Mass Effect 3 Citadel Excursion 3 Guide (2026) PS4 Xbox

Welcome back to the Citadel in Mass Effect 3—this is your third excursion, focused on tracking down and completing side content across the Presidium. Expect a lot of stops, a lot of conversations, and several ways to affect Citadel-related war assets.

Citadel Excursion 3: Bailey’s Updated Investigations

By this stage, Commander Bailey will have fresh responses for the “Investigate” topics, reflecting the Cerberus Coup, Udina’s betrayal, and the worsening Reaper War. The only one that doesn’t add new information is “Loved ones.”

Commander Bailey: Cerberus-Related Side Missions

When you’re done in Bailey’s office, exit and move left toward the end of the hallway. At the balcony, you’ll find a Turian C-Sec Officer in the right-hand corner speaking on a radio. Listen to him to obtain the side mission Citadel: Cerberus Ciphers.

Turn around and head toward the elevator exit. Along the way, you’ll pass an Asari by the railing in dark armor, with a waveform hologram floating above her arm. Listen to her to pick up the side quest Citadel: Reaper Code Fragments.

Next, go to the Presidium Commons. Take the stairs on your left out of the elevator. At the top, look to the right-hand couches and listen to the Asari there to receive the side mission Athena Nebula: Hesperia-Period Statue.

In the opposite corner from that Asari, find the Angry Accountant Volus. If you’ve followed prior Search and Rescue suggestions, you’ll have the Book of Plenix ready to hand over. Doing so rewards 15,000 Credits and increases the Citadel Defense Force by +40 TMS.

If you don’t have the Book of Plenix yet, you can locate it on planet Irune, which is the second planet of the Aru system within the Aethon Cluster.

Citadel Defense Force: Bank Teller Argument

In the back-right corner of this same area, you’ll encounter a Bank Teller arguing with a Salarian. The Salarian wants to cancel his account before fleeing the Citadel. Simply speaking with the Bank Teller grants +2 Reputation and also adds +5 TMS to the Citadel Defense Force.

Wounded Batarian: Part 1 (Unlock the Quest)

Return down the staircase and continue along the long hallway toward the Apartment section. As you pass through, you’ll see a human woman speaking with a Turian about a wounded Batarian located in the Docks—specifically the Holding Area. He’s allegedly a known terrorist. This conversation unlocks the side mission Citadel: Wounded Batarian.

Kakliosaur Fossil

Make a U-turn back into the Apartment area and climb the right-hand staircase. At the top, a Salarian will be talking about getting Krogan new mounts to help fight the Reapers. Listening to him unlocks Citadel: Kakliosaur Fossil.

Target Jamming Technology

Head to the Apollo Cafe (where you previously found Matriarch Aethyta). On the left side of the bar, a Turian is examining damage on a vending machine. This triggers the side mission Citadel: Target Jamming Technology.

Cafe Owner vs C-Sec Officer (Reputation + TMS Choices)

On the right-hand side of the Apollo’s Cafe bar, you’ll find a Frustrated C-Sec Officer and a Frustrated Café Owner arguing about whether the officer is allowed to review surveillance footage from the café.

Supporting the Café Owner adds 5 TMS to the Citadel Defense Force.
Supporting the C-Sec Officer reduces the Citadel Defense Force by -2 TMS.

No matter which side you back, you’ll receive +2 Reputation.

Obelisk of Karza

Go to the stairs that lead down to the lower shops, but instead walk a little past them into the Courtyard area. Look for a man in white sitting on the right-hand benches. Listen to him to pick up the side mission Hades Nexus: Obelisk of Karza.

Arguing Merchants (Paragon/Renegade + TMS Effects)

Now head toward the Aegohr Munitions store at the far end of the Presidium Commons relative to the elevator—use whichever path you prefer. Here, you’ll spot a Worried Merchant and an Angry Merchant arguing about whether mods should be sold more freely to civilians to help protect the Citadel.

Support the Worried Merchant for +2 Paragon Points.
Support the Angry Merchant for +2 Renegade Points.

Batarian Codes: Part 1 (Officer Noles)

From the Aegohr Munitions storefront, head up the nearby stairs. You’ll be called over by Officer Noles in the corner. Talk to her to begin Citadel: Batarian Codes. Your first stop for this quest takes you to the Citadel Embassies, which comes later in this page.

