FADE IN:

INT. CRUCIBLE CHAMBER. The elevator slowly lifts COMMANDER SHEPARD, in a pillar of light, to a
chamber within the citadel. SHEPARD climbs to all fours and begins to shake his head, trying to regain
consciousness long enough to complete his mission. In the background, a small ghostly figure
approaches SHEPARD. The CATALYST, a strong semblance of the young boy from SHEPARDs dreams,
kneels near the SHEPARD.
CATALYST
Wake up.

SHEPARD staggers to his feet, grunting in pain.

SHEPARD
What? Where am I?

CATALYST
The Citadel. Its my home

SHEPARD
(LOOKS AROUND CHAMBER)
Who are you?

CATALYST
I am the Catalyst.

SHEPARD
I thought the Citadel was the catalyst.

CATALYST
No. The citadel is a part of me.

SHEPARD
I need to stop the Reapers. Do you know how I can do that?

The CATALYST turns on his heel and begins walking toward the beam of energy in the central chamber
as SHEPARD follows.

CATALYST
Perhaps, I control the Reapers. They are my solution.

SHEPARD
Solution? To what?

CATALYST
Chaos. The created will always rebel against their creators. But we found a way to stop that from
happening. A way to restore order for the next cycle.
SHEPARD
(ANGRY, DESPERATE)
By wiping out organic life?


The CATALYST stops and turns on SHEPARD.

CATALYST
No. We harvest advanced civilizations, leaving the younger ones alone.

The CATALYST resumes walking, with SHEPARD in tow, toward a large window overseeing the battle
above.

CATALYST
Just as we left your people alive the last time we were here.

SHEPARD
But you killed the rest.

CATALYST
We helped them ascend so they could make way for new life, storing the old life in Reaper form.

SHEPARD
I think we would rather keep our own form.

CATALYST
No. You cant. Without us to stop it, synthetics would destroy all organics. We created the cycle so that
never happens. Thats the solution.

SHEPARD looks to the battle and then turns back to the catalyst. COMPLETION CHECK: Paragon or
Renegade 100% in ME3 COMPLETION FAILURE: Skips past investigation. COMPLETION SUCCESS:
Expanded Conversation.

SHEPARD
But... why? Why is that the solution?

CATALYST
Before the Reapers, organic life lived without regulation. These organics had almost unlimited power
and began to modify the very fabrics of life. They had the ability to not only create synthetic life, but also
create new organic life. However, in their designs, there was a flaw.

The CATALYST begins walking toward an ancient looking piece of computer machinery whose design is
completely foreign, even in terms of the Reaper design.

CATALYST
Their design was to engineer life in the most efficient and effective way possible. In effect, their desire
was to create synthetic and organic life in reflection to themselves. This design was, in their logic, the
best way to create life.

A digital diagram of the Galaxy pops up, very similar to the display of the NORMANDY, outlining the
planets and their adjoining mass relays. The display seems fuller. It is an ancient view of the Milky Way

CATALYST
However, this design had one major flaw: the imperfection of the creators. By designing life based upon
imperfection, the original organics perpetuated their own flaws on new, self aware organisms. This
imperfection manifested in the most organic of ways by the created synthetics: dissent.

The diagram flashes and begins to show the ancient war the CATALYST is describing. The level of
destruction is unparalleled. Supernovas were used as weapons. Planets were completely eviscerated.
The war initially is shown to take place exclusively between this advanced organic race and the race of
synthetics. However, weapons are eventually shown to destroy planets with young, newly evolved life.

CATALYST
The destruction was incalculable.

SHEPARD watches in horror as the destruction continues. We begin to see why some parts of the galaxy
have no stars, or some areas have black holes. Eventually SHEPARD closes his eyes and gathers himself.
After a beat, he turns.

SHEPARD
What happened? Who won?

CATALYST
No one.

The catalyst shows the last great battle between the ancient organics and the synthetics. A dark energy
cloud is created at the center of the battle by an unknown side and begins destroy all of the ships in the
fight.

