and lifting heavy objects. When they didn't get
what they wanted, they left.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Sloane Kelly
-Where are the krogan?
-Dislike for krogan
RYDER:
Why don't
you like the krogan?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
It's common
knowledge they're a violent, ignorant species. Long ago, they waged nuclear war
on one another. Their planet was decimated. My people tried to uplift them, but
the krogan could never tame their worst instincts.
What if they bring their tempers to Andromeda? We'll all be dead.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Jien Garson's death
-Scourge disaster
-Mysteries on Habitat
7
RYDER:
We came
across alien technology on Habitat 7. It seemed to affect the weather. Your
people know anything about that?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
There have
been reports. Failed scouting missions have mentioned advanced structures of
unknown design. Whatever they are, they defy explanation. But with our
resources stretched so tight, no one has had a chance to study them. And what
if the answer was bad for morale? Suppose these things turn people into food?
All we know is the kett are interested in them. I'd
rather not stir things up.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Nexus troubles
-The Andromeda
Initiative
-Tann's role
-Missing arks
-Planet viability
RYDER:
What more
can you tell me about the Initiative?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
It
represents the greatest migration ever attempted. No one had ventured beyond
the Milky Way before. We've all left home in search of freedom, fortune,
perhaps a new beginning. We're the bravest souls each species has to offer. I
hope the Nexus will serve as the seat of government for us all.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Initiative origins
-Motivations for coming
-Alien species on Nexus
RYDER:
What do you
know about the early days of the Initiative?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
As most everyone
knows, Jien Garson's vision made it happen. She was
an entrepreneur on Earth. Wealthy. Young for a human. Garson had the idea for
the Initiative in the early 2170s, I believe. Many thought leaving the Milky
Way was impossible. But she persevered. And as with most great ideas, the
doubters were wrong.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Initiative
origins
-Motivations for
coming
-Alien species on Nexus
RYDER:
Why do you
think most people came?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
There are
thousands of reasons, one for every colonist here. What does any pilgrim seek?
Usually, happiness. Finding the thing that eludes them... the thing to fulfill
them. While we can't promise they will find it, we can facilitate the search.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Initiative
origins
-Motivations for coming
-Alien species on
Nexus
RYDER:
It looks
like a melting pot around here.
DIRECTOR
TANN:
The Nexus
is home to several Initiative species. Many came ahead of the arks. The hope is
that this station will one day serve as the governing body in Andromeda. Though
I'm not sure what they were thinking, lumping krogan
into the mix. As a salarian, my kind tend to have a
low opinion of them. Nothing I’ve seen here has changed that.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Nexus troubles
-The Andromeda Initiative
-Tann's role
-Missing arks
-Planet viability
RYDER:
As Director
of the Initiative, are you in charge around here or what?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
If the
others would allow me. They don't see me as the right successor.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Gridlock?
-Why the doubt?
RYDER:
So how does
anything get done?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
In theory,
Kesh handles the Nexus' physical operations, Kandros
runs the militia, and Addison manages Colonial Affairs. I oversee all of it. In
practice, we argue, debate, and yell at each other until a decision is made...
if we're lucky. it is maddening.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Gridlock?
-Why the doubt?
RYDER:
What's
their problem with you?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
I'm not Jien Garson. Our founder was charismatic. Eccentric. Larger
than life. Traits I can't hope to mimic. She and her inner circle perished in
the Scourge. Some at the hands of the exiles. Some never made it out of stasis.
I was Deputy Assistant for Revenue Management. Then all seven leaders above me
died. I was next in line for the role.
RYDER:
So...
you're an accountant?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
Don't let
that fool you. We're all capable of more than we know. When I was young, I was
fascinated by the idea of exploring space. Life had its detours and I went a
different direction. Then I heard about the Initiative—and saw my chance to try
the path not taken. While I may not be setting foot on new worlds, my authority
can ensure that you do.
RYDER:
Right.
Sorry.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Nexus troubles
-The Andromeda Initiative
-Tann's role
-Missing arks
-Planet viability
RYDER:
Any more
information you can give me on the missing arks?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
No, and
that's the distressing part. The asari, turian, and salarian arks are
completely unaccounted for. If they had the same problems with the Scourge that
we did, I fear the worst. Should you find any clues, please investigate.
