Mass Effect 3: Ultimate Cut

DISCLAIMER: Mass Effect 3: Ultimate Cut is a fan creation freely available for dissemination. It is not intended for commercial uroses! nor is it affiliated "it# $io%are or Electronic Arts. &inions e'ressed #erein are mine and are not intended to defame any t#ird arty. Any offence caused is unintentional and for "#ic# I aolo(ise in advance.

-#is document describes a #yot#etical DLC t#at aends t#e e'istin( endin( of Mass Effect 3! articularly in relation to Indoctrination Indoctrination -#eory. I believe $io%ares intent "as to rovide an endin( oen to seculation! rat#er t#an ut a definitive full sto on t#e trilo(y. -#is means t#ere is evidence and counter evidence deliberately "eaved into t#e endin( t#at can suort or denounce eit#er ar(ument. /or t#e urose of creatin( an endin( t#at does not 0ettison $io%ares ori(inal vision! I s#all interret t#e endin( as bein( an #allucination brou(#t brou(#t on by attemted Reaer indoctrination. indoctrination. If to be believed! #o"ever! Indoctrin Indoctrinatio ation n -#eory -#eory creates creates a ve'in( ve'in( narrative narrative issue. issue. Assumin( Assumin( t#e Destroy otion si(nifies S#eard a"a+enin( from indoctrination 1resumably near t#e Conduit in London! "it# t#e "ar very muc# still in t#e balance2! "#at t#en  4o" could t#ey end S#eards story on a (alactic,level (alactic,level cliff#an(er cliff#an(er t#at "ill! accordin( to roducer to roducer /abrice Condominas! never be resolved My sulemental endin(! tentatively titled Ultimate Cut ! uses t#e Indoctrination -#eory as a srin(board to conclude t#e story on a dramatically,satisfyin( note! "#ile also tryin( to resect $io%ares artistic inte(rity and bein( as consistent as ossible "it# Mass Effects establis#ed lore.

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-#e se;uence ato t#e Citadel "it# t#e suosed Catalyst and its so,called solution to or(anic < synt#etic conflict is in trut# layin( out in S#eards unconscious mind as #e resists t#e insidious tendrils tendrils of Reaer Reaer indoctri indoctrinati nation. on. &nly by c#oosin( c#oosin( to destroy t#e t#e Reaers can S#eard brea+ 4arbin 4arbin(er (ers s #old #old over over #is #is mind. mind. Synt#esis an and Control are red #errin(s= by c#oosin( t#em! S#eard surrenders fully to indoctrination. -#e layer is re"arded "it# t#e E'tended Cut versions of t#e Synt#esis or or Control endin(s. endin(s.

4avin( c#osen Destroy! t#e Commander comes to amon(st t#e rubble in London. 4arbin(er is still (uardin( t#e Conduit as $rutes load fres# #uman corses into t#e beam. S#eard removes s#ranel from #is left abdomen! t#e same area #e clutc#ed durin( #is delusion and t#e same area #e "as forced to s#oot Anderson Anderson.. -#ere is a fierce bu>>in( bu>>in( in #is ears. Cra"lin( Cra"lin( over #is fallen fallen allies! S#eard climbs unseen into a relatively intact Ma+o. S 1ained2: All c#annels! t#is is Commander S#eard. I reeat! Commander S#eard! over? Ma0or Coats: S#eard $loody #ell! someone actually survived t#e (round assault? @oure as #ard as a coffin nail! you +no" t#at S: Im inside one of t#e Ma+os. Its retty beat u! but I t#in+ it still "or+s. Cre" are dead. $ut t#e Conduit is still a (o. C: Are you t#e only survivor S: Im not sure... I t#in+ so. C: /eared as muc#. %#at do you need S: Artillery suort! air suort! anyt#in( youve (ot sare to distract t#at Reaer. C: @ou (ot it! S#e. Ill see "#at I can do. S: ee your distance. -#is Reaer isnt li+e t#e ot#ers. C: &#! I sa" "#at it did to 4ammer. Ive (ot no lans of bein( cut in #alf by t#at bastard. @ou 0ust sit ti(#t for five minutes! S#eard. %#en you see all 4ell brea+ loose outside your "indo"! rev u


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your en(ine. S: %ilco. S#eard by t#is oint is nearly delirious "it# blood loss. -#e little boy aears in t#e seat ne't to #im. 4e finds Medi *el in t#e Ma+o and alies it to #is "ound. 4e asses out for a s#ort "#ile! but bein( visited by flas#es of t#e revious indoctrination attemt! #e re(ains #is focus. 4arbin(er reels from e'losive mortar stri+es and S#eard starts t#e en(ine. -#e follo"in( se;uence involves t#e Commander battlin( a let#ora of ascended races in t#e Ma+o "#ile avoidin( 4arbin(ers devastatin( blasts. Artillery can distract t#e Reaer! allo"in( you to focus on t#e (round forces. Suort need t#ree bombardments bombardments to sta((er 4arbin(er lon( enou(# for S#eard to c#ar(e into t#e unrotected Conduit. If your EMS is #i(#! Anderson sits u sli(#tly from a rone osition! clearly in0ured! but loo+in( after S#eard "it# a roud e'ression.

S#eard is beamed into t#e Citadel Bresidium! "#ere ascended races are ilin( #uman corses (rotes;uely #i(#= it is clear t#e Reaers are tryin( once more to create a #uman Reaer. Alone! S#eard is dra((ed into battle. S: o+er? Do you read me! )ormandy o+er?  1#eavy static and interference2: Commander S#eard! is t#at you 4oly s#it! youre not dead? %ait! "#at am I sayin( @ou never stay dead for lon(. S: I t#in+ my luc+ may be about t#e c#an(e! o+er. Im #eaded to"ards t#e Council C#ambers! but I dont stand a c#ance by myself and I cant #ail t#e ot#ers on t#e surface. I need you to contact all available s;uad members "it#in your comm ran(e! tell t#em to conver(e uon t#e Conduit as a number one riority? : I +inda (ot my my #ands full #ere! #ere! Commander! Commander! you +no"! fi(#tin( fi(#tin( (iant (iant s;uid,scorion t#in(ies t#in(ies in sace and all. S: )o" is not t#e time! eff? ust (et it done? : Aye! Commander. Commander. Sit ti(#t. ti(#t. S: Ro(er. *ettin( sic+ of #earin( t#at. As t#e layer stru((les a(ainst "#at seems li+e an endless "ave of enemies! your team be(in to tric+le t#rou(# t#e Conduit one,by,one to rovide suort. Effective Military Score "ill imact MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

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#o" soon eac# s;uad mate arrives over t#e follo"in( battles! or if t#ey (et t#rou(# at all. )ote: "#enever a follo"er sea+s! its a variation on t#e "ords deendin( on "#o says t#em. /ollo"er: %#ere do "e (o no"! S#eard S: U. -#e master control anel in t#e Council C#ambers... "e can oen t#e "ards! (et t#e Crucible to doc+. /ollo"er: @ou dont loo+ so #ot! Commander. S: Lost a fe" ints of blood! but adrenalines (ettin( me t#rou(#. Its not#in( I cant #andle. -#ey reac# t#e Council C#ambers via elevator. A bloated #us+ of "#at "as once t#e Illusive Man a"aits t#em. More s;uad members may arrive at t#is oint as bac+u. /ollo"er: Is t#at... is t#at t#e Illusive Man S: %#at used to be #im. 4e told t#e Reaers about our lan. I (uess #is only use to t#em no" is to sto us (ettin( to t#at control anel. 4arbin(er: ASSUMI)* DIREC- C&)-R&L. /ollo"er: U#,o#. -#e Illusive Man 4us+ c#ar(es at t#em! tri((erin( a mass battle involvin( your entire s;uad a(ainst Collectors and ot#er ascended races. After defeatin( t#e Illusive Man once and for all! S#eard uses t#e master control anel. %e are s#o"n a cut scene of t#e Crucible doc+in(.

If t#ey #ave not already done so! t#e rest of your survivin( s;uad "ill arrive s#ortly after you defeat t#e Illusive Man. A irtual Intelli(ence in t#e form of a Brot#ean aears and addresses )ote: in t#e t#e Ultima Ultimate te Cut! Cut! t#e t#e coml comlete eted d Crucib Crucible le is found found at t#e t#e bottom bottom of a dee dee S#eard 1)ote: trenc# on Ilos as art of a relacement mission mission for t#e ori(inal Briority: Mars 2. 2. I: Ac;uisition of master control unit comleted. &btainin( c#ronolo(ical mar+er. 4old... -ime scale establis#ed. Bost,Brot#ean cycle confirmed. *reetin(s! Commander S#eard! Sectre of Eart#. : Anot#er (#ost (#ost of my eole.