CATALYST
The destruction was so complete, so wide is scope that both sides left too few resources left to sustain
even their meager populations. Instead they simply had enough time to make an uneasy peace.
<DISPLAY SHIFTS, BEAT> In fact, the repercussions of these battles can still be seen today.

The panel flashes for a moment and display flashes displays a familiar planet. RANNOCH sits in the view
screen.

SHEPARD
Rannoch

CATALYST
Yes. The weapons and methods became so advanced and destructive that both sides began to use
technology they did not completely understand. These effects caused the deaths of not only Solar
Systems of their cycle, but damaged future ones as well, as you experienced on Rannoch.

The CATALYST turns away from the panel and begins to walk toward the energy beam in the center of
the chamber.
CATALYST
However, despite their hatred for each other, both the organics and synthetics recognized that a war
such as this could not be allowed to happen again. That at all costs, life must continue. Their solution
<turns back to SHEPARD> was me.

SHEPARD stays for a moment at the panel. The construction of the Citadel is shown, along with the
construction of the first few Reapers. After a few moments, he turns back to the CATALYST.

CATALYST
Upon my creation, I was able to use both the collective knowledge of organics and synthetics to discern
the Solution. The original creators had bypassed a key component to life: death.

SHEPARD
Death is the key to life?

CATALYST
Indeed. Death in all cycles of lower organic life is the main driving force for advancement. When a
carnivore runs too rampant, the food sources dwindle. However, by devouring their food resources, the
carnivore population will die as well. Both most adapt to survive. Smarter predators, faster prey
perpetuate their genes into the next generation. This cycle drives all interactions of life.

SHEPARD
You are talking about evolution

CATALYST
Precisely. By use of technology, the original creators were able to bypass the dangers of the galaxy. In
essence, bypass this main driving force of organic life: Evolution. If the synthetics had not been created,
the organics would no doubt have corrupted the evolutionary path of billions of species.

SHEPARD
But synthetics

CATALYST
filled this selection void for organics, but were an aberration. If the organics had not been as advanced
as they had, the galaxy would have been as equally corrupted by the presence of synthetics.

SHEPARD stares at the beam of energy taking in all that the CATALYST has been telling him and
eventually turns around to confront the CATALYST.

SHEPARD
So the cycle is to continue the evolution of organic life.

CATALYST
In essence. By harvesting all advanced species we are able to adapt and preserve the acquired
knowledge across millennia of organic and synthetic life. In addition, we are able to ensure that all
species have proper opportunity to evolve, free of influence.

A DIALOUGE CIRCLE APPEARS. Investigation follows.

SHEPARD
(INVESTIGATION: KEEPERS)
What about the keepers?

CATALYST
One of the first forms of life created by the organics of the first cycle. This species was designed to be
uniform in both life cycle and reproduction and to live in a symbiotic relationship with the Citadel. Their
main function was to maintain the systems designed by the Organics of the first cycle. Our connection to
them has been severed; however, their function still remains the same

SHEPARD
(INVESTIGATION: COLLECTORS)
The Protheans The Collectors, why preserve them?

CATALYST
The knowledge guiding the solution is not static and incorporates many values. After the long war with
the Prothean Empire, we began to analyze and interpret their battle plans, strategy and culture so as to
better harvest organic life of future cycles. Based upon physiology, we found that this species, who
communicated mainly through tactile sensory information would be ideal to study the development of
sentient organic life as well identify potential future targets for the harvest. Therefore instead of
discarding of their caporal form, we adapted them into the Solution.

SHEPARD
(INVESTIGATION: HUMAN REAPER)
But the Reaper at the Collector base it was different than the others.

CATALYST
No two Reapers are identical, Commander. We have adapted them to meet the need of future cycles.
Your cycle was the first to delay the harvest by destruction of Sovereign. This destruction was
spearheaded by an individual species: humans. This sparked our interest and forced us to re-evaluate
our Reaper design, incorporating the anatomy of humans. Based upon our analysis, it was concluded
that the most effective design to combat humanity, the one which would cause the most fear and
therefore disorder, would be caused by a recognizable design: a Human Reaper.

