Chapter 10: Kolyat
"There," Kolyat said, finishing up the stitches on an injured human's leg, "You're all patched up." The human sat up and stared at the drell. "Thank you, Dr. Krios." Kolyat laughed, "Well, I'm not really a doctor. But you are welcome. You should be good to walk within a few days. Just keep using these crutches until then. If anything happens, call me and I'll see what I can do." The human smiled and limped out of the room.
Kolyat Krios walked to his office window. Smiling he looked out at the Citadel presidium, it's sky-cars zooming above the wards. "You would enjoy this, father," he said to himself. You would enjoy this, he thought. Kolyat had done much after his father's death. After the funeral Commander Shepard held at his apartment for Thane Krios, Kolyat left the Citadel to enlist in the hanar military. Acting as an engineer on one of their combat frigates, Kolyat gained recognition from many drell workers and soldiers as a "priest" of sorts, always giving the drell hope through their gods in the worst of situations. He not only helped fix engines but also tended to the injured soldiers that came back from combat drops. During the Battle for Earth, Kolyat served on his ship and had to launch in an escape pod when a Reaper tore open it's hull and started harvesting the crew. When he landed on Earth, he was met with carnage.
After the war, he returned to Kahje, the hanar homeworld, and learned from the great drell priests that resided there. When he had studied with them for 2 years, Kolyat returned to the Citadel to find work in the medical field. Here he met Dr. Chloe Michel, who allowed him to practice medicine at Huerta Memorial Hospital. Though not a true doctor, Michel vouched for Krios' abilities and won over the hospital's board of directors in a dispute to allow Kolyat to practice.
The office he started working in was the same as his father's when he was brought into intensive care. Thane died here, after the coup attempt by Cerberus. He was stabbed through the chest by a blade of unknown make. The doctors didn't give him much time to live, even when Kolyat came to try and save his father. Thane, being stricken with Kepral's Syndrome, could not survive with so much blood loss, as he could not take in as much oxygen as he was leaking out of his body. Shepard came quickly but was met with the bad news. There was no saving Kolyat's father, Shepard's friend. Kolyat saw the Commander was in pain. It was a look of pure sadness.
Kolyat knew that Shepard became a close friend of his father's. Thane had once said Shepard was one of the only friends he's ever had. When Shepard hosted his funeral, he said that, "Thane cared for the better angels of our nature". Despite being an assassin and a criminal, his father held himself with an honor no ordinary man could. He was a hero to the end, never just waiting for his next paycheck. His father helped the world by taking bad people out of it. Kolyat decided that he would help by keeping good people in it. It was poetic, to Kolyat. Not something he saw himself doing for the rest of his life, but he was truly content.
Kolyat walked over to his desk and looked at a picture frame of his father. It was taken on the trip they took to New Mexico before the war. Thane was smiling that subtle smile. The one he almost never smiled. Whenever he did, Kolyat knew that he was genuinely happy. He picked it up to take a closer look at it. The details of the picture were very prominent.
The sunset glistening off the rocks and shrubs; the breeze whispering in his ear; a sudden cough; a short stop; he's on the ground in puddled blood.
Kolyat snapped out of his solipsism. He forgot the picture was taken just before his father had a violent spasm. Kepral's Syndrome is not kind to the lungs, especially on foreign worlds. Kolyat had not suffered from Keprals like his father had, but being a drell he is always susceptible. Kolyat put the picture down.
A call came to his personal console. "Kolyat," Dr. Michel's voice rang out, "There's a man here to see you." "Send him in," Kolyat answered. After a minute, Jacob Taylor walked in to his office. "Mr. Taylor," Kolyat said graciously, "it is good to see you." Kolyat shook Jacob's hand. "It's good to see you too, Kolyat," Jacob said, "I see you're keepin' yourself busy." Kolyat walked to his office window. "Yes," he said, "I am helping the wounded and sick; nothing like open heart surgery or organ transplants, but I'm doing my best. My father would be proud."
