"The paths are open. But you have to choose."
She was dying. The voice of the catalyst, distorted as if heard through water, confirmed this thought. Through the murk that was her mind, she felt a distant anger at being forced to make such a decision in this state.
She needed her crew. Liara and EDI would have helpful information. Garrus… Garrus was dead. The Reaper beam disintegrated him during Hammer. She didn't know where he would stand on the issue, but he would be at her side whatever she chose. Kaidan would determine the most morally sound course of action. Even now, between the end of the Reapers and the ending of the woman he loved, he would encourage the ideal…
There was no time to think. Her feet moved forward, right towards the red column. She never expected to survive this war. Her death would be a small sacrifice if the damn Reapers died with her.
She felt a pang in her gut for EDI and the Geth. Deciding to sacrifice herself was one thing, but deciding for someone else was unacceptable. She was about to commit genocide. At least she would be dead for the fallout.
Or maybe that pang was just her wound. Her side was split open, and her life was draining out.
Holding the pistol in a mockery of military poise, she fired into the control panel. Once, twice, then everything went red, and then white. Her thoughts flew.
Funny, she thought. Last time I died it was cold. And I'm so warm…