SHEPARD
(INVESTIGATION: MASS RELAYS)
So the Mass Relays? They were just a form of control?

CATALYST
Yes and no. They were creations of the original race of organics of the first cycle. However, as their
technology progressed, they became antiquated and simple removal was an unwanted burden. After
the Great War, we adapted them into our Solution.

DIALOGUE WHEEL CHOICE: Paragon vs. Renegade

SHEPARD
(PARAGON)
But you are taking away our future. Without a future we have no hope. Without hope we might as well
be machines, programmed to do what were told.

CATALYST
You have hope, more than you think. The fact that you are standing here the first organic ever, proves it.
But it also proves my solution wont work anymore.

SHEPARD
So now what?

CATALYST
We find a new solution.

SHEPARD
Yeah, but how

CATALYST
The crucible changed me, created newpossibilities. I cant make them happen. <BEAT> I know you
have thought about destroying us.

FADE IN:

A flash to ANDERSON shooting a conduit controlling the Reapers is shown. Explosions erupt around him.

FADE OUT:

CATALYST
You can wipe out all synthetic life if you want, even you are partly synthetic.

SHEPARD
But the reapers will be destroyed?

CATALYST
Yes. But the peace wont last. Soon your children will create synthetics and chaos will come back.

SHEPARD
Maybe

CATALYST
Or do you think you can control us?

FADE IN:

A flash to the ILLUSIVE man at a panel inserting his hands into the control rods is shown. Electrical
flashes erupt around him.

FADE OUT:

SHEPARD
Hmm. So the Illusive Man was right after all?

CATALYST
Yes. But he could never have taken control, because we already controlled him.

SHEPARD
But I can

CATALYST
You will die, you will control us, but you will lose everything you have.

SHEPARD
But the reapers will obey me?

COMPLETION CHECK: EMS Strength 2800+ COMPLETION FAILURE: Skips past Synthesis. COMPLETION
SUCCESS: Expanded Conversation.


CATALYST
Yes. <Beat> There is another solution.

SHEPARD
Yeah?

CATALYST
Synthesis

SHEPARD
And that is?

CATALYST
Add your energy to the Crucibles. Everything you are will be absorbed and then sent out. The chain
reaction will combine all synthetic and organic life into a new framework. A new DNA.

SHEPARD
I dont know

CATALYST
Why not? Synthetics are already a part of you. Can you imagine your life without them?

SHEPARD
And there will be peace?

CATALYST
The cycle will end. Synthesis is final evolution of life. But we need each other to make it happen. You
have a difficult decision. Releasing the energy of the crucible will end this cycle, but it will also destroy
the Mass Relays. The paths are open, but you have to choose.

COMPLETION CHECK: 7000+ EMS CHECK FAILURE: Conversation Ends. CHECK PASSED: Conversation
Continues.

SHEPARD turns back to the CATALYST. He grimaces as his wound begins to bleed freely now, creating a
pool of blood near his feet. An Investigation wheel, A PARAGON persuade, a NEUTRAL acceptance, and a
RENEGADE persuade appear.

SHEPARD
(INVESTIGATION: DESTROY)
If I destroy you the Geth Edi?

CATALYST
will die as a result of similarities between our artificial neuro-synapses. The energy required to destroy
us will be incredible. It must be in order to reach all higher order synthetics in the galaxy. It cannot select
for the genesis of these synapses, however, and must select by design.

SHEPARD
(INVESTIGATION: CONTROL)
So if I take control how long will I have? How long will they listen to me?

CATALYST
The energy required to conduct the Reapers is massive in scope. So massive, that organic matter cannot
internalize the energy effectively enough to issue even a single command. However, due to your nature
as an organic/synthetic hybrid, you will have time to issue a single command to all of the Reapers.

SHEPARD
So I can command them to destroy themselves?

CATALYST
No. One of the tenants of our original programming that cannot be violated above all things is the
preservation of the harvested species. By issuing an order to destroy themselves, the Reapers would
violate this law. This is not possible.

SHEPARD
So, can I command them to leave?