Without the other arks, the promise of the Initiative can never be fulfilled.
RYDER:
Are there
any other arks we should expect?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
We'd hoped quarians would be part of the first wave. But before
departure in 2185, we got word they had technical problems with their ship. It
seems they're also bringing along drell, hanar, and other species as well. Managing all their
biological needs caused complications. We won't see them for some time to come.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Nexus
troubles
-The Andromeda Initiative
-Tann's role
-Missing arks
-Planet viability
RYDER:
What do I
need to consider in making a planet viable?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
Assuming
the planet supports life, an outpost is critical. People like a roof over their
heads. And you'll want to eliminate any hostile threats. Whether that's the kett, or other terrors lurking in Heleus,
colonists being murdered on sight can be discouraging. Also, scouting and
mapping terrain is a priority for any Pathfinder. And don't forget forward
stations. You'll want those.
RYDER:
What can
you tell me about forward stations?
DIRECTOR
TANN:
I was
afraid you'd ask. It's mostly what the engineers tell me. "A forward
station allows mining, equipment repairs, and re-supply for field teams."
I mean, who wouldn't want that? But seeing as how every colonization effort has
failed, it's just theory at the moment. You get to
test it out, Ryder.
[Ryder can now
ask him about the Nilken Rensus
case.]
RYDER:
I'm looking into the Nilken Rensus murder charge.
DIRECTOR
TANN:
And?
RYDER:
I want to
go to Eos and retrieve Chief Reynold's body.
DIRECTOR TANN:
That isn't
usually Pathfinder business.
RYDER:
First
murder in Andromeda. And I'm impartial—figured you'd want to get it right.
DIRECTOR
TANN:
Settling an
outpost comes first, but I suppose I have no objections. Physical evidence will
only bolster the case.
RYDER - dialogues options:
EMOTIONAL -I’m not sure he did it.
LOGICAL -The body can reveal much.
RYDER:
The more
certain we can be, the better.
DIRECTOR
TANN:
All right,
but let's keep it quiet. I don't want people thinking we're opening the case. I
hope anything you find reaffirms what's been done. But if it sheds a different
light, we'll deal with it. We'll send the coordinates of the murder scene. Good
luck.
RYDER:
That's all.
Thanks for your time.
DIRECTOR
TANN:
I'm happy
to help. You'll find our futures depend on each other's success. Good luck.
[Ryder leaves
Tann’s office. In the Operations Center, directly in front of him and below the
Colonial Affairs deck, a technician named Raj Patil
is working on a panel.]
RAJ PATIL:
Yeah, looks fine so far...
[The panel short-circuits and smoke comes out of it. Raj Patil cries out in surprise and pain. Ryder walks toward
him.]
RYDER:
Hey—you okay?
RAJ PATIL:
I'm fine. My arms got the brunt of it.
RYDER:
Stuff exploding like this happen often?
RAJ PATIL:
Back right after the mutiny, we had a lot of this
happening, but not lately.
RYDER:
I wasn't there during the mutiny.
RAJ PATIL:
Lucky. I thought we were done with this, honestly.
That maybe I was just being paranoid...
RYDER - dialogues options:
CASUAL -Is it paranoia?
PROFESSIONAL -Why
paranoid?
RYDER:
What is there to be paranoid about?
RAJ PATIL:
We've had three malfunctions in the past week.
RYDER:
That's not good. Sorry, understatement.
RAJ PATIL:
Yeah. (Sighs.) And now I have more repairs.
RYDER - dialogues options:
EMOTIONAL -This has to
stop.
LOGICAL -Did you
report this?
RYDER:
Did you
talk to security about this?
RAJ PATIL:
How can I?
For all I know, someone in security is the one doing this! I've scanned all the
potential sabotage areas I can think of, but I don't know who to trust anymore.
RYDER:
Sounds like
a lot went down before the Hyperion docked.
RAJ PATIL:
Yeah, I
guess. Wait—that's it. You can't possibly be involved in this. You weren't even
here during the mutiny. Would you—if you have time, maybe you could help me? If
they start hitting critical
systems...
RYDER:
Sure thing.
What can I do?
RAJ PATIL:
If you
could scan these other panels while I fix this one, that'd really help. I've
sent the locations to your omni-tool. Just send me the data when you're done.
