User blog comment:Damous/Why Bioware has NOT betrayed us/@comment-121.167.82.241-20120317134155

I think this theory is correct, but I think the Cataclyst could take the form of the kid without being part of a dream. I think that he scanned Shepard's mind and found the kid to be a traumatizing link to the severity of the war, so he used his appearance and voice.

Also, the reason why the Normandy was flying away is simple. Joker left his wallet on Eden Prime.