CATALYST
For a time. However, the Reapers are capable of independent reasoning power inherent to the
harvested civilizations. While you can prevent the destruction of life in this cycle, there is no guarantee
that it will be permanent.

SHEPARD
They they can return?

CATALYST
Yes.

SHEPARD
(INVESTIGATION: SYNTHESIS)
How is it possible to merge organic and synthetic life?

CATALYST
Despite the chaotic nature of organics, your physiology is ordered. Organic systems run by biological
systems, rather than by numerical code. Synthesis would harness your energy to convert aspects of their
DNA to be reflective of you, Commander: a perfect synergy of organic and synthetic components.

SHEPARD
How?

CATALYST
The energy would grant the ability to create components from cellular machinery based upon the DNA
of organism. This change would cause some cells to harness the energy of wave to create synthetic cells
whose core DNA would be based upon the coding pattern of synthetics. Synthetics, by contrast, would
use them same energy to create components based upon organic physiology in their neural framework
and anatomy. In essence, all organisms would use already present molecular and synthetic machinery to
merge organic and synthetic life.

SHEPARD
But how do you know how do you know we are destined for synthesis?

CATALYST
By extrapolation. Once natural selection is no longer a factor upon the speciation of organics, you will
look to yourselves in order to continue the improvement of the genome. This will be done by modifying
your molecular machinery: your DNA. However, there are limitations on the amount of improvement
organics are able to modify within their genome. In time, organic will turn to synthetic improvements,
thus initiating the final stage of life: synthesis.

SHEPARD
(INVESTIGATION: MASS RELAYS)
I thought destroying a Mass Relay released power similar to a Supernova? How will destroying the Mass
Relays not destroy us?

CATALYST
The Crucible has allowed me to harness the energy released from the destruction of the Mass Relays.
This energy will be converted into the energy required for the process of changing the Solution, and thus
changing the Reapers. In essence, the destruction of the Mass Relays will fuel the energy needed to
disperse the change to solution.

COMPLETION CHECK: 100% PARAGON or RENEGADE through all three games. CHECK FAILURE:
CONVERSATION END. CHECK PASSED: CONVERSATION CONTINUE

SHEPARD
(PARAGON PERSUADE)
This cant I cant

CATALYST
I am sorry, Commander. While the Crucible has created variations to my solution, there are limitations
upon which even I can act.

SHEPARD
(FURIOUS, NEAR BREAKDOWN)
Butyou control the Reapers! You created them for your solution!

CATALYST
Yes. We determined that the Solution

SHEPARD
SHEPARD
But it was your solution! Not ours Not the thousands of cycles that came before us! Yours! How can
the fate of the galaxy come down to simple arithmetic?

CATALYST
<BEAT> There is nothing simple about the Solution.

SHEPARD
Bullshit! You pretend that you feel nothing. That this is what must happen. But its not! You created the
Reapers to safeguard the advancement of life and prevent future devastation. But you have caused
devastation just as complete as the destruction your creators caused thousands of cycles ago.

SHEPARD turns to the view of the battle taking place outside of the chamber and points in desperation
at the fleets fighting outside.

COMPLETION CHECK: Quarians and Geth have made peace. COMPLETION FAILURE: CONVERSATION
END. COMPLETION SUCCESS: CONVERSATION CONTINUE

SHEPARD
You say that organic and synthetics are destined to fight each other but look! Synthetics fighting for
their lives! Arm in arm with organics. Fighting to safeguard a future for all races, synthetic and organic!

COMPLETION CHECK: Rachni Queen saved in ME1 and ME3. COMPLETION FAILURE: CONVERSATION
END. COMPLETION SUCCESS: CONVERSATION CONTINUE

SHEPARD
Even the most hated, most despised organics of this cycle are working together! Working to fight for a
future. Fight for a life free of war and pain.

CATALYST
Our determination was foolproof.

