Mordin: Keep or Destroy Maelon's Data
Mordin Solus's loyalty mission, 'Old Blood,' presents a critical ethical dilemma concerning the genophage cure data developed by the Salarian scientist Maelon. This choice has significant ramifications for the Krogan species and the political landscape of the galaxy, impacting future events and your relationships with your crew.
The mission begins after you've recruited Mordin and progressed through the main storyline. Mordin will express concern about Maelon's research and his current whereabouts. You'll need to travel to the planet Tuchanka, the homeworld of the Krogan, to investigate. Upon arrival, you'll meet with Mordin's former colleague, who will guide you to Maelon's hidden laboratory.
Inside Maelon's lab, you'll find him alive but in a precarious state. He reveals that he has been working on a cure for the genophage, a biological weapon designed to sterilize the Krogan species. He has managed to isolate the necessary data but is hesitant to release it without understanding the full implications.
Maelon presents Shepard with a terminal containing three options regarding the genophage cure data:
- Destroy the Data: This option ensures that the genophage remains in effect. The Krogan population will continue to be severely limited, preventing them from becoming an overwhelming galactic threat. This als with the Salarian perspective that the Krogan are too aggressive and dangerous to be allowed to proliferate unchecked.
- Keep the Data (for now): This option allows Maelon to retain the data, with the understanding that it will not be released immediately. This is a middle-ground approach, acknowledging the potential for a Krogan resurgence while not actively perpetuating the genophage. It leaves the future of the Krogan in a state of uncertainty.
- Give the Data to the Krogan: This option involves releasing the genophage cure data to the Krogan, specifically to Wrex or Grunt (depending on your choices and their presence). This would effectively end the genophage, leading to a rapid increase in the Krogan population. This is a risky choice, as a booming Krogan population could pose a significant threat to other species in the galaxy.
The Choice and its Consequences:
Your decision here is deeply tied to the overarching narrative and the future of the Mass Effect trilogy. Each choice has distinct consequences:
- Destroying the data will likely please the Salarians and potentially alienate Mordin if he believes it was the right thing to do for galactic stability. It ensures the status quo for the Krogan.
- Keeping the data is a more neutral choice, but it leaves the possibility of its release open. This might be seen as a pragmatic approach, but it doesn't resolve the underlying issue.
- Giving the data to the Krogan is the most impactful choice. It represents a significant shift in galactic power dynamics and is a major gamble on the Krogan's ability to manage their population responsibly. This choice will have significant repercussions in Mass Effect 3, potentially leading to a Krogan-led galactic war or a new era of Krogan influence.
Mordin's loyalty is tied to this mission. He will express his opinions on each choice, and your decision can affect his morale and his loyalty to Shepard. Ultimately, the choice is Shepard's, but understanding the potential outcomes is crucial for making an informed decision that als with your vision for the galaxy.