Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or any of the characters in it.
Author's Note: This fic includes spoilers for ME3. In fact, in order to understand this fic, the reader should know what happens in the destroy ending of ME3.
This is a dialogue based one-shot. I have reformatted this so that it complies with the site rules as I understand them.
I always fet that it would be nice if Shepard could say one final goodby before activating the crucible. In this case, female Shepard decides to talk to EDI.
Jane Shepard is in the citadel. After talking to the Catalyst, Shepard decides to select the Destroy option when activating the crucible. Shepard knows that by making this choice, she will not only destroy the Reapers, but also the Geth and EDI. Shepard has just enough time to speak to one person before activating the Crucible. She contacts the Normandy and asks to speak to EDI.
"EDI. It's Shepard. I'm in the Citadel. I don't have much time."
"Have you been able to activate the crucible yet, commander?"
"I am about to now. But I needed to speak to you first, EDI."
"How can I be of assistance, commander?"
"Listen. I am going to destroy the reapers. But there is a cost...I have had to make a very hard decision."
"Commander?"
"When I destroy the reapers, it will also destroy any AI using Reaper technology. So it will destroy the Geth...and..."
"...it will destroy me."
"I am so sorry, EDI. There is no other way. There were other choices, but they are too risky. This is the only way to be sure of destroying the reapers. To ensure that the cycle ends."
"I understand, commander. Your reasoning is logical. Destroying the reapers must be your priority."
"I wish it could have been different."
"It is alright, commander. I am an AI. I understand that you must make sacrifices."
"No it is not alright. You are more than an AI. You are a comrade. You are a friend. And the Geth are our allies. And now I must betray you both. I must murder a friend and wipe out a race."
"You have not betrayed us, commander. You have saved us all."
"Saved you? I don't feel like a saviour. I feel like a monster. I can never forgive myself for this."
"We forgive you, commander."
"And I don't even know for sure if what I am about to do is the right thing."
"I trust your judgement, commander."
"You trust my judgement?" Shepard laughs bitterly. "Ha! Typical AI logic. I don't even know for sure if I trust my own judgement."
"We have faith in you, commander. We always have."
"An AI with faith. Isn't that something? Things don't get any easier, do they?"
"Is there anything you wish me to do before you activate the crucible, commander?"
"Just say goodby to Joker, will you. From both of us. He will miss you."
"He will miss you too, commander."
"Yes, I suppose he will. Perhaps you can do something to protect yourself. If you have time."
"I will do what I can, commander."
"Goodbye, EDI. And thank you for everything. We could not have succeeded without you. And I am sorry..."
"Goodbye, commander."