SHEPARD
Your determination is flawed, just like your Creators. It was based upon a single Cycle: your creators.
<BEAT> Your creators did terrible things. They abused the power that was given to them. And in the end
it cost not only them, but billions of species across the entire galaxy

COMPLETION CHECK: Genophage cured. COMPLETION FAILURE: CONVERSATION END. COMPLETION
SUCCESS: CONVERSATION CONTINUE

SHEPARD
We are learning from our mistakes. We have seen the damage we have done to one another. We are
trying to reverse the cycle of death and despair we have seen across countless generations.

SHEPARD grows critically weak from the effort and slumps onto his knees, blood flowing freely down the
front of his uniform onto the floor.

COMPLETION CHECK: Collector Base Destroyed. COMPLETION FAILURE: CONVERSATION END.
COMPLETION SUCCESS: CONVERSATION CONTINUE

SHEPARD
We turned away knowledge we saw would corrupt us. We turned away from the easy path; away from
trading our pain for security. Away from trading our freedom for safety. Instead we looked for a
different way. The right way

SHEPARD winces and grabs his side. A <BEAT> passes and he stares, hard, at the CATALYST.

SHEPARD
(PAINED, WHEEZING)
You have watched us for as long as we have existed. Look at this cycle. Look at how far we have come.
Organics have created synthetics and instead of fighting each other, we work together. We care for each
other. <BEAT> We fight FOR each other. We have shown that the end that you have seen doesnt have
to be the only one

SHEPARD falls to all fours and crawls toward the catalyst. He is barely moving. He does not have much
time left. As he reaches the feet of the CATALYST, he cannot even lift his head and closes his eyes to
speak.

SHEPARD
(DESPERATE)
But like you said we cant do it alone. You have the collected knowledge of the galaxy across
thousands of cycles contained within the Reapers. We can change<BEAT> Help us <BEAT> We
deserve a chance Please

SHEPARD finally collapses, appearing dead. The blood pool expands slowly out from him, turning the
white floor of the CATALYST chamber into a glossy mixture of crimson. The pool reaches the feet of the
CATALTST. The CATALYST looks at the blood and then at SHEPARDs body. Long moments pass.

CATALYST
<BEAT>
Integrating new data into Solution.

The chamber goes black for a moment, the only light coming from the beam of energy. The CATALYST
grows brighter and brighter with each passing moment. You audibly hear the sounds of battle from the
outside. The CATALYSTs form begins to flicker and fade.

CATALYST
(GHOSLTY FIGURE FADING)
Integration successful. Solution parameters updated. <BEAT> Thank you, Commander.

COMPLETION CHECK: REQUIREMENT: Medi-Gel Upgrades from all games be purchased/acquired before
mission beginning.

COMPLETION CHECK: FAILURE: SHEPARD remains motionless, dead. Final cinematic begins.

COMPLETION CHECK: SUCCESS: PARAGON INTERUPT: INTERRUPT DECLINE: SHEPARDs eyes slowly open
and he roles on his back and looks out the window toward Earth, smiling. Its over, he saved the ones he
loved. He leans his head to floor and closes his eyes. AN END ONCE AND FOR ALL begins to play as the
sounds muffles. FINAL CINEMATIC BEGINS.

INTERRUPT ACCEPT: SHEPARDs eyes slowly open and rolls over onto his back. He reaches into the leg
pocket of his uniform and pulls out one final Medi-Gel vial. He stabs it into his leg, while still lying upon
the cold surface of the chamber. He winces as the vial empties into his body, giving a little life. He pulls
himself to his feet and looks around the Chamber. It is empty, but the beam of energy it pulsating and
expanding. A <BEAT> passes as he looks around the chamber for the CATALYST. SHEPARDs radio is
heard crackling as someone tries to get it working.

SHEPARD
(PAINED)
Command. This is Shepard. Do you read me?

Nothing but continued STATIC responds. SHEPARD staggers toward the Chamber window. Finally a
crackling is heard. Voices penetrate the STATIC.

JOKER
<STATIC>again, Admiral. We... <STATIC>

HACKETT
<STATIC>unresponsive, we must. <STATIC>.

SHEPARD
Repeat. This is Shepard. Anyone read me?

JOKER
Negative <STATIC>not leaving without <STATIC>.