[Ryder has to investigate the panels in the Operations Center,
Militia, and Pathfinder HQ sites.]
RAJ PATIL
(COMM):
No, I'm
fine. And I don't know—it just blew up.
KESH
(COMM):
Find out
why. Be careful.
[Ryder first
scans the panel on Colonial Affairs’s deck.]
SAM:
Scanning
power junction relays. The panel is malfunctioning. Without more data, I cannot
determine if this is a normal malfunction or sabotage.
RYDER:
I'll just
disable power to the panel until Raj can check it out.
[Ryder goes
back to Operations Center, walks down the ramp, and scans the panel to its
left.]
SAM:
Pathfinder, to cover their tracks, the saboteur is
overloading power to this panel from another junction relay. You can scan and
trace the connective wiring to locate the surrogate panel.
[Ryder can scan
the panel in the Milita site, then proceed to scan
the one in the Pathfinder HQ site (also known as Tann's office).]
SAM:
Scan and trace the wiring the locate the panel that
the saboteur used.
[Ryder follows
the wiring and scans a panel near Kesh’s office.]
RAJ PATIL (COMM):
Pathfinder, I received the data from SAM. It really is
sabotage.
RYDER:
Any idea as to who it might be?
RAJ PATIL (COMM):
Yeah. All these panels were worked on by Zarah. I just can't believe it.
SAM:
Security video logs confirm that Zarah
Kellus worked on these panels, as well as the one Raj
Patil encountered.
RYDER:
Well, shit. Any idea where she is now?
SAM:
Kellus is currently
working on a panel on the Hyperion main deck.
[As Ryder
leaves, he hears Melo—the salarian technician on the
main bridge—talking.]
MELO:
Kesh, this is Melo. The console for the secondary
management system is mixed. Everything checks out. It should sync up with the
Hyperion's remote consoles. Moving on to the next thing on my list.
[Cora is found
near the tram, using her omni-tool. She stops what she’s doing when Ryder comes
to talk to her.]
RYDER:
Hey, there.
CORA:
You okay? Those guys really grilled you. And Addison.
First Pathfinder they've seen in over a year, all she can do is question your
competence?
RYDER -
dialogues options:
EMOTIONAL
-Addison wasn't my favorite.
LOGICAL -Her
reaction's understandable.
CASUAL -Which
one was Addison?
PROFESSIONAL -Nothing I couldn't handle.
RYDER:
I expected something like that. I can handle the
pressure.
CORA:
I worked out logistics with Director Tann. They're
giving us a ship and crew. He said their best is taking care of it.
RYDER:
I still need to head back to the ark and check in with
SAM.
CORA:
Sounds good. While you're there, maybe see how your
sister is doing.
[Ryder takes
the tram leading to the Hyperion Habitation Deck. He arrives in the Atrium,
where several crew members are talking.]
CREW 1:
What's the latest about waking people up?
CREW 2:
We're in a holding pattern. Word is that the Nexus
doesn't have enough room.
CREW 1:
But they've been here for like a year, haven't they?
CREW 2:
Yeah. I guess it didn't go so well.
[Ryder finds Zarah Kellus near a panel.]
RYDER:
Zarah Kellus?
ZARAH KELLUS:
Yes?
RYDER:
I have evidence you've been sabotaging the Nexus.
ZARAH KELLUS:
What? No! I'd never—I've been looking
into this myself. I have the scans to prove it! Here—I'll transfer the
scans I took to your omni-tool.
RYDER:
Funny. Raj was investigating the same thing—and it led
us to you.
ZARAH KELLUS:
My scans point at Raj as the one... so unless someone
was setting us both up, I just don't understand.
SAM (PRIVATE):
The data Miss Kellus has
accumulated is strangely similar to Mr Patil's. A third party seems
likely.
RYDER - dialogues options:
CASUAL -You’ve been set up.
PROFESSIONAL -Decoy
tactic?
RYDER:
The real
saboteur could be setting you both up.
ZARAH
KELLUS:
Because we
both figured out something was going on? That would make sense. It's better
than thinking Raj could have done this. But it means all the data I have is
useless. Wish I had access to the security cams. I bet we could find something
there.
RYDER:
You stay
put, so whoever did this doesn't realize we're on to them. I'll check out the
security cams.