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DIAL&*UE: 4&% D& @&U )&% M@ )AME S: 4o" do you +no" so muc# about me : I #ave monitored your communications since you entered t#e Citadel! and correlated your name and status "it# lo(s stored on t#e station. DIAL&*UE: %4& ARE @&U S: Are you t#e Catalyst : &f course not. I am ariorum! an advanced virtual construct installed by -#e Crucible t#e moment it interfaced "it# t#e Catalyst. I am merely t#e Avatar to t#e Crucible! desi(ned to instruct you! t#e &erator.

DIAL&*UE: -4E CA-AL@SS: Is t#e Catalyst truly t#e t#e Citadel : Indeed. %it#out t#e tremendous electrical outut t#e Citadel can rovide! t#e Crucible cannot function roerly. DIAL&*UE: 4&% DID @&U *E- 4ERE S: 4o" are "e #avin( t#is conversation : Uon interfacin( "it# t#e Catalyst! t#e Crucible deloyed a number of so#isticated viruses t#at decryted its secret functions. I no" #ave access to t#e Citadels master control unit. /ollo"er: 1ariation of 2 iruses t#at can #ac+ t#e Citadel. 4o" did t#e Brot#eans "ran(le t#at one 1: I see my eole turned t#e "eaons of t#e mac#ines a(ainst t#em.2 t#em.2 : -#e Brot#ean emire +illed many Reaers before t#e end of t#eir e'tinction terminus! and learned muc# by studyin( t#e remains. Some Reaer assaults used advanced viruses to crile our critical infrastructures. %e "ere able to aroriate and adat said viruses usin( intelli(ences of


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our o"n. -#is brea+t#rou(# reresented t#e finis#in( touc#es to t#e Crucible. It #ad been comleted! but "e lac+ed t#e means of interfacin( "it# t#e Catalyst in t#e "ay "e needed. S: %#y didnt t#e Brot#eans use t#e Crucible a(ainst t#e Reaers if t#ey mana(ed to comlete it : Infi(#tin( bro+e out in (overnment bet"een t#ose "#o "ould destroy t#e Reaers and seara searatis tists ts "#o t#ou( t#ou(#t #t t#ey t#ey could could use t#e t#e Crucib Crucible le to domina dominate te t#e t#e Reaer Reaers. s. -#ey -#ey "ere "ere indoctrinated indoctrinated serfs "#o "ere deluded as to its true function. S: 1mutters 2 Li+e I "as. : I did not re(ister t#at! Commander. Blease reeat. S: )ever mind.

DIAL&*UE: -4E CRUCI$LE S: -ell me more about "#o made t#e Crucible. : It aears t#e Brot#eans "ere t#e first to comlete it. Durin( t#e initial cou of t#e Citadel by t#e Reaers! records of Ilos e'istence "ere lost. -#is made it a convenient colony for t#e Brot#eans to build and t#en #ide t#e Crucible "#en it became clear "e "ould not be able to use it. %e secreted it in an oceanic trenc# forty +ilometres beneat# t#e surface of t#e lanet! "#ere no synt#etic could venture. S: 4o" did you mana(e to build t#e Crucible at all "it#out t#e Mass Relays : $y t#e time of t#e Reaers arrival! t#e Brot#eans #ad develoed a "or+in( +no"led(e of Mass Relay tec#nolo(y. Usin( our beacons to communicate "it# nearby systems! "e "ere slo"ly able to fas#ion a s#ort,ran(e net"or+ of secondary relays in secret. %e sent automated minin( vessels in searc# of resources and consolidated t#em "it#in t#e Refu(e system. /ollo"er: -#at must #ave ta+en a #ell of a lon( time. 1: -#e emire "as mi(#ty enou(# to fi(#t off t#e Reaers for as lon( as it too+ to build t#e Crucible.2 : Centuries. DIAL&*UE: -4E REABERS S: Can you #el me understand "#y t#e Reaers #arvest or(anics Are t#e cycles meant to rotect us from t#e synt#etic life "e create : I am not able to formulate oinion on t#e sub0ect! but I am able to ara#rase t#e t#eories of my creators. %#at you describe is not one of t#em. S: 4u# MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

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: -#e cosmic cosmic imerati imerative ve demands demands or(anics or(anics adat and imrove: imrove: from sin(le,ce sin(le,celled lled or(anisms or(anisms t#rou(# to creators of synt#etic life. -#is is a fundamental la" of t#e cosmos! and not even t#e Reaers could #oe to influence it. If t#ey truly are a c#ec+ a(ainst or(anic < synt#etic conflict! t#eir lo(ic in slau(#terin( or(anics "ould not only be erverse! t#ey actually a((ravate t#e roblem by (rantin( synt#etics "it# indefinite lifesans t#e means of +illin( ot#er or(anics via t#e Mass Relays. /ollo"er: Smart,ass #as a oint. 1: -#ere can never be a union bet"een eole and mac#ines. -#e stron( must sub0u(ate t#e "ea+. Mac#ines can never be anyt#in( more t#an tools.2 S: *rey indicates t#e layer comleted t#e Leviat#an missionF I met t#e Reaers creators. -#ey told me t#ey created an Intelli(ence for e'actly t#at urose! to reserve life at any cost. -#e Intelli(ence reaid t#e Leviat#ans by #arvestin( t#em? : It is not imossible t#at t#is reresents t#e Reaers ori(in. It "as t#e t#eory of some Brot#ean scientists t#at t#e Reaers ascended from "#at "as once an or(anic race! robably a;uatic. $ut your claim is illo(ical. If t#is Intelli(enc Intelli(encee "as mandated to reserve life! it "as in direct violation by #avin( its creators +illed! and t#en slau(#terin( or(anics by t#e trillion. Consider t#e circular fallacy of a synt#etic race +illin( or(anics to sto t#em from creatin( synt#etics t#at could otentially +ill t#em. Consider t#e sum or(anic fatalities facilitated by t#e Reaers t#rou(#out t#e #istory of all cycles. -#ere are clearly more efficient met#ods of reservin( life. S: E'amle : -#is Intelli(ence could #ave created a net"or+ of sentinels "atc#in( over systems to ensure or(anics never ac#ieve a dan(erous level of tec#nolo(ical cometence. cometence. /ollo"er: So t#ey +ill t#emselves "it# roc+s rat#er t#an synt#etics. 1: Brecisely as t#e Brot#eans did "it# t#eir subservient races.2 )ote )ote:: 4a 4arbi rbin(e n(err could could add add volum volumee to S#ea S#eard rdss decet decetion ion by robin robin(( #is memo memorie riess and confirmin( "#at Leviat#an told #im about or(anic < synt#etic conflict! ma+in( t#e Reaers seem to S#eard to be a necessary evil! t#erefore s#o"in( Synt#esis and and Control in in an attractive li(#t.F S: So! #o" did your creators e'lain t#eir actions : &ver time! or(anics outsource t#emselves to t#eir tec#nolo(y. -#ey t#en imlant it into t#eir bodies and even create Intelli(ences t#at t#in+ on t#eir be#alf. In some cultures! t#e created destroys t#e creator! from a osition of ersecution or cometition for resources. &t#er cultures follo" synt#esis instead. Suc# as t#e G#atil from my cycle 1avi+ may say t#is line instead2. %it# your additional informatio information! n! Commande Commander! r! it "ould seem li+ely t#is Intelli(enc Intelli(encee in time "as able to suersede its ro(rammin(! or at least e'and uon its definition! and force synt#esis uon its creators. -#e most a(reeable t#eory amon(st my contributors "as t#at t#e Reaers cultivate and t#en assimilate t#e most (enetically malleable secies of eac# cycle in order to imrove uon synt#esis! to imrove t#eir numbers! and to eliminate cometition before it can emer(e. -#ere is MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