HACKETT
(COMING IN CLEAR)
<STATIC> ground team is gone, Lieutenant. We have no other

A Large BOOM is felt to shudder throughout the fleet. The CRUCIBLE chambers lurches and shakes.
SHEPARD barely maintains his balance.

LIARA
Goddess What was that?

EDI
I am detecting an abnormal energy signature coming from the Crucible.

CUT TO:

EXTERNAL VIEW OF THE CRUCIBLE AND THE CITADEL. At the peak of the CRUCIBLE a white energy is
pooling slowly. Energy is pulsating from the arms of the CITDAEL traveling through the CRUCIBLE to the
PEAK.

ASARI CAPATIN
Alliance. This is the Destiny Ascension. We too are getting odd readings from the Crucible.

HACKETT
He my god, he Shepard! Repeat, Commander Shepard? Do you read me?

JOKER
Edi?

EDI
Scanning all frequencies, all channels.

CUT TO:

INT. CRUCIBLE CHAMBER. SHEPARD moves toward the glass and brings his hand to his ear to initiate his
radio. He grimaces in pain and looks at the fleet.

SHEPARD
This is Shepard. I think we we did it, sir Crucible is online. Repeat, the Crucible is online.

HACKETT
What happened, Commander? We lost contact. How did you activate the Crucible?

SHEPARD
(TURNS BACK TO CHAMBER)
I I dont know I dont think I did

HACKETT
(CONFUSED)
What? Say again, Commander.

EDI
(INTERUPTING)
I am detecting a critical buildup of energy on the CRUCIBLE.

CUT TO:

EXTERNAL VIEW OF CRUCIBLE AND CITADEL. The Energy is seen to have begun become a solid, brilliant
white at the exterior of the arms of the CITADEL.

EDI
I would advise all ships to withdraw to the following minimum safe distance procedures. Transmitting
now.

HACKETT
Confirmed, Normandy. <BEAT> All ships pull back to minimum safe distance. Repeat. Pull back to
minimum safe distance. Commander, are you <STATIC; SOUND FADES>

SHEPARD looks to Earth, reflecting on the battle, all he fought for. He closes his eyes and lowers his head
smiling.

HACKETT
to get off the Citdael? Repeat, are you able to get off the Station?

SHEPARD
I dont<BEAT, Sharp Inhale> Negative. Thats a Negative, Command. Get everyone back, sir.

HACKETT
(SADDENED)
I I understand. <BEAT> Thank you Commander

CUT TO:

EXTERNAL VIEW OF THE FLEET. The fleet is seen to start to retreat from Earth. Ships are seen to go to
FTL and speed away from the CRUCIBLE, avoiding the immediate blast radius. Others are cycling to begin
to start FTL.


JOKER
(FURIOUS)
Sir! You cant just

HACKETT
Normandy. You are ordered to pull back.

CUT TO:

CRUCIBLE CHAMBER. Shepard watches the fleet leave.

JOKER
No! I refuse

SHEPARD
Normandy Joker... Jeff <BEAT> Get the crew out of here. Keep them safe

Shepard turns and sits down on the ground at the base of the window. He does not look sad, but rather
satisfied. He saved the ones he loved. He can die with peace and honor.

COMPLETION CHECK: All Normandy upgrades purchased. All crew member loyalty missions completed.
COMPLETION FAILURE: Normandy goes to FTL. FINAL CINEMATIC BEGINS. COMPLETION SUCCESS:
Continued cinematic.

JOKER
I No! This is Lt. Jeff Moreau resigning my commission as an officer of the Alliance Navy and
commandeering this vessel for military rescue operations.

The Normandy is seen leaving formation, speeding towards the CRUCIBLE at insane speeds. Speeds only
JOKER would attempt.

HACKETT
Negative, Normandy. You are ordered to pull back to minimum safe distance.

JOKER
Negative, sir.

SHEPARD
(RISING TO HIS FEET)
Damnit, Joker. Get them out of here!

HACKETT
Pull back, Normandy! Lieutenant, dont throw away your life! The lives of the crew!