C-Sec Officer Argument (Paragon/Renegade Choices)

Next, go inside the C-Sec Outpost room. You may have already completed some of the “Aria: Eclipse” side mission earlier. In this room, two C-Sec Officers will be arguing on the right-hand couches about how to prioritize crime.

Support the Patient C-Sec Officer for +2 Paragon Points.
Support the Angry C-Sec Officer for +2 Renegade Points.

Heating Unit Stabilizers (Turn-In + Rewards)

Outside the C-Sec Outpost, look for a Salarian in white named Sellea. Talk to him to hand in and complete Citadel: Heating Unit Stabilizers, which you picked up during N7: Cerberus Fighter Base on Noveria. If you missed it earlier, you can purchase it from Spectre Requisitions.

After turning it in, you’ll earn 30 XP, 1,000 Credits, and increase the Salarian Third Fleet by 8 TMS.

Cerberus Retribution (Unlock + Multiple Dialogue Paths)

Continue up the next flight of stairs. You’ll find a man and a woman discussing someone who has killed another person and is currently held in custody at C-Sec Outpost. Attempt to speak with them and you’ll learn they’re trying to distract someone already inside—this reveals the side mission Citadel: Cerberus Retribution.

Go back to the C-Sec outpost and speak with Captain Aaron Sommers on the couch to the left of the doorway. He explains that his target—a former Alliance military member—managed a plea deal by providing Cerberus intelligence in exchange for a shorter sentence. Sommers believes the deal is too lenient and plans to kill him.

You can ask “Why is murder justified?” Then choose one of the following options:

Select “You’re better than this Charm” to convince Sommers that his actions would also defile the uniform, earning you +5 Paragon Points.
Select “Walk away” to point out Sommers would be arrested for the murder, which discourages him and grants +5 Paragon Points.
Select “Let me do it legally” (Intimidate) to invoke your Spectre authority and legally sanction Sommers killing the Cerberus agent, earning +5 Renegade Points.
Select “Go ahead” to encourage Sommers to look the other way, earning +5 Renegade Points.

Regardless of the choice you make, completing the side mission awards 210 XP and 5,000 Credits.

Cerberus Automated Turret Schematics (Turn-In + Reputation + TMS)

Continue up the stairs again to the balcony at the top. There you’ll find a human C-Sec Officer discussing problems caused by leftover Cerberus turrets around the Citadel. This unlocks Citadel: Cerberus Automated Turret Schematics.

The item you need should already be in your possession from the Tuchanka: Bomb side mission. If you missed it, you can buy it at Spectre Requisitions. Talk to the officer to hand it in for 30 XP, 1,000 Credits, +5 Reputation, and 8 TMS added to the Citadel Defense Force.

Spectre Terminal: Part 1 (Authorize Several Items)

Next, visit the Spectre Terminal to handle a set of tasks. It’s the middle console inside the Spectre Office.

Authorize the Batarian Access Codes item to continue Citadel: Batarian Codes.
Read Location for Batarian Patient to continue Citadel: Wounded Batarian.
Authorize Surveillance Authorization to strengthen the Citadel Defense Force by 7 TMS.
You’ll also see options tied to what you backed at Aegohr Munitions:
- If you supported the Worried Merchant, authorize Civilian Militia. This strengthens the Citadel Defense Force by 7 TMS.
- If you supported the Angry Merchant, authorize Weapons Sales. This weakens the Citadel Defense Force by -5 TMS.

Rings of Alune

From the elevator, turn right and head toward the Asari near the corner. Listen to her to obtain Silean Nebula: Rings of Alune.

Batarian Codes: Part 2 (Security Corridor + Console)

If you authorized the Batarian Access Codes at the Spectre Terminal, go through the security corridor to the Inpatient Wing. Then make a U-turn to the right into the eastern examination room. Examine the Console to progress Citadel: Batarian Codes.

Chemical Treatment

Next, enter the western examination room. Listen to a human and Salarian doctor—Dr. Kerry and Dr. Silon, respectively—who discuss a patient with chemical burns they can treat. This unlocks Citadel: Chemical Treatment.

Cerberus Turian Poison

Head to the main wing and enter the long room on the left side. Overhear a Salarian speaking on a communicator about a poisoned Turian General who needs a solution. This unlocks Citadel: Cerberus Turian Poison.

