Mission 6: Virmire

Normandy

Another pow-wow and all the usual post-mission rountine.

Again, go speak with the two humans, and depending on your gender, you move
one step closer to all the loveness.

*Note: I doubt it matters which of your two love connections you visit first,
but both should ask about the other. However, I'm pretty sure the crux of your
love life relies on your response to Liara's courting. Once she asks whether
you are interested in her in "that way", your response will pretty much set
you down one path or the other. Not to mention a plot point later on, but
we'll cross that bridge when we get there.*

Then there is Liara, who I assume you took to Noveria, so go check on her.
Also, you may notice she is geeky girl trying to get close with you, regardless
of your sex chromosomes. It's cheesy no matter your gender, so have a laugh or
two with/at Liara.

Back on track, go speak with the rest of the crew. Garrus should explain a
Dr. Saleon by now, and Wrex has a side quest if you talk about his family after
hearing his story of his father. You also get the impression Tali wants
something, but it's not a quest yet, but it is, eventually. And be sure to
unload your crap at the shop guy and buy more crap.

Now, this was the time I decided to tackle all of the clusters. Yes, ALL of the
clusters open so far. You don't have to, but I did. And don't forget to travel
to the Citadel afterward.

*Note: You won't be able to complete any of the side quests that involve you
returning to the Citadel. Either check the side quests section of this guide,
or figure out which ones need completing now. Basically, once you get to
Virmire, you won't be able to go out of the Citadel and then return. Also,
do go to the Citadel now, then go to Virmire, just to be sure you get all the
Citadel side quests.*

Anyway, once you've decided it's time to move on, or if you decide to just
get on with the main quest first, then onward to Virmire.

Virmire: Landing Zone

*Note: DO NOT run off the sides of the path into the dark water.*

You make a hot landing in the Mako. Get in the Mako after you land, because you
got out for some unknown reason, and head down the watery path. Not sure what
the little creatures are in your way, but it doesn't matter if you run them
over. Just some Geth along the trip, nothing you can't handle.

Just storm the first gatehouse if you want, you don't really have to. You can
get out on foot and fight your way to a room tucked away if you want. Then move
onto a duel-path. Just take either one, but you probably need to kill both
Colossi either way.

Then storm the next gatehouse for AA controls and gate controls. Then continue
in the Mako. To the next gatehouse just up the path. Storm it, disable gate,
and then continue on to the Salarian camp.

Talk, visit the shop guy in the far left tent, and then find Wrex. Convince
Wrex to stay on your side, and that's that.

*SPOILER: Before meeting with the captain, consider whether you wish to equip
your human allies with basic weapons and items and upgrades. FYI, you're going
to lose one. You'll send one on another team, and then you'll even split from
the other toward the end. Your choice will be to save one. PS, if you're going
to play the game twice it won't really matter who you choose. But all I'm
trying to say now is make sure you're not sending your best equipment into a
grave.*

Now find Captain Kirrahe in the middle tent and speak. Make your choice and
then we're off. Consider bringing Wrex, for no real reason.

Virmire: Base Approach

A communications tower is nearby, so storm it and disable the communications.

Proceed to the Satellite Uplink Tower by whichever path. Just kill the enemies
and then shoot the satellite thing on top of the structure. Keep moving.

Bring up your map for the final chunk of area. Set a flag on the Refueling
Platform and go there. You might find it hard getting there, but just know that
you can take a lower path or whatever. Just destroy the Flyers there, use the
fuel tanks, and that's that.

That's pretty much it. Just enter the facility. You have two entrances: the
normal one, or if you go along the railing outside the entrance and follow
it south until it opens up into a ramp, you can follow the path to a door. Hack
the door and go inside.

Virmire: Detainment Level

Kill the enemies and use the computer by the door. Choose to handle the guards
yourself to help out the other team. Then go through, kill the enemies, and
go around the staircase for four crates. Then go up and make your way to a room
with dudes in some cells. Talk with one and agree to let them out if you wish,
but the result may or may not be what you expect. Them make your way to a
storage room with many ways out.

*Note: If you refuse to let him out, you get one of the few genuine funny
moments in this game, so you better say no and watch the scene.*

Virmire: Base Entry

Take a door that leads out and down a ramp to another room with cells. You can
talk with one seemingly sane enough person on the far left. Then you can let
out the other mindless ones if you wish. Come back up and you have a choice:
either go to the Maintenance and Warehouse area, or take the elevator. I'll
cover the areas in this map just in case someone took the basic entrance into
the base.

*Note: You can refuse the sane one's pleas, and then you can still let him
out. You get paragon and renegade points if you do. Also, choosing to kill the
other mindless ones is another scene.*

The Maintenance and Warehouse area are just fighting spots with some Geth,
nothing you can't handle. Little loot too, and you can't go out the doors
because you're on the wrong side. Just go into the room with the elevator and
use it.

Virmire: Labs

Just fight in the labs and then take the door out. Outside, kill some Geth
and go inside the room to talk with a survivor. Tell her "how can I trust you?"
to get the door open (the other option probably works too) and then talk some
more until you're done. Take the open door all the way to an elevator that
takes you to the communication tower.

Virmire: Communication Tower

Go down and investigate the beacon. Then go up the ramp and to the end of
the middle walkway, or as if you are leaving, to talk with the Reaper. After
the enlightening exchange, make your way back and then go across the down
bridge. Fight your way across.

*Note: I seemed to gain more info from choosing the bottom selections in the
chat with the Reaper, but either way.*

Virmire: Main Base Level

Go down the steps on the side to a small path with three crates, then proceed.
Up the path is a fight, so win it. There is another small walkway on the side
that you can walk to for some crates. Then go up the ramp and disable the AA
turret. A fight and then loot the corners of this area for two loot containers.
Then take the elevator.

Virmire: Krogan Breeding Grounds

Fight a couple of Geth and then through the big door for a cutscene. After,
pick a new team, possibly with Wrex, and then go through the door on the right.
Fight a Warlord and his posse for the right to use the elevator.

At the top you face a crucial decision: gotta pick one or the other. Make your
choice and go there.

Virmire: Krogan Breeding Grounds Tower

Fight just first enemies, and then talk with Saren. You can find out why the
Geth are here and then continue the chat. A master in charm or intimidate have
their options toward the end.

It's just a fight after that. The fight with the S man is by no means tough,
and if he focuses on your other friends then you can lay into him. Then just
watch. The scene plays out however you chose, which could be many ways.

(OR)

Virmire: Krogan Breeding Grounds 2

Just fight your way back to whoever you left at the bomb site, which seems like
a tougher fight for some reason, but basically the same as if you went to the
tower.

Fight just first enemies, and then talk with Saren. You can find out why the
Geth are here and then continue the chat. A master in charm or intimidate have
their options toward the end.

It's just a fight after that. The fight with the S man is by no means tough,
and if he focuses on your other friends then you can lay into him. Then just
watch. The scene plays out however you chose, which could be many ways.

*Note: In the waterway, he floats at the other end, which gives you one good
tanker shot under his hovercraft, and you should be a good sniper so you can
hang back, otherwise, it may be tough just getting a shot off without taking
massive damage. Any team snipers will do too.*