Back Aboard the Normandy
Shepard awakens inside the Normandy’s medical bay, none the worse for wear. Doctor Chakwas stands nearby, recounting what happened on the planet’s surface.
Apparently, the beacon has been largely destroyed after the blast that knocked Shepard cold. The commander is still quite shaken by the images projected by the ancient device.
Captain Anderson soon enters the medical bay and asks to speak with Shepard alone. Converse with the captain to learn that Ashley has been reassigned to the Normandy crew.
Anderson goes on to say that the Council will surely want answers for the Eden Prime debacle. Nihlus is dead and the beacon lies in ruins.
Worse, Saren— the turian who allegedly murdered Nihlus—is another Spectre: one of the most powerful and respected Spectres ever appointed by the Council.
If he has truly sided with the geth, things are sure to become far more difficult.
When questioned by the captain, Shepard admits that the beacon issued forth some kind of strange vision just before it exploded.
The captain becomes alarmed when his commander recounts the images: synthetic creatures ripping apart humanity.
Though vague, this troublesome vision must be brought to the Council’s attention. Saren despises humankind and may have sided with the geth to gain enough power to exterminate the entire human race.
The Council must be made to believe these strange warnings, but it won’t be easy. Saren is a Spectre; he operates above the law.
Captain Anderson decides to contact the human ambassador at the Citadel to update him on the current situation.
He orders Shepard to speak with Joker on the bridge and bring the Normandy into dock at Citadel Station.
Normandy: Quarters
You’re now free to explore all three decks of the Normandy.
Such exploration is completely optional, but you’ll miss out on a number of interesting conversations and several new Codex entries if you decide not to have a look around.
Because you’re already at the quarters deck, let’s begin with the aid station on the nearby wall of the medical bay. Examine the aid station to restock your Medi-Gel supply and acquire a new primary Codex entry.
Ashley stands just outside the medical bay. Speak with her to discuss her recent promotion to the Normandy crew. The dialogue choices you make can earn you a few more morality points, so be sure to explore all options.
Not far from Ashley, Doctor Chakwas is found leaning against a wall near some storage lockers.
Investigate all avenues of the dialogue to learn more about the good doctor’s past, gaining her personal insights on Captain Anderson and your squad mate, Kaidan.
Doing so also nets you two more Codex files, and you can gain one more by examining Shepard’s personal locker , which stands against the nearby wall.
Normandy: Engineering
There isn’t much else to see or do on the quarters deck, so take the elevator down to engineering.
You arrive at the vehicle bay: Here you may examine your squad’s lockers and outfit any member of your crew with new weaponry and gear you’ve obtained.
Spend a moment outfitting Shepard, Kaidan, and Ashley with the best equipment you have.
Next, approach the burly M35 Mako that’s parked nearby. Examine this vehicle to gain a new entry for your primary Codex. The Mako looks incredible; perhaps you’ll be able to drive it someday.
Not far from the Mako stands an Alliance Requisitions Officer. This fellow offers to sell you goods he’s purchased with his own credits at a fair price.
Query the Req Officer about manufacturer licenses to learn that such items are required in order for the Req Officer to stock different brands of gear.
The officer does not have any licenses to sell. You can buy some basic equipment, but says you’ll need to buy licenses from the stores you visit on other stations and worlds.
Doing so will allow the Req Officer to carry a broader variety of advanced armaments produced by top-tier manufacturers from around the galaxy.
Ask about new items and the Req Officer goes on to say that he’ll buy, sell, and trade with local merchants to acquire new weaponry and gadgets each time the Normandy docks at a planet with a large enough port.
Strive to purchase lots of manufacturer licenses from each store you encounter to expand the Normandy Req Officer’s wares to include exceptional items.
Browse the Req Officer’s goods to see what he has for sale.
You won’t have enough credits to purchase much at this point, but invest in the Medi-Gel and grenade upgrades to increase your carrying capacity for both of these valuable items.
Feel free to sell off any gear you’ve acquired but have no use for as well.
After trading with the Req Officer, head into the engineering room and examine the field integrity monitor near Engineer Adams to acquire yet another primary Codex entry.
Adams doesn’t have much to say at present, so you’re all done here. Return to the elevator to reach the quarters deck, then take the nearby stairs to reach the command deck above.
Normandy: Command Deck
There’s little for you to do on the command deck. Navigator Pressly doesn’t have much to say, but a nearby computer terminal can be inspected for a secondary Codex entry.
A quick inspection of the comm room nets you another entry as well.
When you’ve finished exploring the ship, head to the bridge and speak with Joker to complete your primary objective and order the Normandy to dock at the Citadel.