Mass Effect 2 Guide Walkthrough SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS
Lair of the Shadowbroker: Learning Liara's Information
This mission is sanctioned by Cerberus Information Processing, and is too long to be known as a special assignment. It should be viewed as an additional mission.
It becomes accessible once you return from Horizon. You receive a missive aboard the Normandy regarding your old asarian friend Liara T’Soni, who has been searching for an elusive entity known as the Shadow Broker for years.
Shepard is to travel to Illium and uncover any leads she may possess. Past experience has taught Liara to be wary of Cerberus, which is why Shepard—an ex-colleague and friend—is ideal to smooth things over.
Part 1: Learning Liara's Information
Locate the trading floor of Illium, and visit Liara in her office nestled above [001] . Speak to her about the Shadow Broker, and she reveals she may have information about the elusive entity’s location, stemming from a conversation between agents.
[001]
It also transpires that her erstwhile (and double-dealing) drell partner, Feron, may be alive. Liara knows that despite his faults, Feron sacrificed himself for her, and she wants to know his fate.
She’s also been uncertain about Shepard [002] ; not knowing the commander’s fate for two years, and keeping Shepard’s dog tags safe on her desk.
[002]
Liara leaves to figure out a plan, and allows you to check her terminal for any additional information. The only item of interest is intel pertaining to Samara and Thane, but only if they haven’t been recruited yet; otherwise there is no further knowledge to access.
[003]
Head to the transportation hub [003] , near the police station, and locate the taxi rank on the edge of the structure. Hail the cab from the terminal, which soon arrives to whisk you to Liara’s apartment. You can now choose two team members for your squad.
Choose one member with strong biotic powers, such as Jack, Miranda, or Samara. The other can complement your chosen fighting style; either aggressive like Grunt, or a sharpshooter such as Zaeed. Kasumi is another good choice.
When you’ve decided, you’re met at the apartment by a Spectre officer named Tela Vasir.
Searching for Clues
[004]
As Shepard arrives, the squad is surprised to see the apartment is cordoned off while a crime scene being checked by the police. The place is under the jurisdiction of a Spectre named Tela Vasir [004] .
The Illium police officers are instructed to leave, and Tela begins to talk to Shepard, congratulating him on his reinstatement as a Spectre if this has occurred. Shepard tells Tela he was meeting Liara here, and the Shadow Broker connection is mentioned.
Liara should have left information in her apartment, and so the search begins.
[005]
Begin a thorough inspection of the premises [005] . The following clues help you build a timeline of events and Liara’s activities:
| Area of Investigation | Comments |
|---|---|
| Shot Impact | Not a standard-issue rifle. A kinetic barrier deflected the shots, but they still penetrated the glass. |
| N7 Armor | Part of Shepard’s old, scarred armor. Tela remarks that someone didn’t like the look of you, either. |
| Painting | This isn’t the asari homeworld; Shepard remarks that it is Ilos. |
| Degree Certificate | A doctorate from the University of Serrice on Thessia. Tela comments she’s getting good use out of all that education. |
| Picture | A picture of the SSV Normandy , which switches to a Prothean dig site when Shepard touches it. |
Checking Prothean Relics
[006]
As soon as you pick up the picture, Tela realizes it is keyed to Shepard’s signature [006] . There are a number of Prothean artifacts scattered about the apartment. Perhaps they hold a clue? Tela suggests you search for one.
| Prothean Relic Location | Comments |
|---|---|
| Upstairs Bedroom: Glass Display Case | Tela exclaims that the objects must be worth a fortune. But they aren’t valuable to this mission. |
| Lower Foyer: Display Case near Painting | Tela isn’t impressed, stating Liara was certainly “into ugly.” |
| Lower Foyer: Bottom of the Stairs | As Shepard approaches, a small backup disk protrudes from the case. |
[007]
[008]
Shepard beckons Tela over, and they examine the disk before slotting it into Liara’s terminal [007] . The recording is of a conversation between Liara and a contact of hers named Sekat [008] .
[009]
Sekat remarks that he’s narrowed down the location of the Shadow Broker to a cluster—perhaps a star system. Liara is given instructions to meet Sekat at his office in Baria Frontiers in the Dracon Trade Center.
Tela knows where the Dracon Trade Center is, and they head to her skycar to drive to the location [009] .