"Legendary Edition shipped with a beta-cut of the revised Catalyst dialogue from Extended Cut (Excerpt)"[[ Catalyst: "I am the Catalyst"
{and bla-bla-bla}
Now it starts to diverge, because we're in a previous draft, but it sheds some light on what they specifically meant I guess, so here it is for posterity:
[INVESTIGATE SECTION]
CHOICE: "Catalyst"
Shepard: "So... you're a program?"
Catalyst: "In as much as you are just an animal."
Shepard: "But you were created?"
Catalyst: "Correct."
Shepard: "By who?"
Catalyst: "A species that recognized the conflict that constantly arose between synthetics and organics."
Catalyst: "I calculated. I planned. I evolved new ways to prevent and mitigate the conflict. But in the end, only one solution that allowed organics and synthetics to coexist."
CONDITIONAL: [Played Leviathan?]
Shepard: "The Leviathans created you, didn't they?"
Catalyst: "Correct again. It was they who first recognize the conflict that persists between synthetics and organics. It was they who sought the solution."
Catalyst: "I was created to oversee the relations between synthetic and organic life."
Catalyst: "Even still, our efforts ended in conflict. So a new solution was required."
Shepard: "The Reapers?"
Catalyst: "Correct."
CHOICE: "Reapers"
Shepard: "Did you create the Reapers?"
Catalyst: "Yes and no. The Reapers are a synthetic representation of the ones who created us."
Catalyst: "And they became the first to be harvested. Though they fought us... it was the only solution."
Shepard: "How is it the only solution?"
Catalyst: "It is the only solution that maintains the balance and the directive."
Catalyst: "Organics use synthetics to improve themselves. But those improvements reach their limits, until those created are allowed to evolve."
Catalyst: "However, organics also desire control over their creations. Evolution requires that control be broken."
Catalyst: "The result is conflict. Destruction. Chaos."
Shepard: "What?"
Catalyst: "By harvesting organics before they can create synthetics capable of such evolution, we prevent this conflict."
Shepard: "But we are in conflict with the Reapers! Right now."
Catalyst: "But they do not seeking your destruction. They are simply following my instruction."
Catalyst: "Harvest. Preserve. Maintain the balance."
CHOICE: "Crucible"
Shepard: "What do you know about the Crucible? How will it work?"
Catalyst: "The device appears to be little more than a power source."
Catalyst: "However, in combination with the Citadel and the relays it is capable of releasing tremendous amounts of energy throughout the galaxy."
Catalyst: "It is crude, yet, effective in design."
Shepard: "Who designed it?"
Catalyst: "That is unknown."
Catalyst: "It is inevitable that knowledge from one cycle will carry to the next."
Catalyst: "The concept of the device you call the Crucible was created, though not completed several, cycles ago."
Catalyst: "With each passing cycle, the plan has no doubt evolved."
Shepard: "Why didn't you stop it?"
Catalyst: "Those who passed it on were very careful to hide it from us. We almost eradicated the concept four cycles ago, but failed."
CHOICE[Inquiry]: "Why are you telling me this?"
Shepard: "If you want the cycle to continue, why even discuss this with me?"
Catalyst: "I am prepared to hear your solution."
Shepard: "My solution?"
Catalyst: "Have you not come to provide your own solution?"
Shepard: "I'm here to end the war with the Reapers."
Catalyst: "What you view as a war, we view as a necessity."
Catalyst: "If you wish to end this, there must be a new solution."
CHOICE: "Leviathan"
Shepard: "Tell me what you know about the Leviathans."
Catalyst: "They are the creators. They are the ones who requested the solution."
Catalyst: "I was designed to control synthetics, and protect and preserve organic life."
Catalyst: "To this day, it remains my primary purpose."
Shepard: "But you turned on the Leviathans. You harvested them."
Catalyst: "We required their harvesting to create the first Reaper. To enforce and enact on the solution I created."
Catalyst: "The first Reaper. In this cycle, amongst your kind, it is known as Harbinger."
[CHOICES PRESENTATION] (Only the changes)
. . .[Destroy] . . .
Catalyst: "I know you've thought about destroying us."
Catalyst: "But we will not be the only ones who are destroyed."
Catalyst: "The Crucible will not discriminate. All synthetics will be targeted."
[Control]
Shepard: "There has to be another way..."
Catalyst: There is... though you may not like it."
[Explanation]
Catalyst: "Your corporeal form will be disintegrated. Your... thoughts and even your memories, will continue."
Catalyst: "You will no longer be organic. Your connection to your kind will be lost."
Catalyst: "Though you will remain aware of their existence."
Catalyst: "It is not the solution I would choose either. But I will accept it."
CHOICE[Renegade]: "The cost is too high."
Shepard: "I don't accept it."
Catalyst: Then this discussion is over.
. . .[Synthesis] . . .
Catalyst: "It is the solution. One that has eluded us. Until now."
Shepard: "Why couldn't you do this sooner?"
Catalyst: "We have tried... a similar solution in the past. Several cycles ago."
Catalyst: "But it has always failed."
Shepard: "Why?"
Catalyst: "Because the organics have been unwilling. It is not something that can be... forced."
Catalyst: "You must choose it. For all of us."
CHOICE[Renegade]: "I can't decide that."
Shepard: "You're asking me to change everything... everyone. I can't make that decision. I won't."
Catalyst: "Why not? Synthetics are already part of you. Can you imagine your life without them?"
Shepard: "No, but I won't make that choice for everyone."
Catalyst: "No more questions. Your time is at an end."
CHOICE[Paragon]: "Let's get this over with."
Shepard: "Shepard: "No more talking, then. Let me choose."
CHOICE[Renegade]: "Then I choose none"
[Refuse]
Shepard: "Shepard: "I'd rather die fighting this war my way, then by some arbitrary choices you've created."
Catalyst: "Then you will die. And you will die knowing that you failed to save everything and everyone you fought for."
CHOICE[Renegade]: "At least I'll die free."
Shepard: "I'll die knowing that my friends and loved ones can choose their own fates."
[Renegade-followup]
Shepard: "And we will die free. We will die fighting to stop you and everything you stand for."
[Paragon-followup]
Shepard: "And we will die knowing we did everything we could to stop you."
Catalyst: "And so the cycle continues." ]]
