Captain Kirrahe

Captain Kirrahe is an officer in the salarian military. He is a member of the 3rd Infiltration Regiment STG (special task group), a covert operations team that was sent to investigate Virmire, where he discovered Saren's base of operations. Kirrahe is a brave, intelligent salarian with a good strategic mind; he is able to inspire his men, and is also prepared to make sacrifices if necessary. His second-in-command is Commander Rentola.

Captain Kirrahe is voiced by George Szilagyi.

Mass Effect
After discovering Saren's krogan breeding facility on Virmire, Kirrahe sent a message to the Council asking for a fleet to help destroy it, but a communications disruption resulted in a garbled message, and as a result only the Normandy was sent to investigate. He was suspicious of Wrex, describing the salarians' intervention in krogan evolution as 'a mistake', but allowed Commander Shepard to deal with Wrex's anger.

With help from Shepard's crew, Kirrahe developed a plan to destroy the facility, and personally led three teams of his salarian officers (along with either Ashley Williams or Kaidan Alenko) to draw out the geth, knowing they would take heavy losses. He named his teams after key salarian settlements (Aegohr, Mannovai and Jaëto) to remind his men what they were fighting for. Kirrahe heard some dissent amongst his men and gave them an inspirational speech, explaining that though they were covert operatives rather than heavy troopers, they were still part of a proud tradition: "We would be legends, but the records are sealed."

Shepard was able to assist Kirrahe's assault along the way by sabotaging geth positions, and listen to how the salarian attack was progressing over radio chatter. While Kirrahe took personal command of Mannovai Team, Aegohr Team was given to either Kaidan or Ashley. Aegohr Team provided fire support to Mannovai Team and managed to evade the geth flyers that forced them to bunker down, then later spearheaded the attack on the second AA gun. Jaëto provided additional support.

Without help from Shepard's team, Kirrahe will be killed by the geth air support midway through the operation. Either Ashley or Kaidan will take over command of the salarians after his death and co-ordinate the attack from then on.

However, with Shadow Team's help, Kirrahe can escape with Shepard aboard the Normandy. Kirrahe and his surviving men can be found in the engineering section, sympathetic to Shepard's loss; Kirrahe says they will get off when the Normandy next makes port and find their way home. Kirrahe hopes he and Shepard might have the opportunity to work together again in the future.

Kirrahe's Speech
"You all know the mission, and what is at stake. I have come to trust each of you with my life -- but I have also heard murmurs of discontent. I share your concerns. We are trained for espionage; we would be legends, but the records are sealed. Glory in battle is not our way. Think of our heroes; the Silent Step, who defeated a nation with a single shot. Or the Ever Alert, who kept armies at bay with hidden facts. These giants do not seem to give us solace here, but they are not all that we are. Before the network, there was the fleet. Before diplomacy, there were soldiers! Our influence stopped the rachni, but before that we held the line! Our influence stopped the krogan, but before that, we held the line! Our influence will stop Saren; in the battle today, we will hold the line!"

Mass Effect 3
If Kirrahe survived the events on Virmire in Mass Effect, he is on Sur'Kesh during the events of Mass Effect 3.

When Commander Shepard arrives on Sur'Kesh to extract the female krogan, Cerberus launches a surprise attack, attempting to prevent Shepard from acquiring the krogan. During the fighting Shepard will encounter Kirrahe, now promoted to Major, in a firefight with Cerberus troops. Kirrahe will express his pleasure at getting to work with the Commander again before joining Shepard in the fighting. When the Cerberus troops are defeated Kirrahe will stay behind to protect Shepard's flank while the Commander proceeds to the Species Observation Area.

Trivia

 * Kirrahe's name is based on Currahee Mountain, used as a training site for American paratroopers during WWII.
 * Mordin Solus once served under Captain Kirrahe, calling him "a bit of a cloaca", and makes a comment regarding his habit of holding speeches and using the expression "hold the line".
 * If Kirrahe survived Virmire, Shepard was intended to receive an email from him in Mass Effect 2 after recruiting Mordin. This email was apparently cut from the game.