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 Forty-Five: The Wanderer XIV.

"You're going to lose your arm by the end of this."

Kolyat could have laughed at her if he could spare the energy.

"I know," he said, quietly, "You have no idea how many times I've been told that."

The old woman folded her arms in clear frustration. "There's nothing left of your right arm to save," she said, quietly. "You'll never be able to use it properly again, even if we're not forced to take it completely. And your Biotic powers are spreading to the rest of your system so quickly that I couldn't stop even if I carted you into major surgery. If you keep using Biotics the way you are, and keep putting yourself under this much pressure, it's not just your arm you'll be risking anymore."

Kolyat jumped off the cot. "I know," he repeated with a mirthless smile.

Chakwas stopped him from leaving.

"At least let me give you something to rehydrate you and stitch up and heal what I can with MediGel," she insisted, stubbornly, "that way when you're fighting it'll take longer for you to bleed out. I can also make it so when you use Biotics you won't tear apart anything else."

Kolyat considered her.

You can't save your arm. We knew that from the beginning, Thane reminded him, folding his arms. He was leaning against the wall closest to Kolyat. But since you keep insisting on using your Biotics when you fight, I suggest taking whatever help she offers you. Time is short, he added, voice uncharacteristically dark, so decide quickly.

"Fine," he said, glancing at his father as he spoke, "Just do it quickly. I have somewhere I need to be."

N._.S._.S

Chakwas really had done a magnificent job with his wounds.

All of them, except for the major ones in his right shoulder and arm had been completely healed or patched up. And she had also given him pain-killers that would dull whatever pain he should have been in, and extras, to be used either just before or just after he used his Biotics-

"For later," she'd said.

Plus she had, thankfully, found some spare clothing that fit him pretty well so he didn't go into that meeting looking like he'd just walked through hell-

Which, of course, by all accounts, he had.

Remember, Thane advised him, these are the ones whose decisions will shape whether or not the Galaxy falls into Cerberus hands. Tell them the absolute truth and whatever you don't know, give them your best guess. If we want to defeat our enemies, we must keep them all on agreeable terms.

"You'll be with me?" Kolyat murmured carefully as he opened the door to the War Room.

To the end.

"Stay behind me."

N._.S._.S

Commander Shepard leaned against the wall closest to the door, wearing her old, blue-and-gold uniform, her arms folded and her lips forming a tight, solemn line. Garrus stood next to her, ice-blue eyes looking more serious than Kolyat ever remembered seeing him. Solana, looking utterly nervous and somehow out-of-place, was sitting while her father, Adelais, stood over her, arms crossed and brow-plate furrowed- his impossibly dark, midnight blue eyes hadn't stopped watching him since he'd entered the room. Beside Adelais was Primarch Victus, who was keeping a close eye on Sparatus.

On the other side, in a neat row, were the Councilors. Hackett stood, like a middleman would, behind the Asari Councilor, Tevos. On Tevos' right was the Turian Councilor, Sparatus, and on her left, was the Salarian Councilor, Valern.

The diplomatic arm of the Council is Tevos- she applies the victories and losses of the past to all of her decisions- use that to your advantage, Thane told him as Kolyat sat down on the opposite end of the four. Sparatus controls military- use the honor of defeating his enemies with his own remaining fleets against him if you must. Valern is the scientific mind- the master strategist. Give him a clear plan of action and he'll follow you.

And Hackett?

Leave that to the Commander. And remember, Thane added, gravely, folding his arms and backing off into the wall behind him, Do not panic. You know what to do better than anyone in this room.

I understand. Thank you, father.

Kolyat put the book onto the table and opened it, revealing the Control Chip. Picking it up, he handed it to Valern, who inspected it with a half-concerned, half-interested glare.

"That is the Control Chip I stole from Cerberus on the Vassla Islands in Kahje. It is crucial we integrate this into the Normandy's system. I also suggest making a copy," Kolyat began, as calmly as he could, "and we integrate that copy into the Control Panel in the Citadel."

"And what will that do, I wonder?" Valern spoke up, handing the Chip to Hackett, who duly handed it over to Shepard, who easily pocketed it.

"It will turn the Reaper against Cerberus, and destroy whatever else Cerberus has brought with them," Kolyat reported with a nod at Shepard.

She smiled and nodded back.

"How do you know?" Sparatus, ever the suspicious one, asked.

"I-"

Tell the truth, Kolyat.

Are you insane?

Go ahead.

"As some of you may know," Kolyat explained, "Kahje is home to restless Spirits. My father, Thane Krios, being one of them-"

"You expect us to do as you say on a dream?" Tevos said, beautiful eyes narrowing.

"The last time you ignored a mere dream, Councilor, you got the Reaper War," Kolyat snapped back, firing up instantly. "A mistake which, I recall," he added, "that cost your homeworld of Thessia greatly."

Careful. Don't go too far.

Tevos blinked in surprise and looked over at Sparatus, who sighed and nodded in silent agreement with Kolyat's words. Then she looked over at Valern, who also nodded.

"Listen," Kolyat continued, "I have an idea that will help stop Cerberus from killing too many civilians. If we have C-Sec take care of the civilians..." Kolyat nodded at Bailey, "we can have whatever ships that are already here, including the Normandy, take on whatever fleet Cerberus has with them, and block them from escaping by barricading the other end after they arrive here in the Serpent Nebula."

Kolyat could instantly see Sparatus and Valern's answers.

"If we work fast, my people can have a fleet good enough to take on that Reaper if it attempts to escape after destroying Cerberus," Sparatus said, slowly, with a glance at the Primarch, who nodded.

"I can prepare a course to tell us exactly where the Reaper is now," Valern added, taking Sparatus' lead. "I can also give us an estimate on the Cerberus fleet."

"Are we sure it's an entire fleet?" Hackett asked. "If that's the case, I can order whatever's left of the fleet that attacked the Reapers on Earth here in two days."

"I'm not sure of exactly how many ships or men are backing the Reaper," Kolyat answered, calmly, "but I am absolutely positive that by now they know that the Control Chip is missing and will have prepared enough men to do exactly what they tried to during the coup."

"Meaning going after the Council?" Valern added.

Commander Shepard spoke up. "I can have my crew protect you," she said, seriously, "I don't want a repeat of last time," she added, looking up at Kolyat with concerned, dark brown eyes.

Valern nodded in agreement. "Also," he added, "I'll have the Special Tasks Group deal with copying that Chip and laying out the best-course strategies for the impending battle."

"Then it's decided," Hackett said, not bothering to hide his satisfied smile, "C-Sec will take care of getting as many civilians away from Citadel as possible. Commander Shepard's crew will assist in protecting the Council; the Salarian Special Forces will arrive from Sur'Kesh and analyze and copy the Control Chip and prepare the attack strategy; the combined leftover fleets from the Turians, Humans, and whoever else can join, will guard the Mass Relay during the battle."

Hackett's kind light blue eyes gave Kolyat a considering look, "So Cerberus wants control of the Galaxy," he said with another smile, "But they'll have to go through it first."

Kolyat couldn't help but smile back.

Good, Thane said as Tevos called the meeting adjourned, You did well, Kolyat. But remember- the hardest part of this entire ordeal is not over- it hasn't even begun.

I know, Kolyat responded with a slow nod as Thane turned his head toward him, dark, abyss-like eyes seemingly gazing right through him.

And I'll be ready for them this time. He promised.

N._.S._.S

You're welcome, Yoru.

And yes, don't worry.

There's much more coming.

MUCH more.

BE AFRAID!