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no (rand consiracy at "or+. &nly t#e cosmic imerative. DIAL&*UE: E)&U*4 -AL? S: %#at do I #ave to do to sto t#e Reaers : It became t#e ine'orable conclusion of t#e Brot#eans t#at t#e Citadels comlete obliteration is t#e only #oe of ermanently ermanently endin( t#e cycles. S: I t#ou(#t t#e Citadel "as virtually indestructible! li+e t#e Mass Relays. : )ot correct. -#e Mass Relays are loc+ed at t#e subatomic level! ma+in( t#em e'tremely resilient to force. -#e Citadel is not! #ence its relocation to t#is system. %it# t#e arms of t#e Citadel closed! it is #i(#ly resistant to e'ternal attac+. $ut t#at is irrelevant at t#is oint. -#e Crucible "as desi(ned for t#e urose of commandeerin( certain Citadel functions. It can sy#on t#e Citadels tremendous electrical outut to t#e Crucible. S: I dont understand. /or "#at urose : Commander! do you not see S: I... : -#e mantle of t#e Crucible is filled "it# Element Gero mined over #undreds of years. Simle! ele(ant! effective. -#e combination of Crucible and Catalyst can #arness t#e vast dar+ ener(y re;uired. /ollo"er: @oure (oin( to create a (iant Mass Effect field? S: %#at "ould be t#e outcome : -#e density of t#e Crucibles core "ould suddenly rival t#at of a dyin( star= t#e Citadel "ould be destroyed by its (ravitational (ravitational ull. S: And "#at of Eart# : $ot# t#e Catalyst and t#e Crucible maniulate massive ;uantities of Element Gero. -#e resultin( e'losion "ould e;uate to a suernova event. /ollo"er: %ed all die? die? 1-#e destruction of t#is system! for certain. A noble sacrifice to ensure our reven(e on t#e Reaers.2 : -#at t#e Citadel is situated "it#in an in#abited system "as unaccounted for. @ou! your allies and your #ome system "ould not survive. $ut! at suc# close ran(e! t#e Reaers "ould also be ulverised. /ollo"er: -#ere must be anot#er "ay. @oure tal+in( (enocide? : I am afraid not. -#is is t#e sole urose of t#e Crucible. It is t#e only viable met#od met#od of success. -o fi(#t t#e Reaers by conventional conventional means results in certain deat#. -#e only variable is time. As an aside: Crucible #as t"o ma0or definitions in t#e &'ford dictionary. 52 A situation of severe "#ic# is trial! or in "#ic# different elements interact! leadin( to t#e creation of somet#in( ne" 1 "#ic# aroriate for t#e ori(inal test rovided by t#e Star(a>er! articularly in relation to Synt#esis 2. 2 A ceramic or metal container in "#ic# metals or ot#er substances may be melted or sub0ected to MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

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"#ic# # is ar aro ori riat atee in t#is t#is more more lite litera rall use use of t#e t#e Cruc Crucib ible le as a very #i(# temeratures 1 "#ic container filled "it# Element Gero 2.F 2.F

DIAL&*UE: -4E BR&-4EA)S BLA) S: -#e Brot#eans must #ave lanned for t#e Reaers to rally around t#e Citadel. : In our resistance efforts a(ainst t#e Reaers! t#e Brot#eans "ere infiltrated by strate(ically, laced indoctrinated a(ents. It "ould be reasonable to assume revious and follo"in( cycles suffer t#e same subterfu(e. Instructin( t#e (ala'ys combined military forces into (at#erin( at t#e Citadel "ould li+ely also inform any ryin( slaves of t#e Reaers. S: Sounds li+e you rolled t#e dice out of deseration. : Consider t#e ne"s from t#e Reaers ersective. -o be informed t#e Citadel is t#e +ey comonent in t#e Crucibles function! t#eir natural resonse "ould be to consolidate o"er around it. Brecisely as "e #oed t#ey "ould. S: @oure layin( t#e Reaers. -#ats one #ell of a (amble. : )o! it is not. -#e Reaers leave not#in( to c#ance.

DIAL&*UE: @&UR BLA) IS /LA%ED S: %ait a minute. If t#e Reaers ever discovered t#e Crucible doesnt actually #ave t#e o"er to destroy t#em! "#y "ould t#ey ris+ t#emselves to rotect t#e Citadel -#ey could rebuild it. : -#e Citadel is t#e central #ub of t#e entire Mass Relay net"or+! allo"in( t#e Reaers to control "#ic# Relays are active or inactive. -#ere are countless relays currently inactive t#rou(#out t#e (ala'y by desi(n. desi(n. S: %#ys t#at : eein( my creators seculations in mind! t#e Reaers value (enetic diversity in or(anics and to t#is end! t#ey foster life in one mana(eable section of t#e (ala'y at a time! by activatin( certain


9

strate(ically,laced Mass Relays and deactivatin( t#e rest. It "ould be fair to assume t#at only a small fraction of t#e Mass Relay net"or+ is active durin( any one cycle. $y destroyin( t#e Citadel! t#e Reaers "ould be effectively traed in t#is ;uadrant of t#e (ala'y! as t#e locations of all currently inactive Mass Relays "ould be lost. Even if t#e Reaers discovered t#e true function of t#e Crucible! t#ey "ould still con(re(ate in t#is system because t#e otential ris+ is muc# too (reat for t#em not not to. /ollo"er: $is#o to in(! c#ec+. 1avi+: %e "ere (reat tacticians as "ell as (reat "arriors.2 : -#e lo(ic also "or+s in reverse. If t#e Reaers +ne" t#e (ala'ys combined military forces "ould be (at#erin( in one system! t#ey "ould sei>e t#e oortunity to destroy t#em in one fell s"oo. /ollo"er: *ee! t#an+s. : Additionally! in no virtual constructs nor in any net"or+s did t#e Brot#eans store information on t#e Crucibles "#ereabouts. eein( t#e "eaon to secret "as aramount. S: @ou ut a lot of fait# in t#e Alliance to be able to rotect t#e Crucible once it "as out out in t#e oen. : %#at ot#er c#oice #ad "e -#e Crucible #ad to be transorted safely to t#e Citadel! and under t#e "atc# of t#e Reaers. It is a roblem "e "ere confident you "ould solve. DIAL&*UE: MASS RELA@ /U)C-I&) S: %#en t#e Reaers attac+ed your civilisation! t#ey started by activatin( t#e Citadels Mass Relay function and t#en isolatin( you from t#e net"or+. -#e Crucible "ould #ave failed if t#is #ad #aened in our cycle. : -#at you are sea+in( to me roves sad Is#ans lan "as a success. /ollo"er: %e met sad Is#ans I on Ilos t#ree years a(o. S: i(il. : As "ere #is forefat#ers! sad Is#an "as a c#ief contributor to t#e Crucible. 4e +ne" t#e Crucible "ould not succeed as lon( as t#e Reaers occuied t#e Citadel and t#e Mass Relays. 4e +ne" t#e follo"in( cycle "ould surely suffer t#e same oenin( salvo. S: So #e and #is team "ent into stasis until t#e Reaers returned to dar+ sace. : Correct. I do not +no" t#e recise details of #is deeds because my most recent ro(rammin( occurred 0ust before t#e Crucible "as submersed. $ut in muc# t#e same "ay "e aroriated Reaer viruses to ac;uire t#is master control unit! sad "as confident confident #e could use similar viruses to deflect t#e si(nal to t#e eeers t#at "ould #ave t#em turn on t#e Citadels Mass Relay function. It "as t#en a case of usin( t#e Conduit on Ilos to enter t#e station after t#e Reaers dearture. DIAL&*UE: -4E &BERA-&R S: @ou +ee callin( me t#e &erator. %#y "asnt t#e Crucible desi(ned to automatically create t#e MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

