Mass Effect: Each Story Has A Million Tales.
Summary: "There is always more than just one side to a story- and more than one lesson to learn. Follow Garrus Vakarian as he stands by a promise that he means to keep, contemplates the true meaning of life, death, and the ultimate sacrifice, and as he confronts someone who should have been behind him all along. Follow Adelais Vakarian as he mends a broken bond, and as he comes to terms with a terrible loss of his own. Follow Kolyat Krios as he navigates through a very dangerous place, only to find another- under the guidance of someone who may or may not be there at all. And follow Commander Joleen Shepard as she goes through her past and present, only to find herself in the middle of a battle for her future." (Garrus' Story: 'The Promise-Keeper.' Adelais' Story: 'The Old Soldier.' Kolyat's Story: 'The Wanderer.' Shepard's Story: 'The Missing.')
Warning: "This is a heavy one- some swearing, angst, implied adult situations, adult situations, a few character deaths, violence, and blood. All the big ones this time. Remember, this is my Shepard, my feelings on the game and what should have happened and will happen, with my own opinions and storyline, so no nasty comments. Got it? Good." (Commander Joleen Shepard: War Hero, Earthborn. Soldier. Paragon. Romanced Kaidan Alenko in the 1st game, Garrus Vakarian in the 2nd and 3rd. Shot and killed Udina during the Citadel Coup.)
Disclaimer: "I do not own Mass Effect. At all. So don't make me say it again."
Author's Note: "Just so you all know, the name 'Adelais,' is Latin for 'Noble,' and the name 'Carissa' means 'the most beloved one.' Personally, I just thought the two names fit the story and what the characters were meant for."
N._.S._.S
Chapter Fifty-Three: The Promise-Keeper XIV.
Unsurprisingly, the "quiet after the storm" didn't last long.
When the door to the Crew Lounge slid open, Garrus looked up from what he was reading, and turned his head to find Adelais standing stiffly at the door. Judging by the way his father's arms were folded, and the clear, obvious concern deep in his midnight blue eyes, he either had something potentially upsetting to tell them, or, more probable, something had just gone wrong.
Or, of course, both.
"Your friend passed out."
Garrus stole a glance at Shepard, only to find she was still reading- though, he noticed, with some minute annoyance, her tired, dark brown eyes weren't actually moving.
"Who?"
"The Drell."
Now fully paying attention, Garrus stood up, ice-blue eyes again darting back at Shepard, who actually looked up, brows furrowed as she heard the announcement.
"I'm not surprised," she said, quietly, making to stand up as well. "What happened?"
"From what I heard, the kid was with Valern and Vega, up in the CIC, and before anyone knew what happened, he stops in the middle of whatever he was doing and collapsed."
"His wounds probably got the better of him. He was in pretty bad shape." Shepard said, brows furrowing again as she spoke, "He's in the Bay now, right?"
Adelais nodded. "Yes. Chakwas sent me up here to get you."
Shepard gathered the three or four datapads from her table and began to leave. As she passed Adelais, however, she turned back to him and asked, "You don't mind keeping an eye on Sparatus and Victus, do you?" she added, kindly, "I'd like to keep Garrus with me."
Adelais actually blinked in surprise, and glanced at Garrus with his brow-plates raised. After Garrus gave him a barely noticeable nod, however, Adelais stepped aside and let her and Garrus pass- giving his son an approving, almost knowing look as they did so.
"Of course not, Commander."
N._.S._.S
"Loco didn't even miss a beat," Vega was saying to Chakwas as Garrus and Shepard entered the Med Bay. "One sec he's all good and pulling data from the STG for the Councilor, next he's on the ground and nobody even notices until Joker said we got a man down."
The curtains around the cot were pulled down, and the usually fluorescent, bright white lights of the small Med Bay had been dimmed. Chakwas herself sat comfortably at her desk, listening to Vega's explanation, but when she saw that Shepard had arrived, she quickly stood.
"Commander," she said, grimly, "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you."
Garrus could see the instant reaction in Shepard's eyes- they flashed with genuine worry and fear. Chakwas took a chart from her desk and held it out for her to read.
