Embarking on your first visit to the Citadel in Mass Effect introduces you to a vast political hub filled with deep secrets and hidden assignments. Among these initial tasks, locating and analyzing the mysterious, silent insectoid caretakers of the station stands out as a highly rewarding exploration quest. Knowing exactly where to find these elusive creatures can save you a significant amount of backtracking through the massive space station.
Initiating the Citadels Silent Investigation
The assignment begins when you encounter a salarian scientist named Chorban, who is secretly using a customized scanner on one of the creatures near the Citadel Tower. After a brief conversation about the legal risks involved, he asks for your assistance in gathering data across the different station zones. Accepting this request grants you the necessary scanning device and opens up a scavenger hunt that spans the entire facility.
It is important to note that you can also trigger this quest through Jahleed, a business partner who accuses Chorban of foul play. Regardless of how you pick up the task, your primary objective remains the tracking down of all twenty-one biological entities scattered throughout the hub. Completing this sweeping investigation provides valuable experience points and credits to help fund your early galactic journey.
Navigating the Presidium and Upper Districts
The majority of your targets reside within the scenic Presidium districts, making it the ideal location to begin your tracking route. You can spot the first few entities resting near the rapid transit terminals, the local embassies, and the tranquil lakes surrounding the financial sectors. Taking a systematic approach by walking through each courtyard ensures that you do not miss any hidden alcoves.
While exploring the embassy lounges, be sure to check the balcony areas and the private offices belonging to the various alien diplomats. A couple of these silent caretakers are positioned in less obvious corners, such as the back room of the elcor and volus shared suite. Thoroughly scanning these high-profile areas will quickly build up your quest progression before you head toward the lower decks.
Exploring the Wards and Assembly Zones
Once you finish navigating the upper levels, you must take the elevators down to the bustling environments of the Wards. The entertainment hubs, medical clinics, and open-air markets contain several scattered specimens that require your attention. Pay close attention to the dark corners near the Flux nightclub and the transit hubs connecting the lower residential blocks.
The final few targets are located within the engineering sectors and the traffic control nodes of the Normandy docking bay. Reaching these industrial zones requires traveling to the topmost levels of the C-Sec academy and checking the rear maintenance corridors. Pinpointing these final mechanical locations allows you to wrap up the assignment efficiently without leaving any sector unexamined.
Maximizing Rewards and Quest Outcomes
After successfully gathering the required data from all twenty-one entities, you can return to your original contacts to finalize the mission. Delivering the complete scanning log rewards you with a generous payout of resources and helps boost your early character level significantly. It also provides intriguing lore insights into the true origin and purpose of these mysterious station builders.
Choosing how to resolve the moral dilemma between Chorban and Jahleed can influence your alignment points depending on your conversational choices. You can either hand over the data for scientific progress or report their illegal activities directly to the Citadel security forces. Balancing these choices adds great replay value to your roleplaying experience as you define the legacy of Commander Shepard.
