Deciding Her Fate
"What?" Leslie repeated incredulously. "That's ridiculous! I won't allow it."
"We don't need your permission." snapped the Citadel nurse. "Only your commander can give the final answer."
Leslie crossed her arms, fuming. Here she was, being told that she was a "rogue AI" because of her biotic eye. And now the Citadel people are overruling Cerberus' doing. Yes, Cerberus was responsible for Leslie's eye, but she knew better to not tell them. She only just recently found this out herself. Leslie glanced over at her commander, Shepard, who looked distressed and just as frustrated as her.
"I'm going to agree with Ms. Banker about this being ridiculous." He finally said. "It is. Leslie is a human. How can she be a rogue AI when she's human?"
"Commander," the nurse started just as heated. "It doesn't matter. The eye has to be taken out."
"If I say so." corrected the commander.
"Yes, if you approve."
"Which you don't, right?" chimed in Leslie.
Shepard shot her a glance that was more uneasy than reassuring. She frowned at him and opened her mouth, but the nurse spoke before she could.
"If she doesn't have the operation, she'll have to stay here on the Citadel." She informed them rather darkly.
"What?" Leslie and Shepard exclaimed.
The nurse nodded, a sly grin on her face, knowing she had just won this arguement. Shepard cursed softly, but Leslie shouted her profanity.
"Now, that's not fair!" complained Leslie.
The nurse merely shrugged, not even looking at the young woman. Leslie turned to Shepard, who was rubbing his eyes warily.
"Only if she goes through-?"
"She can leave with you, yes." The nurse answered.
"You can't be serious, Shepard," Leslie argued. "I-"
"Do it."
His voice was soft, but it silenced Leslie like a loud scream. She stared at him, feeling a bit betrayed. He looked back at her sadly.
"What choice do I have, Leslie?" He told her gently. "I need you on the Normandy, and if this is the only way..."
"So be it." Leslie finished with understanding.
Then, the nurse took her away and prepped her for the operation.
***