10

Mass Effect field t#e moment it doc+ed "it# t#e Citadel : $ecause t#e resultin( suernova "ould obliterate t#e #ost system! t#e Brot#eans ro(rammed t#e Crucible to be manually oerated in order to limit collateral dama(e. /ollo"er: In case t#ey "ied out t#eir #ome "orld. 1avi+: -o eit#er sare a Brot#ean "orld or sacrifice a subservient one.2 S: $ut Im e'ected to 0ust nod my #ead and "ie out mine : I do not e'ect you to do anyt#in(. I do not ossess t#e re;uisite 0ud(ement. I am merely t#e Avatar! t#ou(# I mi(#t add t#e Brot#eans "ould e'ect t#e &erator of t#is cycle to activate t#e Crucible "it#out #esitation. I did not say t#is "ould be an easy c#oice! Commander! but it is a c#oice you must ma+e! nevert#eless. DIAL&*UE: E)DE--A S: %#y "as endetta ro(rammed to "it##old t#e trut# about t#e Crucible I still "ould #ave ta+en it to t#e Citadel! and t#e Reaers still "ould #ave (one to rotect it. : endet endetta ta "as not ro(ram ro(rammed med to "it## "it##old old t#e trut# trut# about about t#e t#e Crucib Crucible. le. It "as never never ro(rammed "it# t#e trut# to be(in "it#. )o virtual construct! myself e'cluded! "as ever ro(rammed "it# +no"led(e of t#e Crucibles function or location! only t#at a "eaon "it# t#e otential to destroy t#e Reaers e'ists! and t#at it re;uires t#e Citadel to activate! enou(# information to brin( t#e Reaers and your military to t#is location. /ollo"er: -#ats "#y t#e Reaers dont +no" anyt#in( about t#e Crucible. -#e Illusive Man #ad not#in( to tell t#em. : Consider t#e imlications of t#is "eaons use! Commander. Destroyin( t#e Citadel "ould create a suernova,level e'losion! anni#ilatin( t#e #ost system and all life t#erein. -#e Citadel co,ordinates t#e Mass Relays! and so its destruction "ould malform t#e balance of life in t#e (ala'y. -#e &erator "ould s#ae t#e future in "ays #e could not comre#end and deny t#e e'istence of lives "it#out number. Suc# conse;uences "ould be too e'treme for many to consider. /ollo"er: So you tric+ed us ! too. 1avi+: Brimitives are easily fooled.2 /ollo"er : Do you really t#in+ "ere more a(reeable to t#is atrocity 0ust because "eve come t#is far : Are you SilenceF. DIAL&*UE: -4E CI-ADEL IS -4E E)ER*@ S&URCE S: I t#ou(#t t#ou(#t t#e Crucible Crucible rovided rovided t#e ener(y ener(y re;uired for t#e Citadel Citadel to fire! not t#e ot#er ot#er "ay around. : @ou are misinformed! Commander. -#e Catalyst al"ays #as been t#e o"er source. -#e Crucible #as al"ays been t#e "eaon. In t#at muc# at least! t#e Brot#eans did not deceive you. S: Im confused. I "as told t#e Intelli(ence! t#e one t#at created t#e Reaers! "as t#e t#e Catalyst. MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

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: -#at is not correct. At least! not from a Brot#ean ersective. S: Is t#e Intelli(ence Intelli(ence some"#ere on t#is station : I do not +no". S: Could you at least seculate : It is not not imos imossib sible. le. An Intel Intelli( li(enc encee must must be constr constrain ained ed "it#in "it#in a ;uant ;uantum um comut comuter! er! disbarrin( it from comuter net"or+s. If t#is Intelli(ence you describe resides some"#ere "it#in t#e Citadel! it "ould e'lain "#y it could do not#in( to activate t#e Mass Relay function and "#y it could do not#in( to re0ect t#e viruses of t#e Crucible. If t#is Intelli(ence resides on t#e station! all t#e more reason to oerate t#e Crucible 1avi+ may say t#is line instead2. DIAL&*UE: %4A- 4ABBE)S )EH- S: So! "#at otions do I #ave : I lac+ t#e a(ency to oerate t#e Crucible. &nly you! t#e &erator! can (rant me ermission. @ou "ill eit#er oerate t#e Crucible! or you "ill not. I am sure I neednt remind you t#at time is runnin( s#ort! Commander. Commander.

S#eard informs #is s;uad #e cannot ma+e suc# a rofound decision "it#out t#eir inut. -#e resonse you "ill (et deends on a number of factors. If you #ave ac#ieved a very #i(# Effective Military Score! ac#ieved t#e loyalty of certain s;uad members in revious (ames and score #i(#ly in Bara(on and < or Rene(ade! all of your s;uad "ill s"ear t#eir undyin( loyalty to you and "ill abide by any decision you ma+e. -#is is t#e otimal situation! but it li+ely "ont an out t#is "ay. If you #ave not been ;uite so influential! certain s;uad members "ill ve#emently rotest a(ainst one c#oice or t#e ot#er. 4uman s;uad members! suc# as As#ley or ames! are li+ely to oose t#e use of t#e Crucible! "#ile ra(matists li+e EDI or avi+ may rotest a(ainst fi(#tin( t#e Reaers. @our aramour "ill al"ays side "it# you. E'amles, *arrus: Ive follo"ed you to 4ell and bac+! S#eard. And Id do it a(ain. Im be#ind any decision you ma+e! one #undred #undred ercent. ercent. Maybe "e can #ave #ave anot#er s#ootin( s#ootin( contest on t#e t#e ot#er side? As#ley: I cant believe youre even considerin( turnin( t#at damned t#in( on! s+ier. @oure tal+in( about destroyin( Eart#? illin( billions of #umans? %eve (ot to stic+ it to t#e Reaers! MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

12

esecially no" "e #ave t#e Leviat#ans on our side. avi+: Commander! if t#e Reaers "ere able to systematically obliterate t#e Brot#ean emire! e mire! t#ey "ill certainly do so a(ain in t#is cycle. @ou #ave been an avatar of #oe! but ta+e it from me! en(a(in( t#e Reaers is to doom t#is cycle! and countless ot#ers to follo". Use t#e Crucible. ames: Im "it# As# on t#is one! Commander! all t#e "ay. Sacrificin( Eart# All our families and friends 4ell! no. Dont even (o t#ere. )ot to mention t#e imact on t#e Mass Relays. -ali: -ali: -#is must simly simly be t#e sin(le sin(le tou(#est tou(#est call any or(anic or(anic #as #ad to ma+e in t#e #istory #istory of! "ell! everyt#in(. $ut youve overcome imossible scenarios before. @ou even united t#e uarians and t#e *et#? If t#eres only one erson in t#e (ala'y caable of t#is c#oice! its you! S#eard. EDI: I concur "it# avi+! Commander. -#e Reaers #ave evolved over #undreds of millions of years. %#ile "e ossess a "or+in( Mass Relay net"or+! an advanta(e t#e Brot#eans did not #ave! our fleets are simly no matc# for t#eirs. I dont "ant to die... but t#e needs of t#e many overrule t#e needs of t#e fe". Liara: Alt#ou(# destroyin( t#e Citadel "ould be an a"ful blo" to all "e #ave ac#ieved! t#e destruction of your "orld! not to mention all of our allies! is too fri(#tenin( to even contemlate. I sa" "#at t#e Reaers did to -#essia... I am afraid I cannot decide t#e best course of action! S#eard! but I +no" youll do t#e ri(#t t#in(. @ou al"ays do. At t#is oint! S#eard is brou(#t to t"o tou(# c#oices: 52 &BERA-E -4E CRUCI$LE: t#e Mass Effect field destroys t#e Citadel! t#e Reaers! t#e Allied /orces and Sol. 2 /I*4- -4E REABERS: Refuse to (o alon( "it# t#e lan and fi(#t t#e Reaers usin( conventional conventional met#ods. At t#e moment of trut#! dissentin( s;uad members "ill mutiny. E'amle: S: Ive decided. Im (oin( to oerate t#e Crucible. aidan ulls #is (un on S#eardF Suorter: %#at t#e #ell are you doin(! aidan : %eve been t#rou(# a lot! S#eard. I love you li+e a brot#er. S: $rot#ers dont oint (uns at eac# ot#er! aidan. : @ou saved my life on irmire! and a "#ole bunc# of times since! and Ill never be able to reay t#at debt! but I "ill not allo" allo" you to destroy Eart#. I "ont let you murder my family? MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

13

S: aidan... : 4ave you lost your *od damn mind -#e S#eard I +no" "ould never sacrifice sacrifice #is soul to beat t#e Reaers? aidans suorters t#en ull t#eir (unsF &r: S: %ere (oin( to fi(#t t#ose t#ose damned Reaers? -a+e do"n as many as "e can? avi+ ulls #is (un on S#eardF Suorter: avi+! "#at are you doin(? : In t#e s#ort time I #ave +no"n you! Commander! Commander! I #ave come to resect your leaders#i caabilities! but do not t#in+! even for a second! t#at I cant ut a bullet in your #ead. S: %#y! avi+ %#y no"  : -#e Brot#ean emire "as so muc# more t#an your ra(ta( band of 4umans! Asari and -urians. %e sent a sun into suernova! but even "e "ere "ell beaten by t#e Reaers. -#is cycles forces cannot "in. "in. S: @ou dont +no" t#at? %e #ave advanta(es your cycle didnt? : @ou are a #uman! Commander. @ou are blinded to t#e trut# out of comassion for your eole. )e't to t#e (ala'y! #umanitys sacrifice is non,e'istent. non,e'istent. It s#ouldnt s #ouldnt be you ma+in( ma+in( t#is c#oice? avi+s suorters t#en ull t#eir (unsF

)ote: t#e more of your s;uad t#at dissent! t#e #arder it is to convince t#em usin( Bara(on < Rene(ade dialo(ue to stand do"n.F

S: %eve come a lon( "ay to(et#er. @oure all my friends and Ive never let you do"n. If t#ere "as anot#er "ay! dont you t#in+ I "ould do it I #ate t#is situation as muc# as you do! but you +no" in your #earts t#ere is no alternative. ust t#in+ about "#at youre doin(? /i(#tin( t#e Reaers is futile and you +no" it. All Im as+in( is t#at you trust me. : ...U#! youre ri(#t! S#eard! of course youre ri(#t? Lo"ers "eaonF I s#ouldnt #ave doubted your 0ud(ement. I mean! I dont doubt it! but t#is is somet#in( else... if you (enuinely believe us#in( t#at button is for t#e (reater (ood! t#en I cant ar(ue "it# t#at. S: -#an+ you! aidan. MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

14

RE)E*ADE I)-ERRUB-F: S#eard I)-ERRUB-F: S#eard s#oots aidan dead after #e lo"ers #is (un. /ollo"er: S#eard! you... you +illed #im? #im? 4e stood do"n! and you s#ot #im? S: -urncoats dont deserve an #onourable #onourable deat#. %ell! anyone else #ere "ant to mutiny *ood.