Thane Krios (Goodbye Scene + Morality Options)

Approach the closed doors on the opposite side of the main wing to initiate the goodbye scene with Thane, assuming Thane was alive and present in “Priority: The Citadel 2.” If he wasn’t alive for that event, this moment won’t be available. Attending also provides +5 Reputation.

When speaking with the Attending Doctor, you can earn additional Morality Points:

Choose “Can I do something?” for +2 Paragon Points.
Choose “It was bound to happen” for +2 Renegade Points.

Doctors Arguing (Reputation Regardless of Choice)

After Thane passes, there are two Doctors at the end of the hallway right next to you, debating availability of resources and how to prioritize treatment with limited supplies. It doesn’t matter who you support: both options award +2 Reputation, and they reach the same agreement either way.

Private Talavi (Quick Save/Reload + Spectre Terminal Note)

From the elevator, move through the blue scanners into the main area. On the walkway, you’ll find two soldiers: a Sergeant debriefing a Private about an upcoming mission. If you use the Quick Save/Reload trick, you can listen to all five parts of their conversation and learn the Private discovers she’ll be fighting Cerberus—because her brother ran off and joined them (you may have seen diary entries for him earlier in N7: Cerberus Lab).

This also unlocks an item at the Spectre Terminal. However, authorizing it will actually reduce the TMS of a War Asset. If that tradeoff isn’t worth it for you, you can skip authorizing it.

Batarian Codes: Part 3 (Lower Passenger Lounge Console)

From where Private Talavi is located, enter the lower Passenger Lounge. Look for the Console next to a vending machine to continue Citadel: Batarian Codes. This is the third and final location you need to check.

Prothean Data Drives

Near the door you use to return to the Normandy, find a soldier talking to a superior about something that could help the Crucible—though he gets in trouble for mentioning it by name over an unsecured channel. This unlocks Valhallan Threshold: Prothean Data Drives.

Inspirational Stories: Part 1 (Solik Photo Opportunities)

From the elevator, go to the security scanners and find a Salairan named Solik pleading with the Turian guards to let him in. Speak to him to start Citadel: Inspirational Stories. There are multiple photo moments here, but you specifically need three shots that demonstrate the refugees’ situation.

Prothean Sphere

In the empty section at the far end of the area, you’ll see a human pleading with a Turian C-Sec Officer to barter a trade involving a valuable item—and the location of it. This unlocks the side quest Hades Nexus: Prothean Sphere.

Batarian Codes: Part 4 (Balak Branch + EMS Outcomes)

Nearby in this area, you’ll find the last Console you need to investigate to finish Citadel: Batarian Codes. How the conversation unfolds depends on whether and how you handled the Bring Down the Sky DLC in Mass Effect 1.

If Balak wasn’t killed in that DLC—meaning you either left him for dead or left him to be arrested—or if you never did the DLC at all, he will be present here.

Choose “Blame the Reapers” for +2 Paragon Points.
Choose “Blame yourselves” for +2 Renegade Points.

If Balak isn’t present, you won’t get those options and the quest shifts to Cargo Hold: C.

You’ll then have multiple choices for ending the standoff with the Batarian. The wording may change, but the results stay consistent:

The blue Charm option grants +5 Paragon Points and also provides the Batarian Fleet War Asset.
The red Intimidate option grants +5 Renegade Points and also provides the Batarian Fleet War Asset.
Selecting the white option on the right provides no EMS reward. If this happens during a conversation with Balak, the EMS of the Alliance Third Fleet decreases.

No matter what happens, completing the side mission always awards 210 XP.

Kelly Chambers

If you go to Cargo Hold: B, you can catch up with Kelly Chambers. If you previously urged her to change her identity, she’ll tell you that your suggestion saved her life, because Cerberus had people lined up specifically to find her. If you didn’t do that, she’ll be missing, and a Batarian and a human woman will discuss how she was gunned down.

If Kelly is alive, you can also hear an additional post-chat comment from her.

Medi-Gel Sabotage (Conrad Verner + Project Crucible Support)

Next, speak with the Refugee Camp Doctor in the center of Cargo Hold: B. He complains about sabotage of the Medi-Gel dispensers, and he may even mention that it happened while someone was spreading Cerberus propaganda.

