Mass Effect 2 introduced a vast array of squadmates who specialized in every combat tactic imaginable. Going up against the Collectors meant having a wide variety of talented individuals not just willing to accompany Commander Shepard through the dangerous Omega 4 Relay, but to potentially sacrifice their lives for the greater good. Each potential squadmate had their own reasons for joining the fight, and the assassin’s purpose was far less complicated than many of the others.
Thane Krios spent most of his life as a killing tool wielded by the Hanar. He’d taken a lot of bad out of the world, but later in his life he used his power for vengeance, creating a rift within in him that sought balance and peace before his death. Joining Shepard on their mission was one surefire way to leave the world having done a truly altruistic deed that could benefit the entire galaxy. But first, Shepard had to find him.
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Mission: Illium
Arriving on Illium, Shepard meets a Nos Astra official named Careena, who explains that all docking fees have been taken care of by Liara T’Soni. Liara would like to see Shepard in her office. Reuniting with her offers Shepard the opportunity to ask about Thane Krios, who she says arrived on Illium a few days earlier to target Nasanna Dantius. Shepard may have interacted with Nasanna in Mass Effect 1. Shortly after arrival, he contacted an Asari named Seryna in the cargo transfer levels.
Follow Liara’s directive to Seryna, whose desk can be found beneath the Shipping sign in the cargo transfer area. Seryna used to be Nasanna’s head of security, but was fired after questioning her boss’s cruel ambitions, including the assassination of her own sister. Seryna wants to see Nasanna put in her place and believes Thane is the perfect solution, so she gladly takes Shepard to the currently under-construction Dantius Towers. Make sure any business is completed at the station before departing; once Shepard leaves, they cannot return until after the mission is complete.
Mission: Dantius Towers 2
In front of the tower, a group of panicked Salarians exits followed by security mechs. Take out the mechs, then shoot the glass out to engage FENRIS and LOKI mechs. Once they’ve been dispatched, head left into the room to find a hackable terminal with 4800 credits and a medical station. Back out and head straight to encounter a wounded Salarian near the door. Speak with the Salarian, taking advantage of the Paragon interrupt to give him some medi-gel to stabilize him, then ask about what’s going on inside the tower.
Head through the door and straight down the hall, preparing to take cover from the Eclipse mercenaries and mechs. This initiates a long bout of combat consisting of several waves of mercs. Battle through them carefully until reaching the end of the hallway and taking the ramp to level two. Grab the two med-kits and the thermal clips at the top, then take cover as the next wave of Eclipse mercs advances. There are four swarms in this round, take cover as necessary and wipe them out while advancing through, then pick up the clips and med-kit on the floor before advancing toward the narrow doorway for the next encounter. Position squadmates on either side of the entry ramp, then duck out the door to pick off the mechs and mercs.
Explore the area to find a hackable terminal with 4200 credits, a power cells crate and the M-97 Viper sniper rifle. Bypass the nearby door to find a two huddling Salarians who explain that someone not working for Nasanna locked them inside to keep them safe. Conversation with them provides opportunity to gain morality points, so choose carefully based on preference when they are presented, and then pick up the med-kit and the 3000 credits from the safe inside before moving on.
Next, head back to the elevator and put squadmates into cover, as a wave of enemies will come pouring out when the elevator arrives. Activate the elevator and take cover, preparing to fire on the enemies as they exit. Grenade launchers are effective in taking them out more quickly. Once they’ve been dispatched, collect clips and medi-gel, then take the elevator to the third floor.
Outside the elevator, an Eclipse merc talks via radio to his superiors. Shepard and squad take him by surprise, leading to an opportunity through conversation to earn some morality points and a Renegade interrupt that allows Shepard to kick him out the window if they wish. Through this dialogue, Shepard learns how to get to Nasanna, and can gain Paragon points by allowing him to make a run for it and reconsider his life choices. There is a datapad on the floor to pick up for a side quest.
The next room leads Shepard to two more Salarians behind a closed door, one of them pointing a gun. Shepard can use the Renegade interrupt to punch the Salarian, or wait because in his panicked fear he will actually fall unconscious. His brother explains they were being threatened by an Eclipse merc, whose head mysteriously exploded. The Salarian took the gun to protect them and they hid. Pick up the medi-gel and hack the PDA on the dead merc for 6000 credits, then head back out to the ramps leading to the bridge and the roof. There are power cells available in this area, as well as a hackable comm terminal that can be used to annoy Nasanna and another M-97 Viper to pick up if the first one was missed.
Mission: Murder on the Rooftops
Arriving on the roof, battle through the mechs and mercs to reach the bridge. Once they’re all taken care of, pick up the eezo crate and use the weapons locker if in need of a weapons change. There is also a medi-gel pick up near the locker, so grab it and advance into the next round of combat. Completing that encounter, hack PDA for 12000 credits, pick up the medi-gel and scan for the submachine upgrade, then head toward the bridge leading to the other tower. Fight across the bridge, and when reaching the other side, take cover as another wave will pour out of the building. Enter Nasanna’s penthouse and prepare to recruit the assassin.
A cutscene brings Thane out of hiding in the ducts, and after he kills his target, he will ask Shepard about their mission, so explain that he is dying from a non-communicable disease. He agrees to join them, pro-bono. With the assassin successfully recruited and the mission complete, he agrees to meet them back on the Normandy.
Back on the ship, Jacob expresses deep distrust for the assassin, claiming he is little more than a merc for hire. But, Shepard telling Jacob that Thane agreed to do this job for free shuts him up. Thane asks to be given a room in a dry area of the ship, and that is where he will be found for conversation throughout the rest of the game.
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