Freedom's Progress

Onboard the ship en route to the missing colony of interest, Shepard and company go over a few small details about the colony. The ship touches down on the desolate landing pad and investigation of Freedom's Progress begins. This clearly deserted first area offers no well-kept secrets only an eerie and unnerving stillness pervading through night. Press onward through the conveniently unlocked doors. When you reach a second open area, search the crates to the left for credits before opening the door. Just beyond the colony's security personnel in the form of LOKI and FENRIS Mechs come online in response to your unwelcomed presence.

Take cover and blast through the enemy defense. Keep in mind that as the squad leader you can issue orders to your squad members for tactical positioning and ability usage. Incendiary ammo won't pack a bigger punch than normal here, so keep them on reserve for better use at a later time. After the threat subsides, head into the barracks ahead to find a wall safe for more credit after a successful hack and a Medi-Gel kit. Once you've cleaned out this building and searched the crates to the left for credits, your squad runs into a pair of mechs guarding the next door that leads to some unknown visitors.

A small team of quarians have apparently arrived before Shepard and his crew and turn their weapon-wielding sights on the new arrivals, but one of them seems to recognize Shepard and immediately realizes the gravity of her mistake. Despite her initial reaction, Tali is glad to see Shepard, but doesn't rather approve of the company he's with at the moment. No matter though because they form a temporary truce in order to seek out one of her lost men. This Veetor fellow apparently is somewhere on Freedom's Progress, and so the two teams must now set out to locate him.

Lead your team out of this building and into the next cluster of buildings, where you will stumble upon some very light defense. There's a wall safe here as well for the taking. When you emerge from the building, some Alliance Assault Drones zero in on your team, forcing you to take cover. Luckily, you can restock on thermal clips and med up in the adjacent building. A hysterical Tali comes in contact shortly after to inform you of Prazza's wayward plans. Hurry to their position to salvage any chance at gaining information from Veetor.

After demolishing the mechs that get in your way in the next open area, get your squad members into proper position as indicated by the big orange arrows and wait for Tali to open the bay door. Things get a bit hairy and more complicated as a formidable YMIR Mech joins the fray. Unlike the other small and inferior drones, this mech is slightly more intelligent and boasts an intimidating-looking frame that is armed to the teeth with heavy shields and firepower. Fortunately, the area teems with objects that offer relief--though fleeting as it may very well be--from the mech's relentless attacks. Be warned, however, that certain objects can be destroyed and leave you or your team member exposed; these objects are identified by their yellow lining.

This hulking piece of metal will take your shots as if they were nothing, closing in on your position slowly but steadily and forcing you to constantly move to different cover spots. Do not lose heart! Miranda's Overload ability leaves a big enough impression on this drone that the rest of your combined might will triumph over this creature. Don't forget that you have some extra firepower in your inventory, so dig through them to find the most adequate tool for this clean-up job.

With this major threat neutralized, the aftermath of this creature's rampage is clear: bodies strewn all over--a grotesque scene indeed. Use this opportunity now to loot the surrounding buildings and check the fallen mech for Iridium and Microfusion Array, which increases the heavy weapon ammo capacity for the entire team. Tali is busy tending to her wounded companions, but Veetor is nowhere to be found at the moment. Perhaps if you open the door of the building next to the damaged YMIR Mech…

Veetor's fear and paranoia have reduced him to a babbling fool, who doesn't make any sense when you first encounter him. After working it out through Paragon or Renegade means, Veetor finally turns his attention toward his visitors and proceeds to explain what he knows about the present situation. Still obviously shaken up by the recent occurrence of events, Veetor tells Shepard's crew that he has more information contained in his omni-tool. At this point, too, Tali comes to Veetor's aid and pushes you to make a choice: be compassionate and understanding, or be forceful and get what you want.

Whatever your decision you find yourself again in the company of the Illusive Man. He applauds your performance on Freedom's Progress, but the information you acquired doesn't seem to come as a surprise to him. You get debriefed on your next assignment and are introduced to your new pilot of your new ship.