[Ryder contacts
Raj.]
RYDER:
Raj, you
there?
RAJ PATIL
(COMM):
Yes. How
did it go? Is it-is it really her?
RYDER:
Wasn't her.
She had "proof" pointing at you. I figure someone's been messing with
you both. Just keep a low profile and don't talk to anyone. I'm on it.
[Ryder goes
back to the Nexus’s Operations Center to check the security footage. The first
footage shows a grey static-filled screen.]
RYDER:
The file is
useless. Let's check another.
[Ryder checks another file. The result is the
same.]
RYDER:
And another
scrambled file.
SAM:
Coincidence
seems unlikely.
RYDER:
Let's check
another.
[This time the screen shows images, but they’re
blurry.]
RYDER:
This file
is also corrupted. Definitely not a coincidence. You'd
need pretty high clearance to mess with the security
camera files. Someone working for Kandros, maybe.
SAM:
That is the
most probable scenario.
RYDER:
Think you
can get enough out of the files to find a match using biometric scans, SAM?
SAM:
The files
were badly scrambled, but if I combine all the available identifiers, it might
work. Based on the limited information available, we are looking for a human
male assigned either to the Nexus or Hyperion. You will need to conduct scans
from close proximity.
RYDER:
Got it.
[Ryder goes to the Militia site, scans a man
working for Nexus security.]
SAM:
Inaccurate
match.
[Ryder goes below the Colonial Affairs deck and
scans another man working for Nexus security.]
SAM:
Negative
match.
[Ryder goes to the Hyperion Habitation Deck to
scan members of Nexus security transferred to the Hyperion. He begins by
scanning a man standing guard outside of the tram.]
SAM:
Inaccurate
match.
[As he makes his way to the Hyperion's Atrium,
he sees a man kneeling near a panel. Ryder scans him. It's a match.]
SAM:
Scan
results show a partial positive. Target is most likely suspect.
RYDER:
Who is he?
SAM:
Dale
Atkins. Reports to Kandros' department. Assigned to
station security.
[Ryder approaches Atkins, who remains kneeling
with his back turned.]
RYDER:
Dale
Atkins, right? We need to talk.
DALE
ATKINS:
Look, not
to be rude, but I have work to do...
RYDER - dialogues options:
CASUAL -Is that what you call it?
PROFESSIONAL -I don’t
think so.
RYDER:
We know
what you've been up to. You're done here.
DALE
ATKINS:
I-I don't
know what you're talking about. I'm just doing my job, that's all!
RYDER:
Proof says
you've been up to no good.
DALE
ATKINS:
Figures.
Screw this. Screw all you hypocrites on this station. You weren't here when
they kicked out our loved ones. Mutiny? We just wanted answers. My sister is
out there! I don't even know if she's alive or...
RYDER - dialogues options:
EMOTIONAL -I sympathize,
but...
LOGICAL -Your actions are unforgivable.
RYDER:
I'm sorry
for what happened, but setting explosives isn't the answer.
DALE
ATKINS:
Neither was
sending people into exile because they didn't agree with policy. (Sighs.) I
don't care what you think. The mutiny leaders were right to demand to know what
was going on.
RYDER:
You could
have hurt people. Killed them.
DALE
ATKINS:
Like those
who got killed when the leadership had the krogan
stomp on my friends? I'm done talking. I confess: it was me. Do whatever you
want.
RYDER - dialogues options:
EMOTIONAL -You need to go.
LOGICAL -Not up to me.
RYDER:
Not my
call. The Nexus leaders will make that decision.
DALE
ATKINS:
That lot, make a decision? That'll be the day.
[With that
finished, Ryder continues to the Hyperion Atrium. There he spots the Hyperion
pilot (Lani) and captain (Dunn). He first approaches Lani, who is standing by a panel close to the one Zarah Kellus was inspecting.]
LANI:
Pathfinder.
It's good to see you. Word is there's been trouble on the station...
RYDER - dialogues options:
CASUAL -It’ll get
better.
PROFESSIONAL -Where’d you hear that?
RYDER:
We're here
now. It'll get better.
LANI:
That's what
I've been telling people. You're here now! As soon as we establish outposts,
everything will even out. I'm sure of it.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-And your family?
-Why are you here?
