Lieutenant Zabaleta

Lieutenant Zabaleta is an ex-marine who can be found on the Citadel Ward Access corridor. He appears as part of the Citadel: Old Friends assignment if Commander Shepard has the Spacer background.

Zabaleta recognises Shepard because he was assigned to the Einstein with Shepard's mother - Shepard can call from the Normandy and confirm this - but he is now down on his luck, even hitting Shepard up for credits. Zabaleta was one of the ground troops at Mindoir and suffered terrible post-traumatic stress as a result of what he saw there. He turned to drink, eventually leaving the service after repeatedly showing up drunk on duty. Shepard's mother suggests referring Zabaleta to the Veterans Affairs Office on the Citadel: Shepard can use Charm or Intimidate to convince him to go there.