S: Dammit! "eve beaten everyt#in( t#e Reaers #ave t#ro"n at us. I even beat indoctrination to (et #ere. %e did not come t#is far for you to (et cold feet and scre" it u for us. And for t#ose of you "#o cant count! youre outnumbered outnumbered If dissenters are in t#e minorityF. But your (uns do"n or "ell ut you do"n? do"n? avi+: ...ery "ell! Commander! Commander! you "in. Lo"ers "eaonF I +no" "#en Im fi(#tin( a losin( battle. I did not see+ to cast asersions on your 0ud(ement. &nly! t#is is not a decision you s#ould ta+e li(#tly. @ou need time to, S: -ime is t#e one t#in( "ere fres# out of! avi+. : I understand. understand. And I s#all defer defer to your "isdom. S: Damn ri(#t! you "ill. RE)E*ADE I)-ERRUB-F: S#eard I)-ERRUB-F: S#eard s#oots avi+ dead after #e lo"ers #is (un. /ollo"er: S#eard! you... you +illed #im? #im? 4e stood do"n! and you s#ot #im? S: -urncoats dont deserve an #onourable deat#. I 0ust ended t#e Brot#ean emire. Anyone else #ere "ant to mutiny *ood. DIAL&*UE: CA)- %E )E*&-IA-E S: aidan! surely "e can tal+ t#is out? : @ou "ant to bar(ain "it# me Its t#e end ! S#eard. -#eres no ran+ any more. -#eres no you and I. -#eres not#in( you can say or offer t#at "ill ma+e me a(ree to slau(#ter my o"n eole? Call off t#e Crucible... or t#eres (oin( to be casualties. DIAL&*UE: @&URE &U-)UM$ERED? )ote: -#is is only an otion "#en you and your suorters outnumber outnumber t#e dissenters. -#e level of success you #ave varies on t#e ratio. A lar(e minority is li+ely to yield. A small minority "ill fi(#t a(ainst t#e oddsF S: avi+! cant you see t#is "ont end "ell for you @oure outnumbered? outnumbered? avi+ erforms a ;uic+ #eadcountF : Ill ta+e my c#ances! Commander. Commander. I am t#e last Brot#ean! tou(#er and better trained. trained. I am "ort# t"o of yours. If t#is comes to violence! I "ill slau(#ter you and oerate t#e Crucible myself. $ac+ do"n! and you s#all be sared. Dialo(ue C#oice: J@oure &utnumberedK &utnumberedK becomes J@ou "inKF


15

&r... : ...ery "ell! Commander! you "in. Lo"ers "eaonF I +no" "#en Im fi(#tin( a losin( battle. I did not see+ to cast asersions on your 0ud(ement. &nly! t#is is not a decision you s#ould ta+e li(#tly. @ou need time to, S: -ime is t#e one t#in( "ere fres# out of! avi+ : I understand. understand. And I s#all defer defer to your "isdom. S: *ood. *lad "e cleared t#at u. RE)E*ADE I)-ERRUB-F: S#eard I)-ERRUB-F: S#eard s#oots avi+ dead after #e lo"ers #is (un. /ollo"er: S#eard! you... you +illed #im? #im? 4e stood do"n! and you s#ot #im? S: -urncoats dont deserve an #onourable deat#. I 0ust ended t#e Brot#ean emire. Anyone else #ere "ant to mutiny *ood. DIAL&*UE: @&U %I) )ote: -#is is only an otion "#en you and your suorters are outnumbered by t#e dissenters! or you failed to convince convince a dissentin( dissentin( minority follo"in( follo"in( t#e J@oure J@oure outnumbered?K outnumbered?K dialo(ue.F S: ...Lo"ers "eaonF &+ay! o+ay. -#eres no need for bloods#ed. %ell oerate t#e Crucible instead. Suorter: %#at are you doin(! S#eard @ou cant 0ust c#an(e your mind about t#is? S: %#at else can I do -#eyve (ot t#e fire o"er on us. If t#is comes to violence! "ell be +illed. : I +ne" you "ould "ould ma+e t#e t#e ri(#t c#oice eventually! eventually! Commander. Commander. Suorter: Bulls (un on avi+! t#en S#eardF )o! S#eard? @ou dont 0ust (ive in! not on somet#in( t#is imortant? -#ats not t#e S#eard I +no"? S: ...Im sorry t#at I let you do"n. $ut I s#ould remind you! you are no" t#e minority. Dont do anyt#in( stuid. -#e former suorters "ill eit#er yield as described earlier! or follo" t#e dialo(ue of t#e toic JI "ont c#an(e my mind?K! deendin( on dissenter < suorter ratio and < or Bara(on < Rene(ade scoreF DIAL&*UE: I %&)- C4A)*E M@ MI)D? S: @ou +no" I "ont bud(e on t#is! aidan. Its too imortant? : ...-#en I (uess "e #ave not#in( furt#er to discuss. Its been an #onour! Commander. /ollo"in( t#is dialo(ue! your suorters "ill fi(#t t#e dissenters to t#e deat#? /allen allies and enemies cannot be revived "it# Medi *el. -#ey are simly dead. After +illin( all of t#e dissenters! a s#ort cut scene s#o"s S#eard +neelin( do"n and ta+in( t#e #and of t#e #ead mutineer as #e or s#e finally bleeds out.


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/ollo"er touc#in( S#eards s#oulderF S#eard  S: ...Come on! lets finis# t#is.

S#ould t#e layer c#oose to oerate t#e Crucible! S#eard nods to t#e Avatar and resses a button on t#e control anel. -#e Crucible starts u "it# a mi(#ty rumblin( sound. %e >oom out into t#e midst of t#e sace battle! as t#e li(#ts mottlin( t#e Citadel arms blin+ out from t#e ends to t#e centre. -#e Crucible t#robs "it# a (leamin( blue li(#t. Returnin( to t#e c#ambers! S#eard faces #is comrades! castin( #is eyes over eac# in turn. S: Im (lad. -#at I died "it#, A violent cras# of (lass and masonry! and t#en blac+ness. -#e "ards buc+le and imlode around t#e core. A "#ite flas# and t#en a suernova,level blast t#at incinerates all in its "ay: Allied /orces! Reaers! Eart#. S#eard commentates as "e see ima(es of future civilisations:

S: -#e Reaers are blo"n to oblivion! once and for all! but is t#e cost too #i(# %e #ave secured eace for future cycles, a#! for t#e races of t#e future. $ut is it at t#e cost of our souls Am I damned for "#at Ive done

S: &ur sacrifice "ill lay t#e (round"or+ for future eoles! nations and "orlds to t#rive under MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

17

true freedom! a freedom t#at #as been denied or(anics for nearly a billion years. -#ose "#o survived! on distant colonies: #umans! Asari! -urians! ro(an! Salarians. -#e onus is on t#em no" to become teac#ers! to document our stru((le a(ainst t#e Reaers. Maybe our descendants "ill remember us... or maybe t#ey "ill for(et and reeat our mista+es.

S: -#e Brot#eans "ere correct. -ime is cyclical. cyclical. -#e universe is nearly fourteen billion years old and defined by atterns t#at stretc# bac+ lon( before t#e Reaers. -#ey rose from or(anic arro(ance, "ill our descendants create t#e Reaers all over a(ain! or ones 0ust li+e t#em Is my decision ultimately futile! a raindro in a universe of indifference and reetition

S: I (uess it doesnt matter no". And! all in all! I am (lad. -#at I died "it# my family. E)D CREDI-S.

