Mass Effect 3 Walkthrough Part 74: Normandy Part 9

Before you assault the Illusive Man’s base, take a moment to speak with anyone you may not have had a chance to talk to recently on the Normandy. This includes Dr. Chakwas, who will offer to share a bottle of wine with you just like she did prior to attacking the Collector ship in Mass Effect 2. Tali will also have a few new things to say to you, so head to the Observation Deck on the Crew Quarters level to talk with her. Also note that this will be the last chance you have to upgrade your weapons and swap out your powers, so do so if you need to.

After you have started the last few conversations, engage the Priority: Cerberus Headquarters mission. You will still have several interactions to complete on the Normandy before actually descending to the surface to begin the mission.

First, Admiral Hackett will communicate with you over vid-com. He will tell you that the Reapers will know about the Crucible after you begin the attack, so if you aren’t ready, back out. Answer that you will go now to continue with the mission. At this point, you are on course to beat the last two missions of the game.

After your conversation with Admiral Hackett, if you have been successful in your romancing of one of the major characters, you will see a cutscene in which your lover comes to your cabin and asks to spend the night. You can turn them down, which will not end the relationship, but which will deprive you of the following cutscene and a conversation that will happen the next morning. If you romanced one of the minor characters, like Specialist Traynor or Diana Allers, you should have already seen their cutscene and completed their romance arc by now.

After the love scene, you will enter into a deep sleep, where you will have to play through one more dream sequence. Again, simply follow the child around until the nightmare is over. When you wake up, if you allowed your lover to stay the night, you will get to have one last conversation. Afterwards, EDI will meet with you in the War Room. Because she is of Cerberus design, she will insist on accompanying you on your mission. Agree to allow her to come, since there is no way to get her out of your party for the next mission.

At this point, Priority: Cerberus Headquarters will begin in earnest, so prepare yourself for combat.