Terra Firma

Terra Firma is a human political party who opposes humanity's growing integration into the galactic community. The members believe humanity needs to stand alone if they are to remain strong. They cite Shanxi and the First Contact War as an example of why humans can't trust aliens, and mark Armistice Day with a protest every year. Part of their platform involves opposing the teaching of alien languages in schools. Terra Firma isn't particularly extremist, but they tend to be a magnet for xenophobes and radicals.

Commander Shepard can discuss Terra Firma's ideas with Ashley Williams aboard the Normandy. Ashley is uncomfortable around aliens but gets angry if Shepard compares her opinions to Terra Firma's: she calls them a bunch of jackals who have strayed from the founders' original ideals. At least her reasons are rational.

Shepard can also encounter a Terra Firma protest on the Citadel led by Charles Sarosino. (This forms part of the assignment Citadel: Our Own Worst Enemy.) He is trying to get a political seat and asks the commander for support for his cause. Shepard can debate Terra Firma's ideas with him, and the squad can also add their take. Ironically, when Sarosino says angrily that humans should increase military spending, to pre-empt any action by alien races with better resources, Wrex chuckles and tells him, "I like how you think."