He turned and looked at Jacob. "But enough about the past. You are here for something, correct?" Jacob crossed his arms. "Yeah," he said, "I got an assignment for Alliance brass. Miranda Lawson is runnin' the joint. Spectre stuff, real hush hush. But, we need a team. And we want you on that team." Kolyat looked puzzled. "If I remember correctly, my father always associated you and Ms. Lawson with large amounts of gunfire and killing. I am not my father. I cannot provide the same support my father did." Jacob shook his head. "We know you're not your father. But you're doin' well for yourself working as a doctor. We'd love to have you work as our ship's medic." Kolyat thought for a moment. "Why are you asking me?" he asked, "I'm not a very experienced doctor, Mr. Taylor. I don't have a lot to offer for a…" "Kolyat," Jacob interrupted, "it's a big mission. It's… important to people like you and me."
Kolyat moved to his desk and leaned on the desk. "What are you doing, Mr. Taylor?" Jacob activated his omni-tool and sent some information to Kolyat's. The omni-tool let out a blip and Kolyat started scrolling through the information Jacob sent him. His eyes widened as he stood up straight. "I see," he said with amazement. "So… will you join us?" Jacob asked. Kolyat thought for a moment. "Mr. Taylor," he started, "My father had the utmost respect for Shepard. He talked about him often." Kolyat stopped and looked down. "I too respected Shepard. And if he is out there, I will help you search. It would honor my father's memory." Kolyat walked over and gave Jacob an affirming handshake. "Thank you, Kolyat." Jacob answered.
Kolyat walked over to his desk and started to pack some of his things away in some cabinets. "When will we be starting this mission, Mr. Taylor?" Jacob chuckled, "You can call me Jacob, you know. We are gonna be crewmates." Kolyat stopped his packing and looked at Jacob over his shoulder. "Sorry," he said, "Ok, Jacob. When are we starting?" "Soon," Jacob replied, "We still need to assemble more of the team. Right now, though, I need you to report to Earth as soon as possible. The New York docks, specifically. We've got a ship waiting for us there."
Kolyat picked up his father's picture again. He looked at it for a good while. "I assume the need of a medic also means trouble might be found?" he asked. Jacob crossed his arms again. "It's always possible," he said. Kolyat put the picture into a small suitcase he had been packing. "Alright," he said, "I'll meet you all there." Jacob nodded and turned to leave. "Jacob!" Kolyat called to him. Jacob stopped and turned back. "This mission… It's good to know he's still out there." Jacob smirked. "Yeah…" he said, "The war didn't take everything from us." "That it did not." Kolyat replied. Jacob left. Kolyat looked out the window again. I'll find him father, he thought to himself. A Krios will always call a Shepard friend.
After he finished packing, Kolyat walked out of his office and sealed the doors. He walked down the hallway out into the lobby and found Dr. Michel at the reception desk gathering some papers. "Dr. Michel," Kolyat said to her, "I'm going to be traveling for a while. I will need some one to cover my shifts. Dr. Michel turned to face him. "Oh?" she said in her thick Russian accent, "Was that man intimidating you or something?" Kolyat chuckled, "Quite the contrary. I'm need for an Alliance mission. Spectre business as well, apparently. So I'll be gone for a while." Dr. Michel looked very confused. "Is it dangerous work?" she asked. Kolyat shrugged, "Not really sure. It is always possible." Dr. Michel gave a short sigh. "Well, then you are free to go, Dr. Krios." Kolyat's eyes widened. "Doctor?" he asked quizzically, "Did you just call me Dr. Krios?" Dr. Michel laughed and patted Kolyat on the back, "Kolyat, I think you've earned the title. Just have whoever is in charge of this mission send me an official statement. And write often. I want to make sure one of my best doctor's is doing well out there." She smiled at him. He gave a smirk back as he laughed. "Of course, Dr. Michel. I'll see you soon."
He smiled as he turned to leave. Dr. Michel was a kind woman. She had done so much for him: teaching him complex medical techniques, getting him this job. Now she considers him as a full-time doctor. He was very thankful for her. As he got in the elevator, he gave her a wave good bye. She waved back as the doors closed. Kolyat looked at the panel of buttons. "Well," he said as he pressed one of the buttons, "praying now would be good for my nerves." He put his suitcase down and clasped his hands together. "Arashu, Goddess of Protection, I ask that my body be calm, my mind be clear and my soul be ready for the tasks ahead. And if I die, Goddess…"