This story was done at the special request of KyuubiNodachi.

It is a short one-shot containing one of my OCs from my "Beacon's Effect" stories, taking place in the Mass Effect universe. If you like this story and haven't read the others, I encourage you to go over and give them a look-see. If you HAVE read those, then I hope you enjoy this little chestnut!

As always, please review and tell me what you think! I welcome all thoughts/suggestions/constructive criticisms.
Thank you all very much!

-Tusken1602

*STARLIGHT STATION*
IN ORBIT ABOVE KAHJE

"Thank you for coming in, Mr. Thax."

Thax Klaang sighed and shifted uneasily in his seat. He mentally kicked himself.

It's just a slip of a girl, Klaang. Ancestor's sake, stop acting like a hormone-sick pup.

"What seems to be the problem? Is something wrong with Drot?"

"Oh, no," Irenala said quickly, "Well, not exactly."

Klaang gave her a quizzical look.

"There was a fight at the school today. Drot apparently hit some other boys in the face. Multiple times."

Klaang took a deep breath in through his nose. He had expected this. Most ten-year-olds on Tuchanka would be about twice Drot's size, only a few years away from undergoing the Rite. But the genophage had stunted his growth, making him smaller and weaker than his fellow krogan. It had been another reason he had taken him away from Tuchanka.

He still remembered Daharka running her spear through the first warrior who had suggested that the pair abandon the "runt" to the wilds. Drot had been her first successful birth: their first three had been stillborn.

Daharka.

Damn, what a woman…

"Mr. Thax?"

The asari's question brought Klaang back to the present.

"Forgive me," he said, leaning forward. "I'm just… surprised, that's all. Drot always has gotten along with people."

"That's true," Irenala agreed, "Everyone here loves him. That's why I felt like it was important enough to call you in. Has Drot had any troubles at home? Maybe difficulty adjusting to this new environment?"

Klaang chuckled and shook his head. The first thing Drot had done when they got off the shuttle at Starlight Station was walk up to the first stranger he had seen, introduce himself, and ask if he "wanted to be pals."

The poor turian hadn't known what to do, other than stammer an agreement. Now Drot tried to make a point to stop by Gaius' fruit-stand at least once a week, to make sure he still wanted to be "pals."

"Not as far as I know," he said out loud. "Can I see my son? Clearly we have much to talk about."

"Of course," Irenala said, beaming a smile and standing to her feet. Her dress was flowing (and very form-fitting, Klaang noticed), and billowed out behind her as she lead the way to the door and open it.

Sitting on a bench outside was a three young kids (a drell and two humans), as well as a young krogan pup. The drell was nursing a nose that, by the look of it, had only been very recently re-set, and was still slightly crooked, as well as clutching his side. Both of the human pups had black eyes, the bigger one also sporting a fat lip.

Drot, on the other hand, had his arms folded, and was attempted to summon all the righteous indignation his little frown could muster. But when he saw his father's frame, his face lit up and he leapt down from his seat.

"DA!" he squealed in delight.

Klaang held up one finger, and the pup fell silent.

"We will speak of this later," the big krogan bladesmith said in his stern "parent voice."

Sadness and shame replaced the bright smile that had been on Drot's face, twisting an emotional blade into the father's heart. But he kept a impassive look on his face as he turned to the asari schoolmistress.

"If that it all, Miss T'Rela, I will take my son home now."

"I think that would be fine, Mr. Thax," the asari said with another smile, taking half a step forward to lay a hand on the big krogan's arm. "And please, call me Irenala."

Klaang swallowed hard.

"Only if you call me Klaang," he managed.

"Alright…Klaang," Irenala said sweetly, then looked down at Drot.

"I hope this is the last time we'll have to call your father to pick you up from my office, Drot."

Drot caught his father's eye, and glanced down at his feet.

"Yes, ma'am," he murmured.

"Good," Irenala replied, patting the pup on the top of the head. "Now, I'll see you on Monday. Have a good weekend."

Drot nodded, and went back to the bench to collect his little rucksack. As he did so, he shot the three other offenders a look. Klaang couldn't help but smile as he saw the other three boys visibly quail under the little krogan's glare. Drot slung on the bag over his little hump, then turned and took his father's hand as they walked out of the school. Drot started to straighten up and turned to say something to his father.

"Not yet," Klaang said in a low tone. "She's still watching us."

Drot resumed his contrite and pitiful look.

"Drag your feet a little more," suggested Klaang, "It makes you look sorrier."

Drot complied with his father's suggestion, dragging his little feet until they got into the skycar that the Conclave had supplied Klaang as a part of his employment contract. Klaang helped buckle his son into his seat, then walked around and got into the driver's seat. It wasn't until he had driven back onto the Sky-Way that he turned to his son.

"Now, start from the beginning: what happened today?"

Drot looked up from his little Omni-Tool, switching it off before replying.

"It weren't my fault," the krogan pup objected. "Xander and the Hooper twins were picking on Zaina! They tooked her ball away and called her a 'blue baby.'"

Drot fiddled with his fingers.

"She was crying, Da'. I had to do somethun!"

Klaang nodded thoughtfully, then remembered where the drell had been hurt.

"You remembered what Uncle Z told you about drell?"

Drot nodded.

"Weak spot is their…accka-lung, just above da belly-button. Dat's where I hit him first. Den I heads-butted 'im."

"Their aqua-lung," Klaang corrected. "And for humans?"

"Hit'em in the quad."

"The pair," corrected Klaang again. "And the black eyes?"

"Dey wouldn't say 'Sorry' to Zaina…"

Klaang now openly chuckled. Then he turned serious again.

"I don't want to get in trouble at school, Drot," he said. "Next time something like that happens, wait until you're outside of school to beat up the little pyjacks."

Drot nodded thoughtfully.

"Ok, Da."

Klaang smiled as he pulled into the exit lane.

"When we get home, I want you to give Kesteven a bath and sweep the workshop," he said. "Then I'll help you with your homework before we go to Bab's Burgers."

"BAB's BURGERS?" Drot squealed with delight. "DAT's my FAVORITEST Place EVA!"

"I know, kid," Klaang smiled as he pulled into their garage. "I know…"

A/N: Just wanted to give you guys a short one-shot, as several people had requested an update on everybody's favorite krogan pup. If this story generates enough interest, I will consider expanding it, to tell more of Thax Klaang's and Drot's story (or maybe even go back and tell some of their backstory and how they got here from Tuchanka).

Let me know what you guys think, and don't worry, I'm currently writing/editing the next chapter to Beacon's Effect 3: Awakening!

ROCK ON, EVERYBODY!

EE-RAH!