Save the Angara or Destroy a Dark Legacy in Mass Effect: Andromeda (A Trail of Hope)
SPOILER WARNING: The following focuses on a major plot point revealed after the Pathfinder initiates contact with the Angaran Resistance in 08: A Trail of Hope.
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Game: Mass Effect: Andromeda
Mission: A Trail of Hope
Location: Voeld, Nol star system, Heleus Cluster, Andromeda galaxy
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The Pathfinder's Dilemma
Things have not been easy for the rookie-turned-leader whose rite-of-passage entailed waking from cryo sleep to crash land on an uninhabitable planet, lose their father, and be designated the role of Pathfinder in a galaxy already plagued by war. Yet supported by the guidance of a loyal crew, their ability to respond to multiple crises thrown at them is nothing short of commendable.
Does that equip the Pathfinder to choose on behalf of a whole other civilization? No - this is a decision which should be left in the hands of the Angara alone. Yet here we are, and our responsibility as newcomers to the galaxy must emphasize goodwill and sound judgement at the forefront of the Andromeda Initiative's long-term political strategy. Whatever drives the Pathfinder's decision - empathy, tactical savvy, or personal gain - will become a defining aspect of how their leadership is perceived for years to come.
Though this particular decision seems redundant at first glance - the Andromeda Initiative could temporarily secure the base as a tactical stronghold and use it to gather intel - the resources required and risk of counterattack are too great to chance such a position. Eager to retake their hallowed ground, the facility is a prime target for the Kett - making this a "now or never" scenario.
Destroy the Facility
Embodying the heart and soul of Angaran society, the word of spiritual leader Moshae Sjefa must be taken with brevity when advising the Pathfinder. She presents a convincing argument for declaring an end to the site symbolizing a legacy of oppression against her people, and is even prepared to die along with it; destroying the base would be an adequate measure to begin generational healing from the scars inflicted by the Kett, and a step towards re-establishing Voeld as a place where the Angara no longer feel persecuted while sending a defiant message to the enemy. Failing to choose this option could be misconstrued as direct opposition to the Moshae's leadership, apprehension in acknowledging the scale of atrocities, and a lack of retaliation that may embolden their opponent.
This would leave Voeld's settlements vulnerable, and without a strong political/tactical foothold on the planet the opportunity to forge closer ties with the Nexus by allowing them to open up safe trade routes and research facilities is diminished. Already treading a tenuous line of trust with the cautious Angara, scepticism in the Andromeda Initiative's motivations may grow; this is partly exacerbated by the Pathfinder's readiness to broker a deal with the Cardinal* (who begs them to leave the facility standing) by securing the release of the prisoners in exchange for mercy.
It's simply too great a risk to take. A cunning strategist would use this moment to breach the enemy's defences and break their resolve rather than allow ample time for regrouping. Demolition would signify a halt to the violations taking place in the region and weaken the Kett's military strength by cutting off its production line of elite fighters; unable to muster enough resources to rebuild and operate at former capacity, this victory alone may be enough to give the Angara a make-or-break edge.
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Save the Angara
Yet is this advantage enough to merit the sacrifice of Angaran soldiers? While the Moshae is everything a seer of her people should be - enlightened, compassionate, and far-seeing - she isn’t infallible in her judgement, and though measured is responding with the raw trauma that endures long after release from captivity. Though any survivor of genocidal violence would raze the site to the ground along with everything it represents (the death of one's identity in this case), there is no justice in enacting more death in its wake, begetting an endless cycle of grief that leaves families bereft in its aftermath.
And though willing to die in the name of freedom, is there justice for the soldiers whose lives are lost through the pretence of heroism - a symbolic gesture which despite the rhetoric of sacrifice secedes a hollow sense of closure through the loss it reaps?
Weakening the morale and military strength of the Angaran Resistance is simply too great a price to pay, whereas liberating the prisoners is the most conscientious move we can make which validates our own sense of ethics and earns their gratitude. As "outsiders" the Andromeda Initiative stands at a crossroad where each action becomes a defining aspect of our civilization - and the people who choose preservation of life are more likely to find their way into the hearts of those they strive to call allies. Though leaving the facility intact is a gamble, the Angaran Resistance regains vital soldiers and with the slight pause in the Kett's operations, such a gain could turn the tide of war.
Spoilers affecting choice:
Blowing up the facility will earn support from the Moshae, but the deaths of the Angaran soldiers weigh heavily on Jaal and undermine the Resistance. Working with the Cardinal in-game will ensure the prisoners' release who later return to fight alongside the Pathfinder in the final battle during Meridian: The Way Home. Though the Moshae disapproves, the general feeling among the Angara is one of appreciation.
*The Cardinal is the Archon's second in command and can be killed by the Pathfinder after they uphold their end of the negotiation; if the Pathfinder honours the deal, they will assist the Pathfinder's cause at a later point in the game.
- Lucy A.
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Sources:
Mass Effect: Andromeda (BioWare/Electronic Arts); fandom.com
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