-What's it like here?
RYDER:
What about
your family?
LANI:
I'm an
orphan. My parents died on the Mindoir colony when it
was attacked years ago. No siblings. I left friends and some distant relatives
behind, but I have friends here, too. I love piloting, but I like the idea of
going back to my roots and farming like my parents did. Someday.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-And your family?
-Why are you here?
-What's it like here?
RYDER:
Why did you
join the Initiative?
LANI:
Ah, the
most popular question on the station. Honestly, I wouldn't have known about
this project if Nozomi hadn't reached out to me.
RYDER:
Nozomi?
LANI:
Captain Dunn. Of all
the captains I've piloted for, she's the best. I've always been a wanderer at heart.
When she asked me to be her pilot... how could I say no to the adventure of a
lifetime?
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-And your family?
-Why are you here?
-What's it like here?
RYDER:
How do you
feel about all this now that we're here?
LANI:
Hopeful. I
know, it's a rose-colored outlook, but... Someone's gotta
keep the positivity coming, right?
RYDER:
Have to
go now. See you later.
LANI:
Take care.
[Captain Dunn
is standing on the far side of the Atrium. Ryder now walks toward her.]
CAPTAIN
DUNN:
Ryder.
RYDER:
You're not
on the bridge, Captain?
CAPTAIN
DUNN:
We powered
it down. Can't afford to waste energy. Though cryo
bay and SAM Node are exempt. And I told them to keep their hands
off Alec's quarters. You have access now.
RYDER:
Thanks.
CAPTAIN
DUNN:
Hey—sorry
about your father. He was really good at what he did.
Just not so good at working with people. He was right about going planetside, though.
RYDER - dialogues options:
EMOTIONAL -I'll miss
him.
LOGICAL -I didn't really know him.
CASUAL -He was difficult.
PROFESSIONAL -Only work mattered to him.
RYDER:
I wish he
were still here. There's so much he would have taught me.
CAPTAIN
DUNN:
You'll do
fine. You're off to a good start. If there's anything else I can help with, let
me know.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Your role
-Expectations
-Joining the Initiative
RYDER:
Now that
the Hyperion is docked, what will you do?
CAPTAIN
DUNN:
Normally
I'd supervise thawing out the colonists, but that's been put on hold. I hear
you're the one helping resolve the issue. Good luck with that.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Your role
-Expectations
-Joining the Initiative
RYDER:
If someone
had told you that you'd be in the Andromeda cluster, even five years ago...
CAPTAIN DUNN:
Are you
kidding me? I'd have laughed them out of the quadrant. Although the way things
are now isn't exactly what I was hoping for, either.
We all knew there was a possibility on arrival of less than ideal
circumstances. When you sign up, you hope for the best and plan for the worst.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-Your role
-Expectations
-Joining the
Initiative
RYDER:
Why did you
join the Initiative? We're a long way from home...
CAPTAIN
DUNN:
How could I
not? I love my job. Coming here, all this... it was just a logical extension of
what I already do. Sailing through new stars, discovering new worlds... what
self-respecting explorer could pass that up?
RYDER:
Thanks for
the talk.
CAPTAIN DUNN:
All right.
I have requests to submit, administrators to harass, and people to wake up. I'd
better get to it. Good luck out there.
[Ryder leaves the Atrium, passes by SAM Node to
arrive at Alec’s quarters. It’s guarded by a man who nods at Ryder. In Alec’s
quarters, directly to the right of the entrance is a wall of shelves displaying
weapons. Ryder examines Alec’s sidearm.]
SAM:
Your
father's first sidearm. A memento of his early Alliance service.
RYDER:
I bet that
saw plenty of action.
SAM:
Alec’s
first kill occured in combat during the First Contact
War.
RYDER:
Back when turians were the enemy. Crazy times.
[There is a shelf above the bed in the corner
across from the entrance. Ryder can pick up a model of the Normandy SR-2. A
partition to the left of the entrance doubles as a library. Ryder examines the
books.]
RYDER:
Printed
books?
SAM:
Reproductions
of Lewis and Clark’s journals, detailing their expedition in the 19th century.
RYDER:
Explains
Dad’s interest. They were pathfinders, too.
[Behind the partition-library is the kitchen,
where Ryder notices a coffee machine.]
