The Special Tactics and Reconnaissance agents, generally known as Spectres, were modeled after the Salarian Special Task Group. The Spectre branch was founded in 693 CE, not long after the Krogan Rebellions started. They have no command structure and answer only to the Citadel Council. When the Krogan turned on the Citadel, Spectres used everything at their disposal to fight back. The agents managed to slow the Krogan down by using guerrilla tactics, sabotage, and questionable methods.
The Spectres are effectively above the law. Interestingly, many times the Council prefers not to know what their agents are doing in order to accomplish their mission. This is one of the reasons why these agents are controversial. Some see them as heroic figures and protectors, while others are terrified of them.
6 Are There Any Legal Limits To What They Can Do?
In the first game, it is explained that Spectres act outside the reach of the law. It is hard to believe there isn’t a limit, though. If they are above the law, the Citadel council is most likely above the law as well. It is odd that they seem to lack any legal boundaries unless they are stripped of their titles. What if the Spectres use their title for self-benefit?
Spectres do not seem to have any consequence to whatever they do, no matter how horrendous their acts might be. The first Spectre was offered the job after luring a criminal by using thirty civilians as bait.
5 What Happens If A Spectre Is Wrong?
If a Spectre is looking for a wall criminal and shoots the wrong person, does that become collateral damage? Most importantly, what if that person kills the Spectre in self-defense? A situation like this would be bizarre. After all, the agent would not be committing any crime for killing an innocent person.
Chances are, events like that happen from time to time, and the Council ignores them. The existence of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch is very questionable and speaks volumes about the Council.
4 How Many Of Them Skipped The Screening?
In theory, becoming a Spectre is a long process. Candidates must already be outstanding in their military field. The most excellent soldiers are filtered, examined, studied. They are also trained before becoming the highest-ranking agent in the galaxy. However, it was not the case for Shepard.
Another Spectre did not train him as it usually happens. In fact, Shepard became a Spectre due to political pressure and maneuvering. He skipped all the stages besides being a great military man. This is a situation that causes a lot of distrust in the procedure. Since it happened to a human, there might have been many others who skipped the screening as Shepard did.
3 How Many Species Have Spectres?
The Citadel Council only has three representatives. The galaxy has too many species. Many of them can be seen in the Citadel since the first Mass Effect, but they do not have a member in the Council. This only makes one wonder if it means they do not have Spectres either.
The Elcor, Hanar, and Volus are not the most extraordinary species for physical combat. However, Spectres do not always need to solve things with violence. It is hard to believe that not a single member of those species has something to add as an agent. Chances are the honor of becoming a Spectre reserved to Council Species only. There is a popular piece of fiction in the Mass Effect universe called “Blasto, the first Hanar Spectre.”
2 Can They Boss The Council Around?
Most players in Mass Effect are not fans of the Council. Many do not even save their three members at the end of the first game. However, even though Shepard can mistreat them and stop answering their calls, they keep him as a Spectre. This is another questionable aspect about both the agents and the Council.
Giving someone absolute legal rights to ignore the law is questionable. If that is done anyway, it would be logical to be aware of what Spectres do with those powers. Since this is something the Citadel does not even want to know, it would be wise to have stable and controllable members in the branch. However, after Saren and even Renegade Shepard, it is clear this is not the case.
1 How Can They Afford Their Operations?
The Council members are always ready to distance themselves from Spectres quickly. This is why they do not fund any Spectre’s operations. The agents are self-funded, making it easier for the Council to say they did not influence an agent’s decision.
Spectres are living beings who need to eat and sleep. Shouldn’t they at least have a paycheck? If their salary comes from the Citadel, does not funding operations really make any difference? After all, the money Spectres would use in questionable operations still comes from taxes. It is no surprise that the best villain from Mass Effect is a Spectre.
NEXT: Mass Effect: Things About Commander Shepard That Everyone Forgets About
