Dossier: Archangel

It seems that Archangel has made enemies. Lots of enemies. Different mercenary groups have banded together in a somewhat ordered effort to take this guy down. It sounds, then, that the logical game plan would be to join up with the mercs under the guise of assisting them in Archangel's capture. Locate the merc recruiter near Aria to speak with the freelance recruitment officer inside. As it turns out, the freelance mercenaries (you and your crew) will be used as a diversion--"fodder for his bullets" as Shepard himself puts it--while the main mercs carry out their plan to kill him when he's distracted. Sounds like a suicide mission, but it's the only ticket to Archangel at this point it seems.

As the newly hired mercs turn to leave, a young thuggish adolescent barges in and shows his eagerness in joining the mercs' ongoing operation, but you can go down the Paragon way and snap him out of his delusional thrill-seeking ways. When you're ready to depart, locate the Blue Suns driver by the shuttles to the far left of the Afterlife club entrance and speak to him.

The driver deposits your team at the edge of Archangel's base. The first task is to find Sergeant Cathka and report in for duty. On the way, you meet Jaroth, leader of the Eclipse. You learn some new information including Jaroth's personal vendetta against this cunning Archangel. On the desk behind Jaroth is a data pad that is to be delivered to Aria. This triggers the side quest "Deliver Data pad." After leaving Jaroth and moving on into the next hallway, loot the room on the left for some credits, Element Zero, and the chance to re-wire the currently inoperative YMIR Mech's friendly fire system. This will be very useful later on.

Just through the opposite door sits Garm, leader of the Blood Pack. It seems Archangel has a knack for garnering resentment. Moving on, you can crack the item on the ground for some credits before proceeding to the locked door that can be hacked. This door leads to the merc's storeroom full of all kinds of goodies, including a Microfield Pulsar, credits, Medi-Gel and some power cells. Sergeant Cathka is not too far now. Head toward the gunship and speak first to his assistant to gain Cathka's attention.

When asked if Cathka will lead the assault on Archangel, he lets out a hearty laugh and tells Shepard that he's just the tactician and gunship repairman. In the middle of the conversation, an incoming message tells the plan is a go, urging Cathka to immediately deploy the Bravo team, which you are a part of. Cathka returns to work on repairing the gunship, and you get the chance to perform a Renegade action. Be aware, however, that going through with it will have a more-or-less positive impact later on, particularly in the overall "health" of the gunship.

The freelancers with Shepard and co. among them have begun their assault on Archangel, but they get to witness firsthand the truth in all of the rumors surrounding Archangel's killing abilities. When you regain control of Shepard, the real task now is to protect Archangel and prevent him from falling to these weaklings. Archangel's health meter appears onscreen and tracks his present vitality. To succeed in protecting Archangel, though, you will need to turn on these unsuspecting freelancers. These freelancers are preoccupied with Archangel at the moment, but once you open fire on them they will divert their attention and treat you in kind.

It is important to assume that these freelancers, despite all the belittlement by the mercs, are capable enough to present some challenge. Raid the building and take care of the guy working on the bomb, making special care not to set the bomb off just yet. Scout out the Multicore Amplifier upgrade in the first floor of the building to increase your entire squad's tech damage by 10%, and hack the wall safe on the second floor for credits as well. Conveniently enough, there are also Medi-Gels and stockpiles of thermal clips if needed.

Walk through the door to come face-to-face with the famed and much hated Archangel, whose identity should come as a surprise to the player. The short-lived thrill of this reunion is crushed by the gravity of the situation. Archangel will hold off the incoming attackers while he entrusts Shepard with what he knows to do best: kick ass. Turn around and pick up the M-15a Vindicator Battle Rifle from the couch. Pick off the enemies and start heading down to the main level. Archangel will announce when they will begin to enter the building. Hopefully you left the bomb untouched earlier, so now it will be useful against the waves of enemies flooding through. Wait until a good chunk of enemies have assembled near their doom and blast it.

Not pleased with the performance of the scout soldiers, Jaroth sends in a YMIR Mech. Again, hopefully you reprogrammed it earlier in the mission. If so, you've gained the upper hand in this section. The YMIR Mech becomes an ally and unleashes on the opposing forces. You can leave the majority of the work to the beefy YMIR, but be sure to supply some firepower before it turns into scrap metal. Eventually, Jaroth himself steps into battle, but you have enough firepower and Biotics to easily overpower this single Eclipse leader. With Jaroth down, the merc alliance has to re-mobilize. Return to Archangel for the next step of the mission. There's a footlocker in Archangel's room for looting.

The remaining two factions are beginning to move and have already breached the lower level. It's time to make a decision. Will you let one of your teammates stay with him? If Archangel is badly injured, it certainly would be a great help to have that extra firepower and tantamount to his survival. Keep in mind also that if Archangel ever falls it's an automatic mission fail. Choosing to leave a teammate with him doesn't necessarily gain you Paragon points (we actually got Renegade points when Jacob was left behind). Either way, you need to make the choice and be on your way.

The first task is to close three emergency shutter doors before they run through. Head forward and hit the first green switch in front to start lowering the shutter. As soon as you hit the button, Blood Pack members start charging through. If any of them pass through the shutter line while the countdown is in progress, it will be reset. Just keep them at bay while waiting for the timer to run out. There are two more located on either side. Vault over the barricades and slog through the swarms of Blood Pack until you reach the second shutter button. When this is done, Archangel releases the lock on the final door to the third shutter switch. This room has already been overrun with the advancing Blood Pack. Push them back while you move to the switch.

At this point, Garm and his minions rush Archangel at his post, but Shepard returns in time to help out. Take out the varren, the dog-like creature, and the laggards below before moving up to help Archangel with Garm.

Speak to Archangel for a quick breather. Momentary relief gets broken by the appearance of a familiar-looking gunship, the very same Cathka was working on. It seems to be back in fully operational mode. Unfortunately, that's not our only concern. A small squad of Blue Suns led by a feisty vixen named Jentha has flanked them as well. Jentha is a smarter warrior than the rest of her small fry companions, but that doesn't mean she is impervious to Incendiary Ammo or headshots. The problem only escalates as more Blue Suns infiltrate the building below.

Archangel is finally bested by the superior armor and firepower of the gunship, but it's now up to you to take down this flying deathtrap, preferably with the grenade launcher. Once the gunship goes down, the mission comes to a completion. The gravely wounded Archangel is transported back on the ship, where the trusty Dr. Chakwas returns him to tip-top shape with a few scars to show for his time spent on Omega. Archangel is now an official member of the Normandy crew. It's only natural to go find him at the main battery on deck 3 and chat him up for his backstory.