Course Laid In
When you’re ready to get a move on, open the galaxy map and highlight the Horse Head Nebula, which is marked by a label that reads "Noveria".
Press the left mouse button to view that cluster, then select the Pax system, also marked by a "Noveria" label.
After making the FTL jump, select planet Noveria for a descriptive overview. Press the Land button at the bottom of the planet description to land there.
As it makes its approach, the Normandy is hailed by Noveria control. The operator remarks that the arrival was not scheduled and that their defense grid is armed and tracking the ship.
Joker responds that they’re on official Council business and have a Spectre on board.
The operator grants them clearance to land but alerts them that their identities will be confirmed on arrival. It’s not exactly the warmest of welcomes.
Upon docking with the ice world, approach the airlock and choose to exit the Normandy . You’re then asked to select your squadmates for the mission.
The choice is yours, but consider bringing Liara along. Her incredible talent for biotics will come in handy, and she’s closely tied to the storyline that transpires here.
Welcome to Port Hanshan
Just off the Normandy , Shepard and crew encounter a security checkpoint headed by Captain Maeko Matsuo of Elanus Risk Control Services.
She asks Shepard to show some credentials and then says no weaponry is permitted on Noveria.
The captain orders her subordinate to secure the crew’s weapons, but she doesn’t get very far: Shepard and company quickly draw their weapons, insisting that they be allowed to keep possession of their arms.
Your dialogue choices here can earn you morality points, so choose wisely.
Before the situation can degenerate any more, a voice sounds through the port’s comm system, ordering captain Matsuo to stand down.
Shepard’s identity has been confirmed and, as a Spectre, the commander is allowed to carry weaponry into the port.
Captain Matsuo apologizes and her crew disbands, allowing the Spectre to proceed toward customs.
Passing through Customs
Nearing the customs office, Shepard’s squad sets off an alarm: Weapons have been detected on their persons. An attractive woman in red quickly approaches, telling the team not to worry about the alarm.
The woman introduces herself as Gianna Parasini, assistant to Port Hanshan’s administrator. She informs the Spectre that one of her many duties is the orientation of new arrivals, and asks if she can be of service.
Question Gianna to learn that an asari Matriarch passed through the port a few days ago—Matriarch Benezia herself. Apparently, Benezia left for a research center called Peak 15 shortly after her arrival.
Gianna says Shepard will need to speak with Administrator Anoleis about receiving clearance to leave the port and travel to Peak 15.
She gives instructions on how to find Anoleis’s office, saying Shepard can also find her there to ask her any more questions.
Port Hanshan Plaza
Use the elevator near the customs office to reach Port Hanshan’s main plaza level. Administrator Anoleis’s office is just south of the elevator and down a flight of steps.
Head directly there if you wish, or spend a moment exploring the plaza. There isn’t a whole lot to do here at the moment, but there is a store nearby if you’re interested in picking up some new gear.
Merchant Opold
Speak with the hanar named Opold, who runs a store just east of the elevator, to browse the being’s selection of wares. Opold also has an assignment to offer you if you’re interested in picking up some side work.
Opold’s assignment is easy to complete and can be finished in a variety of ways.
One method actually helps you appease Administrator Anoleis so that you may leave Port Hanshan, a primary objective that can also be accomplished by various means.
We’ll cover all of that shortly. For now, simply choose to accept Opold’s assignment or don’t, then take a look at his goods.
A Chat with Lilihierax
Speak with the turian mechanic standing near the garage at the west end of the plaza to gain much insight into the recent happenings at Port Hanshan.
Lilihierax, or Li, as he asks you to call him, knows a bit about Benezia’s arrival and has heard rumors that Peak 15 has recently lost communications with Port Hanshan.
He’s also heard some scuttlebutt about recent problems at Synthetic Insights, a lab housed right here within the port.
The turian can’t offer much in the way of facts or help you gain entry to the garage, however. Looks like you’ll need to speak with Administrator Anoleis.
Port Hanshan Administration
All roads seem to be leading to the port’s administration office, so go there when you’ve finished exploring the plaza.
Gianna Parasini is at her desk and is happy to provide you with basic information on the various goings-on at Noveria.
She confirms that contact with Peak 15 is currently down due to extreme weather conditions, but can’t comment any further on the matter.
Ask to speak with the administrator and Gianna contacts Anoleis on the comm. The administrator agrees to see you; step into Anoleis’s office when you’re done questioning Gianna.
A skinny salarian, Administrator Anoleis is terse and somewhat rude; he’s a busy guy with no time to entertain uninvited guests. Question the Administrator as you see fit to learn a variety of interesting facts.
Apparently, a corporation called Binary Helix makes use of the facilities at Peak 15, and Saren is a major shareholder in that company. Now things are starting to click.
Anoleis confirms that Matriarch Benezia arrived at Port Hanshan several days ago. She brought a number of large, heavy cargo crates with her and was escorted by several personal guards.
After passing the port’s weapon screening, the Matriarch left for Peak 15 without delay.
Ask to see Benezia, and Anoleis informs you that the terrible storm surrounding Peak 15 has forced all transport shuttles to remain stationed at the port for the time being.
No one has been able to reach the Peak 15 facility for quite some time, and Anoleis isn’t prepared to allow Shepard access to other forms of transport.
Try as you might, you’re unable to convince the Administrator to let you leave the port.
Probe the haughty salarian about the rumors you’ve heard regarding trouble at the Synthetic Insights lab to learn that Anoleis has placed the office’s manager, Lorik Qui’in, under internal review.
The Administrator is otherwise tightlipped and won’t say anything more on the matter.
The Plot Thickens
Exhaust your line of questioning and then leave Anoleis’s office. It appears that you’ll have to find some other means of accessing Port Hanshan’s garage so you may access a vehicle and venture to Peak 15.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go far to get your first lead: Gianna calls to you in a low tone as you pass her reception desk, hinting that Anoleis isn’t the only one with a pass to leave the port.
Speak to Gianna to learn that a turian named Lorik Qui’in, who you’ve just learned manages the Synthetic Insights’ office, also has access to the port’s garage.
Gianna says that ever since he was placed under review by Anoleis, Qui’in can usually be found relaxing at the port’s mezzanine level. Sounds like he’s someone worth speaking to.
