During Priority: Earth II
Melanie Shepard had been in a hundred battles even before the Reaper invasion, and she's certainly had moments that stand out. Destroying half a Geth army to get to Saren on the Citadel. Taking down the proto-Reaper on foot. Carving through the soldiers on Bahak alone. But she's never felt as lethal as she does now. She's always had the ability to concentrate in battle, to shut out all distractions and fight, but now, on Earth, her focus is total.
In the landing shuttle, looking down on the shattered remains of London, she was surprised by the effect they had on her. She had never really liked Earth. Her childhood was rarely pleasant, and the months she spent detained before the war did nothing to improve her opinion. And yet, it's still her homeworld and seeing its wreckage fills her with a cold determination.
No more. No more burning worlds. No more people turned into abominations. No more Reapers. Whatever their twisted reasons for what they've done, they've caused more death than she can fathom, and now, it's time to make an end of them.
The Reapers throw everything they have at her team; it barely slows her down. Cannibals, Husks, Marauders, Brutes, Ravagers, and even Banshees; it feels like they're all moving in slow motion. No sooner does she see them than they're burning, her incendiary rounds doing their work with lethal efficiency. Javik and Liara are deadly as well, their weapons and biotics taking a heavy toll on the Reapers, but it's her in the lead, breaking the back of the enemy's attacks.
All around them, the remainder of Hammer is being wiped out, but she and her squad keep advancing. When, at the trucks, the call comes in telling her that their allies are collapsing, that more enemies are advancing on their position, it's not something to be afraid of, just a fact to be dealt with. She's come too far and has too much to lose to fail now.