"Three fractured ribs. Broken collarbone. Broken right arm and wrist. Stab wound through the right arm. Ripped muscles and tendons throughout right arm." She listed them one right after the other, voice growing with shock with each one.
"What the hell was the loco doing?" Vega demanded as she finished.
"It was Cerberus," Shepard answered, quietly. "They wanted him dead and tried their damned hardest to do it…" her eyes narrowed suddenly as she looked back up at Chakwas, dark eyes flashing with what Garrus interpreted as alarm.
"You recommended that his arm be amputated." She said, handing the chart back to the doctor.
Garrus glanced over at Vega.
The dark-skinned marine pointedly ignored him.
"Yes," Chakwas said, slowly, "If he doesn't, his Biotics- which are by far more potent than any other Drell I've seen, including his father's, have the potential to continue destroying his body, as it has his right arm. Added to that, we have the wound in his shoulder. The blade severed the nerves connecting his right arm to the rest of his body," she added, "it's just a dying lump of flesh left now."
"There's no other way?" Shepard countered, calmly.
The doctor shook her head somberly.
"I'm afraid not. Even if he stopped using Biotics completely. His arm would never recover because the damage isn't just from the Biotics or bone-deep. It goes down into the muscles, tendons, and nerves," the doctor said, firmly, "it remains my professional opinion that it be amputated as quickly as possible."
Vega suddenly cleared his throat and jerked his head oddly at the door after meeting Garrus' gaze.
Glancing back at Shepard, and receiving a quick, silent nod in response, Garrus took the hint and followed suit, leaving Shepard and Chakwas to their conversation.
N._.S._.S
"He won't let it happen," Vega declared as soon as they were out of earshot.
"I know he won't," Garrus answered, bluntly, folding his arms as they continued to the Mess table. "And if Joleen gets her way, he won't be forced into it, either."
"Who won't be forced into what?" Kaidan spoke up, curiously. The dark-haired Spectre had been getting himself some water and he'd apparently been listing in on what Vega and Garrus were saying. He joined them, sitting down at the table with glass of water still in hand.
"Aren't you supposed to be with Hackett?" Vega demanded of him, rather defensively.
"Aren't you supposed to be with Valern?" Kaidan countered, smartly, raising a dark brow and taking a sip of his drink as Vega gave Garrus an annoyed look.
"Chakwas wants to amputate Kolyat's right arm," Garrus cut in, before Vega could retort. "Joleen is trying to get her to change her mind, but it doesn't look good."
"Yeah, I remember Hackett saying something about that," Kaidan said, thoughtfully. "That's why I'm here- to check on Chakwas' decision."
"Right," Vega said, cynically, "A Councilor sent you all the way down here just for that?"
"Hey," Kaidan protested, darkly, "Remember that that kid in there is the only connection to Cerberus and the Control Chip we've got. He dies, and the rest of us are screwed."
N._.S._.S
Shepard came out of the Med Bay a little while later, looking pale but satisfied.
"So?" Garrus asked her as she approached, giving her a worried look when she didn't answer, instead pouring herself a cup of coffee in the Mess.
Someone had always, ever since Garrus had joined the Normandy, years ago now, had a coffee pot hot and waiting for her.
It was one of the few things about her that never changed.
"It's Kolyat's decision, not anyone else's." Shepard answered, sipping the coffee and giving him a smile that lit up her tired eyes, "I made sure of that."
"Good. Maybe now we'll avoid that one argument."
Shepard winced, as if just then realizing what Garrus meant by that. "God, I don't even want to be in the same system as him when he wakes up."
"Think he'll be awake before the fight starts?" Garrus asked, casually, as they stepped into the elevator, heading up to her cabin.
"Thane was."
"I'm not asking about Thane. I'm asking about Kolyat."
Shepard sighed as the doors closed. "I hope not."
"You think he'll do the same thing Thane did?"
"Cerberus wants him dead more than me now," Shepard answered, bitterly, "and they'll target him the second they see him, Reaper or no Reaper."
N._.S._.S
I'm back! XD
Miss me?
Anyone?
Anyone at all?
Anyway, I replaced this chapter. I didn't like how the last one turned out.
Hope this is better.
- J