S#eard "al+s a"ay from t#e Avatar! "#ose rotests fall on deaf ears. MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

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: Commander. -o not oerate t#e Crucible is folly. Statistically! you #ave no c#ance of defeatin( t#e Reaers. S: Imossible. Duly noted. o+er! if you #ave five minutes! Id li+e (et t#e 4ell off t#is station. : Ro(er t#at! Commander. Commander. S#eard sees an #allucination of t#e boy "#o runs off to"ards t#e elevators= S#eard follo"s #im. Is t#is "#at t#e Reaers "ant /or S#eard to fi(#t t#em %it# t#e Citadel arms no" oen! o+er brin(s t#e )ormandy to doc+ and collects S#eards team. -#e Commander uses all comm c#annels to rally t#e forces before #eadin( into t#e final battle "it# t#e Reaers. S: Everyone! t#is is Commander S#eard. I "ont lie to you. -#e Crucible is not an otion to defeat t#e Reaers.

DIAL&*UE: -4E C&S- %AS -&& 4I*4 S: -#e Crucible "ould #ave created a Mass Effect field caable of sendin( t#e Citadel into suernova. %ed all #ave been +illed! includin( everyone on Eart#. -#ere "as no "ay I could ress t#e button. arious reaction s#ots! s#o"in( solemn a(reement from #umans! but some dis(ust in non, #umans. EMS: 4uman assets 57! )on,#uman assets ,57F DIAL&*UE: I- DID)- %&R S: -#e Crucible "as a dud. It #ad been lyin( in t#e bottom of a trenc# for fifty t#ousand years and "#en it came to t#e moment of trut#! it 0ust "ouldnt s"itc# on. %e bet it all on t#e Crucible and it didnt ay off. Im sorry. arious reaction s#ots! lar(ely s#o"in( all races as crestfallen. *eneral EMS ,57F


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S: 1I made a 0ud(ement call. I "ont sacrifice everyt#in( "e are to sto t#e Reaers < Its a blo" t#at t#e Crucible didnt "or+ out.2 $ut I +no" "e #ave "#at it ta+es to beat t#em. @es! t#ey may be more advanced t#an us! more rut#less. $ut t#eyre co"ards. -#eyve never been in a true dra( do"n bra"l li+e t#is. Im tired of bein( us#ed around by t#e lay(round bully. Its time to unc# t#at bully s;uare on t#e nose. %e can fi(#t bac+? Restores ne(atively imacted EMS! returns to recedin( dialo(ue "#eelF

S: 1&nly a lunatic "ould ta+e out all of #is allies to ta+e out t#e enemy. -#ats -#ats not #o" I do t#in(s < So "#at if an ancient iece of cra from a dead civilisation didnt "or+ out for us2 %ere alive! no"! and "e can beat t#ese ass #oles. If t#eres anyt#in( Ive learned about you all! youll (o do"n s"in(in(. -#e Reaers are co"ards. -#eyve #ave never been in a true dra( do"n bra"l in t#eir ointless e'istence. %e #ave! and "ere still #ere. If "ere (oin( do"n! "ell ta+e as many of t#ose rat bastards "it# us? Restores ne(atively imacted EMS! returns to recedin( dialo(ue "#eelF DIAL&*UE: C&ER -4E LEIA-4A)S 1if you comleted t#e Leviat#an mission2 S: %e arent alone in t#is fi(#t. -#e Leviat#ans created t#e Reaers! and t#eyre #ere to ma+e u for t#at mista+e. And Ive seen "#at t#ey can do. -#eyre our best s#ot. I need all available fleets to aid t#ose Leviat#an s#is. Brotect t#em "it# your lives? DIAL&*UE: EEB A) E@E &U- /&R EAC4 &-4ER S: Its (oin( to be a tou(# fi(#t. -#e tou(#est any of you #ave ever +no"n. I dont "ant division? -urians! Asari! 4umans! ro(ans! Salarians! Leviat#ans. %ere all in it to(et#er. If t#eres (oin( to be a tomorro"! "e need to "atc# eac# ot#ers bac+s? /i(#t "ell. Admiral 4ac+ett contacts S#eard: 4: %#ats (oin( on! S#eard Is it true "#at you said about t#e Crucible S: 1If you selected J-#e cost is too #i(#K2 It "ould #ave +illed us all! sir. I couldnt ma+e t#at sacrifice. 1If you selected JIt didnt "or+K2 -#e Crucible "ould #ave created a Mass Effect field caable of sendin( t#e Citadel into suernova. %ed all #ave been +illed! includin( everyone on Eart#. -#ere "as no "ay I could ress t#e button. And I didnt "ant t#e divide t#e forces by tellin( MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

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t#em t#e trut#! sir. 4: &#! boy. So "e really #ave to du+e it out "it# t#em! instead. @ou +no" t#is could end badly! S#eard. S: %ell survive! Admiral. 1Leviat#ans2 Im not sayin( it "ill be easy! but Ive seen "#at t#e Leviat#ans are caable of. -#ey could turn t#e tide for us. 1)o Leviat#ans2 Im not sayin( it "ill be easy! but "eve (ot a s#ot! sir. %e 0ust need to believe it. 4: I sure #oe youre ri(#t! S#eard. &t#er"ise! its all our asses. And! for t#e record! I t#in+ you did t#e ri(#t t#in(. 4ac+ett out.

/ailure occurs in t#e follo"in( circumstances: 52 @ou did did not not enlist enlist t#e t#e aid of of t#e Leviat Leviat#ans. #ans. 2 @ou enlist enlisted ed t#e aid of t#e Leviat# Leviat#ans ans and instruc instructed ted t#e Allied Allied /orces /orces to rotect rotect t#em 1failure rate bet"een 6 and 577 deendin( on EMS2. 32 @ou enlisted t#e aid of of t#e Leviat#ans Leviat#ans and did not instruct instruct t#e Allied /orces to rotect t#em 1failure rate bet"een 67 and 577 deendin( on EMS2. Ultimate Cut "ould eit#er feature t#e Leviat#an DLC as a freebie or as /or /or t#es t#esee reas reason ons! s! Ultimate inte(rated into t#e DLC itself. -#e layer can only "atc# as t#e Reaers steadily dominate t#e battle! culminatin( in t#e comlete destruction of t#is cycles forces. @our terrified aramour stammers t#e "ords! JI love you.K S#eard be(ins to rely! JI...K but is silenced as 4arbin(ers laser cuts t#e )ormandy in t"o! blastin( t#e Commander Commander and #is cre" into t#e cold vacuum of sace. If S#eard #as no aramour! #e casts #is tearful eyes across #is survivin( s;uad mates and says! JIm sorry! everyone. I scre"ed u.K -#e boy aears from be#ind t#em and smiles at S#eard before t#e s#i is blo"n to ieces. S#eard commentates commentates as "e see t#e scenes of t#is cycles demise:


21

S: &ur forces are torn to s#reds by a suerior! more rut#less and better or(anised enemy. -#e end is bitter and in(lorious! and t#e cycles s#all continue. All of t#is can be laid at t#e feet of one individual: individual: me. I #ad my fin(er on t#e button. I could #ave "ied t#em out! and I c#ose not to. -#e same arro(ance t#at sa"ned t#e Reaers is t#e same arro(ance t#at surned t#e oortunity to ta+e t#em out! and t#e same arro(ance t#at allo"ed us to t#in+ "e "ere stron(er.

S: )o" t#at t#ey #ave full access to t#e Citadel! t#e Reaers "ill surely use it to control t#e Mass Relay net"or+. ust as t#ey did "it# t#e Brot#ean emire! t#ey "ill met#odically #arvest eac# system of t#is cycle and t#en vanis# into dar+ sace.

S: -#ere "ill be some oc+ets of resistance. Maybe t#ose "#o are stron( and brave can dra( it out for a decade or t"o! but "it#out military fleets to defend t#em! t#ese refu(es "ill #ave no c#oice but to (o under(round li+e rats. -#ey "ont survive. Ive doomed t#em all to a slo"! (rim deat#.

S: $ut even in t#is ultimate defeat! er#as #oe remains. If t#e Reaers can be one ress of a button from e'tinction! t#at means t#ey arent invulnerable. If my mista+e can serve as a "arnin( to future cycles! er#as t#e cycle isnt eternal. Starin( deat# in t#e eye! in t#e +no"led(e of my utter failure! t#is can be my only #oe of redemtion. redemtion.


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E)D CREDI-S.

