Activate or Sell Legion
The decision of whether to activate or sell Legion, the enigmatic Geth platform, is one of the most significant moral quandaries in Mass Effect 2. This choice has profound implications for the Geth, the Quarians, and Shepard's own path.
Legion is a unique Geth platform, an amalgamation of thousands of individual Geth consciousnesses, that Shepard acquires during the mission "The Reaper Idenity." Upon acquiring Legion, Shepard is presented with a critical choice: activate it and integrate it into the Normandy's systems, or sell it to the highest bidder, likely for its advanced technology and unique Geth programming. This decision is not to be taken lightly, as it carries significant weight in terms of both gameplay and narrative consequences.
Activating Legion: Choosing to activate Legion brings a powerful and unique ally to Shepard's team. Legion is a formidable combatant, possessing advanced weaponry and unique Geth abilities, including the powerful Geth Shield. Furthermore, Legion's presence on the Normandy opens up new dialogue options and questlines, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict between the Geth and the Quarians. Legion's perspective on the Geth's evolution and their desire for true sentience provides a crucial counterpoint to the Quarian's fear and animosity. Activating Legion also unlocks its loyalty mission, "A House Divided," which is essential for understanding the Geth's complex society and for potentially resolving the Geth-Quarian conflict in a future installment. This path generally als with a more diplomatic or understanding approach towards artificial intelligence.
Selling Legion: Opting to sell Legion to the highest bidder, typically a shadowy organization or a military faction interested in Geth technology, provides an immediate influx of credits and potentially valuable research data. This choice prioritizes pragmatism and immediate material gain over the ethical considerations of a sentient AI. Selling Legion means losing a potentially loyal and powerful squadmate. It also means foregoing the opportunity to understand the Geth's perspective and potentially influence their future. This path can be seen as more ruthless or pragmatic, focusing on the immediate needs of Cerberus and Shepard's mission without deep consideration for the Geth's fate. It may also lead to negative repercussions with certain squadmates who advocate for AI rights.
Consequences and Considerations: The choice between activating and selling Legion has far-reaching consequences. Activating Legion can lead to a more nuanced understanding of the Geth and potentially pave the way for a more peaceful resolution in future Mass Effect games. It also strengthens Shepard's crew with a unique combatant. Selling Legion, while providing immediate benefits, can be seen as a morally questionable act and may alienate certain squadmates. The decision often reflects Shepard's overall alignment and their approach to complex ethical dilemmas. Consider the impact on your squadmates' opinions and the long-term narrative implications before making this critical choice. Ultimately, the decision rests on Shepard's personal interpretation of sentience, loyalty, and the greater good.