The propagandist is Conrad Verner. He won’t be present if he died after you encountered him in Citadel: The Fan in Mass Effect 1 or Illium: Conrad Verner in Mass Effect 2—which happens if you didn’t use Persuasion options during those encounters. If that applies, skip the next paragraph.

If Conrad survived both of those prior games, you can find him at the map spot marked Bay E24. He realizes his mistake, but offers to help with Project Crucible using his Dark Energy Dissertation. This War Asset’s EMS can be improved if you completed three actions in the original Mass Effect 1:

Finished “Feros: Data Recovery” by retrieving Gavin Hossle’s data in the ExoGeni Headquarters.
Finished “UNC: Asari Writings” by finding at least 10 of the 16 writings by Matriarch Dilinaga.
Purchased an Elkoss Combine Armory License, either from the Volus Expat in the Upper Markets on the Wards or from Opold on Noveria.

Talk to Conrad for additional dialogue, then go locate three Medi-Gel dispensers (Medical Stations). There are actually four of these in total, but you can pick any three you like.

After that, return to the Refugee Camp Doctor in Cargo Hold: B and speak to him. If Conrad is dead, the mission ends there and the culprit remains unaccounted for.

If Conrad is alive, he recognizes his Cerberus contact and attempts to arrest him. The contact fires at Shepard, and Conrad throws himself in front of the shot to take it. Shepard punches out the contact and reaches Conrad. Normally Conrad dies here, but if you completed Citadel: Rita’s Sister in Mass Effect 1, Rita will have sabotaged the contact’s pistol beforehand, letting Conrad survive.

Whatever the outcome, you’ll earn 210 XP, 5,000 Credits, +15 Reputation, and strengthen the Turian Seventh Fleet by 5 TMS.

Wounded Batarian: Part 2

Next, go to Cargo Hold: C, then head to the back. There you’ll find a Turian Nurse in white guarding the entrance to a container holding a Batarian on a bed. Ask to see him. He reveals that he blames humanity for the destruction of Aratoht (or blames Shepard personally if you did the Arrival DLC in Mass Effect 2).

You can either fulfill his request and remove him from life support, or call the nurse and leave him there. Neither option grants Morality Points, but both award 210 XP, 5,000 Credits, and +5 Reputation.

Inspirational Stories: Part 2 (Finish with Solik)

Leave the area toward the elevator, but before you go, speak with Solik between the two security screens to conclude Citadel: Inspirational Stories. This completion gives 210 XP, +5 Reputation, and 5,000 Credits. You can also talk to Solik three more times afterward for extra post-mission commentary.

Code of the Ancients

At the railing directly across from the elevator, head to the Elcor to pick up the side mission Dekuuna: Code of the Ancients.

Library of Asha

Enter the Purgatory Bar itself. To the right of the tall staircase leading up to the dance-floor bar, you’ll find an armored Asari. Listen to her to obtain Nimbus Cluster: Library of Asha.

EDI (Easy to Miss)

A conversation with EDI is available by speaking to her on the dance floor. This is unavailable after you’ve talked to Joker. In this interaction, EDI comments on the physical characteristics and functions of the hair on her platform.

Smuggler Conversation (Quick Save/Reload + Drinks Consequence)

Also up the staircase to the dance floor, look for a human woman in armor and a shifty Turian. If you use the Quick Save/Reload trick, you can listen to all four parts of their exchange. You’ll learn the woman is against stealing Alliance supplies due to the war. This unlocks a new item at the Spectre Terminal that you can authorize later.

While you’re up here, you can also order drinks from the bar. Drinking four times will cause Shepard to black out and wake up either on Aria’s couch or inside the elevator.

Joker (Relationship Progression Trigger)

Now head to the lower bar where Vega was last seen. Speaking with him advances his relationship with EDI. If you encouraged EDI to go for it earlier, encouraging Joker here means they’ll hook up later. If you encourage Joker, you can talk to him on the dance floor. If you don’t, EDI will be sitting at a table near the bar where you spoke to him.

Spectre Terminal: Part 2 (Three More Authorizations)

Return to the Spectre Terminal at the Citadel Embassies to handle three additional Spectre Terminal items.