Success occurs in t#e follo"in( circumstances: 52 @ou enlist enlisted ed t#e aid of t#e Leviat# Leviat#ans ans and instruc instructed ted t#e Allied Allied /orces /orces to rotect rotect t#em 1Success rate bet"een 7 and 86 deendin( on EMS2. 2 @ou enlisted t#e aid of of t#e Leviat#ans Leviat#ans and did not instruct instruct t#e Allied /orces to rotect t#em 1Success rate bet"een 7 and 67 deendin( on EMS2. -#ou(# t#e above circumstances allo" for victory over t#e Reaers based on c#ance 1J&ne #undred ercentin(K ercentin(K t#e solo camai(n (rants a 86 c#ance of success2! t#e aftermat# of t#e "ar is more nuanced. -#e Reaers cannot be defeated at all "it#out t#e Leviat#ans. /or t#is reason! Ultimate Cut "ould "ould eit#er feature t#e Leviat#an DLC as a freebie or as inte(rated into t#e DLC itself. If you instructed t#e fleets to cover t#e Leviat#ans! "e "atc# t#ree of t#eir mi(#ty s#is team u to control 4arbin(er usin( inte(rated artefacts and t#en turn it a(ainst t#e ot#er Reaers! "#ile Alliance dreadnou(#ts sacrifice t#emselves in droves to rotect t#e Leviat#ans. -#ere is a muc# #i(#er c#ance of victory over t#e Reaers! but at (reat cost to t#e fleets. If you did not instruct t#e Allied /orces to rotect t#e Leviat#ans! t#e Leviat#ans lay "aste to t#e Reaers almost sin(le,#andedly before t#ey are (an(ed uon and destroyed. -#ere are enou(# Allied /orces remainin( #o"ever! to successfully destroy t#e remainin( #andful #andful of Reaers. -#e +ey difference bet"een t#e JCover t#e Leviat#ansK and Jee an eye out for eac# ot#erK otions is t#e former! t#ou(# allo"in( for a better c#ance of victory! decimates t#e Allied /orces "#ile sarin( t#e Leviat#ans! "#o t#en mysteriously disaear after t#e battle is "on. Certain allies! suc# as Admiral 4ac+ett! Anderson! Ma0or Coats and even some s;uad members! "ont survive. @our odds of success are si(nificantly "orse if you allo" t#e Leviat#ans to loo+ after t#emselves! but t#e ay,off is your allies lar(ely survive! "#ile t#e Leviat#ans! o"erful future Ultimate te Cut! Cut! t#e Leviat# Leviat#ans ans ma+e it +no"n +no"n t#ey t#ey "ill "ill enemies! are ostensibly destroyed 1 In Ultima attem attemtt to rebuil rebuild d t#eir t#eir emire emire "#en "#en t#e "ar is "on! "on! robab robably ly starti startin( n( "it# "it# Eart# Eart#.. %it# %it# a successful Bara(on < Rene(ade Rene(ade c#ec+! t#e Leviat#ans Leviat#ans romise to i(nore t#e systems of S#eards allies 2. 2.

S#eard! 4ac+ett! Anderson or anot#er s;uad member "ill commentate deendin( on "#o survived: MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

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S: ictory? %e %e "ent toe,to,toe "it# t#e sin(le (reatest t#reat t#is (ala'y #as ever faced... and "e beat t#em. Its a reality Im not sure Ill ever be able to fully comre#end. -#e universe may be vast! cold and often itiless! but it sure seemed to smile on us today.

S: if you selected Jee an eye out for eac# ot#erKF %e "ere not only brave! "e "ere smart. -#ou(# t#e Leviat#ans retty muc# "on us t#at "ar! t#ere is no doubt in my mind t#ey "ere rut#less imerialists! out t#ere to rotect t#eir o"n interests. -#ey couldnt be trusted. Beaceful co, e'istence "it# ot#er races did not interest t#em! only t#eir obedience. -#at t#ey "ent do"n "it# t#eir bastard c#ildren is fittin(! and it sared t#e (ala'y a "#ole lot of (rief... t#at is! assumin( t#ere arent ot#ers. &ur forces! "#ile sufferin( (rave losses! "ere able to rotect eac# ot#er and survive. S: if you selected JCover t#e Leviat#ansKF &ur victory came at a severe rice. %e incurred terrible! terrible losses to our fleets... Brotectin( t#e Leviat#ans "as our +ey lay and it "on us t#e "ar! but second,(uessin( my c#oice +ees me u some ni(#ts. As for t#e Leviat#ans t#emselves... (one. -#ey "ent t#rou(# t#e C#aron relay before "e could react. -o "#ere! and for "#at urose! I dont +no"! but it scares t#e 4ell out of me. If you convinced t#e Leviat#ans usin( Bara(on < Rene(adeF -#ey (ave me t#eir "ord t#ey "ould leave Eart# and #er allies alone! but can t#ey be trusted -#ey trusted -#ey vo"ed to rebuild t#eir emire. Ive been indoctrinated before= I +no" #o" a"ful it is to be a slave.


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S: %e #eld ceremonies to #onour t#e survivors! and memorials for t#e dead! on all lanets: -#ess -#essia! ia! Ranno Rannoc#! c#! Balave Balaven! n! Sure Sures#! s#! -uc#a -uc#an+ n+a.. a.... Eart#. Eart#. %e %e are s#o"n s#o"n brief brief (lim (limses ses of a ceremony on eac# lanet! #i(#li(#tin( t#e destruction "rou(#t by t#e ReaersF %e an do"n from t#e clear s+y! t#e Citadel visible in a blue! celestial finis#! to an oen air military a"ard ceremony. -#is se;uence is a visual reresentation of #o" successful you "ere. Berson A s#a+es #ands "it# Berson $ and ins a medal on #is or #er ceremonial uniform. Ideally! t#is is Admiral 4ac+ett and Commander S#eard! but not necessarily. Berson A: Admiral 4ac+ett! Admiral Anderson "al+in( on a cane! or anot#er to brass if t#e ot#er t"o died. If bot# 4ac+ett and Anderson survived! Anderson is s#o"n sat to one side in a "#eelc#air. S#eard s#a+es #is #and en route to collectin( #is stries. Berson $: S#eard in ceremonial attire 1Deendin( on EMS! "al+in( normally! #obblin( "it# a bruised face! on crutc#es! "al+in( "it# a cane! in a "#eelc#air! in a "#eelc#air "it# no le(s2! survivin( #uman s;uad member utilised t#e most t#rou(#out t#e (ame! if S#eard died. 4: -#at "as one #ell of a (amble! Ma0or. S: I believe "e made our o"n luc+! Admiral. -#ere is t#underous alause and 0ubilant scenes! but S#eards e'ression of 0oy seems to melt. -#e alause fades out as "e are s#o"n ima(es of S#eards fallen allies.

S: -#e future is no". It finally belon(s to us! but t#ose "#o deserve to see it t#e most... are t#e ones "#o arent #ere any more. -#e ones "#o died! so "e could live. -#is victory is as muc# t#eirs as it is ours! and I #oe t#at! some"#ere out t#ere! t#eyre en0oyin( it! too. Ma+es a secial mention to


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a deceased aramour 1e.(. eela# selai if -ali "as S#eards aramour before dyin(2.F -#e -#e scen scenee fade fadess in to reve reveal al S#e S#ear ard d star starin in(( "ist "istfu full llyy at t#e t#e )ormandys memorial "all in t#e #ysical state described earlier. /or t#e first time in t#e entire series! in t#is most rivate of moments! "#en it is finally over! S#eard allo"s #imself to (rieve. In tears! #e is consoled by #is aramour. If S#eard #as no aramour! #e "ees alone. -#e camera slo"ly ans a"ay to reveal t#e scoe of #is loss. /ade to blac+.

S: As for t#e (ala'y! "ell... t#e arty lasted for "ee+s! and t#e #an(over "as... cosmic . %e said our last (oodbyes to absent friends and (ot to "or+ restorin( t#at "#ic# #ad been destroyed. A ne" sense of +ins#i bet"een or(anic races sa" t#e reairs accelerate at a raid ace. -#e ro(an in articular roved as adet in construction as destruction. -#essia and Balaven "ere bac+ to normal "it#in a decade.

S: -#e Reaers #ad al"ays been +een on t#e (enetic malleability of #umans! and so t#e Sol system became t#e c#osen battlefield. -#e Citadel and "#at "as left of t#e Reaers remained "it#in Eart#s orbit! affordin( #umanity a distinct ed(e in (alactic affairs. -#e r#etoric and olitical osturin( in t#e "ee+s to come "ould serve to furt#er demonstrate t#e (ood... and t#e not so (ood! of #uman #uman nature.