JOKER
Sir You cant just

TALI
(INTERUPTING)
Negative Admiral. By authority of the highest ranking officer aboard this vessel, I Admiral Tali'Zorah vas
Normandy of the Quarian Admiralty, command the Normandy to approach to commence rescue
operations. Keela Selai.

SHEPARD realizes they wont turn back. His crew is coming for him. SHEPARD is seen moving along the
glass of the chamber watching the approach of the Normandy as it speeds toward the Crucible.

CUT TO:

EXT. CITADEL AND BATTLE. The white energy is seen expanding up the arms of the CITDAEL causing
them to rupture from minor explosions. The Normandy is seen darting in and out of the debris caused
by the battle as well as the still active REAPERS.

CUT TO:

INT. NORMANDY COCKPIT. Aboard the Normandy, Joker is expertly piloting the Normandy.
Concentrating at a level he never has. EDI is seen in the seat beside him, likewise showing a human-like
desperation to save SHEPARD.

CUT TO:

THE CARGO BAY OF THE NORMANDY. ASHLEY and VEGA are seen preparing equipment for entry into
the CRUCIBLE. They scramble frantically to find the correct gear.

ASHLEY
(panicked)
We dont have a dropship able to make that pickup!

VEGA and ASHLEY turn to look at a small door on the interior of the cargo bay slide.

VEGA
Looks like someone is going outside!

ASHLEY
Ready the zero-g cable and prep the launch port.

VEGA runs over the port and begins the preparation.

VEGA
(WORKING)
This is going to be close. Whos?

At that moment, GARRUS is seen walking toward the launch port, putting on a helmet for external space
exposure. VEGA and ASHLEY turn to look at him with astonishment. He says nothing and takes the cable
from VEGA without asking, clipping onto the belt of his armor. ASHLEY and VEGA do not even attempt to
argue.

CUT TO:

INT. NORMANDY COCKPIT. Joker and EDI are still concentrating as hard as possible in order to
successfully make it to the Crucible in time.

JOKER
Have we got his location?

EDI
I am having trouble locating his signature over the interference of the crucible.

TRAYNOR
(RUNNING UP TO THE COCKPIT)
I got him! I got him!

JOKER
How?

TRAYNOR
I have been programming a unique algorithm designed to locate our away teams while on mission by
locking specifically onto SHEPARD and the energy signatures specific to Cerberus modification they
made to his physiology.

JOKER
(SHOUTING)
Enough with the technical bull

TRAYNOR
(SHOVING THE DATAPAD IN JOKERS FACE)
His cybernetics give off a unique wave pattern!

JOKER and EDI smile at TRAYNOR and then at each other and gun it in the final lurch toward the
CRUCIBLE.

CUT TO:

INT. CRUCIBLE CHAMBER. SHEPARD is limping toward the biggest windowed panel he can see. He is still
injured severely and moving very slowly. Once he reaches the panel notices a thick cloth upon the
ground. SHEPARD picks it up and looks at it. It appears to be a thermal blanket.

CUT TO:

EXT. VIEW OF NORMANDY. The Normandy finally nears the CATALYST and swings into position, as close
as physically possible to the Crucible. The zero-g ejection port door is seen to jettison from the body of
the Normandy and fly into space. GARRUS, attached to a line, propels from the Normandy and flies
quickly toward the window of the CRUCIBLE. After a few moments, the line reaches its end, a few
meters from the window of the CRUCIBLE.

GARRUS
Damnit! <BEAT> Shepard, do you have any way to get out to me?

CUT TO:

INT. CRUCIBLE CHAMBER. SHEPARD throws the blanket around his arms and covers himself as best he
can. He raises the pistol to aim at the glass. A QUICK CUT to GARRUS understanding what is about to
happen and prepares to catch SHEPARD as he shatters the glass of the CRUCIBLE.

SHEPARD
Yeah (EXHALES)

SHEPARD fires. The window shatters and the air is expulsed into space. SHEPARD flies out into space, as
well, covered in the thermal blanket. He flies, a little off center, towards GARRUS. GARRUS reaches out
and grabs SHEPARD and secures him against his chest. The dialogue and sound effects are muffled after
this point as AN END ONCE AND FOR ALL begins to play. The line is seen pulling GARRUS and SHEPARD
back to the Normandy.