By visiting Huerta Memorial Hospital, you’ll unlock the Medical Supplies item after overhearing a doctor over the PA system. Authorizing it boosts the Citadel Defense Force by 7 TMS.
You’ll also gain Transfer Authorization, Private Talavi. Authorizing it reduces the Alliance Third Fleet’s strength by -4 TMS.
Finally, there’s Civilian Consultant Authorization, which you unlocked at the Purgatory Bar. Authorizing it strengthens the Alliance Fifth Fleet by 7 TMS.

Virmire Survivor (Choice + Reputation)

When you walk through the doors to the Normandy, you’ll meet your Virmire Survivor if they survived the Udina confrontation in “Priority: The Citadel 2.” As the scene wraps up, they mention that Admiral Hackett offered them a spot on his team, but they’d rather remain on the Normandy.

If you accept, they become the newest member aboard the Normandy and unlock access as a Squad Mate. If you decline, they become a War Asset worth 25 TMS. Either way, having this conversation provides +2 Reputation.

Afterward, you’ll reconvene with Admiral Hackett and Admiral Anderson to discuss the Coup. It turns out Anderson has a previous encounter with Kai Leng.

During this exchange, you can respond with one of the following:
- “Thanks for the Intel” for +2 Paragon Points.
- “He’ll die like all the rest” for +2 Renegade Points.
As the conversation ends, you can choose one of these:
- “I won’t fail you” for +2 Paragon Points.
- “Nobody can stand in our way” for +2 Renegade Points.

“Thanks for the Intel” for +2 Paragon Points.
“He’ll die like all the rest” for +2 Renegade Points.

“I won’t fail you” for +2 Paragon Points.
“Nobody can stand in our way” for +2 Renegade Points.

Liara’s New Side Mission + Post-Coup Sweep

As Shepard leaves, Liara approaches with a Side Mission from Asari high command: Kallini: Ardat-Yakshi Monastary. If you’re saving for the full Store Discount, this side job will help you reach it. (The other half comes from the From Ashes DLC.)

At this point, you should do another full sweep of the Normandy for post-Coup conversations and email updates.

New Crew Meetups and Invitations (Romance Unlocks)

From here in the game, you’ll start unlocking meetups and invitations with your Squad and crew that can open up as Romance options. For more details, see the dedicated Romance guide.

Romance Guide

Normandy Checklist: CIC, Terminals, and Key Power Unlocks

CIC – Speak with Traynor to pick up Arrae: Ex-Cerberus Scientists, and also pick up Joker and EDI (+2 Reputation) to her Defense Matrix Bonus Power.
Private Terminal – You’ll receive new emails, including “Durlesh Mole,” which unlocks Citadel: Volus Ambassador. Also read “Kai Leng’s Dossier” to help prevent tragic events later. If you own the Citadel DLC, you’ll additionally have an email titled “Priority: Citadel Shore Leave.” Recommendation: save that until you finish Miranda’s storyline, or until you unlock “Priority: Thessia” at the earliest.
Crew Deck – Talk to Garrus (+2 Reputation), Liara and her Broker Terminal, and your doctor to unlock Citadel: Medical Supplies. If Liara or Garrus shot your Virmire Survivor, they’ll comment on it. If Kaidan is on board, talk to him in the Starboard Observation lounge now to unlock his Reave Bonus Power (the Renegade interrupt gives zero Renegade Points).
Engineering – Talk to Javik and Allers, and also Gabby and Ken if they mentioned the KEI-9 dog in an earlier conversation.
Cargo Bay – Talk to Cortez and James.
Captain’s Cabin – After reading your email, you can invite several people:
- Traynor is the earliest chance for female Shepards to start a Romance. Choose “How about a shower?” and then “[Join her]” when she appears. Either way, you gain +5 Reputation.
- The interview with Allers adds +5 TMS to either the 103rd Marine Division (Charm) or the Alliance Fifth Fleet (Renegade).
- James unlocks his Carnage Bonus Power and grants +2 Reputation.
CIC – You’re still not completely done: return to the CIC and Traynor will tell you Admiral Anderson can be spoken to in the Comm Room, granting +2 Reputation. “…okay, now you’re done.”

Want More Mass Effect 3 Help?

If you’re looking for more coverage, check out the following pages:

Legendary Edition Changes
How-To Guides
Key Choices and Consequences
Romance Guide
Walkthrough
Side Missions

Up Next: Citadel Excursion 4