RYDER:
(Laughs.)
The coffee machine Mom got for Dad. He was so busy designing you—needed the
caffeine.
SAM:
I did not
realize I owed my existence to a bean.
RYDER:
And now you
know what humility feels like.
[In the center of the far wall past the kitchen
area is the Archive System: a desk with multiple screens on top.]
RYDER:
What’s on
here, SAM?
SAM:
Your father’s
personal logs. Several of them are encrypted.
RYDER - Investigate dialogues options:
-General
Logs
-Encrypted Log #1
-Encrypted Log #2
-Encrypted Log #3
-Encrypted Log #4
[Ryder selects General Logs.]
GENERAL LOGS OPTIONS:
-Milky Way departure
-Asari archaeologist
-Final entry
ALEC RYDER:
The day is
finally here. We’re pushing off from Earth. We’ll jump through a few relays
first, then we hunker down for the long trip across dark space. It’s daunting,
thinking about all the hopes and dreams aboard the Hyperion. I certainly have
my own. I wasn’t the husband or father I should’ve been. Here’s hoping 600
years can change a man.
GENERAL LOGS OPTIONS:
-Milky Way departure
-Asari
archaeologist: Dr. Liara T’Soni
-Final entry
ALEC RYDER:
Sam, this
is a reminder about Dr. Liara T’Soni—she’s
an asari archeologist I corresponded with a few years
back. She’s got experience studying ancient cultures. Make sure the team gets
her research. Could be useful in Andromeda.
RYDER:
Pretty sure
my sister mentioned Dr. T’Soni. An expert on Protheans, I think?
SAM:
I have
loaded Dr. T’Soni’s research onto datapads.
[Ryder listens to Dr. T’Soni
Message #1.]
DR. T’SONI:
Hello,
Alec—this is Dr. T’Soni. I’m flattered you contacted
me. Most scientists dismiss my work. But I’m young and asari,
and they’re getting older, so we’ll see who has the final word. (Laughs.) In
the meantime, I’m happy to pass along my research. I hope your team finds it
useful.
[Ryder listens to Dr. T’Soni
Message #2.]
DR. T’SONI:
Hello,
Alec. I received your message. I must say, the thought of exploring another
galaxy has my head spinning. I’m honestly not sure how people could survive a
trip like that. And anyway, I couldn’t bear to leave the Milky Way behind.
There’s so much about the Protheans I still hope to
learn here, so much potential wisdom to tap. I wish you much good luck and
future success.
GENERAL LOGS OPTIONS:
-Milky Way departure
-Asari archaeologist: Dr. Liara T’Soni
-Final entry
ALEC RYDER:
Dunn’s
agreed to a scouting mission on Habitat 7. I’m gearing up now. I’m worried
about Sara. Dr. T’Perro says she’ll be fine, but…
she’s my daughter. How can I not worry? I hate to leave her like this. It’s
these moments when you wish you’d told your children you loved them more often.
Or ever. Which brings me to the tough part. Kids, if anything happens to me,
there are… things you’re going to find out. I hope you’ll understand.
[Ryder tries to listen to one of the encrypted
logs.]
SAM:
That log is
inaccessible at this time.
[There is an audio excerpt on the Archive
Systems desk. Ryder can listen to it.]
DR. T’SONI:
When
studying a dead race, the most obvious problem is the lack of an observable
population. This raises the question: When is a species truly extinct? The Prothean civilization spanned the galaxy, and it took
centuries to confirm that all members of the species really had died out. While
it's possible that living Protheans may be found in a
hidden pocket of the galaxy one day, the chances are statistically trivial.
Once an extinction is confirmed, the study's nature moves from sociology to exo-archeology.
[Ryder steps away. Back on a table between the
Archive Systems and the bed is an audio excerpt. Ryder can listen to it.]
DR. T’SONI:
I’m Dr. Liara T’Soni, and I’ve spent
several decades researching ancient Protheans. It’s
common knowledge that the Protheans were an advanced
race that flourished in the Milky Way about 50 000 years ago, then went
extinct. Even at the time of this writing—the year 2182–their culture remains a
mystery. During my studies, I’ve developed some practices that can be used when
analyzing any ancient culture. I hope they may prove useful for the research
community.
[Ryder leaves the room to go to SAM Node.]