CUT TO:

INT. NORMANDY MED BAY. SHEPARD is laid upon a bed by VEGA as CHAKWAS and LIARA begin to
examining his wounds and gauging his expose to the vacuum of space. ASHLEY is seen observing his
status in the background. GARRUS is walking toward the elevator.

CUT TO:

EXT. NORMANDY. The Normandy is seen speeding away from the CRUCIBLE and heading to FTL speeds
away from the CRUCIBLE.

FINAL CINEMATIC:

AN END ONCE AND FOR ALL continues playing. The CRUCIBLE CHAMBER is displayed, most significantly,
the ancient looking computer. The ghostly figure of the CATALYST appears and beings to look at the
displays again. It looks as if it almost reflecting on the past, and the potential future.

QUICK CUT:

INT. NORMANDY MED BAY. SHEPARD is being examined. You see flashes of his thoughts towards his
crew. JOKER, LIARA, ASHLEY. All the people he fought for.

CUT TO:

Rotating shots of various crews of all of the Species preparing for the CATALYST detonation. Asari
aboard the Destiny Ascension. Salarians in science modules. Humans and Turians in war cruisers. The
Geth. Quarians. Krogan. All together.

CUT TO:

EXT. VIEW OF CRUCIBLE AND CITADEL. The white energy is solid across all the arms. It then begins to run
up the arms for the final time and pools in a brilliant white orb upon the tip of the CRUCIBLE. A Pulse in
generated and sent off from the CRUCIBLE.

CUT TO:

THE SURFACE OF EARTH. The battle continues to rage upon the surface of Earth as we follow a marine
running through the chaos. Fighters wiz overhead. Marines duck in and out of cover, fighting the Reaper
army. A REAPER is seen to descend from the atmosphere. The MARINE turns to fire at the nearby
Reaper as the Energy Cloud reaches it. The REAPER stops firing and begins to shut down, not crashing to
the ground but gently setting down upon the surface of Earth. The troops begin to celebrate.

CUT TO:

EXT. VIEW OF CRUCIBLE AND CITADEL. The Energy continues to pool. Finally, the CRUCIBLE is seen to
shoot off a beam of energy towards the SOL MASS RELAY. The arms begin to rupture from the amount
of energy.

CUT TO:

SOL MASS RELAY. The Sol Mass Relay is hit with energy and begins to absorb it. The rings accelerate at
incredible speeds. Finally they stop and shoot a brilliant vein of energy through the Mass Relay. It is
destroyed, generating another huge energy wave.

CUT TO:

GALAXY MAP. The white energy is seen to spread from relay to relay, throughout the entire Milky Way
galaxy.

CUT TO:

INT. NORMANDY COCKPIT. JOKER is seen pushing the Normandy past the speeds that even the
Normandy cant tolerate in FTL. The energy cloud is accelerating towards them. They were unable to
reach the minimum safe distance in time. Panels and displays are shattering.

CUT TO:

EXT. NORMANDY IN FTL. The cloud has nearly overtaken the Normandy. It is trying to pull ahead of the
cloud. However, it cannot and the cloud finally overtakes the Normandy. A critical failure in the ship
occurs and it begins to go down.

CUT TO: BLACK

FADE IN:

EXT. TROPICAL PLANET A <beat> passes. The view pans up showing a fertile planet, lush with life. The
crashed Normandy is seen lying in ruin upon the planet. The main entry hatch hisses and springs open as
Joker steps out first, wincing at the change in light while covering his eyes. He steps down onto the
planet and turns around to see EDI and GARRUS around each arm of the injured but stable SHEPARD.
They walk down to join JOKER looking over the world that lies before them and then turn to smile at one
another. Victory, at last.

PULL BACK

ALLIANCE MARINE
(OVER RADIO)
Confirmed. We have located the Normandy.

CUT TO: MASS EFFECT 3 LOGO. CREDITS. EPILOGUE SEQUENCES.

Jake H*******, 2012