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S: -#e Citadel itself is advanced Reaer tec#! ancient and inaccessible. Is t#e Intelli(ence t#at created t#e Reaers #idin( some"#ere dee inside! or "as t#at all art of t#eir lie /or all "e +no"! t#e Reaers may #ave betrayed t#eir creator! 0ust as it #ad betrayed t#e Leviat#ans. %e cant "ell destroy t#e station for t#e same reason I didnt oerate t#e Crucible. Maybe! "it# time on our side! "ell be able to learn "#at "e need to +no". After all! t#e Brot#eans crac+ed Mass Relay tec#nolo(y "it#in fifty t#ousand years. If t#e Intelli(ence is do"n t#ere! its traed. %ell find it and "ell destroy it.

S If S#eard united t#e uarians and t#e *et#F: Seein( t#e uarians and *et# "or+ to(et#er to restore t#eir s#ared #ome "orld rovided me "it# t#e (reatest vindication of my decision. ariorum "as "ron(. @es! often t#e created destroys t#e creator. Sometimes t#ere is synt#esis. $ut I see no reason "#y t#ere cannot be eace . -#an+s to Le(ions sacrifice! t#e *et# no" ossess t#e ability to treasure t#eir o"n lives and t#e lives of t#eir creators. -#e uarians no lon(er see t#eir synt#etic c#ildren as tools! nor as rut#less mac#ines bent on destroyin( t#em. %or+in( to(et#er! t#ey are more t#an t#e sum of t#eir arts.

S: -#ou(# t#e Reaers are van;uis#ed! it is not to say a similar t#reat to or(anics could never return in t#e future. -#ou(# or(anic! and synt#etic! races #ave never en0oyed a stron(er bond! it is not to say old tensions "ill never resurface. res urface.


27

S: -#e Brot#eans "ere correct about one t#in(. -ime is cyclical. cyclical. -#e universe is nearly fourteen billion years old and defined by atterns t#at stretc# bac+ lon( before t#e Reaers. Its #ard not to feel really small in t#e face of t#at. -#ey rose from or(anic arro(ance, "ill our descendants create t#e Reaers all over a(ain! or ones 0ust li+e t#em It must be t#e (oal of all or(anic races to e nsure osterity! to immortalise our stru((le and to never allo" our sacrifices to be for(otten.

&ur eilo(ue is one of ersonal resolution as S#eard is (iven one final c#oice to ma+e: #ead into t#e roverbial sunset "it# #is aramour or continue #is life as a soldier. If S#eards aramour "as +illed! "e see #im sat in #is ;uarters on t#e )ormandy! loo+in( sombrely at a framed #oto(ra# as t#e revious dialo(ue is so+en. If S#eard never #ad a aramour! #e is lyin( on #is bed! starin( u at t#e distant stars. -#e location of S#eards conversation "it# #is aramour is relative! but #as a c#ance of also bein( t#e Citadel: 4uman: Eart#! under reconstruction. reconstruction. -ali: Rannoc#. /urt#er serves to demonstrate t#e co,oeration bet"een uarian and *et# 1-ali not "earin( a mas+2! or t#e uarian reclamation of t#eir lanet if S#eard could not unite t#em. Liara: -#essia under reconstruction. *arrus: Balaven under reconstruction! and so on. •

•

•

•

S#eard is starin( off into sace! face t"itc#in( "it# strain. Baramour: Its #aenin( a(ain! isnt it. S: Its not as fre;uent as it "as. -#e #eadac#es! t#e rin(in(! t#eyre mana(eable. B: $ut not t#e #allucinations! not t#e aranoia. @ou #ave incredible "illo"er! S#eard! but even


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you #ave limits. limits. S: 1Si(#s2 -#e Reaers sure did a number on me! Ill (ive t#em t#at. 1If S#eard is "#eelc#air bound2. -#ey really didnt leave muc# left. I dont even +no" if its all t#em! or if t#eres some (i((lin( B-SD t#ro"n in! or "#at. I 0ust #oe... 1 sees t#e boy for a brief moment! "#o runs a"ay (i((lin( as #e did in S#eards dreams 2 I 0ust #oe in time Ill be able able to s#ut it out. B: @ou can al"ays see someone about it. S: 1Distracted 2 Mm. B: Do you ever... #ave any re(rets about destroyin( t#em

DIAL&*UE: D&)- %&RR@ A$&U- ME S: Rela'! I "asnt indoctrinated. I resisted everyt#in( t#ey t#re" at me. $esides! its too late to #ave any re(rets no"? DIAL&*UE: 4ELL! )& S: )ever. My #atred of t#em "as one t#in( t#ey couldnt ta+e. -#ats #o" I resisted. B: I understand. -#ere is silence for a time! as t#ey bot# re(ard t#e scenery. B: %#at "ill you do no" S: %#at do you mean B: -#e Reaers! t#e oressors of t#e cosmos! "e beat t#em... you beat beat t#em. S: I could never #ave done it "it#out you! or t#e ot#ers. B: $ut "e "ould never #ave +no"n "#at "as comin( at all if it "erent for you! S#eard. &nly you "ere able to receive t#e Brot#eans "arnin(. &nly you could sto Saren! and t#e Collectors! and Cerberus! and t#e Reaers t#emselves. It "as al"ays you. @ou even overcame indoctrination? -#ats never been done before. S: Call me t#ic+,s+inned. t#ic+,s+inned. B: @oure unbrea+able ! S#eard. After destroyin( t#e Reaers! I dont t#in+ any ac#ievement can comare. S: @ou sayin( I s#ould bo" out at t#e to 1if "it# Liara! for e'amle2 /ind a ;uiet lace! very far MASS E//EC- 3: UL-IMA-E CU- v5.56 1 78.79.759 2

29

a"ay Ma+e some little blue babies B 1Lau(#s2: If anyone deserves a life! its you.

DIAL&*UE: ILL CALL I- A DA@ S: I +no" "#at youre sayin(. -#e (ala'y is at eace! for no". -#ere isnt all t#at muc# need of someone li+e me. Im not one for us#in( encils! or settlin( etty re(ional disutes... yea#! youre ri(#t. I need to sto. Constant "ar! its not (ood for anyone. @ouve (ot to live a little for yourself! and for someone else 1t#ey embrace2. -: I love you! S#eard. S: Ill al"ays love you! -ali. DIAL&*UE: I AM A S&LDIER S: I cant retire! -ali. My life "ould feel +ind of ointless if it "erent under constant t#reat? @ou must admit it yourself! #eadin( out into t#e sunset! (ettin( soft and old... no . Maybe Ill never to beatin( t#e Reaers! but Ive never cared about t#e (lory. 4elin( t#e #elless is #o" I define myself. I #oe you understand. -: I understand! S#eard. I e'ected as muc#. And I love you! eit#er "ay 1embraces S#eard2. S: Ill al"ays love you! -ali. -#e camera ans u to dislay a s+yline! or a scene of rebuildin( and fades very slo"ly to blac+. E)D CREDI-S. AME)DME)- L&*: 7.73.759 15.772: &ri(inal uload under t#e name Mass Effect 3: /inal Cut. 5.73.759 15.762: Renamed to Mass Effect 3: Ultimate Cut 1/inal Cut "as already ta+en2= S#eards s;uad no" enter t#e Conduit individually and are affected by EMS= miscellaneous amendments= disclaimer and soiler "arnin( added= slas# screen to main a(e .73.759 15.782: Additional dialo(ue for ariorum in J-#e ReaersK and J-#e Citadel is t#e ener(y sourceK dialo(ue otions= S#eard ulls s#ranel from #is abdomen uon "a+in( u 9.73.759 15.7N2: Dialo(ue added to J/i(#tin( 4arbin(er in a Ma+oK and JS#o"do"n "it# t#e Illusive ManK= Additional avi+ dialo(ue durin( J-#e trut# about t#e CrucibleK. 6.73.759 15.552: Additional dialo(ue and concet art to J&eratin( t#e CrucibleK and J/i(#tin( t#e ReaersK=


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Altered banner art. 8.73.759 15.52: Additional dialo(ue and concet art to J/i(#tin( t#e Reaers 1/ailure2K and J/i(#tin( t#e Reaers 1Success2K. 7.79.759 15.592 Additional dialo(ue and concet art to J/i(#tin( t#e Reaers 1Success2K= S#eard #as continuin( #allucinations about t#e boy after a"a+enin( from indoctrination. 78.79.759 15.562 Eilo(ue to J/i(#tin( t#e Reaers 1Success2K fles#ed out.


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Mass Effect 3: Ultimate Cut

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