The 'undersides' of the Wards, between the inhabited superstructures and impenetrable outer hull, and called the Foundations. These dangerous areas are filled with life support systems and power plants. Officially, only the keepers are allowed in the Foundations. In reality, the Foundations are the slums of the Citadel, home to criminals, minorities, transients, and occasional 'state-less' exiles. Some stay in the Foundations of their own will. Others end up there when the opportunities they sought in the Citadel do not come.
The stations recycling systems are located in the Foundations. These manufacture a variety of artificial organic pastes that can be eaten for sustenance. They are free and nutritious, but nearly tasteless and of unpleasant texture. Poorer Citadel residents quickly become adept at dressing up this bland fare with sauces and spices, while imported foodstuffs are a popular luxury of the wealthy.
Mass Effect: Infiltrator·The Final Hours of Mass Effect 3·Galactic Codex: Essentials·Mass Effect Galaxy·Revelation·Ascension·Retribution·Redemption·Evolution
Soundtracks
Mass Effect Original Soundtrack·Mass Effect 2 Original Videogame Score [Atmospheric·Combat·Kasumi's Stolen Memory·Overlord·Lair of the Shadow Broker] ·Mass Effect 3 Original Videogame Score [Extended Cut·Citadel·Leviathan] ·Mass Effect: Andromeda - Original Soundtrack
